By Astou Jawara
The Gambia National Youth Service Scheme (NYSS) has graduated its 13th batch of 154 corps members who had undergone a two-year skills acquisition training, at the various Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions in the country, at a ceremony held on Friday, 4th March 2022 at its orientation grounds in Bakau.The recruited youth, said to have been drawn from across all the administrative regions of the country, were trained on computing/information technology, electrical installation, construction and masonry, rice production, horticulture, auto-mechanics, tailoring, livestock, carpentry, plumbing, electronics, catering, welding and fabrication, and hairdressing, amongst others livelihood skills.
NYSS aims to empower young people and create an avenue for the training of youths in skills acquisition and business, so that they could be self-employed and productive citizens.
Addressing the graduation ceremony, the NYSS Deputy Executive Director Mr. Mustapha Badjie, said they were the 13th batch of corps members who were recruited throughout the country by the regional committees, chaired and co-chaired by the Area/Municipal Councils, in line with the provisions of the NYSS Act. This, he informed the audience, is to ensure that regional partners take ownership of the process in identifying young people willing to learn skills for employment or self-employment.
“It is against this background that the Government recognised the need to channel resources for youth development and empowerment”, Badjie added, noting during the past 18 months, the graduating youth had undergone intensive skills acquisition programmes. He explained that since its creation, the NYSS had been supporting youths to acquire skills of their choice after undergoing orientation.
Permanent Secretary (PS) Ministry of Youth and Sports (MoYS), Mr. Saikou K. Sanyang, recalled that initially, the scheme started with an intake of 100 youths in 1996, and the graduation of this current batch brought the total number to 5,470 youths supported in various skills.
“Thus, a recent tracer and impact assessment study showed a very high demand from youths who wanted to join the scheme and also highlighted the positive attitudes, especially in the areas of discipline,” according to the PS.
Mr. Anthony G. Mendy, Director of Tertiary and Higher Education (DTHE) at the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (MoHERST), representing the NYSS Board Chairman, challenged the graduating corpers to make the best use of their skills, as he also enjoined them to be role models for those youths in their communities, noting (acquiring) skills is the way to help them make it in The Gambia.
Mendy thanked the government, through the Ministry of Youth and Sports, for supporting young people over the years.
Mr. Modou Salieu Jallow delivered the vote of thanks on behalf of the 154 graduating Corps members.
