The Board Chairman of Activista The Gambia, Mr. Saiba T. Susso, has charged that young people of the Gambia should refuse to be used as tools for violence.
He made the comments on Tuesday, 26th October 2021 while presiding over the opening ceremony of the 6th edition of the Activista National Youth Convergence in Yarambamba, held under the theme: ‘Youth For Transformative Change and Development‘. It’s gathered young people from across the country to discuss, highlight and identify issues affecting them, with the objective of proffering remedies to those issues.
“Activista The Gambia is a youth-led civil society organization that works to promote meaningful participation of young men and women in decision making processes at all levels. It is also a network that promotes social justice, eradication of poverty, inequality in the Gambian society”, Susso stated.
“We are certain that the active engagement of young people is central in the fight against poverty, youth unemployment, suppression and all forms of injustices,” he stated. The platform, Chairman Susso pointed out, has proven to be one that yields and amplifies the voice of the young people, and an opportunity to build the community of young people.
He also posited that they should continue to work by the principles of democracy and human rights, freedom of speech, and seize every opportunity to make the Gambia a great nation.
Mr. Alhagie S. Nyang, National Coordinator of Activista The Gambia, had this to say: “The convergence avails the young people with the opportunity and platform to come together, learn on how to share experience on how to propel youth activities in the country.” He added that the event has come at the right moment, as the country gears up for the upcoming Presidential polls, in which process, as Nyang underlined, “the active and full participation of young people is an integral part, in ensuring a successful and peaceful election.
Mrs. Tabou Sarr-Njie, on behalf of the Executive Director of Actionaid- The Gambia, said that the convergence demonstrates the readiness of the young people to take the mantle of leadership into their hands, which, she echoed, corresponds to the thematic vision of Actionaid, to work through inclusion to ensure that the marginalized and vulnerable people are empowered.
