COMMEMORATION OF THE AFRICAN YOUTH DAY, Takes In a Grand Style

With the aid of its development in youth development, the National Youth Council (NYC) on the 7th December 2009 celebrated the African Youth Day at the Friendship Hotel, Bakau with a match past of children’s.
It was in July 2006, the African Union (AU) heads of state and governments declared the year 2008 as the year of the African Youth Year (YAY), and was officially launched in 15 February 2009 by the second ordinary session of the Conference on Ministers in charged of youth (COMYII) in Addis Ababa
COMYII youth year and the declaration of the African Youth Charter (AYC) by heads of states and governments.
This year’s commemoration theme “Africa Youth for Peace and Development”
Addressing the gathering, Executive Secretary of the NYC, Mr. Marchel Mendy thanked all the youths that make it possible to attend the commemoration of such an important in the annals of our history.
According to Mendy, this year’s theme is in line with key provisions of the African Youth Charter, relating to youth in conflict situation, and the enhancement of youth participations, in development and reconstruction processes.
He added that the theme also implies that young Africans appreciate the values of peace, respect for human dignity and life, community, family and patriotism.
NYC Mendy explained that youths of The Gambia has played important roles in the development of the country and the continent at large through their participation in numerous development initiatives and processes.
In implementing the theme in the Gambia, Mendy tasked on the government and its development partners to increase their political will, resources allocation and investment in programs that will advance the status of the youth folk as they are the crème of the society and future leaders, “so they need to be shaped” for tomorrow’s betterments.
The Assistant Representative of the United Nations Family Planning Association (UNFPA Dr. Reuben Mboge said that youths played the crucial role in contributing to economic development, poverty reduction etc in any nation.
Mr. Malang Jassey, director of Youth and Sport also spoke at length about the importance of the celebration and the roles youths can play.