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Momodou
Denmark
11735 Posts |
 Posted - 27 Jun 2007 : 23:37:20
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YOUTH FORUM ON EMPLOYMENT HELD
By Isatou Bittaye &Abdou Jeli Keita
Youth Employment Network (Y.E.N)-Gambia Chapter, in collaboration with the Youth Monument Bar and Restaurant and Kanifing Municipal Council, on Sunday organised a day long forum on Youth Employment at the Youth Monument Bar and Restaurant at Westfield.
The Youth Employment Network (Y.E.N)-Gambia Chapter, was launched in 2002 to spearhead the decade long campaign for the creation of 100,000 job opportunities for young adults in The Gambia by 2012. The national campaign is in line with the global call for action by the international community for the creation of extra 500 million jobs by the same year. This year, 2007, marks the midterm review of the campaign, both national and international, which attached a great importance to this forum. The theme for the forum was “Young people and employment”. The forum brought together Government, Local council, employment agencies, media and young people to discuss youth employment issues with a special emphasis on the available employment opportunities for young people.
Abisatou Janneh, a representative of the Youth Monument Bar and Restaurant said today 90% of the staff of the Youth Monument are young people, of which 75% are Gambians; that this is a clear demonstration that they are resolved to contribute towards the youth employment crusade in The Gambia. She said their support to many youth initiatives and programmes of which this is one, and that correspondingly they are open for more positive partnership in the name of youth development. Madam Janneh said they are also challenging the young people to see the youth monument as a symbol of unity where young people can meet and discuss what really impact on their lives, be it negative or positive.
She called on all the young people to be partners in development process. Deputizing for the (CEO) of KMC, Mr. Sutay Jawo said youth unemployment is a global thing. Mr. Jawo said that the education system in the country should be revisited and even restructured; that the unavailability of appropriate data on unemployment be addressed. He said Gambian youths must be willing to pickup skilled labour and thereby create self employment. The private sector he said should start helping the youths of this country.
Muhamed Sillah, CEO, Sankung Sillah and Sons Ltd, speaking on the overview of the employment opportunities created by his manufacturing company for young people, said his company (SSS Ltd) employs over 200 people and that they are also looking at other projects to create more employment for youths. He pointed out the inadequate skill labour, and scarcity of technicians and engineers among Gambians, some of the problems responsible for youth unemployment.
Mr. Sillah said his company currently employs five physically disabled persons. He said the reason why Gambians prefer imported goods than home made goods has nothing to do with quality, but rather the attitude of the consumer. He urged the youths to be organising such fora.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 74/2007, 27-28 June 2007
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