The Gambia’s minister of tourism and culture, Hamat Bah, has blamed African and Asian governments for the rise in irregular migration to Europe. 

He blamed the governments in the two continents for their “failed education system and policy”. 

Mr Bah made the comments at a meet-the-people tour rally as The Gambia grapples with the exodus of young men and women to Europe through Mediterranean Sea known locally as the “backway”. 

And his comments came barely a month ago after a tragedy involving dozens of young Gambians who lost their lives while en route to Europe through the perilous Mediterranean Sea. 

According to him, the “backway” is more disastrous than Covid-19, adding “and it’s our African and Asian youths who are perishing in this dangerous route.

“But I see this backway problem as a failed education system by African and Asian governments. They are responsible. At the time of independence, we did not have the curriculum or syllabus meant for national development,” he said.

“Bad education is the recipe of our youths in Africa and Asia dying in the sea. The time has come for governments in Africa and Asia to revisit their educational system.”

Mr Bah urged parents to join efforts in encouraging young people to seek skills and knowledge.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba