The Minister of Youth and Sports has urged Gambian youth to take the lead role in the fights against illegal drugs and climate change. 

Bakary Badjie made the speech at a special session of the National Youth Parliament at the National Assembly chambers in Banjul. 

He said: “Let me assure you that as a ministry and government in general, we will continue to engage with you as much as necessary and further strengthen our collaborative work in all areas of concerns to our youth at constituency level.

“We will continue to engage and listen to you. This is an undeniable right that you as the youth of this country earn a duty that we as public servants have towards you and the people that you represent.”

The minister added: “I want to challenge your leadership while building on the previous gains to do more work in the areas of drug abuse, climate change and lively skill acquisition. 

“From all indications, these three issues are among the major challenges confronting our young people today and those deserve concerted efforts from the government, UN agencies and the National Youth Council.”

The Gambia National Youth Parliament provides opportunities for 11-18 year olds to use their elected voice to bring about social change through meaningful representation and campaigning. 

Reporting by Adama Makasuba