There will be no democracy if a portion of the population is
being denied their constitutional right to lead not only with words but with
action. The removal of age limit show a clear testimony of constitutional coup
and hijack that the youth are not important in national development.
Youth leadership opportunities are often overlooked by
adults, either knowingly or unknowingly, but the results are the same; a lost
opportunity for young people to take the lead. Even when adults consider
themselves champions for youth in leadership roles, many times adults are asked
to assume the leadership positions instead of letting youth take the lead to
build their future.
The Gambia is the only country where Young people are
often excluded or overlooked as political candidates, but see the youth as the
people who supposed to be clapping and singing during the campaign. Not knowing
that the youth often play central and catalyzing roles in movements for
democracy around the globe in making the world a better place to live in.
Gambia politics is typically regarded as a space for
politically experienced men above 60, and while women are also disadvantaged in
accumulating experience to run for office, young people are systematically
marginalized because of their young age, limited opportunities, and projected
lack of experience by the pensioners who want to lead by all means.
Widespread global mobilization and action demonstrate
that young people care deeply about social causes, while recent events in the
Arab States and elsewhere have highlighted how youth can play a vital role in
democratic change.
We the Gambia youth face many issues in our own country,
but these issues go unheard. Since the youth would better understand other
young people, the best way to improve this newer generation would be through
politics, which is a tool used to take action for development.
The involvement of youth in politics leads to civic
engagement which is broader than political engagement because it can include
service to the community through involvement in health, education and charity
work. Political engagement is a more targeted aspect of civic engagement and
can be expressed through voting, participating in political demonstrations and
signing petitions for specific issues.
The Barrow lead administration should consider steps
to effectively integrate youth in political processes by taking advantage of
new technologies. It is clear that we
need to find another way forward. Politicians, decision-making institutions and
influencers must engage in more open and transparent dialogue with young people
that both elevates their voices and builds the trustworthiness of the institutions
they engage with.
The Gambia Youth are well energetic in performing
their tasks and would be key to the growth and development of the nation. They are
also well aware of the technological advancement such as various app which
makes work easier.
Youth should be given the opportunity to prove
themselves by making politics accessible to them. The right balance of young
talent and experienced politicians can lead to the cleaning of politics and can
restore the public faith in the political system.
Our mission is supporting a new generation of
progressive young leaders and empowering them to fight for progressive change,
elevating the political consciousness. And to transform Gambia’s politics and
economic systems in responsive to the needs of The Gambians.
The vision dedicated to liberate Gambians from the
bondage of leading by the pensioners with the aim of re building a better
Gambia that would one day be led by a youth not only with words but with
action.
To be continued…
By: Saidina Alieu Jarjou
Spokesperson
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