By Alieu Ceesay
The Gambia took a landmark step toward youth empowerment on Tuesday with the official launch of the country’s first-ever National Youth Database at the Presidential International Award (PIA) center in Bakau. The initiative, spearheaded by ActionAid International, The Gambia, in partnership with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, promises to revolutionize data-driven policymaking for the nation’s young population.
Funded by the UN Peacebuilding Fund under the project “Empowering Marginalised Young People for Inclusion in Civic Space and Local Infrastructure for Peace,” the database aims to provide credible, centralized information on Gambian youth, including those with disabilities. The exercise was conducted nationwide by the Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy Affairs, ensuring comprehensive coverage across all regions.
Ndella Colley Faye, Executive Director of ActionAid International, The Gambia, hailed the platform as a beacon of possibility. “This database will not only store data, but it will also illuminate possibilities,” she declared during the launch. “It will allow policymakers, development practitioners, and partners to access credible information that can guide resource allocation, shape youth policies, and design targeted interventions that respond directly to the realities of young people.”
Faye urged stakeholders to move beyond mere reporting. “Let us commit to using this tool not merely for reporting, but for reimagining policy, reshaping priorities, and taking action to realize the potential of every young Gambian,” she added, emphasizing efficient resource allocation and tangible outcomes.
Youths and Sports Minister Bakary Badjie echoed these sentiments, describing the database as a vital guiding tool to address long-standing challenges. “One of my ministry’s key challenges has been the lack of a comprehensive youth database,” Badjie stated. He highlighted its potential to improve coordination among youth-led and youth-service organizations, while bolstering accountability, transparency, and inclusivity in programs.
The minister further noted that the initiative would amplify the voices of young people in governance. “We will be able to strengthen their participation in shaping the future of the government,” he said.
Partners and attendees praised the launch as a reaffirmation of shared commitment to inclusive youth development. By enhancing access to information and promoting participation, the database marks a pivotal step in empowering marginalized young Gambians and fostering peacebuilding through data-informed strategies.
