By Alieu Ceesay
In a bid to amplify the voices of young people and strengthen their role in shaping The Gambia’s future, ActionAid International The Gambia (AAITG) has launched a week-long training program for journalists and social media influencers. The initiative, held under the “Empowering Marginalized Young People for Inclusion in Civic Space and Local Infrastructure for Peace (YPI)” project, is funded by the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund (UNPBF) and aims to equip media professionals with the tools to promote youth participation in civic spaces.
The training comes at a critical time when youth engagement in governance is seen as essential for sustainable development. Amadou W. Jallow, Communications Coordinator at AAITG, underscored this urgency during the event. “Young people’s participation in governance and decision-making has never been more important,” he said. “They are not just the leaders of tomorrow—they are the driving force of today.”
The program aligns with ActionAid’s Country Strategic Paper VI, which prioritizes the inclusion of marginalized groups—youth, women, and persons with disabilities—in governance structures. Jallow emphasized that sustainable progress depends on giving all citizens, particularly the younger generation, a seat at the table in national dialogues, policy formulation, and civic engagement.
Journalists and bloggers, as key players in shaping public discourse, were highlighted as vital to this mission. “A well-informed and engaged media sector strengthens democracy and ensures that youth narratives are amplified,” Jallow noted. The training seeks to empower these gatekeepers of information to uncover barriers to participation and hold decision-makers accountable.
The initiative also reflects broader efforts to create an enabling environment for youth leadership. Through partnerships with civil society, government bodies, and the media, AAITG is providing young people with the skills, knowledge, and platforms they need to thrive.
Among the speakers was Landing B. Sanneh, Chairman of the Mansakonko Area Council, who shared his council’s vision for promoting youth and women’s participation in civic spaces. Calling the initiative timely, Sanneh advocated for their full inclusion in decision-making processes while acknowledging challenges such as limited capacity and environmental factors that often hinder progress. “As we promote inclusion, let’s use our platforms to send these messages to young people so they can act and participate,” he urged attendees.
Sanneh also highlighted the role of local governments as primary duty-bearers in meeting the basic needs of citizens, including youth and women. He stressed that the training could spark real change if its lessons are shared and put into practice beyond the event.
For ActionAid and its partners, this program is more than just a training session—it’s a step toward empowering a generation to lead. As The Gambia looks to its future, the voices of its youth, amplified by a committed media, could prove to be the catalyst for lasting transformation.
