By Momodou Gagigo
Young people from across Niamina East District gathered in Mamud Fana for the sixth edition of the Niamina East Youth Convergence, an annual platform supported by ActionAid International The Gambia that equips the next generation with tools to address pressing community challenges.
The event brought participants together to deliberate on climate change, leadership, civic participation, health, skills development, and community resilience. Organizers said the gathering aimed to move young people from passive observers of local problems to active problem-solvers who can drive meaningful change in their villages and the wider district.
Climate change featured prominently in the discussions. Participants examined how shifting weather patterns are affecting agriculture and rural livelihoods, stressing the urgent need for young people to champion environmental protection and adopt climate-resilient farming practices. Speakers emphasized that the district’s future food security and economic stability depend on youth willingness to lead local adaptation efforts.
Leadership sessions challenged attendees to abandon the habit of merely complaining about community shortcomings. Facilitator Burama Fadera told participants the program was deliberately structured to instill practical leadership skills and position young people as agents of change. “We want youths to move from complainers to doers and take initiative on issues affecting their communities,” Fadera said. He also underscored the importance of unity, accountability and peacebuilding, urging participants to reject tribalism and instead foster dialogue across ethnic and community lines.
Councilor Biran Joof of Niamina East Constituency highlighted the tangible benefits of the annual convergence. He pointed to capacity-building opportunities, reproductive health education, tree-planting activities, and stronger linkages between young people and government institutions and non-governmental organizations. “The convergence builds the capacity of young people and connects them to institutions for skills and career development,” Joof noted.
The initiative has a solid foundation. Abdoulie Ballah Sallah, a former Niamina East District Youth Chairperson, recalled that the first convergence took place at Kudang School in 2021 and attracted about 100 young people. The platform was created to deepen youth involvement in decision-making, human rights advocacy and climate resilience while also addressing the concerns of farmers and women in agriculture. “The first convergence created a platform for young people to participate in decision-making and advocate for human development and climate resilience,” Sallah said.
For many participants, the experience proved transformative. Aminata D. Gaye described the camp as a turning point that equipped her with knowledge, skills and the passion to advocate for positive change in her community. Other young people echoed her sentiments, saying the sessions boosted their confidence and clarified pathways for contributing to local development.
ActionAid International The Gambia continues to back youth-focused programs that strengthen leadership, inclusion, resilience and community participation. Organizers and participants alike expressed the hope that the Niamina East Youth Convergence will remain a regular fixture, providing successive generations with the skills, networks and platforms needed to become responsible, accountable and community-focused leaders.
