At a recent civic engagement forum, young Gambian leaders underscored the importance of youth involvement in shaping the nation’s democratic future. The gathering, organised by the National Council for Civic Education (NCCE) and supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), provided a platform for young people to reflect on their role in elections and governance.
Aji Fatou Bah, Program Officer at the Edward Francis Small Center for Rights and Justice, emphasized that elections are more than political events. “They are an opportunity for us citizens to exercise our rights, to make our voices heard, and to contribute to the direction of our nation,” she said.
Bah noted that while young people make up a significant portion of the population, they continue to face challenges such as unemployment, limited opportunities, and insufficient representation in decision-making. She urged youth not to remain on the sidelines, stressing that decisions made today will directly affect their future.
Bah also highlighted the need for responsible participation, particularly in resisting misinformation, intolerance, and divisive narratives on social media. “We may support different parties or candidates, but at the end of the day, we all share a common responsibility to safeguard peace and social cohesion in our communities and in The Gambia at large,” she added. She encouraged young people to focus on issues rather than personalities, asking critical questions about policies, accountability, youth employment, education, and governance.
Yunusa Sambou, a youth committee member from the Kanifing Regional Youth Committee, echoed these sentiments, describing democracy as a system built on voice, policy, and trust. “A democracy cannot exist when people are left on the margins, nor can it thrive if citizens lack confidence in the system that governs their choice,” he said.
Sambou outlined four vital pillars, participation, integrity, inclusivity, and resilience as essential to strengthening democracy.
He called for inclusivity at the ballot box, ensuring that women, young people, persons with disabilities, and marginalized communities are not excluded. “A ballot box that accesses only a few is a compromise of justice,” Sambou warned. He further emphasized the expansion of civic education to remove structural barriers and guarantee that every eligible citizen has the knowledge and access needed to participate.
The forum concluded with a shared commitment to peaceful, inclusive, and credible elections, reflective of the will of the Gambian people. Both speakers urged young Gambians to embrace active citizenship, informed participation, and responsible use of social media as vital steps toward safeguarding the country’s democratic future.
