The National Youth Parliament's much-vaunted civic engagement programme is entering its second phase, said the speaker of NYP, Samba Bah.

The programme is designed to create an informed, energised, and educated Gambian populace, focusing on civic engagement in legislature and popularising the 2002 Local Government Act. 

“I am very happy that we are entering the second phase of our project, the Civic Engagement in legislature and popularisation of the Local Government Act,” said Mr Bah in an interview with the Youth Parliament radio programme on Capital FM.

He added: “Our aim is to empower Gambians with relevant information that will help them effectively and efficiently take part in the decision-making of how our country is run. We have five radio programmes in all the regions of the country, where we create a platform for our elected representatives – National Assembly Members and councillors – to come and have a direct conversation with their people. We are of the belief that through this we can strengthen the transparency and accountability machine of our country.”

Speaker Samba Bah revealed that the NYP will be signalling the second phase of the project with the training of 75 of its members at the President International Award (PIA) centre in Bakau, from 13th – 15 August, 2015.

He explained: “We are coming up with the second training programme for our members in the space of eight months. At the start of the project, over 40 of them had their capacities enhanced. This time we want to widen the pool of members by going further with 75 members. 

“Training is something that we put a high premium on because in order to effectively help our members do their works, they have to be trained on causes they will be advocating for. And, as a parliament, our focus is broad. We deal with environmental issues, governance, health, economic, safety and security, among others.”

Commenting on his impression of the project so far, Samba Bah, who very recently toured the length and breadth of the country to assess the progress being made by affiliated youth parliamentary bodies in the country, said: 'I am very impressed with what our people are doing. We are having constructive dialogue with people who represent us, which is welcomed. But, of course, like any project that is rolled out to help people, we are faced with challenges. Not least among them is having elected representatives to come to the radio programmes when called upon. The radio programmes are there to help them convey their messages, and explain to the people the decisions they have taken. So nothing to be fearful of! It is heartened to see that many are seeing it this way now.' 

Thanking the US Embassy in the country for sponsoring the project at the tune of over 1.5 Million dalasis, he said: 'I have to profoundly thank the US Embassy for sponsoring this important project. There support has shown the true partnership that can be struck at a national level. What they have demonstrated is that if you support young people, give them the tools that are needed to build a country, our country will realise its full potential.  Africa is on the move, but it is only through inclusive participation, as President Barrack Obama highlighted in his speech to African leaders in Ethiopia,  that African can consolidate the gains made, and spread the opportunities for all.”