By Fatou Sillah
Youth representatives and political leaders in The Gambia on Saturday signed a social contract aimed at promoting accountability, transparency, and stronger engagement between elected officials and citizens as part of an initiative led by Gambia Participates.
The agreement is intended to foster greater trust between young people and political leaders while encouraging sustained dialogue on national issues affecting citizens, organizers said.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Ansumana Ceesay, program officer at Gambia Participates, said the initiative seeks to strengthen youth participation in governance by creating a platform for constructive engagement beyond election periods.
He said young Gambians continue to face pressing challenges, including high unemployment, limited economic opportunities, unreliable electricity supply, and concerns over governance and accountability. Addressing those issues, he said, requires shared responsibility between political leaders and citizens.
Mr. Ceesay emphasized that the social contract is not legally binding but serves as a public pledge through which political leaders commit to responding to the concerns of young people while enabling citizens to monitor progress and hold them accountable.
“This initiative seeks to promote youth participation in electoral and democratic reforms in The Gambia,”He Said.
He stressed that democracy should extend beyond the ballot box, arguing that citizens must have continuous opportunities to engage with leaders and influence public decision-making.
“Democracy is strongest when citizens have opportunities to continuously engage with their leaders, influence public decisions, and hold leaders accountable for commitments made in their name,” Mr. Ceesay said.
He urged young people to participate responsibly in democratic processes, reject misinformation, and contribute actively to national development. He also called on politicians, civil society organizations, and the media to play an active role in ensuring that commitments made under the social contract are monitored and respected.
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