By Fatou Sillah
The Minister of Information, Media, and Broadcasting Services, Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, on Tuesday urged young Gambians to pursue opportunities at home and resist the lure of the perilous “backway” migration routes to Europe, framing the issue as both a national responsibility and a personal choice rooted in realism and hard work.
“We want our young people to stay and help us build this country,” Dr. Ceesay said, emphasizing that irregular migration has exacted a heavy human cost on families and communities across the country.
The minister cautioned against politicizing the issue, arguing that the loss of young lives transcends partisan debate. “Young people have to buckle up and work. That is the fact,” he said. “Move politics aside. It is unfair to politicize irregular migration. As a government, we don’t want anybody to die trying to take the back way.”
Dr. Ceesay said the government was addressing the root causes of irregular migration through a mix of youth employment programs, the decentralization of education, and efforts to create a more attractive climate for foreign investment. These measures, he added, were aimed at expanding opportunities beyond the capital and restoring confidence in local pathways to economic security.
“As a government, what is important is we recognize that it is a very tragic situation, particularly where life is lost,” he said. “It is our responsibility to ensure that every Gambian lives in dignity.”
He also challenged prevailing expectations among young people about employment, urging them to embrace a broader definition of work. “You don’t educate yourself to a certain level and then expect an office job,” he said. “It is not possible, and which country gives you fish money? You have to go and work.”
The minister’s remarks come amid renewed concern over irregular migration from the country, as the government grapples with limited job prospects, rising aspirations, and the enduring risks faced by those who attempt the journey abroad.
Comments are closed.