By Makutu Manneh
The 10th National Youth Parliament concluded its first ordinary session on Saturday, adopting a series of resolutions and moving forward with plans for a National Youth Manifesto that will outline the priorities of young Gambians ahead of the 2026 presidential election.
The session brought together young parliamentarians to debate some of the most pressing issues facing their generation and to identify concerns they want political parties and candidates to address as the country approaches the polls.
At the close of the sitting, the parliament tasked its drafting committee with preparing the first version of the National Youth Manifesto 2026. The document is expected to set out the aspirations and concerns of young Gambians and serve as a basis for engagement with political parties and presidential candidates.
Three major motions dominated the session.
One examined the growing influence of artificial intelligence and what it could mean for young Gambians. Members discussed opportunities presented by emerging technologies as well as the potential risks and challenges young people may face as their use expands.
Another focused on democratic participation and electoral integrity, including the importance of peaceful elections, political tolerance and responsible civic engagement. Members also discussed misinformation and its potential impact on the electoral process.
The parliament also considered a review of its constitution as part of efforts to strengthen its internal governance and operations.
Kalipha Mbye, Clerk of the National Assembly, described the Youth Parliament as an important training ground for leadership and democratic participation. He said the debates and resolutions showed that members were engaging seriously with national issues, including education, employment, health, the environment, and governance.
“To the young parliamentarians, the closing of this sitting is not the end of your parliamentary journey; it is the beginning of a much larger responsibility,” Mr. Mbye said. He encouraged members to take what they had learned back to their schools, communities, and homes and to promote “integrity, tolerance, and inclusion.”
Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, the Minister of media, information, and broadcasting services, urged participants to approach leadership with humility, knowledge, discipline, and integrity.
He said The Gambia needed a generation capable not only of identifying the country’s problems but also of developing solutions and contributing to national development. Patriotism, he said, should be demonstrated through action rather than symbolism alone.
“On behalf of my ministry, let me assure you that your voices deserve to be heard and your voices will be heard,” Dr. Ceesay said.
Professor Pierre Gomez, the Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to education, describing it as central to empowerment and national development.
He said the government had taken steps to expand access and improve standards across educational institutions, with the aim of ensuring that young Gambians receive training in environments that meet international standards.
Bakary Sonko, the African Union Youth Ambassador for Peace for West Africa, reflected on his own experience with the National Youth Parliament, saying the institution had played an important role in the early stages of his leadership journey.
Mr. Sonko praised the parliament for continuing to provide young Gambians with a platform to participate in discussions about national affairs and advocate for issues affecting their generation.
With the sitting now concluded, attention will turn to the drafting of the National Youth Manifesto. The document is intended to bring together the priorities raised by young people and provide a framework for pressing political parties and candidates on how they plan to address those concerns ahead of the 2026 election.
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