After months of shuttling back and forth, the NaYCONF 2012 is now history. On Wednesday January 9, the biennial youth gathering came to a close in the Central River Region town of Bansang, the host for this year's rotational event.

The high point of the week-long conference and festival characteristically was marked by the presentation of the NaYCONF 2012 Resolution to the Gambia's minister for Youth and Sports, Alieu K. Jammeh.

This year's Resolution, signed by the head of delegation of all the seven regions and the NYC executive secretary, dished out a handsome slice of responsibility to a wide range of stakeholders in the development of the country's young people.

Youth demand

The government, as the main duty bearer, naturally takes the lion's share. It is to allocate more resources and to create improved policies and laws conducive for youth.

Bearing in mind the theme for this year's event sought to promote indigenous entrepreneurship, the resolution called on the government to strengthen the regional youth farms programme and develop a National Youth Employment Strategy.

Civil society was asked to provide financial resources for advocacy against social vices; develop rehabilitation programmes for traumatized young people; and initiate youth entrepreneurship pilot projects.

The ministry of Youth and Sport was urged to increase the financial subvention to the National Youth Council, and facilitate the creation of a secretariat for the NYC; the latter was urged to be more responsive in championing youth development issues.

The country's youth did not lose sight of their responsibilities towards creating a youth-friendly Gambia. In their resolution, they task themselves to change attitude towards employability; participate in the productive sectors of the economy, and promote environmental sustainability.

Kalleh's special plea

NaYCONF, according to critics, has an unenviable reputation of dumping one heap of unresolved Resolution upon another, though officials, including NYC, always dismiss such claims.

Perhaps prompted by that concern, the chairperson of the National Youth Council this time round has made what he called a "special appeal" to stakeholders in youth matters.