The Gambia National Youth Parliament (NYP) will be holding its congress on November 30th to elect new executive members who will steer the affairs of the parliament for the next four years.

The NYP has since its inception impacted on various parts of the youth sector of The Gambia, ranging from youth capacity building, advocacy and networking, to partnership and sensitisation.

Baboucarr Mbaye Saidy, national clerk of the Parliament, said the importance of youths in national development cannot be overemphasised. According to him, the young people’s participation in national development is very crucial in the agenda of NYP. He added that there will be districts and regional congresses before the NYP congress.

He finally called for more youth involvement in decision making processes at all levels.

Following the successful hosting of the 9th Congress of SACCAs held in Banjul from 21st to 24th October, 2008, it has been announced that delegates at the forum unanimously elected Baboucarr Jeng, the general manager of NACCUG to the Board of the newly revived ACUSCA, the continent’s apex body as far as cooperative credit and saving is concerned.

Mr Jeng is expected to visit Nairobi next month to attend the first ever meeting of ACUSCA since it’s revival in Banjul.

The 9th Congress of SACCA (Saving and Cooperative Credit Associations) held in Banjul, The Gambia, has been overwhelmingly described as successful by all stakeholders.

This congress among other things, puts The Gambia on the map and a plus towards greater contribution to the tourism sector and other socio-economic developments  projects. During the closing remarks, it was revealed to the delegates and all parties present including the media that the Congress has enabled the forming and revival of ACUSCA ( Africa Cooperative and Saving and Credit  Unions) the apex body of all of Africa’s national SACCAs.

Before Banjul, the continental body was dead and in the doldrums owing to lack of funding, mismanagement, lack of will and more importantly lack of capacity and logistics. For many years our SACCAs and our respective National apexes liaises directly with WOCCU (World Organisation of Cooperative Credit Unions) without going through any intermediary. This was legally very wrong but in the absence of one for Africa, excuses could be pardoned and in this case it was the issues.

The former African apex body did  failed due to the lack of basic working and management tools among other things as it  relied heavily  on donor money and when the donor money ebbed it also spelt the end of our African apex. However, it has been revived again here in Banjul and the logistics and money was made available for the next two years. It will be headed at present by the present CEO of KUSCCO Mr. Ademba and its headquarters in Nairobi until such times when a congress will be convene to elect its democratic Board and other operatives.

ACUSCA, the African Apex is back and alive with a budget that can go for the next two years by which time the ACUSCA will be a household name. By that time it will also have assumed its rightful position leading the way for African SACCAs development, monitoring and sustenance.

Tujereng Youth and Sports Association last week held their congress at the village CCF Centre.

During the congress the task force that was overseeing the affairs of the committee presented their final report and the achievements registered during their tenure of office.

Addressing congress delegates at the occasion Inspector Kemeseng Marina urged the youths to desist from using the back way to Europe and engage themselves in the socio –economic development of the country.

Speaking shortly after the election, the newly elected president of the association, Inspector Ba Ensa Jawara, stated that among his plans would be to bring the youths together and also to embark on the new development of the village

The following officials have been elected in the new executive Ensa Jawara as president

Vice-president Yaya Jammeh, secretary general Bubacarr Jammeh (he will be assisted by Omar Jabang), finance secretary Amadou Jallow asst finance secretary Ismaila Jaiteh and Alieu Jawara as PRO.

Mr Samba Faal, the mayor of Banjul and president of the Gambia Association of Local Government Authorities (Galga) has been elected as a member of the pan-African World Council through the United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLGA), during the ordinary congress of UCLGA, from July 7- July 11, in Accra, Ghana.

Galga was represented at the congress by Samba Faal, Sunkary Badgie, the chairman of Brikama Area Council and the executive secretary of Galga, Alhaji Mustapha Njai.
The Ghana congress, which was attended by at least 2,500 delegates from Africa and beyond, was hosted by the National Association of Local Authorities of Ghana.

The main theme amongst others focused on the role of local government in peace building, local leadership challenges in Africa, innovative practices in the provision of basic services at local level, promoting inclusive local governance, local government responsiveness to climate change and municipal international cooperation.

Papers were also presented on the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, local economic development, job creation, social inclusion, civil participation, sustainable development through environmental and ecosystems balance, and city development strategic planning as a development tool, among others.

The congress concluded with the following recommendations:
The congress re-elected the president of UCLGA, Father S Mkhatshwa of South Africa, who was nominated by Galga and was unanimously elected by the congress.
The congress called for unity in action to make a positive impact and difference in the lives of citizens of African.

The next meeting will take place in September 2008 in South Africa and Galga is invited as an active member.

The Tujereng Youth and Sports Committee, under the leadership of the interim task force, will hold its congress on August 3rd 2008 at the CCF Centre in Tujereng.

Speaking in an interview with Pointsports yesterday, Inspector Ba Ensa Jawara, chairman of the interim task force, said the committee is responsible for the proper co-ordination of the forthcoming congress  and will also present various reports to the congress delegates.

He stated that the congress will usher in new executive members who will take charge of the co-ordination of youth and sports development within the village for three years.

The Gambia Amateur Boxing Association will hold their congress on Saturday 12thof July at the National Sport Council Conference Hall in Bakau.

Speaking in an interview with Pointsports the president of the Boxing Association, Mr. Sang Correa, stated that during the congress the financial report of the association will be presented to the members and the achievements and constraints will be highlighted.

He pointed out that only accredited delegates will be allowed to vote in a new executive which will be in charge of the association for five years.

He said coaches from the accredited clubs and one boxer from each club will be allowed to vote.

The congress will commence at 10am and is expected to be graced by sports personalities.

Five positions, that of President, Vice president, Secretary General and Assistant , treasurer and 5 non official members, will be elected in to the board of The Gambia Cricket Association to run the affairs of cricket for the coming years.

The AGM will give the opportunity to hear reports from the President, Treasurer and Vice president in charge of Development of The Gambia Cricket Association.

Speaking to Pointsports, Johnny Gomez, Vice president of The Gambia Cricket Association, said all female instructors, cricketers, physical education teachers who have gone through a cricket coaching course and cricket playing schools and PE teachers in Banjul and KMC shall have the voting rights during the AGM.

He said presentation of certificates to level one and introductory coaching courses to participants will also be part of the event. He pointed out that the incoming board has a great task ahead of them as they will be faced with things such as soliciting funding to run cricket activities, preparing for the Cricket Summer camp and week in September and ensure the continuity of the national cricket league,

the hosting of the U-15 cricket tournament in October and the U-17 and 13 championships in Nigeria and Ghana in November.