Elevated levels of unemployment in the mass of the youth demographic in The Gambia constitutes clear and present danger to peace and security, Ansumana Ceesay, a senior programme officer for National Council for Civic Education (NCCE) has warned.
The Point reported that Mr Ceesay made the remarks in the course of a national civic engagement across the country on youth participation in decision making and peace-building.
His words: “Despite the challenges faced by young people,the increasing youth unemployment is the reason why youths are involved in criminal activities. The lack of employment for young people will disturb our peace. Some are involved in criminal activity because of no job opportunities for them.when the unemployment rate is high in a country, it would cause crimes such as theft, robbery, and certain immoral behaviors in the society.
I call on stakeholders to look for solutions to ensure that the rate of unemployment is reduced by allowing investors in or creating more job opportunities for them which will promote peace as corruption is illegal in any country. To maintain peace, corruption should be eradicated, but if corruption is high and public funds get into private hands, it affects the peace of the country. If corruption is completely eradicated then there will be peace, if it’s high, then it would mean few people are taking from what belongs to the larger population”.