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Momodou
Denmark
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 Posted - 28 Dec 2007 : 21:54:25
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YOMPUA Harps On Youths and Illegal Migration
By Modou Jonga
The Youth Movement for Peace and Unity in Africa (YOMPUA) on Saturday 15th December 2007 held a one day forum on the theme “ Youth and Illegal Migration” at Yalding Nursery School in Farato, Kombo South.
In his introductory remarks, the secretary general of YOMPUA Mr. Ebrima Ceesay described youths as the cream of society, and lamented the recent sea disaster behind Mile ll, which led to the death of twelve youths, due to illegal migration. While noting that youths exceed about 40% of Africa’s population Mr. Ceesay warned that neglecting the plight of youths would amount to failure of duty. He called for the formulation of strategies and mechanisms through cooperation to put an end to illegal migration and thus urged for the development of the human resources of the country. Mr. Ceesay said that YOMPUA is committed to the propagation of peace and unity. Speaking further, the YOMPUA Secretary noted that illegal migration can adversely retard agricultural
productivity and the attainment of the millennium development goals and food self sufficiency.
On his part, Mr. Karamo Sanneh, from the Immigration Department Monitoring Unit for illegal migration, harps on illegal migration, its causes and consequences.
Mr. Sanneh noted some of the causes, among which includes economic factors, social and family setups, unemployment etc. He thus urged YOMPUA to consolidate it efforts in sensitizing the youth on illegal migration.
A representative of North Bank Region Youth Committee, Haruna Kuyateh, expressed delight over the forum and described it as timely. While expressing hope that YOMPUA will continue to be organizing such fora, Mr. Kuyateh calls for the decentralization of the activities of YOMPUA by involving other youth groups in this region of the country.
The permanent secretary for the Department of State for Agriculture, Mr. Sulayman Trawalley noted the significant contribution of youths to national development. In his view, the current trend of illegal migration is a concern to government. He called for concerted efforts in tackling the menace. He urged youths to engage in agriculture to help in the attainment of the 2015 goal for food self sufficiency. He called on youth groups to emulate YOMPUA by organizing such fora.
Also speaking at the forum, Sainey Bajo , a commanding officer at Yundum army Barracks who was deputizing for the chief of defence staff, described youths as the bedrock of society. He urged them to travel legally and be steadfast in their undertakings.
The commissioner of police for Western Region, Essa Badjie, who deputized for the Inspector General of Police, underscored the significance of the forum.
While urging for the dissemination of the information gathered, Mr. Badjie called for collective responsibility in persuading the youth to desist from illegal migration. The WR police commissioner lamented that most youth who embarked on illegal migration live as destitutes in Europe. A drama presentation entitled youth and illegal migration was staged by YOMPUA participants as part of the events.
The president of the Youth Movement for Peace and unity in Africa, Mr. Momodou Bah, regarded the theme of the forum as appropriate and relevant. He said that the menace of illegal migration has seriously affected the socio-economic development of the country. The YOMPUA president noted that illegal migration is expensive, difficult and risky. Mr. Bah urged all parties to redouble their efforts in halting the menace of illegal migration. He thus urged the government to tighten marine security around the waters of the River Gambia and the Atlantic Ocean to intercept human traffickers.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 150/2007, 27 December, 2007
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