By Adama Makasuba
Presidential hopeful Essa Faal has vowed to pump a staggering $50 million a year into Gambian youth development if his APP–Sobeya party wins the next election.
Faal, a former TRRC lead counsel turned politician, told Gambians that empowering the country’s young people is the heartbeat of his movement.
“We are committed to empowering Gambian youths,” he said.
“APP–Sobeya is the only political party ready to invest $50 million in Gambian youths every year for the first five years. We will train them professionally in different areas so they can build their futures with confidence.”
The lawyer-turned-politician said the multi-million-dollar pledge would create jobs, fund professional training, and open doors for thousands of young Gambians left behind by what he called “decades of empty promises” from successive governments.
He said his plan includes skills development centres across the country, scholarships for high-performing students, and start-up grants for young entrepreneurs.
More than 60 per cent of Gambia’s population is under 25, and many are struggling to find stable work.
Critics, however, questioned how Faal intends to raise the funds for such an ambitious programme, warning that past governments have struggled to meet far smaller spending targets.
