• Revisit the current Act with a view to devising any necessary amendment(s) for the effective and efficient running of council based on its stipulated functions;
• Look into the council’s organogram (secretariat) and make recommendations regarding the human resource capacity to ensure a well-capacitated secretariat that could better serve council, given its broad based mandate;
• Revisit the established roles of the council, the Ministry and the Department of Youth and Sports;
• Look into the existing coordination mechanisms between council and youth organisations regarding coordination and compliance;
• Develop a clearly defined Memorandum of Understanding between council and youth organisations;
• Develop fundraising strategies for the council so that it is better placed to assist youth organisations in their youth development processes;
• Set criteria for electing and selecting council members by regional bodies and the Minister;
• Work closely with the lead consultant to conclude and finalise the review of The National Youth Policy (1999-2008) with the view to ushering in a new National Youth Policy and Programme of Action (2009 - 2018).
• Formulate and set criteria for the registration of municipal, regional and national youth organisations.

This taskforce appointment was effective from 30 June 2009 and is for six months. At the initial meeting, the Hon Minister Sherrif Gomez commended the members of the taskforce for demonstrating willingness and commitment to youth development. He said that members were selected based on their professional expertise and academic development in terms of the youth sector.

“Despite the short time given to execute all that the Ministry requires it is my hope and belief that at the end of the allocated time you will do a very good job,” he said.

During a trip to The Gambia at the beginning of the month, Africa Alliance of YMCA’s Carlos Sanvee, General Secretary, and Simon Lazarre Badiane, Leadership and Western Zone Coordinator joined Sam Thorpe, National General Secretary, to meet with the Hon Minister. The Minister said the government of The Gambia takes congnisance of YMCA’s tremendous work in youth empowerment as enshrined in the government’s 2020 vision. Discussions centred around economic empowerment for youth, the Africa Alliance’s civic competence programme, Subject to Citizen, and the Minister’s conviction of using sports development to tap and utilize the full potential of young people.

Photo: YMCA delegation received by the Hon Minister of Youth, Mr Sherrif Gomez