Ambassador Isatu Moses, Chairperson of the Kambia District Youth Council, addressed the recent government's weekly press conference, commencing her remarks by expressing appreciation to the government for facilitating platforms for public discourse and civic engagement in Kambia.
She articulated the imperative for governance decentralization to optimize efficacy and conveyed enthusiasm regarding the conference, which encompassed a debate, an academic quiz, and structured engagements with governmental agency representatives.
Highlighting salient issues, Ambassador Isatu observed the persistent underrepresentation of youth in governmental affairs, with Kambia frequently omitted from major initiatives. She also addressed concerns regarding the inconsistent enforcement of the 30% youth participation quota in governance, citing apparent oversights in Kambia's inclusion.
Further, she noted the scarcity of youth representation in decision-making strata and the encumbrances in securing funding earmarked for youth development projects. Despite the nominal availability of such funds, their distribution to intended recipients remains infrequent.
Ambassador Isatu further enumerated pressing socio-economic challenges in the district, including a deficiency of medical practitioners and specialists in local healthcare facilities, unreliable electricity provision, and substandard water infrastructure in both communities and health centers.
In her concluding pronouncement, she issued a formal appeal to Parliament, urging the establishment of free and high-quality education as a statutory national mandate, shielded from policy alterations arising from changes in political leadership. She emphasized that education should be regarded as an inalienable right, rather than a benefit contingent upon prevailing political circumstances.
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