On Wednesday, Hon. Baboucarr O. Joof, the Minister of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration, and Employment, welcomed representatives from Saidykhan Decoration and Designs Skills Academy to his office in Banjul.
Founded by Mr. Buba Saidykhan, the Academy is a transformative initiative aimed at empowering returnees and youth, enabling them to lead with confidence and advocate for meaningful change in their communities. Through opportunities for skills development, leadership training, entrepreneurship, and collaboration, this initiative aspires to create a ripple effect that benefits not only the participants but also the wider society.
Minister Joof warmly welcomed the team and expressed his gratitude for their visit and the thoughtful gift they brought. He commended the Academy for its efforts in imparting skills to youth, emphasizing the importance of diverting their attention from irregular migration and its implications by engaging them in artistic endeavours.
Sheikh Tijan Bah, the Assistant Programme Manager of the Academy, informed the minister of their ambition to establish their own training facility. He expressed their goal to decentralise training efforts in order to reach more youth across the country. By equipping young people with valuable skills, the Academy aims to discourage irregular migration and the associated risks. Additionally, he shared that the Academy repurposes materials like car tyres and bottles to create artistic works, promoting sustainability alongside skill development.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the team presented a beautifully crafted gift made by the Academy to the Minister of Trade, symbolizing their appreciation for his support.
