Activista The Gambia

Voter Education Series – Tallinding Engagement

As part of our National Endowment for Democracy-Funded Civic Engagement and Transparent Elections Project, Activista was warmly hosted today by the people of Tallinding, including key representatives from various political parties.

Our discussions were candid and constructive, addressing harmful practices that undermine democracy, such as voter inducement, vote buying, hate speech, tribal rhetoric, misinformation, and disinformation. We reached a common understanding: elections must be free from violence and manipulative practices at every level.

Community members embraced the importance of sustained civic engagement and strongly urged that civil society organizations continue voter sensitization beyond the December presidential elections, extending into the upcoming parliamentary and local government elections.

This dialogue reaffirmed the collective commitment to building a culture of peace, accountability, and transparent participation in The Gambia’s democratic processes. ✊🏽🗳️

✨ Today, through our National Endowment for Democracy-Funded Civic Engagement and Transparent Elections Project, Activista convened a pre-election civic bantaba with the people of Bundung in the Kanifing Municipality.

Our conversations focused on critical issues that often shape elections:

- Voter inducement and vote buying
- Tribal rhetoric and hate speech
- The importance of peaceful coexistence during the election period

Community members encouraged Activista and other civil society organizations to continue spreading positive messages that inspire unity. We reflected on the challenges they face, shared ideas on how to demand rights, and emphasized that voting is not just a choice, but also an accountability mechanism.

This bantaba reaffirmed the power of dialogue in strengthening democracy and building a culture of peace. ✊🏽


ActionAid International The Gambia

Official Statement on International Youth Day - 2026

On this International Youth Day, we extend our heartfelt wishes to every young person: women, men, and persons with disabilities, for a successful day of celebration. May you always remember that you have the right to a life of dignity, free from all forms of discrimination and marginalization.

Young people must be the architects of their own destiny. This requires courage, discipline, and a steadfast commitment to demand and defend your rights at all times. Your voices are powerful, and your actions must continue to shape the future of our communities, our nation, and our continent.

As we celebrate, let us also reaffirm the importance of peace and respect for the rule of law. Youth must never allow themselves to be used as tools of violence or division. With The Gambia heading to the polls in December, it is imperative that young people remain vigilant, peaceful, and law-abiding, ensuring that democracy thrives through constructive participation rather than conflict.

Today, we honor your resilience, creativity, and leadership. The future belongs to you, and together, we must build a society rooted in justice, equality, and hope.

Happy International Youth Day 2026.

We've wrapped up our Campeh Series on peaceful electoral processes and participation with Ghetto Youths. Like in other regions and municipalities, we engaged youths of Brikama Gidda and Darsilammeh, talking about youth participation and inclusion in decision-making processes.

During the conversation, we spoke about peaceful coexistence, and how youth can move from being used as tools of violence during elections, to active decision makers, to ensure the fulfilment of their desires. The discussions extended to countering hate speech, misinformation and disinformation.

While we wait for our Nationwide school sensitization, the second phase of this ongoing initiative will be extended to the beaches, thanks to the leadership of ActionAid International The Gambia m, with support from United Nations

Ministry of Youth & Sports Safe Home for Migrants Association - SaHMA
Global Platform - The Gambia
National Youth Council - The Gambia

In today's Campeh Series with Ghetto Youths, we were hosted by boys/men from Wassu in CRR.

The conversation went deeper, unfiltered and straight! Young people challenged politicians to stop making still-born promises. They demanded politicians to be truthful and honest in keeping their promises. "We know it is not a surprise to you why many young people abstain from voting. They (politicians) come every time, make the same promises during campaigns and once they get elected, they disappear as if they never existed."

During the exchanges, we managed to convince them that abstaining from voting is a ballot cast for bad governance. We reassured them that power resides in the people, and the biggest we get is the ballot token.

We will continue in Brikama tomorrow before targeting the beach boys, thanks to the leadership and guidance of ActionAid International The Gambia, and United Nations for their support.

Safe Home for Migrants Association - SaHMA
Ministry of Youth & Sports National Youth Council - The Gambia Global Platform - The Gambia National Council for Civic Education - The Gambia

Campeh with Ghetto Youths – Mansajang & Basse, URR

Today, through our ActionAid International The Gambia-led, -Funded YPI Project, we engaged with the youths of Mansajang and Basse in the Upper River Region.

What made this dialogue even more powerful was the presence of community elders, who embraced the principle of leaving no one behind in national conversations.

They hailed these engagements as truthful and honest spaces, anchored in strengthening peaceful coexistence and ensuring that young people are well-informed and ready to make responsible choices during elections.

Tomorrow, the journey continues in Wassu and Farafeni, building momentum for youth inclusion, peace, and democratic participation.



National Youth Council - The Gambia
Ministry of Youth & Sports Global Platform - The Gambia Safe Home for Migrants Association - SaHMA National Council for Civic Education - The Gambia

Meet the Ghetto Youths Campeh – Pakalinding & Jareng Sessions

Today’s engagement brought us face-to-face with the ghetto youths of Pakalinding Village (LRR) and Jareng Village (CRR), as part of our ongoing campaign on peaceful electoral processes and participation.

Meeting ghetto youth is vital as they represent a powerful voice in shaping democratic outcomes. Their participation ensures that elections are not only inclusive but also reflective of the realities and aspirations of young people at the grassroots.

In these sessions, youths expressed a strong commitment to remain calm, peaceful, and law-abiding, pledging to respect electoral rules and regulations throughout the process.

This dedication is a testament to their role as guardians of peace and democracy, proving that every voice, from the streets to the ballot box, matters in building a just and cohesive society.

ActionAid International The Gambia
United Nations
Safe Home for Migrants Association - SaHMA
Ministry of Youth & Sports
Global Platform - The Gambia
National Youth Council - The Gambia
National Council for Civic Education - The Gambia

Day 2 of CAMPEH Sessions – Coastal Gambia

Yesterday, we engaged the youths of Kartong and Sanyang in deep conversations on youth political participation and inclusion.

While we brew attaya to spice the discussions, we reflected on the need for every sector of society to be part of national discourses.

Discussions stretched to:
- Vote buying and voter inducement
- Misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech, especially tribal rhetoric
- Peace building and using elections as a tool for accountability

Young people boldly challenged politicians to abandon deceitful canvassing and to honor their campaign promises. They insisted that politics must be about ideas and policies, not personal attacks, echoing a strong call for integrity in The Gambia’s political space.

This Nationwide activity is part of our ActionAid International The Gambia - led Project, funded by the United Nations .

The team, Activista The Gambia, Safe Home for Migrants Association - SaHMA and Global Platform - The Gambia is currently in LRR and will engage the youths of Pakalinding before heading to Jareng in CRR.

Ministry of Youth & Sports
National Youth Council - The Gambia
National Council for Civic Education - The Gambia

UPDATE: CAMPEH WITH GHETTO YOUTHS IN BANJUL, FAJI-KUNDA AND BUSUMBALA

Yesterday, we kicked off a six‑day voter education campaign focused on peaceful electoral participation, engaging ghetto youth in their campehs across Banjul, Busumbala, and Faji‑Kunda.

This initiative is part of our ActionAid International The Gambia‑led, United Nations PBF‑funded YPI Project, which works to empower marginalized young people to take part in civic life and strengthen their inclusion in local peace infrastructures.

During the sessions, we encouraged young people to remain calm and peaceful throughout the elections—especially during campaign periods, when they are often exposed to violence driven by hate speech and divisive tribal rhetoric from politicians.

Safe Home for Migrants Association - SaHMA
Global Platform - The Gambia
National Council for Civic Education - The Gambia
Ministry of Youth & Sports

At our ongoing Campeh Sessions with Ghetto Youths, Pa Bojang of Snayang Village dropped a bombshell that shook the circle. He spat it out plain:

“The real witchcraft is vote buying. Imagine, tricking people with a few dalasis, bags of rice, gallons of oil, or empty cooking pots. Then you sit on their necks for five years, tormenting them, stripping their rights, and walking around like all is well. That’s what witches do.”

This is the gospel from the ghetto: vote buying is sorcery, and the victims are the people.

United Nations
ActionAid International The Gambia
National Youth Council - The Gambia
Safe Home for Migrants Association - SaHMA
Global Platform - The Gambia
Ministry of Youth & Sports
National Council for Civic Education - The Gambia