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This multi-million-dalasi investment complex will feature a basketball courts, educational facility, on-site accommodations, and income-generating opportunities, aimed at equipping the youth of Farafenni and its environs.
At the event, Malick Samba Chairman Ward Development Committee of Farafenni, described the day as another special day for the people of the community, describing the investment as more than just bricks and mortar but an investment in the future of the community especially in the lives of women and youth.
“With this investment, we are creating an opportunity for education, empowerment and engagement. We are also building spaces where young people and women can learn, grow and unleash their potentials. “
The educational centre, he went on, will offer access to knowledge and skills giving women and youth the knowledge and tool as they need to compete in this increasingly globalized world, while the basketball court will promote physical well-being, teamwork and discipline.
“The on-site accommodation will ensure accessibility for many traveling from afar and the income-generating facility will ensure sustainability and economic empowerment,” he added.
The Chief of Upper Baddibou Mustapha Dibba said the day marks just the beginning of two significant project, but also a new chapter in the journey of development for Upper Baddibou and North Bank Region at large.
To this end, he extended hearty welcome to the Giants of Africa and the whole team, adding that the foundation stone laying of this educational and multi-purpose complex in Farafenni is a bold and visionary step. “It is a foundation for opportunity, knowledge and hope for the people of the area”.
The centre, he added, would empower youth and women in the area to dream big and learn to develop skills and grow into leaders of tomorrow.
For his part, Lamin Saidykhan, Governor North Bank Region, said the day is laying the foundation for cornerstone of hope, opportunity and empowerment for generations of Gambians, adding they are bearing witness to a moment that will echo through the future of this community and the entire region.
To this end, he thanked the Giants of Africa under the visionary leadership of Masai Ujiri for choosing to invest in the dream and talents of the youths
“Her commitment to Africa and believe in the power of sport and education and her tireless efforts to unlock the potentials of young people is not only commendable but revolutionary. This multi-purpose complex is a symbol of transformation, a beacon of possibility, and an engine that will drive education, entrepreneurship, sportsmanship, and self-reliance in Farafenni and beyond.” he stated.
Jaha Dukureh, the project’s initiator, recalled how she came to meet Masai Ujiri, a renowned professional basketball executive and former player and one behind Giants of Africa while working for World Bank at the time.
She revealed that at the time World Bank was looking to expand the SWEDD project to include other African countries, further applauding Masai Ujiri the for his support to Africa.
Dukureh revealed that there are countless women from Africa that Giants of Africa has supported as she believes in African potentials, acknowledging that Masai Ujiri is indeed an African Giants.
She spoke at length about the power of team work and unity, adding that this is not just a center that they are starting today.
Dukureh spoke about their resolve to make the Gambia project the best ever, adding that they will continue to nurture the centre to ensure that basketball talents are nurtured and harnessed in the country.
“So it’s the seed we are planting for future generations of Gambians and what the potentials of young people are going to be”.
A representative of Giants of Africa, gave a brief background of the organisation, saying it was founded some 20 years ago with the goal to empower African youth using basketball as a tool.
She spoke about the power of sports in developing skills and learning values and that this centre would greatly help youth and women to learn skills and participate in national development.
Ousainou Senghore, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GIEPA, described the project as the birth of an ambitious vision rooted in Farafenni but design for the people of the North Bank Region and the entire country.
The laying of this foundation stone, he added, is not just a ceremony act but one that signals long-term investment strategy to decentralize economic opportunities and expand productive capacities beyond urban centres.
CEO Senghore recalled that last year similar project with joint support from their partners like ITC they constructed and delivered a multi-purpose centre to the community, designed to promote investment while facilitating cross border trade and entrepreneurship.
“At GIPEA, we are aggressively repositioning The Gambia as a destination for qualitative and impact-driven investors, partners who bring not only capital but innovation sustainability and a commitment to long term local value addition models that are smart and sustainable and above all community driven and strongly encouraged”.
To this end, he commended Giants and Africa and Regenerative Hub partnership remain testament to such partnership strategy in realizing their set target goals.
In his inaugural statement, Baboucarr Ismaila Joof, Minister of Trade, Industry and Regional Integration, Industry, recalled that in 2017 foreign direct investment in the country was just above 18 million dollars and in 2023, the investment has risen to 1.4 billion dollars in investment.
This, he said, signals that the country is serious about attracting investment, citing the favourable investment climate as compared to the past.
Minister Joof also spoke about their current strategy as a Ministry in relation to investment, which he said, is to spur up domestic direct investment alongside foreign direct investment.
This, he went on, will convince Gambians in the Diaspora to invest in the country work with government to collectively development the country.
Thus, Minister Joof maintained that the project would significantly reduce rural – urban drift while creating an opportunity for youth and women in the area to participate in income generating ventures.
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