Claim: Through the Tekki Fii Programme and the Youth Empowerment Project, and with support from the European Union, the Government successfully created more than five thousand (5,000) jobs and supported eight hundred (800) small businesses.
Source: President Adama Barrow
Verdict: True
By Kaddy Jawo
On Wednesday, the 19th of January 2022, President Adama Barrow was sworn in for his second term as president of the Republic of the Gambia for the next five-year – per section 46 of the country’s 1997 constitution.
So President Barrow used his inaugural speech to outline developmental plans of his government for the next five years, with a focus on infrastructure, energy and technology.
He also highlighted the successes of the government during his first term, cataloguing a number of achievements.
This fact-check report verified a claim made by the president.
Claim
Speaking to thousands of his supporters at the independent stadium in Bakau, the president claimed that with support from the European Union, his government has successfully created more than five thousand jobs and supported eight hundred small businesses.
“I am proud to observe that, through the Tekki Fii Programme and the Youth Empowerment Project, and with support from the European Union, the Government successfully created more than five thousand (5,000) jobs and supported eight hundred (800) small businesses.”
Fact-Check
Fact-Check Gambia reached out to the Youth Empowerment Project YEP to ascertain the veracity of the claim.
The Associate Officer, Communication and Knowledge Management of YEP, Isatou Jallow said that the President’s claim is entirely correct and it tallies with their program records.
She further clarifies that the 5,000-job created and 800 hundred small business supported are results registered under the entire Tekki Fii Program which includes YEP and the projects implemented by GIZ, IMVF and Enabel.
“The number of businesses supported under the program exceeds one thousand. This includes more micro, small and medium sized enterprises. The companies benefit from different types of support including access to finances, equipment, technical assistance, market linkages and others.”
Mrs Jallow added that these successes are as a result of cooperation with more than 50 national implementing partners
Tekki Fii, which translates to “make it here” is an empowerment project under YEP which is funded by the European Union.
The Youth Empowerment Project end of year report for 2021 showed the number of individuals and businesses supported
Verdict
The claim is rated TRUE
