The National Youth Service Scheme (NYSS) has announced the appointment of Lala Touray as its new Deputy Executive Director, marking a significant step in the institution’s drive to empower young people and promote inclusive leadership in The Gambia.
Touray, a seasoned development professional, brings years of experience in governance, youth empowerment, and gender justice. Before joining NYSS, she served as Senior Programme Officer at the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI), where she oversaw U.S. Government-funded projects designed to strengthen democratic governance in The Gambia.
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Her career also spans roles with the International Republican Institute (IRI), where she contributed to constitutional reform dialogue and women’s rights advocacy, and with the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC), where she served as Youth Empowerment and Women’s Affairs Officer.
At the TRRC, she worked to ensure active participation of women and young people in the country’s national reconciliation process.
In 2023, the Ministry of Youth and Sports appointed her as a representative of young women at the National Youth Council.
She is also serving on the Commonwealth Youth Council from 2022 to 2025, representing Gambian youth on a global stage.
Touray’s work extends beyond national borders through partnerships with organisations such as the National Endowment for Democracy, FemNET, the World Movement for Democracy, and the African Women Leadership Forum.
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Her efforts have consistently focused on advancing gender-inclusive leadership and building resilient communities.
A Mandela Washington Fellow and alumna of the Nelson Mandela School for Public Governance’s Women in Leadership Fellowship, she has received multiple recognitions, including the U.S. Embassy’s 2024 Excellence in Civic Engagement Award and the She Awards Youth Excellence Award in 2022.
In a statement, NYSS said Touray’s appointment underscores its commitment to nurturing the potential of Gambian youth, particularly women, while contributing to sustainable national development.
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