By Chisomo Phiri
The United States of America (USA) Ambassador to Malawi David Young has said job scarcity in the country is forcing most young people to commit suicide because they are desperate even after finishing their school.
Young was speaking in Lilongwe on Tuesday during the launch of the 2023-2028 National Youth Policy (NYS)
He stressed that the future of every country are the youth hence investing in young population is critical.
The soft spoken Young said the time has now come for Malawi to create more jobs by coming up with youth programs and empowering youths in various activities including agriculture.
He said:”Listening to the youths by involving them in all decision making steps, youths are leaders of today not tomorrow.
“Technological change lies in them and we need to give them a chance to create innovations that match the time.”
He added America has different programs which are supporting Malawian youths to become self-reliant voting the return of Peace Corps volunteers as one of them.
He since then advised the youths to stand up and take their positions in creating the change the country needs.
In his remarks, President Lazarus Chakwera vowed to monitor implementation of the newly launched National Youth Policy to ensure that youths are not just being ordered to do things but rather included.
The president said it is imperative to listen to the voice of the youth in the country and since asked the Ministry of Youth and Sports to design programs that will make the young people proud of their country and culture.
Chakwera said he believes the policy will create sustainability in youth programs; resulting in the empowerment of more youths.
He said :”Critical actors of social transformation and innovations are youths; so empowering them is a wise investment as they possese various skills that can develop the country.”
The Malawi leader therefore, encouraged stakeholders to put more efforts in empowering and encouraging the youths at all costs.
Again, the president hailed government’s partners for addressing challenges that the youths face both at urban and rural levels.
The NYP themed: ‘Harnessing the youth potential towards the realization of Malawi 2063’ also encompasses critical issues such as climate change, the Malawi 2063 vision, and the Sustainable Development Goals.
