Malawi youths demand govt to review MYP concept
Youths in Malawi have asked the PP led government to review the defunct Malawi Young Pioneers (MYP) concept with the aim of adapting it to a youth programme that will promote skills development in traditional sectors such as agriculture.
The youth also urged Malawi President Mrs. Joyce Banda to appoint young professionals in parastatal boards and Commissions to represent youth’s interest and also as one way of orienting them on government systems.
“Development challenges Malawi is facing… will continue to bear a youth face for the foreseeable future. The youth are not meaningfully involved in decision making processes on issues that directly or indirectly affect their lives,” Youth Consultative Forum Regional Coordinator Edward Kantuseya Gama said.
The youths made the call during belated regional commemorations on the International Youth Day held at the Mzuzu Youth centre on Wednesday.
Youth Day falls on 12th August every year and this year’s theme is “Building a better Malawi, Partnering with the Youths. Youths in Malawi constitute over 60 percent of the total population of 14 million.
“This means that the youth constitute the biggest proportion of demand for social services such as education and health which are heavily subsidized by government,” Gama said.
Gama also urged the youths to participate in political and governance processes by among other things demanding representation in decision making bodies and running for political office.
“That is why we are asking government, political leaders and policy makers to depoliticize youth work and programmes to avoid discrimination, political patronage, nepotism and abuse of public resources,” he said.
UNFPA Consultant on Youth Programme Emmily Kamwendo said youths have power but queried their contribution to Malawi’s development despite comprising being a larger percent of the Population
District youth Officer Andrew Mang’anda called government to respond to the many challenges Malawi youth are facing saying investing in youth should be mandatory.
“There are lots of concerns that youth are not consulted on many issues that affect them. This is a disservice. We need to engage them,” Mang’anda said.
But guest of owner at the function Doctor Cedric Sapuwa youths are not consulted because they are overzealous, silent and lack interest in governance issues.
Sapuwa reiterated that nothing great will ever be achieved without greater involvement of the youths.
“Youths have to be vigilant and should be prepared for any adversaries of the world. They should enterprising and not only aim for white collar jobs,” he said.
Sapuwa, who is proprietor of Premier Cane Spirits, faulted government on the way it has dealt with the Sachets problem. Sachets are locally made and cheap alcoholic spirits sold in Malawi.
He said the sachets problem is social and cannot be solved by economic means such as raising taxes.
In 2012/13 fiscal budget, the Malawi government raised duty for alcoholic drinks sold in sachets to 250 percent from 100.
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