By Wanangwa Tembo

Kasungu, June 2, Mana: Deputy Director in the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ketie Mwandira has challenged the youths in Kasungu District to be innovative so that they meaningfully contribute towards achieving the country’s development targets.

Speaking on Monday, during the dissemination of the National Youth Policy to the district stakeholders and youth clubs, Mwandira said the youths have great potential towards the realization of national aspirations such as the Malawi 2063.

“We want to make sure that the youths and district stakeholders are aware of the National Youth Policy so that there is compliance when implementing youth-related development programmes.

“We are saying there is nothing for the youths without them. They must be involved in everything because they are key drivers of the national development,” Mwandira said.

She said the policy, which was officially launched in 2023 and runs until 2028, provides clear direction for successful designing and implementation of youth development programmes in line with Sustainable Development Goals and the Malawi 2063.

“So, we want to see youths that are empowered to contribute to socio-economic development and engaged in policy and programme development, implementation and decision-making processes at all levels.

“Additionally, we want to see increased demand and response to youth needs and improved access to equitable and quality youth services as some of the policy outcomes,” she said.

Kasungu District Coordinator for Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace, Hastings Kalima, called for seriousness amongst stakeholders to ensure that the policy is successfully implemented.

“We should not be known for coming up with good policies and then fail to implement them. It’s a collective responsibility that we have to see to it that the policy is successfully implemented,” he said.

On his part, Francis Zimba of Comfort Youth Club advised his fellow youths to form groups so that they easily access opportunities such as loans, skills and equipment.

The National Youth Policy aims to empower the youths so that they are able to deal with social-cultural, economic and political challenges by creating an enabling environment for them to achieve sustainable personal and national development.