Govt. set to make youths more useful

By Francis Maingaila

Lusaka (26-08-18) The Zambian government has partnered with the United Nation Development Program (UNDP) not only to train but also to empower the youths with skills and financial  resources enable them to be more useful in their quest to develop the country.

Ministry of Youth, Sports and Child Development Minister one Moses Mawere told journalists at the PF Interactive Forum held at Chrisma Hotel in Lusaka on Sunday that a total of $8.5 million has been injected in the systems not only in the skill development project but also mind set change training among youth in Zambia.

He said 80% of the people in Zambia are youths and government wants to take advantage of their willingness to work and skills to develop the country further.

He said every where in the world, youth groups are considered to be the most useful human resources and are used to develop the country.

He explained that his ministry is strategically positioned to provide coordinated role in this effort and is working with other line ministry in ensuring that skills development among youths and it’s implementation is a reality.

He observed the first call of duty towards the objective in the training of mind set change began with teacher in training institutions so that they can have the knowledge of imparting mind set change training in young minds.

Its only when the mind set is changed that the youths can learn to stand on their own.’

According to Hon. Mawere, the government wants the youth across the country to be actively involved in production and that was reason why skill development and mind set change training should be a priority.

Hon. Mawere explained that more than 50 youth groups across the country not only trained but also registered under his ministry and are engaged into serious business activities in Information and Communication and Technology (ICT), including mining and business.

He suggested that the government wants the youths to be involved in skills not only receive relevant training but also to be equipped with tools and finances saying this will enable they carry out their business activities with ease.

So far, Hon Mawere explained, 19 resources centres where the youths that want to venture into business activities have been established across the country.

He added that it is the desire of government to have resources centres in each districts where people he young people with innovative mind will go to seek help and actualise their talents.

He said the government has not only procured equipment which will be given to the youths in various industry but also funds channeled towards the skill and tools development.

He said the allocation of funds and skills is limited only to the youths in particular industry.

The programs will also enable the young people to work out the project proposal and access funds not only from the government institutions but also from donors and use it to their own advantage.

He however regretted that lack knowledge has led youths to use more resources into consumption than developmental activities.

He hopes that with the introduction of resources centres where youths will be imparted with the relevant skills develop projects, poverty levels will drastically reduce.

He also urged the youths to work in partnership with the government in their quest for development saying this will make it easy for them to access funds from relevant ministries that will enable them carry out their activities.

At the moment, Hon Mawere explained, Zambia not only has more human resources but also opportunity to develop than any other countries in the region but lack of know and access has made it impossible to people to progress.

There are many people with creative minds to develop workable projects but have no access to finances. These youths need to be empowered with skills and resources so that they can migrate from where the are to something better.

He in invited the youths with the capacity to work to link themselves with relevant ministries which his ministry has recommended to them if they are to excel in their quest for business advancement.

He said his ministry will always favor those people who have the capacity to work as recommended in a youths policy and the action plan was developed in 2015.

In this policy he explained, the government has provided intervention to ensure that those who are able to work are given the opportunities.