By Chisomo Phiri

The National Youth Council of Malawi (NYCOM) Board Chairperson Duncan Chiyani says young people should be at the forefront of the country’s development agenda, citing their long-standing neglect in development projects.

He was speaking during the launch of strategic plans for youth development in Lilongwe on Wednesday.

Chiyani emphasized the need for youth-centric development.

“We live in a country where 51% of the population comprises youths, yet they have only 10% representation in key decision-making spaces.

“This strategic plan aims to address the gaps where young people have been neglected and empower them to take their rightful place.Funds for the projects are available,” he said.

One of the youths, Maria Chavula, echoed Chiyani’s sentiments, highlighting the low engagement of youths in development projects and the lack of platforms for their concerns.

She expressed optimism that the strategic plan will yield significant results and amplify the voices of young people.

NYCOM was established in 1996 after government realized that there was immediate need for proper coordination of youth programmes, following the mushrooming of various youth-serving and youth-led organizations and an exponential rise in the interest of other non-state actors to participate in the youth sector.

The Council exists as an implementing arm of the Ministry for youth, currently part of the Ministry of Labour, Youth, and Sports.

NYCOM is a key institution for ensuring efficient and effective implementation, coordination and evaluation of various youth programmes in Malawi.

It is mandated to register youth organisations, and coordinate, promote and regulate youth work in Malawi.