By Shaffie A Mtambo
A Call to Action
The recent scene of youths flocking to stadiums in search of jobs is a stark reminder of the pressing issue of youth unemployment in Malawi.
It’s imperative that the government acknowledges this pandemic and takes immediate action to address it.
According to Concerned Citizen executive member Edward Kambanje, the current state of affairs is a direct result of the government’s failure to provide a clear framework for uplifting the lives of the majority youth population.
Kambanje emphasizes that it’s high time we need to balance investments in education with creating industries, as the current approach is unsustainable and contributes to the rising numbers of unemployed youths.
There is an urgent need to strike a balance between investing in education and creating industries that can absorb the growing number of graduates.
The current approach, which prioritizes building schools over establishing industries, is unsustainable and contributes to the rising numbers of unemployed youths.
Instead of producing educated individuals with hope and opportunities, we are creating a generation of frustrated and disillusioned youths who are forced into undesirable situations.
A clear and comprehensive youth program is necessary to harness the abundant human resources and channel them into productive endeavors.
It’s unacceptable to have a Ministry of Youth with a budget that predominantly focuses on sports, neglecting economic empowerment. The current approach is not only inadequate but also misguided.
If this challenge is not addressed promptly, we risk losing an entire generation to lawlessness and hopelessness. It’s time for a mindset shift – instead of solely relying on employment opportunities, we need to focus on developing skills and enterprises that can create jobs and reduce the unemployment rate.
The call to action is clear: we must work together to create opportunities that will harness the energy and creativity of Malawi’s youth, driving economic growth and development for the benefit of all.
Let’s utilize the youths for economic development and create a better future for Malawi.
