By Sylvia Zulu

 

Kasama, March 12, 2023, ZANIS— Northern Province Permanent Secretary, Bernard Mpundu says government has heavily invested in enhancing quality education and skills development for youths in the province.

Mr Mpundu also added that government is actively addressing ways of how it can enable full civic and economic participation of the youths in the province.

 

“This year’s Youth Day commemoration calls for the youth to adopt a transformative agenda that emphasizes on the inclusive and integrated approach to sustainable National Development.

 

“He further said that the theme has come at a right time when the government is emphasizing active youth participation in national development and that youths should be empowered to play a vital role in their own development as well as in their communities.

 

“Government has designed programmes to allow the youth to benefit regardless of sex, religion, political affiliation as well as disability and government has prioritized youth empowerment in its mission to improve or uplift the living standard of youths in Zambia, especially in the rural areas.” he said.

 

And youth representative, Thomas Phiri has commended government for the many programmes that have been put in place to help youths in the province and the country at large.

 

He however called on the government to look into the lack of public universities and inaccessibility of loans and late disbursement of loans under CDF and CEEC.

 

He adds that lack of industries, power communication systems in most areas of the province, lack of skills training centers is also affecting youths in the province.

Mr Phiri further urged his fellow youths to move away from the dependency syndrome but workhard and uphold national values and ethics.

 

Meanwhile, Kasama Mayor Theresa Kolala who was represented by Kasama Town Clerk, Kasonde Kasongole urged youths to play their part in making the theme for this year actualized through change of mindset.

 

The 2023 youth day was held under the theme:

“Transforming Minds for Accelerated Youth Development.”