Government commits to youth empowerment

By Phyllis Nkhoma
Kasungu, Mana: Minister of Youth and Sports Uchizi Mkandawire has said government has outlined various measures to reduce unemployment levels amongst the youth in the country so that they are economically empowered.

Mkandawire said this on Monday when he presided over the launch of tools distribution exercise to youths under the Youth Skills Challenge in Kasungu District.

Through the initiative, youths in Community Savings and Investment Promotion (Comsip) groups are being trained in vocational skills as part of the Social Support for Resilient Livelihood Programme (SSRLP).

Mkandawire said government is aware that about 33 percent of youth in Malawi are unemployed and has come up with initiatives, including the National Youth Service where youths will be able to find employment or have their own businesses.

The minister said: “We plan to reach out to many youths so that they are empowered and live an independent and productive life.

“As a ministry, we will support them with tools so that they set up businesses and contribute to the country’s development agenda.”
He urged the beneficiaries to make full use of the received items so that the programme goals are achieved.

“Government has made a huge investment in this programme so we don’t expect you to let us down. We want the best from this initiative,” he said.

Comsip Programmes Manager Dennison Gondwe said as implementers of the programme, they aim to reach out to over 4,300 youths by 2027.

“After looking at literacy levels in the communities, we decided not to attach any formal qualifications to the initiative so that many young people benefit from it.

“We have so far trained 721 youth in the first cohort and in the second cohort we have already recruited 1,789 who are expected to graduate in February next year,” Gondwe said.
One of the beneficiaries, Martha Chimkango, hailed the programme, saying it will transform the communities for the better.

During the handover ceremony, there was a community bond signing agreement between chairpersons of the youth groups and Area Development Committees, affirming that they will establish and ply their businesses for a period of two years in their various localities before going elsewhere.

Among the tools received were sewing machines, welding and fabrication materials and carpentry working materials.

Apart from getting the tools, the youths also got a loan, averaging K300,000 as startup capital to establish businesses.

With financial support from World Bank, Comsip, in collaboration with Ministry of Youth, envisions to train and support as many youths under the Youth Skills Challenge project.