•The study calls for affirmative action in favour of young people to occupy some influential positions in governance structures at all levels.

By JOWIT SALUSEKI –

“THE older generation has continued clinging on to positions of influence in the governance of the country without giving chance to the youth.”
With joblessness, especially among the youth being high, these words come timely, especially from the mouth of an affected youth, Leonard Mumba.
Others such as Andrew Phiri and Richael Mazoeka believe politics is the only platform where youths have an opportunity to at least connect themselves to governance issues while Hilda Nyirenda says young people need to avoid being lazy and instead be innovative in their quest to fully participate in the affairs of the nation.
Speaking recently in Lusaka at a hand over ceremony of a survey report conducted in nine provinces by a non-governmental organisation called 2410, dubbed “Youth Inclusion in Governance Structures,” the youth bemoaned the low levels of participation in the governance of the country.
The 2410 Executive Director Brenda Gondwe noted that Zambia, like many African countries, has a huge youth population which can be a source of unrest and conflict if opportunities are not accorded to them.
The 2410 report outlines a number of recommendations in order to enhance youth inclusion in governance structures.
The study reveals that gaps do exist among the different Government departments on youth development initiatives. The report recommends for the establishment of inter-ministerial platforms to promote strategic planning, management and implementation of the National Youth Policy through coordinated efforts.
The study calls for affirmative action in favour of young people to occupy some influential positions in governance structures at all levels.
It advocates for the Government to design leadership development programmes for young people that are intended to provide capacities for the youth to take up roles and responsibilities at all levels of leadership in both the political and national development arenas.
The report suggests that the Government should develop the capacities and adequately fund institutions for young people such as the National Youth Development Council (NYDC) for them to coordinate youth programmes in the country which can be used for talent identification
among young people in the rural areas where many have less opportunities for talent development due to lack of good training facilities in the districts.
The findings propose that those who will benefit from funding should be known so that there is public expenditure tracking and accountability by the citizens. On the low youth participation in leadership positions in politics, the report suggests that political parties should adopt young leaders at their different leadership structures as opposed to only using the youth in lower structures as tools for violence during elections as young people are partners in national development.
The report further recommends for the youths to strategically mobilise themselves and form a platform to popularise the African Youth Charter to enhance the effective implementation of the National Youth Policy as well as to safeguard the rights and duties of the youths through coordinated efforts as they strive to meet their demands.
The report further recommends that youth organisations in Zambia should come together and form a sustainable National Youth Parliament as was the case in Mozambique.
To that effect, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sport, Ronald Chitotela says Government is committed to its citizens by ensuring that Zambian people freely participated in governance matters through democratic provisions and tenets.
Mr Chitotela who spoke during the launch of the report said the State was further committed to making sure that the citizenry is efficiently served and economically empowered.
The deputy minister acknowledged that the Zambian youth like many young people in developing countries continue to face challenges such as high unemployment rates, limited access to quality education and lack of employment opportunities besides limited civic, political and leadership roles.
He said youths were also faced with high HIV/AIDS prevalence rates, soaring pregnancies and early marriages.
“The Zambian Government is aware of the above mentioned social, political and economic challenges affecting the youth and the need for the national policy that will provide a framework for addressing current and emerging youth challenges including the findings of the 2410 survey.
“It is for this reason that the Government led the process of reviewing the 2006 National Youth Policy to make it more responsive to the current global trends on youth development and the emerging political, social, economic and democratic shift in Zambia,” Mr Chitotela said.
He disclosed that the review process took into account other national documents such as the Vision 2030 and the revised Sixth National Development Plan (SNDP).
“With this focus, the interest is to provide a platform for the achievement of political stability, economic prosperity, efficient public service and preservation of culture, which is commendable as its helps in the provision of checks and balances to Government and stakeholders,” Mr Chitotela said.
Finish Ambassador Timo Olkkonen said a democratic and accountable society that promotes human rights was one of the priorities of Finland’s development policy which includes the establishment and strengthening of well-function and democratic public institutions.
“In Zambia, the Government has taken many measures to try to tackle corruption and enhance transparency and accountability,” the envoy said.
He disclosed that the civil society in Zambia is also playing an important role in strengthening accountable and democratic systems through projects enhancing citizen participation.
“The Embassy of Finland in Lusaka has been partnering with 2410 since last year and is part of a broader civil society support to promote human rights and democracy,” ambassador Olkkonen disclosed.
He advised the Zambian youths to consider venturing in agricultural activities instead of them waiting to get white collar jobs.
“Not too many youths want to engage in farming activities …I was recently in Luapula Province where I met old people aged over 80 years who are in agriculture while the youths are shunning to venture,” he observed.
The diplomat stated that the inclusion of youths in democratic processes and decision making structures in the country was very important as the country prepares for next year’s tripartite elections in order to avoid voter apathy.
“It is widely acknowledged that there are a number of challenges currently affecting the youth, from unemployment to inability to access life skills training, loans and empowerment funds.
The youth may also have limited information about Government policies and their democratic rights due to challenges in access to information especially in rural areas.
“The onus is now on the youths to prove their worthiness in their quest of being entrusted with governance matters,” the envoy said.