President Dr Lazarus Chakwera has underscored the importance of youth engagement in achieving the Malawi 2063 announcing that the Presidential Engagement with Youths will now be an annual event to ensure that young people’s voices are integral to the national discourse.
Dr Chakwera was speaking at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe during his interface with representatives of youths drawn from across the country.
President Chakwera acknowledged the myriad challenges facing the youth in the economic, health, and social spheres. In response, the Malawi leader said his administration has introduced several measures to address the issues, including a K35 billion low-interest loan package accessible through the National Economic Empowerment Fund and the Malawi Agricultural and Industrial Investment Corporation (MAIIC).
Additionally, the Agricultural Commercialisation Project (AGCOM) has been allocated more resources for its second phase to support youth-led initiatives.
He then emphasized that the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Youth are to spearhead these youth-centered interventions. Dr. Chakwera also called for the support of development partners to further the youth agenda.
To bolster coordination, Dr Chakwera urged all stakeholders to collaborate with the National Youth Council. He also announced of formation of a Ministerial Taskforce dedicated to overseeing youth issues.
The President then advised the youth to be proactive, patriotic, principled, and innovative stressing that Malawi is their only home hence the need for collective responsibility.
