By Isaac Salima:
President Lazarus Chakwera has praised his interaction with young people as a valuable platform for them to contribute to governance.
Chakwera made the remarks at Sanjika Palace in Blantyre Thursday after engaging with youths from the Southern Region.
This was the second round of engagement, dubbed Sona for the Youths, where young people were given an opportunity to meet with the President and ask him questions.
During the session, young people raised issues, including those pertaining to job creation, access to loans being disbursed by the government through the National Economic Empowerment Fund (Neef) and other governance matters.
“The interaction has shown that youths have a vision to develop the country. It shows that the youth want change.
“Let us take this opportunity by contributing to the governance of the country. Young people should know that we want them to contribute to governance and we will embrace their views, even if they seem contrary,” Chakwera said.
One of the youths, Donnie Nkhoma, asked Chakwera, through Facebook, about progress of the country’s fight against corruption.
“You promised us that your government would fight corruption. But it now seems the opposite, as we have seen some officials in government engaging in corrupt activities,” Nkhoma said.
In response, Chakwera said his government had put measures in place to combat corruption.
“People should know that it is my government that has increased funding to the Anti- Corruption Bureau to enable it to carry out its activities.
“We have also ensured that the bureau has enough manpower and put systems in place so that its operations are within the law,” he said.
Renowned musician Patience Namadingo also raised several issues and urged fellow youths to ask pertinent questions, as such opportunities are rarely afforded.
The President was also asked to ensure that more young people benefit from Neef loans.
Chakwera assured the youth that the government had put measures in place to ensure that the loan terms were favourable for young people.
Other young people also questioned their leader about the forex and fuel challenges being experienced in the country, to which the President responded by saying the government was taking action.
Information Minister Moses Kunkuyu said the engagement had been a success.
“There was not much reliance on online questions, as the President fully engaged those who were available physically. Young people asked questions and offered solutions,” Kunkuyu said.
The President is expected to continue his engagement next week in Mzuzu City, where he will meet with youths from the Northern Region.
