via ‘Youth concerns are Govt’s priority’ | The Herald March 9, 2015
Addressing the challenges faced by youths in the country remains Government’s number one priority, Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa said last week. Speaking at the Harare Youth Council fund-raising dinner, VP Mnangagwa said young people aged below 35 years constituted more than 77 percent of the country’s total population. “As young people, they have certain challenges which include unemployment, underemployment, poverty, HIV and Aids and substance abuse, just to mention a few.
“Given the demographics and such clear challenges, young people deserve a bigger share of development investments and initiatives. Addressing youth issues should therefore remain a priority for the Government, private sector, development partners and communities at large,” he said.
At least $207 000 was raised during the fund-raising dinner and will be channelled towards the construction of a Youth Information Centre in the city by the Harare Youth Council.
VP Mnangagwa said it was his hope that the centre, which would be constructed near the intersection of George and Chiremba roads, would benefit many generations who would come after them.
“The project is in line with the objectives of the National Youth Policy which seeks to ensure meaningful participation of young people in various aspects of national development,” he said.
He said Government was implementing the Zim-Asset blueprint through the cluster approach or system with a view to realising broad or overarching results that sought to address the country’s socio-economic challenges, including that of youth unemployment.
VP Mnangagwa said the information centre would serve as a compass for young people by directing them to the right services for their different needs.
The centre will comprises a training hall with a maximum capacity of 500 participants, news studios, computer rooms, IT back-up room, Wi-Fi recreation space, computer room/office and a spacious reception comprising of an information desk, security checkpoint, 10 desks and a waiting area.
“I hope that such centre will be replicated in each of the country’s remaining nine administrative provinces and that they take into account the diverse needs of the youth in different geographical areas, particularly young people in rural communities,” VP Mnangagwa said.
Youth, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Minister Christopher Mushohwe said the youth centre created space for the youths to learn and share ideas on issues that were important and peculiar to them.
“They also offer opportunities of a young friendly nature ranging from recreational, sporting, cultural, educational, dialogue, career guidance livelihood enhancement and business-related issues in a safe and free environment,” he said.
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