Minister orders deployment of Mzuzu DYO
Minister of Labour, Youth, Sports and Manpower Development Henry Mussa has ordered his ministry to send a district youth officer to Mzuzu after youths in the city lamented over lack of the officer.
The city has not had youth officer for about a year, a development that has seen the younger generation lacking a proper authority to look into their activities or concerns.
During a ground breaking ceremony of Mzuzu Youth Centre on Monday, Mzuzu City youth parliamentarian Mweiwe Jere asked Mussa to intervene on the absence of the youth officer.
The minister said having a youth officer is crucial and the city cannot not continue to operate without one.
“We really need to have a youth officer. We want to promote youth development. We have to make sure there is someone here,” said Mussa.
Youth and Society (YAS) executive director Charles Kajoloweka said the absence of a youth officer has been an issue for a long time as those that were deployed before did not stay long in the office.
He said: “There is no desk where we can engage stakeholders on youth development. The absence of the DYO is affecting youth operations. This is not the first time we have not had a youth officer. We have never had a stable youth officer.
“Apart from the youth officer, government has to address issue of resources. The office of the youth officer should have the capacity to hold activities and that means that they should be well funded.” n
