Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development Goodall Gondwe has urged the country’s youth to be patriotic and respond favourably to initiatives government has put in place for them.
The minister was speaking on Wednesday in Lilongwe when he presided over the commemoration of this year’s World Population Day held at Crossroads Hotel.
The day’s theme was ‘Investing in Young People, Key to Development’.
Addressing delegates at the commemorations, which largely comprised Girl Guides and Boy Scouts, Gondwe said young people hold great potential as drivers of economic growth through participation in labour production.
“Respond favourably to initiatives from government and your communities so that you shape your future and that of the nation. Most importantly, take seriously what you are taught in school today. Your destiny remains in your hands,” said Gondwe.
He, however, expressed worry at the socio-economic challenges young people in the country continue to face, but promised government’s intervention to deal with them.
Speaking earlier, UNFPA acting country representative Rogaia Abdelrahim cited early marriages, teenage pregnancies, unemployment, defilement and HIV and Aids as some of the notable challenges youths face in Malawi.
