Balaka youth challenged to be proactive in development issues

Foundation for Civic Education and Social Empowerment (Focese), a youth non-governmental organisation (NGO) working on youth empowerment on local governance in Balaka has appealed to youths in the district to be proactive rather than reactive in development and governance issues.

The organisation’s project officer Roderick Katuka said the youths should demand development from duty-bearers and public officers.

He said this at Ulongwe  in the district on Saturday when Focese held a youth-duty bearer debate on human rights, development and governance.

“Youths have needs which should be met, but they have to use advocacy to be included in decision-making processes,” said Katuka.

Balaka District Council chairperson Daudi Amini said the youth need guidance and skills not to be used in politics.

He said youths need to be given chance to lead as they are energetic and vibrant.

Focese is implementing a youth governance project in Traditional Authority (T/A) Kalembo with funding from Tilitonse Fund. n