By Prince J Musa in Kenema
The Ministry of Youth Affairs has engaged representatives of youth groups in the Eastern region on the validation of the national youth policy. The event took place at the district council hall in Kenema.
Addressing the gathering, the Minister of youths affairs, Mohamed Orman Bangura, told the young people that "the essence of this validation is to help plan for the youths for the next five years".
"This validation is to help sound the voices of the youths with regard the document which is to be validated. We want the youths to make their inputs in the document ", Bangura stated.
The Minister also said that the consultants developing the document have been touring the county to make sure that youths come up with ideas about how government and partners should work towards their development.
Mohamed Ngevao, the representative of the council in Kenema, said the engagement was very important regarding what they should do for youths.
Ngevao said the council is aware of the acute shortage of jobs for youths in the city. He said that is why they have employed up to 70 youths in their Waste Management program.
"We can't succeed if youths are left out,” Ngevao said. He also warned youths not to trivialize the validation exercise.
Secretary General of the Kenema District Youths Council, Allie Koroma, said: "Lack of adequate knowledge and high rate of unemployment among youths are major security threats to the country".
Koroma said: "As a council we want the ministry to work with development partners to revamp skills training in the entire district. There is a need to provide job opportunity for young people.”
Chairman of the council, Alhaji Mohamed Mansaray, also called for more opportunities to be created for youths in the district.
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