ZEHEST Urges Youth Empowerment for Economic Growth on Youth Day
As Zambia commemorates its 2024 Youth Day under the theme “Zambia at 60, Be the Change,” the Zambian Empowerment Hub for Entrepreneurship and Skills Training (ZEHEST) a non-governmental organization focused on entrepreneurship, environment, governance, and empowerment programs in Zambia, has issued a fervent call for youth empowerment to drive national economic growth.
In a press statement released on March 11th, 2024, Mr. Clarence Moonde Muzyamba, Executive Director of ZEHEST, highlighted the importance of youth participation in shaping Zambia’s future.
Mr. Muzyamba emphasized the need for a positive mindset transformation among young people, urging them to actively engage in economic affairs and entrepreneurship to contribute to the nation’s development.
ZEHEST commended the new government, led by President Hakainde Hichilema, for its commitment to youth empowerment and economic reconstruction. However, the organization stressed the importance of creating an enabling environment for entrepreneurs to thrive, calling for consultative and engaging communication strategies for youth empowerment policies.
Mr. Muzyamba emphasized the necessity of equipping youths with essential life survival skills, including carpentry, food production, plumbing, tailoring, and others.
He highlighted entrepreneurship as a key driver of national economic growth and urged the government to allocate more funding to projects aimed at skill development among young people.
The organization called for inclusive participation, urging the government to prioritize youths, including persons with disabilities, in empowerment funds and initiatives.
Additionally, ZEHEST emphasized the importance of access to information and urged the government to utilize various media channels to communicate opportunities and funds available for youth empowerment.
Mr. Muzyamba stressed the significance of skills training and basic business fundamentals, stating that these initiatives have the power to create self-employment and generate employment opportunities for others.
He urged the government to prioritize skills training and ensure that empowerment funds are effectively utilized to benefit young people.
ZEHEST also addressed challenges such as youth unemployment, poverty, substance abuse, and economic hardships exacerbated by external factors like COVID-19, cholera outbreaks, and drought. The organization calls for urgent government intervention to address these issues and create a conducive environment for youth development and entrepreneurship.
In conclusion, ZEHEST emphasized the critical role of young people in driving economic growth and urged them to prioritize skills training and entrepreneurship. The organization reiterated its commitment to supporting government efforts in empowering youths and building a prosperous future for Zambia.
