Zambia’s Youth Minister Apologizes for Delays in Internship Program Stipend Payments

The Minister of Youth, Sport and Arts, Hon. Elvis Chishala Nkandu, addressed the nation today regarding the Internship, Volunteers, Apprenticeship and Graduate (IVAG) program.

Minister Nkandu acknowledged the challenges faced by the program, particularly delays in stipend payments to participants. He expressed his sincere apologies for the inconvenience caused by these delays.

“We understand the importance of your stipends and the impact they have on your livelihoods,” Minister Nkandu stated. “We are taking decisive steps to ensure that such delays become a thing of the past.”

The Ministry attributed the delays to inaccurate data on the number of IVAG participants and limited support from cooperating partners. To address this, spot-check exercises were conducted in several provinces to verify the number of actively participating interns.

“The spot-checks revealed a discrepancy between the reported number and the actual number of IVAGs currently working,” the Minister explained. “This exercise is crucial to ensure that government resources are allocated appropriately.”

Minister Nkandu announced that the Ministry is prioritizing the disbursement of stipends, with payments expected to begin at the end of May 2024. 

He also emphasized the government’s unwavering commitment to youth empowerment through the IVAG program.

“The IVAG program is a journey of transformation,” he said. “We are committed to ensuring that every challenge is met with resilience and every setback is an opportunity for growth.”

The Minister concluded his speech by thanking participants for their patience and understanding. 

He reiterated the government’s dedication to the program’s success and pledged to work collaboratively with participants to achieve its goals.