Malawian Youth Engage Chakwera on Governance,. Development
In a rare display of civic engagement, a group of Malawian youths met with President Lazarus Chakwera at a forum, engaging in a productive and respectful discussion on the country’s governance and future. The meeting has been hailed as a model for youth engagement and has sparked calls for Nigerian youths to emulate the Malawian example.
The meeting, which was attended by over 50 young Malawians, was characterized by open and frank discussions on various issues affecting the country, including governance, corruption, and economic development. The youths, who were selected from various backgrounds and industries, presented their concerns and suggestions to the President, who listened attentively and responded thoughtfully.
One of the attendees, stole the show with his impassioned speech, which touched on the need for accountability, transparency, and participation in governance. He expressed his mixed emotions, saying he was confused, disappointed, and hopeful, but emphasized the need for the youth to take ownership of their country’s future.
He also quoted from the Koran and the Bible, emphasizing the importance of leaders inspiring their followers and being accountable to the people. He highlighted the disparity between the salaries of government officials and their lifestyles, saying it was public knowledge that many of them earned less than three million Malawian kwach but lived lavishly.
He also expressed his concern about the brain drain, citing his experiences of meeting many young Malawians abroad who wanted to escape the country. “I cannot be proud to live in a country where every youth that I meet wants to run away,” he said.
The President, who was impressed by the youths’ articulateness and passion, responded by acknowledging the challenges facing the country and pledging to work towards addressing them. He emphasized the importance of dialogue and engagement, saying that his administration was committed to listening to the concerns of all Malawians, including the youth.
The meeting has been widely praised, with many calling it a model for youth engagement in Africa. “This is topnotch engagement with the Youths in Malawi……hopefully Nigerian Youths will be this responsible when given the opportunity,” said a social media user. “We were once Youths but we never advocated for destruction or violence to communicate our grievances.”
The meeting has also sparked calls for Nigerian youths to emulate the Malawian example. “Nigerian youths should learn from their Malawian counterparts and engage in constructive dialogue with their leaders,” said a commentator. “Violence and destruction are not the answers to our problems. We need to work together to build a better future for ourselves and our country.”
As the meeting came to a close, the President thanked the youths for their candor and encouraged them to continue engaging with his administration. “We value your input and look forward to working with you to build a brighter future for Malawi,” he said.
The meeting has set a high standard for youth engagement in Africa, and it remains to be seen whether Nigerian youths will follow suit. However, one thing is clear: the future of Africa belongs to its youth, and it is imperative that they are given a platform to express themselves and contribute to the development of their countries.
