By Pemphero Malimba:
Youth empowerment campaigners under the banner Youth Decide Campaign (YCD) say they will soon engage president-elect Peter Mutharika so that he can endorse the Youth Manifesto.
This is contained in a statement that was read out at a press briefing in Lilongwe Thursday.
YDC is a network of over 40 organisations that seek to promote the wellbeing of youths.
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In the statement, the network says it wants Mutharika to align his policies with the interest of youths.
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“In the coming days, YDC will be seeking [an] audience with President Mutharika for
the endorsement of the National Youth Manifesto and engagement on matters of youth interest as he assumes office.
“In addition, the YDC membership will soon convene to set its minimum priorities and expectations of the first 100 days of the new administration,” the statement reads.
The network says it would continue advocating for transparency and accountability in the implementation of government programmes that target youths.
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Speaking after the press briefing, YDC National Coordinator Mwandida Theu said the manifesto was crucial to uplifting lives of the youth in the country.
“We developed the Youth Manifesto, which runs from 2025 to 2030. Endorsing the Youth Manifesto is a signal that he wants to work with the youth of Malawi,” Theu said.
Democratic Progressive Party spokesperson Shadric Namalomba was yet to respond to our questionnaire at the time we were writing the story.
Prior to the September 16 general election, YCD engaged various presidential candidates who endorsed the Youth Manifesto.
The candidates included President Lazarus Chakwera of Malawi Congress Party.
YCD also held youth dialogues where Joyce Banda of People’s Party, Dalitso Kabambe of UTM and Atupele Muluzi of United Democratic Front participated.
