MALAWI: Mzuzu Youth Questions President Chakwera’s Timing On National Development Engagement

By Smile Hamilton, Malawi 

The Mzuzu Youth Caucus has expressed skepticism about President Lazarus Chakwera’s decision to engage young people on national development.

According to Gomezgani Nkhoma, the group’s chairperson, the timing of this engagement is questionable.

“We’ve had four years of this administration, and now, with elections approaching, the President wants to engage young people?” Nkhoma asked.

“It’s too little, too late. The ideal time for such engagement would have been in 2020,” he added.

President Chakwera recently announced on social media that he would engage young people to explain their role in the government’s 500 development projects, as highlighted in his State of the Nation Address on February 14, 2025.

However, Nkhoma believes the President should prioritize addressing pressing youth concerns.

“Instead of politicizing the youths’ struggles, the President should focus on creating jobs, supporting youth-led businesses, improving access to quality education, and developing infrastructure that supports youth development,” he said.

Nkhoma also emphasized the need for access to quality healthcare services and economic stability for young people.

“These are the issues that directly impact our daily lives,” he said. “We urge the President to reassess and address these concerns first.”

The Mzuzu Youth Caucus is part of a larger movement to create a space for youths to discuss and work towards a better future.

As the country approaches elections, the group’s concerns highlight the need for leaders to prioritize the needs and aspirations of young people.