We Are Building Bright Future for Youths — RB

25 May 2011

PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda has reinforced his commitment to building a better future for all Zambians, particularly young people, by providing a stable economy and strengthening Zambia’s investment climate.

Mr Banda said in a statement released yesterday by Special Assistant to the president for Press and Public Relations Dickson Jere, to mark Africa Freedom Day that his Government had helped boost employment and training opportunities, especially for young people who were at the heart of Zambia’s future.

He said this year’s theme, “Accelerating youth empowerment for sustainable development”, was appropriate because youths, who formed 68 per cent of Zambia’s population, were important in national development and could not be ignored.

President Banda said young people were an important human resource which should be harnessed if the country was to develop.

He pledged continued youth empowerment, through initiatives such as the Youth Development Fund and Citizens Economic Empowerment Fund which he said eased access to finance for youth entrepreneurs.

“My great hope for Zambia is that we become a country where every single man, woman and child has the opportunity to enjoy a peaceful and happy life, where they can work, learn and, most importantly, for the youth of Zambia, help build on the foundations of tomorrow’s Zambia,” Mr Banda said.

The president, in saluting the ideals of the day, which commemorates the formation of the Organisation of African Unity 48 years ago, said he had worked to bring opportunity to all Zambians.

“Zambia is a role model for all of Africa, a country which, through hard work, commitment and partnership, has developed into a place in which we can all be proud,” he said.

President Banda said Zambia had made huge progress since independence, becoming a country that prized the values of freedom, security and stability for all people.

Zambia’s economy has boomed, supported by his Government’s prioritisation of health and education policies, which had helped cement the country’s position on the world stage.

“On African Freedom Day, I urge all the people of Zambia to come together, regardless of political or social preferences and celebrate the huge achievements our country has made. Our future is in your hands – we will build it together,” he said.

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