Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa-COMESA- Secretary General Chileshe Kapwepwe says the COVID-19 pandemic has led to increased youth unemployment in the COMESA region while at the same time limiting movements for those involved in business and commercial activities.
Ms. Kapwepwe said it was unfortunate that the pandemic had disrupted economic and trade activities by the youth that also contribute to the growth of national economies.
She said this during a virtual meeting hosted by the African Union Office of the Youth Envoy on Youth Consultations on COVID -19.
Ms. Kapwepwe said COMESA would hold virtual workshops for continuous youth engagements and support innovations that could enhance digital solutions in the COVID-19 era.
She has since called on COMESA member states to invest in building strong institutions of governance that will enhance youth participation in national development.
And speaking earlier, Former President of the Republic of Malawi, Mrs. Joyce Banda urged countries not to neglect other pressing challenges such as maternal health and poverty, as their leaders seek ways to find solutions for the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
She said as countries focus on the pandemic they should not lose sight of other challenges that the continent was faced with.
And humanitarian activist, Gracia Machel said the post-COVID-19 agenda must not be structured without the involvement of the youth.
She expressed concern the pandemic had a triple effect on the youths who not only had lost jobs but whose education and training has been disrupted too due to the pandemic.
She said many African countries had no technological capacity to offer e-learning to its citizenry.
Former President for the Republic of Ireland Mary Robinson said countries must align their fight against COVID 19 to climate change as the impacts of climate change had not slowed down because of the pandemic.
And African Peer Review Mechanism-APRM-Chief Executive Officer Professor Eddy Maloka urged countries not to limit participation in governance by stakeholders due to the COVID Pandemic.
Youth unemployment was a critical problem already in Zambia before Corona hit the world, the useless PF must not hide from this failure on their part that’s why the youth are disgruntled. Other issues like rampant corruption and excessive debt were also issues that were oozing blood before Corona turned them into a hemorrhage.
It is high time we stopped using Covid-19 as an excuse for everything. As someone said, youth unemployment has always been a major challenge even without the pandemic. Give the youths answers, not dry statements to their problems. Tell them about opportunities, job creation, long-term investments etc. and give them hope and perspective for the future.
I am not hearing real solutions from COMESA, whats the point of these organizations if they donot offer any pragmatic implementable solutions instead they are focused on telling us the problem we are already aware of. So what is COMESA going to do to address these known challenges ? we haven’t heard any overarching regional strategies from Madam Kapwepwe. To be honest Madam (may be the article has misrepresented your organization) uku ndiye kubwetuka bwetuka!
I wonder whether this woman has just woke up during covid-19 pandemic time or she has been around before this.
The youth unemployment has been oir major outcry foe many years and iys getting worse and worse day by day or year by year.
Tbe youth are worried of their future and older generations have gripped on their jobs even at retirement age.
Job creation is not visible at all but corruption and looting is noticeable in every government and public institutions.
Only those who are connected to the looters can smell nice aroma of Hungarian sausage.
The revolution for youth is now or never!
PF must go!
This very true and affecting the world . Opposition will want you to believe that it is caused by pf. Fake news
Behind the keyboard is MADILU SYSTEM, big brand!
It’s true, these organizations just state the obvious.
Any action plan to assist govts in inclusion and youth job creation? We sure could use a hand…..never mind IMF.
Anyway opportunists for everything you will say Covid-19 that is how bad you people are, Its a good political game but be careful people are a lot more informed these days.
Covid 19 didn’t take power in 2011, PF did, how many youths did U employ? Has covid 19 just come to give you relief so that U can excuse yourself from accepting failure. U said more money in pockets, but it is only more money in your pockets. U have failed to think solutions, now you have become experts at giving excuses. Tell us how U plan to solve problems not explaining things we already know. U were deliberately allowing covid 19 to be imported so that U can come and tell us today that it’s the cause. If covid 19 is the cause, who failed to take precautions to prevent it? Is it us or the government?
PF will be remembered for the following long after it is dead and gone next year abnormal load shedding, burning of markets, gassing of citizens, criminals having freedom while citizens having fear. The state failing to disclose the owners of 48 houses that built themselves on a land that has no owner in council records on zambian land, how can a plot within country fail to have a number associated to a specific individual or company? Ministry of lands we pay land rents associated to land numbers. U carry out surveys U know every single place in Zambia. But GRZ has no idea who owns that land at which the mansions are standing seriously. You must think we are stupid but we will show U we are not next year. PF must go
PF the one stop shop for CORRUPTION,
Last week Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations Isaac Chipampe said there were no laws that compelled President Lungu to fire or suspend any minister being investigated for corrupt activities.
Well, well, we the “stupid” people of Zambia shall wait for gravity to take it’s cause since Lungu has eluded an opportunity to demonstrate his proclaimed zero tolerance against corruption by failing to act on Dr Chitalu Chilufya. It’s morally wrong for a mnister to remain in office while facing corruption investigations or any other allegations of this nature, as it has the potential to promote compromise in leadership. The fact that the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is dealing with a high-ranking official of government; who…
Continue The fact that the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is dealing with a high-ranking official of government; who exerts so much power and authority, there is a high likelihood of intimidation and interference; either direct or implied.
I wouldn’t entrust him to look after my “tooth picks” because he will want me to praise him for recycling them.
Meanwhile latest video with young PF caders flaunting K300,000 corruption money on social media, is proof that organised crime and corruption is being used to support the kleptocrats
Its like telling a PHD Mathematics holder that 1+1 =2
The levels of unemployment have come about because the national wallet has been depleted of tax payers which is now building mansions around state house and some swaziland.
At one stage I did say that as soon as it was established, covid-19 would replace climate change as the brunt of all ills. Just look at the Victoria Falls and ZESCO! I am sure very soon the levels will be blamed on covid-19 and therefore the water will not be fit for electricity generation.