Copperbelt Minister Bowman Lusambo has advised youths in Zambia to be innovative and take advantage of various economic empowerment programmes formulated by Government.
Mr. Lusambo who is also Kabushi Member of Parliament said Government through the Ministries of Youth, Sport and Child Development and Commerce, Trade and Industry has a number of youth targeted economic empowerment programmes.
He said as part of its economic diversification programme away from copper dependence, the Zambian government is now promoting investments in agriculture.
Mr. Lusambo said youths should now shift their attention to venturing into agriculture than depending on getting white collar jobs.
The Copperbelt Provincial Minister was speaking to Journalists in Ndola shortly after officiating at a wreath laying ceremony at the Cenotaph to commemorate Youth Day.
“My appeal is to the youths of this great country to embrace agriculture. His Excellency President Edgar Chagwa Lungu is focusing on diversifying this economy and young people should be driving that agenda,” Mr. Lusambo said.
He added, “Youths including Graduates should change the notion that agriculture is for retirees. We are promoting agriculture production even for young people because it a well-paying sector and can be a good foreign exchange earner if well harnessed.”
“The theme for this year’s Youth Day celebrations is Unity and Innovation for a Smart Zambia. My message to the youths of Zambia and particularly for those on the Copperbelt is that the time to seize the moment has come. Innovate and be part of the solution that Zambia requires,” he said.
Mr. Lusambo also appealed to the youths of Zambia to support President Lungu’s administration saying he is the only leader in the history of Zambia that has demonstrated his true love for the youths.
He said President Lungu has appointed youths into key portfolios in his administration which is a clear demonstration of his support towards youth development.
“Since 1964, this country has never had a leader like President Lungu who has appointed a lot of youths into key positions. Myself, I am a true example of President Lungu’s faith in young people. He appointed me to be in charge of a very strategic Province and he has always supported me,” he said.
“President Lungu fully understands that there is no country on this earth that can attain social and economic development when it leaves behind its youth. So the youths of Zambia should rally behind President Lungu administration in order to realise their full potential.”


He should b the first to be innovative otherwise come 2021 he will b jobless
Youths should play soccer, that’s all.
since leaving college he has been surviving as stone throwing cadre, he has never done business before or even looked for work as a garden boy.
What innovation is he talking about?
Good encouragement to the youth, well done.
I think even the youth are getting tired of this thug hiding under new suits. He is acting like kambwili but does he realise that his idol was discarded like a used condom by lungu. The same will happen to this useless pf thug
Does he even know the meaning of that word?
MMD Die hard was never innovative. Do as I say not as I do
Its not a question of just being innovative.To start with, there must be constructive policy direction within the ministry.Second let there be district,provincial and national indaba where youth’s can participate. As it is now,its a non-starter.
Folks don’t know the meaning of “innovation” or “innovative”. Innovation simply means “value addition”. So if the Minister understood the meaning of innovation, how can he call upon young minds to be innovative and get into agriculture when they will just be producing crops to sell without adding value? He should have said “Zambian youths must be hard working”, simple. That would show that he understands English the way we do rather than use words that are totally incongruent with the message he wanted to portray. What a plonker!!!!
What level of education does Lusambo have? He appears to have confidence and able to push things around.
Diploma in Marketing from Katondo College!!
Plenty money goes through Ministry of youth development but most is misused bcoz the caliber of PF leadership is mediocre.
wwwDOTlusakatimesDOTcom/2017/01/04/75-buses-meant-youth-empowerment-programme-country-soon/
How do you explain purchase of 75 buses as youth empowerment? Instead of purchasing equipment for youth vocational training like
– sewing machings,
– welding machines, – wood lathes,
– metal lathes, knitting machines,
– plumbing machines,
– electrical/electronics installation machines,
– baking,
– Fish farming
– Farming
– Catering
– brick-laying, etc
a CHIPANTE-PANTE PF00Lish regime Youth, Sport and Child Development Ministry goes & purchases 75 BIG BUSES.