UNFPA urges government to invest in youth

The government and development partners have been urged to invest in youth to help reduce on high unemployment that is forcing youth to engage in crime and violence.

“We need to have a policy that compels all of us as government as well as partners to make the necessary investment that will help us harness youth power, we will not be able to anchor our aspiration on young people unless we help them develop their full potential,” Olajide Ademola, Representative for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) said.

He revealed these remarks during the review of the South Sudan Youth Development Policy at Crown Hotel in Juba in Juba on Thursday.

Fernand Paul, the Representative for South Sudan National Youth Union, called for job creation opportunities for young South Sudanese.

 “Youth empowerment and creation of employment opportunities is something that is needed right now and very crucial. The establishment of youth enterprise fund is great support toward creation of employment and engagement of youth all over the country,” Paul said.

Jesus Deng Atem, a member of the parliamentary specialized committee on youth and sports, said that they are reviewing the youth development policy as well as moving to ratify the African Youth Charter.

“By next week we are going to table the national youth development policy and after tabling the policy we will also ratify the African charter,” Atem said.

Albino Bol Dhieu, the Minister for Youth and Sports, said that lasting peace can be achieved by investing in youth who comprise 73.6 per cent of the country’s population.

 “If we want to achieve lasting peace in our country, we will make sure that we empower young people and direct them towards a positive direction,” Dhieu said.