President Hakainde Hichilema has called on the youths to focus on education as opposed to engaging in illicit activities such as substance and social media abuse for them to contribute positively to the country’s prosperity. 

Addressing multitudes of youths at Mongu Stadium during National Youth Day celebrations in Mongu District, President Hichilema also reiterated the need for the country to amend the constitution to allow more youths to participate in key positions of governance. 

The Head of State advised youths to take advantage of the free education policy to further their education so that they can contribute to fostering the country’s economic development. 

“Let me take this opportunity to implore you to concentrate on education, as education is the best equaliser, this is not a time to engage in illicit activities such as substance abuse and social media abuse, please use social media for progressive things, ” he advised. 

ZANIS reports that the President said youths are the engine and drivers of the economy and must be harnessed effectively for them to accelerate the country’s economy. 

Mr Hichilema noted that to ensure more growth in the economy of the country, Government has continued to provide scholarships and meal allowances to more Universities to accord quality education to more students. 

He further mentioned that skills training is being offered to learners through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) component so that they can venture into various enterprises.

Mr Hichilema said this is why government is currently providing various social safety nets such as CDF and Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) to empower them to venture into different  businesses in order to record significant growth in the economy. 

The President also advised the youths not to be used by people that do not love peace and unity to fan violence and destabilise the country.

“My Government believes in the capacity of young people to carry the agenda of the country forward, this is why free education was introduced to accord opportunities to learners to acquire education, I’m happy to announce that over two million learners are accessing free education,” he said. 

He stated that Government’s introduction of free education is a symbol of love to its youths who persevered during last year’s drought. 

The Head of State reaffirmed Government’s ambitious agenda to grow the economy and that involvement of young people in growing the country’s treasury is cardinal. 

He reiterated the need for the continued growth of the economy in order  to channel resources towards education, energy, health and agriculture sectors. 

And the President also underscored the importance of amending the constitution so as to allow more youths to participate in decision-making platforms. 

Mr Hichilema explained that it is important to have more youths in Parliament among other portfolios in a bid to promote inclusivity. 

Earlier, President Hichilema paid a courtesy call on the Litunga Lubosi Imwiko II at his Limulunga palace before gracing the National Youth Day celebrations at Mongu Stadium. 

And Western Province Minister, Kapelwa Mbangweta thanked President Hichilema for choosing to commemorate Youth Day in the area as it is a sign of unity. 

He commended President Hichilema for  demonstrating  true love for the people of Western Province by rolling out various developmental programmes in the area.

“Mr President, let me take this opportunity to commend you for joining us to commemorate National Youth Day here in Mongu District, this demonstrates your true love for the people of Western Province,” he said. 

A Mongu youth representative, Kalomo Kalomo, 20, praised President Hichilema for the various empowerment programmes towards youths in the province and the country at large. 

He also appealed to the President to consider establishing recreational facilities so that youths can be utilising them as one way of avoiding to engaging in illicit activities that are detrimental to their lives. 

The 2025 Youth Day commemoration was held under the theme  ”Voices Amplified and Innovations Ignited.”