President Hage Geingob said it is important to include youth in leadership structures so that they can be represented and express their opinions on important matters.

Geingob said this in a media statement issued by the Presidency on Friday on the occasion of International Youth Day, which is celebrated on 12 August every year.

“Today I join the Namibian youth to commemorate International Youth Day, convening under the theme ‘Intergenerational Solidarity: Creating a World of All Ages’,” he said.

Through the theme, Geingob said, Government is reminded that action is needed across all generations to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

The world needs to leverage the full potential of all generations in order to build a better and compassionate humanity, he stated.

“The youth make up the largest percentage of Namibia’s population. In that vein, we should continue holding hands and prioritise our young people to become generational leaders,” the Head of State continued.

He further said the Ministry of Sport, Youth and National Service as custodian of youth affairs in the country has made efforts through the third National Youth Policy under the pillars Youth Education and Skills Development, Youth Health and Wellbeing, Youth Employment and Economic Empowerment, as well as Youth Political and Civic Participation and Emerging Cross Cutting Issues.

Geingob said by appointing young people, Government has gone a long way in ensuring youth inclusion in the Executive and Legislative arms of Government.

In education, business, sports and the arts, young people are making tangible contributions that foster development as a country.

He challenged the youth to take advantage of all Government programmes that seek to advance the interest of young people such as the Credit Guarantee Scheme and others which provide collateral for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency