Commentator advises President Chakwera to walk the talk

A governance and political commentator is urging President Lazarus Chakwera to deliver on his fresh promises to the youth of Malawi rather than just make more promises.

The commentator, George Chaima, was commenting on President Lazarus Chakwera’s latest promises to the youth in rural and urban settings.

Chakwera is promising a number of necessary steps aimed at empowering young people, particularly those in rural areas, economically through financial support and business initiatives.

He mentions programs like the National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) and Agriculture Commercialization (AGCOM) which will be the main drivers of the Malawi 2063 vision.

Chakwera also includes other important programs like the Malawi Agriculture and Industrial Cooperation (MAIC) which are said to be critical in providing valuable opportunities for underprivileged youth in entrepreneurship and agriculture.

“In the coming budget, I have already instructed the Minister of Finance to introduce youth innovation grants that will enable you to access financing because you want to create innovative enterprises in agriculture, tourism, mining, whatever sectors, but this is the kind of strategy we have concentrated on.” Chakwera said.

The state president also mentioned that his government will engage local lending institutions including banks to soothe the process.

Chakwera said: “So we want to do this in partnership with local banks which are making huge profits, by the way, but just working with the government. We want to encourage them to produce, produce, and produce through you.”

Capital FM was following the forum through Facebook and observed some comments from the general public that expressed doubt in the leader’s promises.

Noticing the public anger, Chaima suggests the Presidency should only look into the pressing matter while fulfilling every fresh promise that the president has made.

“The questions which the youth asked and the answers which the president gave must marry and come together to form a bedfellow of action so that by the end of the day, over time, we should see the lives of the youth, you know, being promoted and also being upgraded,” Chaima said.

With clear observance of the prevailing challenges that attack young people head-on, Chaima demands the President go beyond mere rhetoric and start acting out his promises.

Chaima said: “The challenges the youth are facing should see a new day. The beginning of a new chapter should be written by actions rather than void words, which has been the case in most of the cases in the past.”

Chakwera emphasized his administration’s goal of protecting intellectual property and establishing positive mechanisms to empower young entrepreneurs, ensuring they have the necessary support to thrive in their ventures.