Youth As New Launch Pad!

Cameroonian youth are certainly basking in high expectations to see what President Paul Biya makes of them in his just-begun, “Greatness and Hope” seven-year term of office. Obviously so as the Head of State has made in loud and clear; from his post-electoral campaign manifesto to his inaugural speech, that the youngsters will be given due consideration. 
“As I have already said, my action throughout this seven-year term will focus on the situation of young people and women. One of my main objectives in this regard is to promote greater youth and women empowerment and protection,” Mr Biya said. Commendable efforts, going by the Head of State, have been made in recent years to support young people, including the construction of numerous school and university facilities, the promotion of youth education, the professionalisation of teaching and the creation of new job opportunities for young people. But there is need to step up the gear given the size and weight of the youth. They have the numbers, the strength and penchant to learn faster and innovate. Development ingredients!
Most youth; trained in professional institutions and even others who learn informally; have shown proof of creativity and are opened up to the rest of world. They need to be valorised. While crafting adaptable policies and strategies to empower them so that they can take the chance to showcase their know-how, government absolutely needs to also device moral rearmament schemes to realign those who either have oversized ambitious or just see nothing good in the country. Youth that have been given into drug addiction and all sorts of malpractices, either out of frustration or peer pressure, should be given appropriate attention.
Coming up with policies for youth development that do not tie with their aspirations may simply push them to seek greener pastures elsewhere, sometimes at all cost. Again, brain drain has been a serious problem in Cameroon for some time now and most of those involved are youth. In fact, those educated in subsidised government institutions have been leaving the country as soon as they round off their training. Either out of frustration of not getting jobs or not having the opportunity to practice what they learn so as to have the much-needed job satisfaction, the problem seems too serious to ignore. Government has to seek ways of valorising its youth if they must continue to nurse the hopes of being the leaders of tomorrow. 
Hopes are therefore high that the Head of State’s promise that: “We will intensify these efforts, ensuring that young people and women enjoy greater protection at school and at work, but also elsewhere, to ensure their self-fulfilment,” will be made concrete. Ordering the resumption of doctoral studies in universities during this academic year and also deciding to reinstate competitive entrance examinatio...