Premier calls for active youth participation in building democracy, creating jobs

Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn urged the youth to actively participate in building a democratic system and creating jobs in the country as he replied to questions raised by participants of the 4th National Youth Mobilization and Participation Conference yesterday.
Responding to the questions raised by the youth representing state youth federations and other youth associations, Prime Minister Hailemariam said that in a country where 70 percent of the population is below the age of 30, it is mandatory for a democratically elected government to give due attention to respond to the concerns of youth.
The questions mainly related with economic benefit of the youth, fair distribution of income, unemployment and good governance were among the several issues forwarded to the Premier.
The Federal Constitution is the foundation of everything including fair economic benefits, freedom and equality of all nations, nationalities and peoples of Ethiopia, and hence urged the youth to play their role to safeguard the constitutional system. ” The Constitution has smoothed the previous disturbed relations among the peoples of Ethiopia while at the same time upholding the great history of Ethiopia,” he added.
He also said that the social, economic and political questions of the youth should be resolved in an organized and comprehensive manner. “As the country is in a long renaissance journey, it is today’s youth who would witness its realization,” the Premier added.
Regarding job creation and economic benefits of the youth, Prime Minister Hailemariam said besides the government, job creation is the responsibility of the youth and they should actively participate in job creation particularly in the agriculture sector as there is abundant employment opportunity in the sector.” The youth should play a critical role in the modernization of the country’s agriculture,” he said adding “The sector would be modernized and become major driver of the economy, when the youth are willing to participate and invest their skills and expertise knowledge in the sector. It is the youth who can produce globally competitive agricultural products.”
The Premier also emphasized that rural infrastructural development is also another sector where there are numerous job opportunities for the youth. “Thus, you have to be willing to go to rural areas and engage in infrastructural development such as rural road construction.”
He also said that the young generation has to bring about attitudinal change to engage in micro and small enterprises which are the foundations for success.

According to him, the youth should take the initiative to set up independent associations which would enable them present their concerns and make the government accountable for its activities. The government would also provide support based on the law, he added.
He further added that it is the absence of such youth association that led some section of the youth to clash with security forces. Had there been such an arrangement, the youth would have been able to raise their concerns through the association. It is instrumental in developing a peaceful culture of democracy, Hailemariam added.
Democracy and good governance are instrumental to the country’s renaissance and the youth should be active in this regard.
BY ABIY HAILU