YOUNG PEOPLE NOT GIVEN ENOUGH OPPORTUNITIES TO GRAB THE MANTLE OF LEADERSHIP

 

They can be a creative force, a dynamic source of innovations, and they have undoubtedly, throughout history, participated, contributed, and even catalyzed important changes in political systems, power-sharing dynamics and economic opportunities however understanding how young people view and practice political participation is a key component of any democratic renewal effort. Young people are better educated and more connected than ever. Yet they face significant obstacles in achieving their full potential.

 Participation of young people in governance examines the role of young peoples' involvement in governance in Africa and demonstrates how they are engaging in active citizenship. There is an intrinsic value in upholding their right to participate in decisions that affect their daily lives and their communities. 

 In an interview Kamwala 5 ward youth Councilor Mainda Simaata said the lack of youth participation in politics is a key consequence of undermining political systems' representativeness.

 Mr Simaata said when young people are disenfranchised or disengaged from political processes, a significant portion of the population has little or no voice or influence in decisions that affect group members ‘lives.

 He said young people's active contributions can bring democratic values to life, leading to the overturning of authoritarian practices.

 "In other countries where young people have led protests that have forced authoritarian regimes from power, they are likely to feel significant frustration if they are not included in new formal decision-making procedures. This can destabilize democratization and accelerate conflict dynamics,"Councilor Simaata noted.

 Governments, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders must create inclusive spaces and mechanisms that facilitate youth participation in governance processes. This includes ensuring that young people have access to information, opportunities for meaningful engagement, and platforms to voice their opinions and concerns.

 young people possess immense potential to contribute to the development and progress of Africa. With their sophisticated understanding of digital literacy, social media proficiency, and technological know-how, youth can leverage modern tools and platforms to drive civic engagement, advocate for their rights, and hold governments accountable. 

 Furthermore, young people are often at the forefront of social movements and grassroots activism, advocating for democratic values, human rights, and social justice. Their activism and mobilization efforts have the power to challenge the status quo and bring about positive societal change. According to the UNICEF U REPORT OF MARCH 2023

Most young are unable to participate in governance/politics because of lack of courtesy given for them to led as desired saying young people have not been given enough opportunities for them to express to the outmost level their capability to led, National New Heritage Party Spokesperson Jason Mwanza has said.

He said there is a lack of capacity building in the young people by those that have gone ahead such as those that have served in government have not done a good job in building capacity in young people so that they take over leadership starting that this itself becomes a hindrance as youths have to struggle from the scratch because they don't have a connection or linkage that they can use for them to enter into governance or politics.

Young people do not have finances for them to be accommodated in sypher of governance and politics, Mwanza said.

 

"Society has mutated to this aspect that where they view aspirants of leadership as people who are financially stable therefore those that are still struggling financially find it difficult for them to penetrate through the sypher of leadership, there are instances where youths have been told that if they are not going to give handouts there are not going to be accommodated or welcomed especially in the political sector, that is why those who have money take advantage of this system and suppress the efforts of young people in attempting to take up leadership,"Mwanza stated 

  Mwanza gave an example of the legal fee that has been set as Presidential nominations fees in elections that it Automatically knocks out the youths from participating as Presidential candidates.

 Young people have not been given enough opportunities for them to grab the mantle of leadership,Mwanza said.

 Representation of youth in governance processes and politics will ensure that their voices are heard, and their perspectives are considered in policymaking.

Recognizing and celebrating youth contributions

 Recognizing and celebrating the positive contributions of young people to governance processes can inspire and motivate more youth to engage in civic activities. This includes acknowledging and rewarding young leaders, innovators, and activists who are making a difference in their communities.

 In Nigeria, the Future Awards Africa is an annual event that celebrates the achievements and contributions of young people in various fields, including governance and public service. The awards highlight the positive impact of young leaders and innovators, inspiring other young people to actively engage in governance processes. The Future Awards Africa has become a platform that recognizes and amplifies the outstanding efforts of youth in shaping the future of Nigeria.

 In Ghana, the government established the National Youth Authority (NYA) as a statutory agency to promote youth development and participation in governance. The NYA has initiated various programs, such as the “Youth in Afforestation” and “Youth in Sanitation” initiatives, which engage young people in environmental conservation and waste management efforts. These programs provide meaningful opportunities for youth to participate in governance processes while addressing pressing national issues.

 In Tunisia, after the Arab Spring, the government established a quota system that ensures the representation of youth in the country’s local councils. The quota mandates that at least 30% of council seats be allocated to youth candidates aged 18-35. This initiative has increased youth representation in local decision-making bodies, enabling young people to actively participate in shaping policies and programs that directly affect their communities.

The participation of youths in politics in the particular country/community is vital as the energies in the youths entails ownership of an agenda of political program, UPND information Publicity Secretary Francis Kope has said.

He said Lack of youths’ participation in politics entails that political direction that the country expects to see for things to transform might not be easily achieved if youths do not take ownership of the political process or if youths are not fully participating in politics.

"It is vital that we realize that without youth participation that energetic mode is also deprived from political parties or movements and in a country where youths are not Infront things do not move at a fast rate, in 1991, 2011, 2021 youths were at the center of change and they ushered new leadership. The youths are more affected and when they don't participate in politics the country suffers even more in terms of political space,"Kope said.

Collaboration among stakeholders, including governments, civil society organizations, the private sector, and young people themselves, is vital to promote youth involvement in governance. Partnerships can facilitate resource sharing, joint advocacy efforts, and co-creation of solutions to address societal challenge.

In order to respond to the needs of young people, and to guarantee that their basic human rights are recognized and enforced, young people’s active and meaningful participation in their societies and in democratic practices and processes is of crucial importance. Meaningful youth participation and leadership require that young people and young people-led organizations have opportunities, capacities, and benefit from an enabling environment and relevant evidence-based programmes and policies at all levels. Realizing young people’s right to participate and be included in democratic processes and practices is also vital to ensure the achievement of internationally agreed development goals and to refresh the development agenda.

In a survey conducted by the UN IANYD in August 2012, a majority of 13,000 respondents expressing their voices from 186 countries highlighted that the main challenges for youth were limited opportunities for effective participation in decision-making processes. With limited opportunities and exposure to meaningfully participate in inclusive decision-making processes, young men and women feel excluded and marginalized in their societies and communities.

Speaking in an inclusive interview, Operation Young Vote Executive Director Guess Nyirenda said Looking at the most recent cycle of elections held in Kenya, South Africa and Zambia, African youths are organising themselves for civic participation in different ways.

He added that It is important to promote participation of young people in elections in countries where young people are a large component of the population, as is the case in many countries on the Continent.

There is need for government to guarantee atleast 10% youth representation in national matters by doing so this will help in promoting democratic principles and institutions, popular participation and good governance.

The government and political players should take a leaf from countries that used the youthful population to their advantage and develop their countries.

The question remains: is government doing enough to ensure that they support and encourage youths to participate in governance/politics and hear Jason Mwanza’s cry that youths are left behind.