Rising youth unemployment: Biya prescribes self-employment as cure.

President Biya gave the prescription Saturday February 10, in his traditional address to the youth.

The address was in prelude to the 58^th edition of the Youth Day. The Day was celebrated nationwide on Sunday February 11. This was under the theme: “Youth, import substitution and economic patriotism for Cameroon’s development”.

President Biya said he is in the know of the problem of youth unemployment and the quest for young people to be part of the nation building process. He however said, such could not be done by the State alone. 

He disclosed that under the Entrepreneurship Promotion Programme, 12,000 businesses saw the light of day in 2023, with some 22,000 direct jobs created.

Despite giving the figures, Biya admitted that such remains insufficient, given the huge number of young graduates churned out annually. 

While some are being recruited into the public service, the Head of State said, “the State is increasing initiatives to boost job creation in the private sector and to encourage self-employment”.

Auto-employment, he intimated, stands out in the pursuit of solving youth unemployment. 

He declared that: “Self-employment is one of the best ways to achieving socio-professional integration, as neither the State nor the private sector can absorb the growing number of young people entering the labour market each year”.

The advice, the President said, ties with the agenda of the Special Three-Year Youth Plan, in place since 2016. The President said thousands of youth-oriented programs have benefitted funding since then.

The Head of State said the three-year Integrated Import Substitution Plan, covering the years 2024-2026, has its place with regards to boosting youth initiatives. 

Within the project, the youth, the President intimated, will make themselves “useful to your country, but also to find the wherewithal to fend for yourselves”.

Still in line with addressing challenges facing the youth, President Biya saluted the Cameroon National Youth Council, CNYC, for facilitating youth integration. 

He was delighted that with some 14,000 youth organisations, at least 8,000 youth have gained  fresh insights on public  affairs management and community development. This, the Head of State argued, has been thanks to regional and municipal councils.

Upholding moral civic values key

The plethora of youth-centred initiatives notwithstanding, the Head of State was categorical that without upholding moral and civic values, positive results will be difficult to come by. 

“I believe that our youths will be unable to leverage the opportunities available to them, unless they fully embrace the civic and moral values that are the foundation of social life,” Biya declared.

He appealed to the youth to respect the values of “hard work, integrity, patriotism, tolerance, civic mindedness, compliance with the law and respect of the common good,” to make their mark.

Biya however decried what he said is the rise in “moral decay, irresponsible and deviant behaviour, violence, indiscipline, alcohol and drug abuse”, which have been on the rise in schools and on social media. 

He challenged parents to join the crusade in training children to be responsible.

Warns against illegal emigration

He cautioned the youth against illegal emigration, stressing that leaving the country at all costs is not the way to go. Biya reminded them that they are the present and future of Cameroon. 

“Our country, like many others around the world, is facing difficulties. However, leaving is not always the solution,” he remarked, adding that: “Emigrate? Yes, but not at all costs”. 

He declared that more foreign investors are taking interest in Cameroon. On this score, Biya said the country is full of opportunities.

Reduction in cost of vocational training 

On plans to professionalise education, boost vocational training and make the youth more productive, Biya said he has “instructed the Government to set up a competitive skills development mechanism”. 

In this light, he said the youth will build capacity in the social economy.

Additionally, he talked of the reduction of “school fees in vocational training centres of excellence from 500,000 FCFA to 50,000 FCFA, to enable the greatest number of youths access to quality training”.

He announced the creation of Vocational Information and Counselling Centres in Maroua, Ngaoundere, Yaounde, Douala, Bamenda and Bafoussam. 

Through the centres, he said the youth will get information on available opportunities.

Promises to correct errors in football sector

On the early exit of the Indomitable Lions from the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, which ended in Cote d’Ivoire on Sunday, Biya said actions have been taken to address shortcomings.

He disclosed that government has pumped in huge financial resources into the country’s football. 

Talking about Lions’ poor showing at the just ended AFCON, a seemingly-nervous President Biya promised that: “We will see into that. The government and particularly the ministry in charge of sports have received clear instructions in that regard”.

Biya also hailed the exploit of the Mixed Martial Arts, MMA fighter-turned boxer, Francis Xavier Nganou, in 2023. 

He also assured the youth of more actions being taken to assuage the rising cost of living and the recent adjustment in fuel prices to better their living conditions.