UN System urges gov´t to invest in, create opportunities for youths.

The Resident Coordinator of the United Nations System in Cameroon, Dr Issa Sanogo, made the call during activities to mark the 37th edition of International Youth Day in Yaounde, on August 12.

He reminded the government that despite the diversity, youths constitute a formidable force for social transformation and durable socio-economic development.

Dr Sanogo said many Cameroonian youths have demonstrated their ingenuity through varied innovations and achievements in the digital world, artificial intelligence, and other aspects of modern development.

He said International Youth Day was set aside to celebrate youth creativity, their dynamism and spirit of initiative, which make young people veritable partners in both national and global development. 

The UN official harped on the theme of this year´s celebration: “Different Contexts, Common Aspiration”, which he said reflects a universal truth. He said youths across the globe want to live in dignity, believe in what they can do if possibilities are created, and they long to participate in activities that contribute to nation building. 

Dr Sanogo said depending on their backgrounds and nearness to the centre of power, not all of them share in the same opportunities. This, he said, makes many youths to face uncertain economic futures, suffer from digital exclusion, and face challenges of climate change, that presently transcend borders.

The UN Resident Coordinator urged government to create the enabling environment through which Cameroonian youth can contribute optimally to ameliorating contemporary national and global challenges.

By working with youths as equal partners, he said government can unlock the demographic dividend, and bring youth energy to bear on the vexing problems of our time. 

He also recalled the admonition of the Secretary General of the United Nations, who told world leaders that what unites the world´s young people is greater than what separates them. Dr Sanogo insisted that governments can build a future where all young people can thrive.

He also reaffirmed the commitment of the UN System to work with the government to create a more peaceful, prosperous, and inclusive future for all.

Government answers back

The Minister of Youth Affairs and Civic Education said young people are not only the future of Cameroon, but the driving force behind the present administration.

He said the youth policy of government is guided by the drive to create an environment where equity in access to opportunities is open to all Cameroonian youths. 

This, he added, is why government is relentless in creating institutions that cater for their needs, welfare and continues to mobilise technical and financial partners, to support and sponsor youth initiatives. 

He said government keeps working to make sure that wherever they find themselves in the country, opportunities should be available for young people to develop their potential. He urged youths to face today´s challenges and be equipped to be able to look for solutions for problems of the future.

The digital age, with its emerging green economy, are levers which the Minister called on all Cameroonians to take advantage of, aspire to be creators of wealth, peace builders, and veritable levers for national development. 

The minister told young people that the future belongs to those who start off early and are at the service of the nation.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3878 of Friday August 14, 2026