By Kalobwe Bwalya
EMPOWERMENT programmes must resonate capabilities of targeted youth groups in order for this to be a success, Kabwata constituency aspirant Clement Tembo has said.
Mr Tembo said youth empowerment programmes had failed in Zambia because beneficiary groups were not consulted on their capabilities and desires.
Mr Tembo said youths were supposed to be empowered according to their skills or interests so that it was easy for them to manage their businesses.
He said elected leaders in Parliament were supposed to help the State in identifying the capabilities of the youths in their constituencies because MPs are grassroots leaders who should know what the electorate wants.
Mr Tembo said having spent several years in Kabwata constituency, he understood the needs of youth groups in his constituency and that he would lobby to ensure that they were empowered.
“Youths must be given empowerment which they can excute and make huge returns, so that others benefit from this,” Mr Tembo said.
He expressed confidence that businesses for youths in Kabwata would flourish once empowered because they would be supported.
Mr Tembo said as long as empowerment programmes resonate with the skills and desires of youths, empowerment programmes would always be a success.
“What is important is for us as leaders to support these youths even as they are empowered. An MP must offer support and guidance all the way,” he said.
Mr Tembo said he understood empowerment because he has spent many years doing just through the presidential empowerment scheme.
And Mr Tembo has announced his intentions to participate in the upcoming Kabwata constituency by-election.
The seat fell vacant following the death of incumbent MP, Levy Mkandawire.
Author
