Lusaka — IT is sad that youths have not been given a platform to air their problems, University of Zambia Students' Union (UNZASU) president Antonio Mwanza has said.

And a Roma Girls Secondary School grade 11 pupil Fridah Mukutu said youths had continued to struggle against high poverty and unemployment levels since independence. And President Levy Mwanawasa said his government's prioritisation of youth empowerment was meant to end the intergenerational poverty cycle.

In an interview yesterday after Youth Day celebrations, Mwanza said Youth Day was supposed to be a day for the youths to present their grievances and problems to the government but it had been dominated by adults.

"It is important for the youths to participate on this day but we have been let down because we have been denied a platform to make a statement on what is affecting us," Mwanza said. He said there was need for government to address high unemployment and poverty which largely affected youths in the country.

Mwanza said youths must be empowered through giving them loans to venture into productive economic activities instead of politics alone. He said youths should also realise that they would empower themselves by participating in this year's tripartite elections. And speaking at the Youth Day celebrations held at the Freedom Statue yesterday, Mukutu said the high HIV/AIDS prevalence, limited access to educational opportunities and prospects among the youths were worrying.

"We, the youths, are however optimistic that with the attainment of the HIPC completion point the economy of our country will improve and savings from the debt relief will result in improved livelihood and more jobs for us," Mukutu said.

She said youths should be empowered in order for them to contribute to the economic, social and cultural advancement of their families, communities and the nation. Mukutu said young people should be considered as key agents for social change, economic development and technological improvement.

And President Mwanawasa said the crusade his government embarked on in 2002 on youth empowerment was beginning to bear fruits.

However, President Mwanawasa said there was need for a more holistic and co-ordinated approach in addressing youth development.

"For the first time in the history of this country, we have established a youth empowerment fund and youth investors fund to provide seed money for youth projects and innovations. We have also reintroduced the constituency youth development fund which will provide grassroots youths with funds for their projects," President Mwanawasa said.

He directed sports minister George Chulumanda to use the funds transparently and in a gender balanced manner. President Mwanawasa directed Chulumanda not to use the money for feasibility studies but for youth empowerment.

UNZA students teased Chulumanda when he said youths would give President Mwanawasa their vote in this year's tripartite elections, a situation that prompted police to move closer to where they were standing in case they became unruly. Several pupils from both basic and high schools participated in the celebrations.