By Philip Tengzu, GNA
Jirapa (UW/R), Sept. 27, GNA – Mr Daniel N. Kolubah, the Presidential Envoy for Trade Investments and Special Duties of the Republic of Liberia, has called for an enabling environment for young Africans to nurture their talents, ideas and ambitions.
He stressed the need for interventions that would enable young people to turn their ideas and talents into opportunities for sustainable livelihoods and development.
He said though Africa was endowed with talented, creative and ambitious young people, their potential was constrained by limited access to capital, networks, markets, technology and other opportunities.
Mr Kolubah made the call at the launch of the Anwelle Foundation in Jirapa at the weekend.
The event attracted scores of people from the region and beyond, including government officials, traditional authorities, civil society actors, business leaders, international guests, and women’s groups, among others.
“Africa does not lack talents. Africa does not lack creativity. Neither do we lack ideas or ambitions.
“Across our continent, young people, entrepreneurs, innovators, and communities are developing solutions capable of transforming our economies and societies.
“We need governments that provide enabling environments for innovation and enterprise.
We need businesses that see Africa not simply as a marketplace, but as a continent rich in human capital, creativity, and opportunities,” Mr Kolubah explained.
He said the Anwelle Foundation could contribute to addressing some of those constraints by connecting young people and communities to opportunities, partnerships and resources.
“The foundation has an opportunity to become more than just another organisation. …it can become a platform that connects people with opportunities, mobilises partnerships and resources, and empowers communities and translates goodwill into measurable results,” Mr Kolubah indicated.
The Presidential Envoy urged the Foundation’s leadership to focus on practical, sustainable and measurable interventions, particularly those that could create opportunities for young people.
He said the success of the Foundation should be measured by the impacts it made, such as the young people it empowered, communities it strengthened, opportunities it created and partnerships it built.
Mr Charles Lwanga Puozuing, the Upper West Regional Minister, also called for support for the Foundation, as its mandate in education, healthcare, youth and women empowerment, entrepreneurship, and agriculture, among others, aligned with key development needs of the region.
He said young people must be recognised as active participants in development rather than merely being described as “leaders of tomorrow” because they constitute one of the greatest assets for development.
The Minister encouraged the Foundation and its partners to invest in skills, mentorship, innovation, entrepreneurship and access to finance and productive assets, particularly for young people and women.
He said such interventions could help young people move from dependency to productive livelihoods.
Mr Puoziung further called for stronger collaboration among government, traditional authorities, civil society, the private sector and development partners to ensure that development opportunities reached communities across the region.
He said the interventions of the Foundation should complement government initiatives while maintaining transparency, accountability and measurable outcomes.
GNA
Edited by Christabel Addo
Reporter: Philip Tengzu, GNA
Reporter’s email: [email protected]