Unionist wants youth ministry

By SALLY TIWARI
PAPUA New Guinea Youth Workers Association general secretary Joe Mesa has called on the O’Neill-Namah government to create a youth ministry to effectively address issues affecting young people.
Mesa said the Department for Community Development had too many divisions to deal with and was not prioritising youth issues.
He said youths made up half the population and if the government was not careful in addressing issues affecting youths such as employment and their welfare, it could affect the country in the long run.
“I’ve visited many provinces with youth councils that are defunct because of a lack of funding,” he said.
 “How can they run programmes for youths to train and be involved in other sustainable projects for youths when they are not supported,” he asked
Mesa said while he appreciated the national government’s initiatives in creating the 22 women’s seats, he said youths must be given a voice in parliament.
He said if youth issues were not addressed properly, many youths would turn to drugs and make worse the already increasing social problems.
Mesa said the association planned to organise a nationwide youth forum this year to discuss the creation of a youth ministry.
He appealed to business houses in the National Capital District to support the association’s work by providing office space, from where it could effectively coordinate its programmes.
Those willing to support can contact him on 7237 7872 or through president Gabrielle Evara on 7237 7873 or email [email protected]
The association is a non-governmental organisation that aims to foster youth rights such as employment, education and health to promote equal participation of youths nationally.