MAHLATSE TOLAMO | JULY 20, 2020
On the 14th of July 2020, Chad President, His Excellency Idriss Deby announced a cabinet reshuffle which is composed of 35 members and has welcomed several young people, notably, the Managing Director of the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) Chad, Routouang Mohamed Ndonga Christian.
Routouang’s appointment as Minister of Youth, Employment and Sports is seen as an achievement given his entrepreneurial background and passion for empowering young people. He is the co-founder and national coordinator of the Youth Network for Development and Leadership in Chad.
Chad is one of the least developed countries in the world with a population of 17million people. According to the African Development Bank Group, endemic poverty and the country’s unemployment rate which is currently sitting at 2,3%, poses a risk to the country’s economic outlook. This unemployment rate affects the age group between 15-30 and this affects the possibility of fully developing the country’s potential. The unemployed youth pose a danger to themselves and the society as most find themselves forced into armed struggles and thus contribute to the degradation of peace in Chad. Most young people who migrate in search of greener pastures are often subject to exploitation and abuse.According to Chad’s National Development Plan (NDP), their objective in the Youth, Employment and Sports sector is to work towards the socio-economic integration of young people and the integration of sports and recreation in a youth environment. To achieve this, they have the ‘Skills Development for Youth Employability’ project which aims to improve access to skills, training and labour market outcomes for project beneficiaries and strengthen the technical project beneficiaries and strengthen the TVET sector in Chad.
It is without a doubt that Routouang’s knowledge and experience will attract more young people, stimulate development, and tackle the current unemployment rate. Through his various initiatives which includes, the ‘Network of Youth For Development and Leadership’ in Chad, a youth organisation that promotes leadership and entrepreneurship for a sustainable development in Chad, the Global Entrepreneurship Network Chad and the African Youth Commission, he is someone that is committed to youth development. His appointment will help promote and drive policies which affect the youth.
Furthermore, the resources given to him will be distributed effectively as he has a thorough understanding of society’s needs. With the support of the Chad Government and the various stakeholders, I believe that he will achieve the goals he has set out.
Mahlatse Tolamo , Ecosystem Enabler , 22 On Sloane.
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