By Fortunate Black
Mutare – Young people have called for greater accountability, inclusivity, and empowerment in the formulation of Zimbabwe’s forthcoming National Youth Policy (2026–2030) during a consultation meeting held on Monday at St John Anglican Cathedral Boardroom in Mutare.
The consultation, jointly organized by the Ministry of Youth, Sports, Arts and Recreation and the National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (NANGO), sought contributions from youths across various sectors to inform the new policy framework.
Despite a last-minute change of venue, the meeting drew strong participation, with discussions described as lively and constructive.
Key issues raised included the empowerment of rural youths, inclusion of youths with disabilities, and fair access to agricultural resources such as tractors and inputs. Participants also pushed for greater youth involvement in the National Youth Service program.
However, much of the debate centered on the lack of accountability in the implementation of previous youth policies. Several participants expressed frustration that recommendations from earlier consultations had not been fulfilled.
“Before drafting new promises, there must be a clear audit of what was achieved or left undone from the previous policy,” one youth participant said.
Another added, “We cannot continue to recycle ideas without addressing the backlog of unfulfilled actions.”
The young people urged that accountability be institutionalized within government structures so that office bearers are held responsible for tangible outcomes.
Participants further advocated for enhanced youth employment and entrepreneurship opportunities, emphasizing innovation and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in business development. They also called for the finalization of the Youth Act to provide legal backing for the policy’s implementation.
Mental health emerged as another key concern, with participants calling for the establishment of rehabilitation centers and accessible mental health support services for young people.
The meeting concluded with a collective call for economic empowerment, accountability, and inclusivity to form the core pillars of the new National Youth Policy, which will guide the country’s youth development agenda from 2026 to 2030.