One of the most important issue not been political attended to, is the rising African underutilized growing youthful population. According to UNDP Africa, by the year ‘2055, the age bracket of 15-24 is expected to be “more than double”2015 total of 226million population.’
Graphics of the report
The emphasis on ‘more than double’ is an indication that Africa is already blessed with youthful age which is supposed to be a reflection of growth. Unfortunately, this is not so because, the continent is marred with unemployment, underdevelopment arising from bad governance, mismanagement, conflicts and wars.
To make the matter worse, the youths are hardly involved in the decision making process of the various government and agencies within the states in the continent. It would have been a common practice that, youths are to inform decisions that directly affect their lives. But this is hardly so because, older generation saturates the length and breadth of all institutions of the states rendering any possibility of great innovation. With an exception of few states.
Youths and Resultant Benefits to the Continent
Of the avowed importance of youths, are their risk tendency and goal getting temerity. The combination of this two above gives room for innovation. The youthful population of Africa is underutilized and this poses huge problem and an explosive outcome for the future. There is growing number of youths involved in crime -militancy and other high crimes, this arose out of contingency rather than necessity giving their inactivity and meaningful engagement. The migration and youth drain in the continent should be a matter of concern to anyone in the position of authority. The majority of these, take the odious journey and died in the Mediterranean Sea. The reason for these among many others, arises from the fact that they are sincerely fighting to make a living, become meaningful, play a part but for lack of, have to risk it all to where they can be utilized. As such, to many risk can be equated with and by betting their lives in search of greener pastures.
Imagine what it would have been, had there been opportunities created for them in all sectors not limited to the economic sphere alone but also, in the decision making process.
Many of the youths, see their currently status in the continent as just ‘takers’ rather than ‘makers’ of their lives and destiny. The statistics of the 55 states within the continent body-African Union, it is not surprising that only a fraction of these states can be said to be seriously addressing the issue. This is not enough, there is a needs for deliberate action that encourages the process and should be factored into government policy by not ignoring this ticking time bomb that would inflict future difficulties.
It is time for action directed and geared towards addressing this situation with greater emphasis on enforced implementing of youth participation in various aspects of all nation building. The current effort does little towards achieving the goal set out in SDG. The fact that, majority of the continents youthful percentage population are locked out on vital processes that shape their lives, destiny and future of Africa is a call for concern. Africa can gain more through meaningful participation of these set age bracket which can be considered ‘Fountain’ age. They represent a prosperous future likened to the ‘Silicon valley’ for the continent and her people than the current state of affairs ‘Ice age’ that sets the continent backwards which is a reflection of failed politics and policies of the past.
Celestine Chidi
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