By Doh James Sonkey
A training workshop in moral, civic and enterpreneurial rearmament for young parliamentarians within the framework of the 7th session of the Youth Parliament took place last February 7,2024 at the Conviviality Hall of the National Meseum in Yaounde. Chairing the session, the Minister of Youth Affairs and Civic Education, Mounouna Foutsou said “the session which is held from February 6 to 11, 2024 under the theme “youth and participation in local development for the promotion of peace and Social cohesion,” is aimed at promoting the involvement of young people in the work of national construction likely to be ambassadors within their respective communities and guarantee the representativeness of all regions in the management of public affairs.”
In her welcome note, the President of the National Executive of the Cameroon National Youth Council, Fadimatou Iyawa Ousmanou called for a standing ovation for Hon Joshua Osih Nabangi and Minister Mounouna Foutsou appreciated for putting in place the Youth Parliament in 2024.
Hon Joshua Osih in his speech told the youth parliamentarians why they “were brought into Yaounde. It is a special Youth Parliament because we will have the Youth Senate for the first time. You must know that you are privileged and the entire country is counting on you. For the first time, we will follow the youths and will accompany you to the end of your mandate. 3 MPs in the current 10th legislature are former youth parliamentarians. You need to build on your reputation so that you will come and replace us in Parliament.”
Minister Mounouna Foutsou said the Youth Parliament is an occasion to celebrate living together and social cohesion.
He explained that the selection phase of youths aged between 15 and 35 years old took place last January 23 to 30, 2024 across the entire national territory and the session took place as a prelude to the 58th edition of the National Youth Day of February 11, 2024.
He said the ceremony is a symbol of synergy of action between the government, parliament and development partners.
The Youth Affairs and Civic Education boss indicated that “we need to train these youths so that they can take an active part in the construction of the national edifice. The REAMORCE session of these days intend to develop the patriotic and civic spirit in these youth parliamentarians and to equip them with their role in their communities as relay agents of information to their peers.”