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| Paul Biya President of Cameroon |
Dear young compatriots,
In
my address to you at this same time last year, I gave you a glimpse of our
renewed economic growth and, of course, positive job creation prospects. Well,
this recovery was confirmed in the course of last year. There are statistics to
prove it. As I mentioned in my 2014 end-of-year message, 283 443 jobs have
been created by government services and enterprises. In 2015, we expect 350 000
new jobs to be created. At this time next year, we will have the opportunity to
take stock of all the jobs created since 2011.
Obviously,
this is commendable. However, we must also recognize that we are far from a
glorious sustainable recovery that can alone transform our country into an
eldorado. Such bright spell must be sustainable and consolidated to lead to
economic emergence. At any rate, our youth will continue to reap its benefits.
I am well aware that many of you, whether educated or not, are
unemployed. I am well aware that to survive, many of you resort to precarious
options that are unrelated to your training or qualification.
This
situation is in several cases due to the global context as well as our
educational system. For nearly twenty years, unfair terms of trade and
successive economic and financial crises have slowed down our development
process and thus made job opportunities scarce. Another possible cause is
the delay in gearing our educational system towards professionalization.
For
a long time, we believed that it sufficed to make education accessible to the
greatest number and continually raise its level, to mechanically resolve the
unemployment problem. Our primary, secondary and high schools,
universities and professional schools must constantly adapt to the changing world.
In our quest for development, we should be guided by the need to train youths
who are capable of building our country.
Technological
advancement has changed the way things are done. The new economy is
computer-dominated. We should focus on training technicians and engineers. The
ongoing professionalization of secondary and higher education seeks to meet
this requirement. In this light, manual labour, which has been neglected, will
definitely need to be given its deserved place from primary school.
In
a country like ours, whose ambitions in the areas of agriculture, mining,
tourism, arts, sports and the environment are an open secret, and where
handicraft and small enterprises still occupy a prominent position, it is
indispensable to have better training institutions that prepare our youth for
these trades.
These
sectors are real niches for growth and skilled jobs such as plumbing,
electricity and motor and industrial mechanics.
Industrialization,
especially key anchor projects and our agricultural policy will only increase
our needs in these specialties. Needless to point out that in more advanced
countries, such trades are often better paid than those in the business and
service sectors.
From
that perspective, given the relatively recent adoption of professionalization
of education in Cameroon, its impact on employment will definitely not be
immediate.
You
might then ask me: given the urgency and the fact that youth are naturally
impatient, what do we do and how?
I
urge the Government to use the existing structures to continue providing
vocational training, promoting self-employment and micro-project financing. I
also urge every trades chamber, employers’ organization, in short, the private
sector, to pull its own weight.
Dear
young compatriots,
Our
country’s ongoing and irreversible transformation is only possible
with you, and for you. How could it be otherwise when the youth represent
one half of our population? The youth are also known to be passionate.
That, I understand. However, they should show some moderation in their drive
and be realistic.
Do
not be misled notably by birds of ill omen, dreamers and enthusiasts of virtual
calls for destabilization through the social networks. These irresponsible
prophets are desperately seeking to manipulate you.
Never
has our national cohesion been as indispensable as during this delicate period
when our country is facing external threat from barbaric enemies. It is
not at a time when our nation’s outlook is bright that we should listen to
calls for division and destabilization.
Dear
young compatriots,
I
have always trusted you. I know you treasure our unity. I know you cherish
peace, progress and justice. I also know your good sense and your pragmatism.
I am certain that the horrific scenes being witnessed in some countries
torn by civil war, religious conflicts, population displacements and anarchy
will deter you from getting involved in such adventures. Take the example
of our young soldiers who are ensuring our security along our borders.
Their bravery, their sense of duty and sacrifice show us what utmost love
for fatherland can be.
The
war they are waging on our behalf, at the risk of their lives, involves the
entire Nation. There is no doubt that with the support of us all, we will
emerge victorious. Friendly countries that cherish peace and freedom, the
international community and world opinion are on our side.
Happy
Youth Day to all of you!
Long
live the Cameroonian youth!
Long live Cameroon!