Launches FCFA 102 billion “Special Youth” Plan Allocates FCFA 21 billion for specialised training Admits government failures to create decent jobs Pushes youths to farms, “android” gadgets

The Head of State, President Paul Biya has in his 33rd traditional address to the youth on Wednesday, February 10, 2016 announced a series of measures that will be implemented to give hope to the Cameroonian youth, as unemployment sours.

Like in previous speeches on the eve of February 11, celebrated as Youth Day in Cameroon, President Biya re-echoed his famous mantra of being fully aware of the worries of the youth and that there is hope in the horizon.
“I am fully aware of the difficulties you are facing. I know your doubts and worries. I know especially that you have difficulty getting a job,” Biya said in his Youth Day message.

At a time Cameroonians and the youth are expecting solutions to the difficulties to which his regime has plunged the country into, Biya shifted the blame.

“Our capacity to create decent jobs is constrained by external factors related to the global economic environment, coupled with some domestic red tape. Nevertheless, we are not giving up. Our efforts over the past few years are starting to pay off,” he said.

“I gave you a hint about it. The sky is gradually clearing up. The clouds are dispersing progressively,” he placated, adding that “I am aware that you, more than the other population segments, are affected by unemployment. I, however, urge you to look to the future with more confidence. Of course, we have not yet reached our goal, but we are making progress against all the odds.”

President Biya called on his “dear young compatriots” to love their country, to avoid abandoning the public service and yet receiving salaries; to be combative like the soldiers fighting against the Islamist insurgents in the Far North and East Regions of the country. He urged Cameroonians to love and die for their country.

83-year-old Biya in his televised address enjoined the youths to return to farms. “It is not a matter of waiting to amass substantial resources. It is, first and foremost, a matter of determination and commitment. In agriculture, a little often goes a long way.”

He said government is doing all to make our villages more youth friendly to accommodate the youth. “…we should make our villages more youth-friendly,” he said in a desperate attempt to discourage rural exodus.

President Biya reminded the youth that “there are many Government programmes designed to support rural development. Obtain information on such programmes. You should be able to make the most of them.”

“These two sectors, namely agriculture and digital economy, require us to continue with and step up the professionalization of our secondary education,” octogenarian Biya said.

Addressing the youth as “the android generation”, Biya stressed that the digital economy could help the rising unemployment and underemployment in the country.

His words: “In addition, there is another domain which I know you of the so-called “Android” generation hold most dear, namely the development of the digital economy.

“…To each generation, its historic challenges for the nation’s future! I can say that one of the major challenges for our youths is to manage to keep abreast of the astounding phenomenon of the digital economy.

I urge the entire nation to resolutely mobilize and support the numerous initiatives undertaken by our youths in this area.”
Biya’s mantra on patriotism came much stronger when he seemingly discouraged youths from leaing Cameroon in search of greener pastures in unknown lands.
“Patriotism is a virtue that some people might wrongly consider outdated.

Even today, it remains a mark of responsible and nobly asserted citizenship for the nation. Regardless of your role in society, you should be patriotic to deserve well of the nation: the farmer on his farm, the pupil or student in their studies, the workman on his work site, the teacher in the classroom, the doctor or nurse at the hospital, the researcher in his laboratory, the civil servant in his office, the trader in his shop, the mechanic in his garage, the sweeper at his workplace, the transporter driving his vehicle,” Biya advised.

FCFA 21 billion for specialised training

To Biya, enterprises are not seeking out for just graduates, but a labour force that is well trained in specific trades and that is constantly adapted to global trends.

“To meet this expectation, I am pleased to note that the Government has opened three Pilot Centres of Excellence in Douala, Limbe and Sangmelima, at the cost of about 21 billion, to provide retraining and skills upgrading for senior technicians and other skilled workers,” he announced.

President Biya said the economic integration of youths is thus a constant concern and government actions will continue with greater momentum to enable youths to make the most of the numerous programmes and projects that are underway or in the pipeline.

After “Emergency Plan”, Special Youth Plan launched

After launching a FCFA 925 billion worth Emergency Plan about 14 months ago, Biya again decided to invest in the youth he considers so dear to him.
“To that end, I have just given instructions for the launch of a three-year “Special Youth” plan worth CFAF 102 billion in total,” Biya announced.
The plan he says will facilitate and accelerate the economic integration of the youths urging all to take a keen interest in it.


“In so doing, I believe, you will be demonstrating your “economic patriotism”,” he said, believing that the youth could reap much benefit from the good citizenship education programmes offered by the Civic Service Agency for Participation in Development.