The President of the Pan-African Parliament, Fortune Charumbira, encourages youth to be the driving force behind the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Charumbira calls on young people to tap into intra-African trade opportunities and play a leading role in accelerating Africa’s industrialisation and economic transformation.
The President of the Parliament (PAP) based in Midrand recently addressed University of Johannesburg students on the occasion of the 2023 African Union Model Summit under 2023’s theme of ‘Acceleration of the African Continental Free Trade Area Implementation’.
The Union’s Model Summit is essentially a simulation exercise of the assembly of heads of state and government proceedings.
It aims to sensitise the citizenry, especially African youth on continental integration policies, programmes, and what they mean to the ordinary citizenry.
Charumbira said that young people must make their voices heard to ensure that the AfCFTA implementation process is responsive to their needs as the future of the African continent.
He believes that harnessing the potential of the landmark continental agreement will help youth overcome difficulties in accessing formal employment and decent jobs.
The President further pledged the parliament’s commitment to ensuring that the youth fully play their role and reap the benefits of what he described as one of the most significant African projects to date.
“I am pleased to say that the parliament can and should play an instrumental role in driving youth inclusion and participation in continental policies and programmes in general and in the implementation of the AfCFTA in particular,” said Charumbira.
He added that one of the primary objectives of the parliament enunciated in Rule four of the Parliament Rules of Procedure is to facilitate the effective implementation of the African Union policies and objectives.
“The PAP is indeed intended as a platform for African citizens, especially the youth to contribute to decision-making on the problems and challenges facing the continent,” he concluded.
Related Article:
Pan-African parliament reflect on its journey as it turns 19
