Govt spends millions on youth activities

FCFA 632.8 million was spent on 420 PAJER-U projects, FCFA 650.7 Million on 911 PIAASI projects.

Young people in the Littoral are among the many beneficiaries of government-sponsored programmes for youths.

Within the period of seven years, a total of FCFA 1.28 billion has been spent on 1,331 projects through PARJE-U and PIAASI programmes. The main objective of the programmes is to reduce poverty, promote self-employment activities and eradicate idleness which often paves the way to drug consumption, thus, causing mental health among youth.

Logmo I Leonard de Semnjock, the Chief of the Support Programme for Youth in the Urban and rural Settings, PARJE-U, recounted that from 2007 to 2011, the programme registered 5,712 projects, retained 639 (62 junior enterprises inclusive) and financed 420 at FCFA 632.8

million. The Integrated Support Programme for Actors of the Informal Sector, PIAASI, which

went operational in 2005, has also been a booster to youth and associations in the Littoral Region.

PIAASI’s Littoral Technical Secretary, Ibrahim Tatagheng Mbipeh, revealed that from 2006 to 2013, some 911 projects were financed at FCFA 650.7 million with 66 financed in 2013 alone. Both programmes that have injected about FCFA 1.28 billion for 1,331 projects face a common problem-loan reimbursement.

PERJA-U has recovered less than 40 per cent while PIAASI has recovered close to 60 per cent. However, a new strategy implemented in 2012 stipulates that applicants must have an on-going project, present surety and Mayor’s recommendation in order to benefit from the loan.

The youth came into the spotlight on the 15th International Youth Day celebration on the theme: “Youth and mental health.”

United Nations publications show that 20 per cent of the world’s youth population suffer from mental health conditions each year and Douala youth are not an exception.

During the day’s celebration, the Littoral’s Delegate for Youth and Civic Education, Logmo I Leonard de Semnjock, reiterated that they are fighting against discrimination, stigmatisation and social exclusion of youth suffering from mental health.

He equally called on families, civil societies and churches to sensitise youth on the issue and enjoined youth to carefully manage stress since it can lead to mental health problems.