By Mabuchi Chunga

Center for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) has challenged candidates vying for the presidency in the fourth coming fresh presidential elections to prioritize job creation in their manifestos.

CDEDI made the request through its press statement issued on June 10 and signed by its Acting Executive Director, Sylvester Namiwa.

The statement follows a devastating incident which took place recently, on Wednesday June 9, involving multitudes of young people who turned up for walk-in interviews that were being conducted by the Ministry of Health in various established centers across the country.

The interviews that were attended by thousands of people, mostly the youth, left 118 interviewees injured due to chaos which resulted from overcrowding.

CDEDI said this is a clear sign of high levels of unemployment in the country.

Reads part of the statement: “If one were to take a closer look at the ugly scenes that occurred on Wednesday June 9, 2020 it would not require rocket science studies to note that unemployment levels in the country have reached crisis level, therefore it is clear that government has failed to create jobs for its citizens specially young people for the past ten years or so.”

CDEDI further expressed disappointment with poor organization of the interviews a development which led to injury of the people and challenged government to ensure that the victims are receiving proper treatment and that they are compensated accordingly.

The ministry of health has been criticized by different quarters including the Malawi Congress of Trade Unions (MCTU) which described the manner in which the authorities conducted the interviews as unprofessional and unacceptable as it puts lives at risk.