Ismail Akwei
Young people all over Africa joined in the celebration of Africa Youth Day on Tuesday in recognition of the youth as key agents for social change and economic growth in all aspects of the African society.
The Africa Youth Day which takes place every November 1, was proclaimed and instituted in 2006, to ensure that African youth continue to strive for ownership in Africa’s development.
“A day like the African Youth Day presents an opportunity and platform to highlight the issues, roles and challenges of the African youth,” Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma said.
#Africa cannot afford to loseout on your immense potentials and energies. #AYD2016
— Dr Dlamini Zuma (@DlaminiZuma) November 1, 2016
She also called on the youth to ponder over the theme for this year’s celebration – Promoting youth mainstreaming as a catalyst towards harnessing the Demographic Dividend – and come up with innovative ideas and “take your rightful place as key drivers of our continent’s transformation”.
We must use this day to reflect on practical actions that accord young people the needed opportunity to play their part in our dev't.
— Dr Dlamini Zuma (@DlaminiZuma) November 1, 2016
The African Union Commission today launched the Youth Mainstreaming Guideline, at the AUC Headquarters in Addis Ababa, to enjoin the youth in all of the commission’s development activities, Zuma announced.
Despite the day not being a statutory holiday in African countries, many historically Catholic countries in Africa and the world over are observing All Saints Day which coincides with the Africa Youth Day.
The African Union Commission has however encouraged young people to host activities in their communities.
Below is how African youths celebrated the day.
#TuesdayMotivation #AYD2016 #Africa #AfricaYDAY2016 #Egypt #zimbabwe | from #Zim Happy #AfricaYouthDay to all . pic.twitter.com/lcK7TW1TKh
— Ghazaly (@hassanali1919) November 1, 2016
#TuesdayMotivation #AYD2016 #Africa #AfricaYDAY2016 #Egypt #zimbabwe | from #Zim Happy #AfricaYouthDay to all . pic.twitter.com/lcK7TW1TKh
— Ghazaly (@hassanali1919) November 1, 2016
On this #AfricaYouthDay we push the peace agenda. Be part of this change #Football4Peace pic.twitter.com/C3hhqKAEfj
— Calisto Ochieng' 🇰🇪🇸🇸 (@ochycarl) November 1, 2016
#AYD2016 Happy youth day fellow Africans, you are the future and youth bulge is a blessing in disguise for Africa. #AfricaYouthDay #AU
— KhayelihleKhumalo-James Jnr (@KhayaJames) November 1, 2016
Besides all happening in Kenya, i would like to wish every Youth out there,a happy #AfricaYouthDay
— Mukami Daina (@DainaMukamiPR) November 1, 2016
