YOUTH MUST BE INVOLVED IN THE CLEAN UP CAMPAIGN

By Meclina Chirwa

Engagement of young people has been highlighted as instrumental in the successful implementation of National Cleanup Day initiative.

Views from Mukuzimva Bwanji Program aired on Timveni radio on Tuesday are of the opinion that the government engineered program will instill a culture of cleanliness.

Some listeners said the level of waste mismanagement the country finds itself in requires having a positive environmental behavior change.

As one way of establishing a culture of cleanliness, President Lazarus Chakwera has designated second Friday of every month as a day for a national cleanup initiative. 

The aim is to promote a positive environmental behavioral change in the way Malawians manage waste in the country.

However, some members of the general public have tipped government to engage young people as one way of promoting and instilling hygiene practices among the citizenry.

In Tuesday’s program some listeners said it is discouraging that young generation has taken after the older generation in disregarding hygiene.

According to contributors in the program, the cleanup day idea will help change the present situation and could help young people achieve the country’s aspirations of a clean and healthy environment for all people.

One listener, Falesi Chidyaonga from Lilongwe said inclusion of young people in the initiative will help them realize the importance of keeping surroundings clean.

Sixty-four people participated in the program out of which forty were in support of engaging youths in the monthly cleanup exercise.