PROBLEMS YOUTHS FACE IN CAMEROON

The youths are the future of every nation and the leaders of tomorrow, yet they are being marginalised in our society. Youths in Cameroon are plagued with multiple and complex problems and when you see a Cameroonian youth, so many things come to mind; a bleak future caused by unemployment and poverty, insecurity, alcoholism just to name a few.

The rate of unemployment in Cameroon is quite alarming and a majority of youths are affected either directly or indirectly. Many youths are unemployed and this can be attributed to some institutional inadequacies.

First of all, the poor adaptability of vocational training institutions of learning and methodology to the country’s socio-economic context. Universities are more concerned with theoretical aspects forgetting practical work is more important than theory, making the graduates a little above unskilled labour. That is why the government is being urged to look into the employment policy by giving youths the opportunity to do internships in the government sector e.g. youth service for one year to enable them gain experience. It is worth noting that the inability of youths to write good curriculum vitae and how to present oneself for interview are some of the challenges youths face in getting employed.

 

Also, ineffective employment structures such as Fond de Garantie d’Aide aux Petite et Moyennes Enterprises “FOGAPE” AND THE National Employment Fund “NEF” set up by the state for the creation of youth employment opportunities. Sources reveal that amidst the obscure administrative formalities, the prevailing corruption of top officials running these institutions have collapsed existing initiatives and projects and only relationships count in getting jobs.

Furthermore, the access of young people to public employment and professional state institutions such as EMIA, ESSEC, IRIC, ENSET, ENAM and ENS have been made a difficult race not only by the “limited chances offered” but by the present induction of “the moral deviating proposal” (i.e. Homosexuality or prostitution) as exchange.

Finally, the poorly structured and integrated informal sector which employs nearly 94% of the active youth labour force, including 55.2% in the agricultural sector; providing the highest opportunities of economic placement. Yet the average monthly income of young people engaged in this sector remains the lowest and the “Minimum Professional Salary Guaranteed Laws” (SMIG) remain ignored.

Due to this high rate of unemployment many youths and families have resorted to continental Exodus. Immigration to Europe which itself caries the likelihood of engagement in risky activities and behaviours such as drug abuse or drug use, sexual promiscuity or gang related activity.            

Furthermore, due to the existing poverty whereby parents can not afford for the needs of their young ones, they have resorted to internet scamming and cyber prostitution. Some have resorted to armed banditory, drug and alcoholism as well as prostitution, this caused by idleness encouraging them to mix up with bad company and the result, the adoption of these vices. This has caused lack of commitment among youths and many are disillusioned as many think “Nothing good can come out of Cameroon”.

Therefore, the lack of access to constructive alternatives fastened with poor context driven and adaptability education paradigms have spurred up “a sense of vulnerability, uselessness and idleness” within this group. Infact, young people face a whole range of problems, which can cause distress and even mental ill health with issues like exam pressures, bullying, family problems and bad relationships causing huge stress. It is estimated that one in five young people experience mental health problems.

Therefore, the government, civil society organisations and youths themselves are being called upon to put hands on deck before the problem goes beyond reversal.