…Says Good Mental Health Is Key to Youth Innovation

Young people must prioritise their mental health if they are to unlock their full potential and drive Malawi’s development through innovation and entrepreneurship, National Youth Council of Malawi (NYCOM) Chief Executive Officer Rhoda Gadama Misomali has said.

Speaking on Saturday during the Mzuzu Youth Open Day, Gadama Misomali said a healthy mind is the foundation of creativity, productivity and innovation, urging young people not to suffer in silence whenever they face emotional or psychological challenges.

“We need your ideas. But we need you to be alive, healthy, and whole to deliver them,” she said.

She observed that discussions on youth empowerment should go beyond access to funding and business opportunities to include mental well-being.

“We can’t talk about economic growth without talking about wellbeing. The pressure is real: business failures, job rejections, family expectations, and social media stress,” she told the gathering.

The NYCOM chief reminded young people that mental health challenges are medical conditions that require attention and should never be viewed as a sign of weakness.

“Stress and depression are not weaknesses. They are health issues. Seeking help is not giving up; it’s levelling up,” she said.

She further encouraged young people to speak up whenever they feel overwhelmed and seek professional support before their situation worsens.

“If you feel overwhelmed, call Chipatala Cha Pa Foni on 54747, visit a youth-friendly health centre, and check on your strong friend too. We need your ideas. But we need you to be alive, healthy and whole to deliver them,” she said.

Turning to youth entrepreneurship, she said the innovations showcased during the open day demonstrated that Malawi’s future economy is already being shaped by young people.

“From the pavilions I have walked through today, I see Malawi’s future. I see food security and agribusiness in action.

“I see young people turning plastic into eco-bricks and leading the green industry. I see digital markets, creativity, and connectivity,” she said.

She described the exhibition as more than just a showcase of products.

“This is not just an exhibition. This is Malawi’s future economy in one place. Every booth here represents a job created. Every product here represents a problem solved,” she said.

According to Gadama Misomali, the government is supporting youth-led businesses through the Youth Innovation Fund, which finances start-ups without demanding impossible collateral.

She added that NYCOM’s partnership with the Malawi Bureau of Standards will soon help young entrepreneurs certify their products, enabling them to access supermarkets and export markets.

She also pledged continued support for the Mzuzu Youth Network to ensure the event becomes an annual fixture and that the innovations showcased are linked to funding opportunities and national markets.

“As NYCOM, we don’t want Mzuzu Youth Day to end today. We want it to grow,” she said.

Earlier, Mzuzu City Council Chief Executive Officer Gomezgani Nyasulu said the annual open day provides a platform for young people to showcase their innovations while connecting them with institutions that can help transform their ideas into successful businesses.

“The future of the industrialisation of this city is in the hands of these youths. When I see different innovations being showcased today, I know the growth of this city is inevitable,” said Nyasulu.

He expressed hope that government institutions, development partners and the private sector would take advantage of the platform to identify innovations worthy of investment.

Meanwhile, Chairperson of the Mzuzu Youth Open Day Organising Committee, Ellina Kanyenda, described the event as a success, saying the turnout met organisers’ expectations.

“There is also networking here, and I believe that by the end of today, the participating youths will have gained access to new opportunities,” she said.

Kanyenda said many young entrepreneurs had already begun marketing their products, services and skills to institutions attending the event and expressed optimism that lasting partnerships would emerge from the exhibition.

The event brought together hundreds of young people, youth organisations and stakeholders from across the Northern Region to showcase innovations, share ideas and explore business and investment opportunities.