Samfya Youth Hail Successful Citizen-Leader Engagement, Call for Action on WASH Commitments

 By Staff Reporter, 

SAMFYA – The highly anticipated citizen engagement forum between Samfya residents and their elected leaders has officially taken place, with youth representatives now calling for the immediate implementation of WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) commitments made during the dialogue. 

The meeting, organized with support from Diakonia and various local organizations, was held on Tuesday, October 20th, 2026, at the Pentecostal Assemblies of God, opposite ZESCO in Lupili. It brought together community members, the Council Chairperson, and councillors to address the longstanding gap between citizens and local leadership.

 The Coordinator for the Precious Times Adolescent Youth Club, who also serves as the Luapula Youth WASH Ambassador Coordinator, described the engagement as a critical step toward rebuilding trust and ensuring accountability in the district. 

Speaking after the meeting, the Coordinator noted that the forum successfully created a platform for dialogue on key developmental priorities, particularly concerning the youth and marginalized groups. 

"The Problem Statement highlighted that limited interaction between leaders and citizens has contributed to weak accountability and gaps in development decisions. This meeting was a necessary step in correcting that narrative," the Coordinator said. 

The forum, which aimed to establish a structured citizen-local leadership social contract, focused on securing clear and measurable commitments from the Council Chairperson and Councillors. It also sought to strengthen citizens' understanding of the roles and responsibilities of local leaders. 

A central theme advocated by the youth representative was the importance of WASH as a foundational development priority. The Coordinator emphasized that for youth, women, and persons with disabilities to meaningfully participate in governance, basic needs such as clean water and proper sanitation must be addressed. 

"During the discussions, we made it clear that WASH is not just an infrastructure issue—it is a social contract. When we demand measurable commitments from our leaders, we are demanding guarantees that every young person has access to safe water and sanitation," the Coordinator stated. 

The meeting's expected outcomes included improved relationships and trust between citizens and elected leaders, increased citizen participation in local governance, and improved responsiveness of local leaders to community concerns. The Coordinator expressed optimism that the dialogue will translate into tangible action. 

"The meeting has passed, but the real work begins now. We expect our leaders to honor the commitments made and to ensure that WASH and youth-friendly services are prioritized in the local development agenda," the Coordinator added. 

The Coordinator has since urged the youth of Samfya to remain vigilant and actively participate in follow-up mechanisms established through the new social contract. The Luapula Youth WASH Ambassador Coordinator reaffirmed the commitment of the Precious Times Adolescent Youth Club to holding leaders accountable and ensuring that the voices of young people continue to shape the future of Samfya District.