Former President, Jerry Rawlings says African countries will continue to be underdeveloped until they recognize the potential of the youth and harness it for national development. He described as unfortunate what he calls the oppressive attitude governments have inflicted on the youth. In an exclusive interview with Joy News after some young people called on him on International Youth Day, the former president said the technological advancement in the world requires the inclusion of vibrant youth in policy formulation and execution. He said it is about time that the older generation acknowledge their technological deficiencies and involve the youth who he said are more IT inclined in the management of the country. According to Rawlings the generational transition must not necessarily also lead to the extinction of the older generation in the management of the day-to-day affairs of the country. This year’s International Youth Day was celebrated on Sunday 12 August under the theme “Building a Better World: Partnering with Youth”.