By RICARDO WELLS

THE Democratic National Alliance is focused on empowering the country’s youth, Deputy Leader Chris Mortimer said.

He added that “the only way to create true change and improve the country is by encouraging the youth to step forward and get involved in nation building.”

Speaking with The Tribune yesterday, Mr Mortimer stated that the youth of the Bahamas has a “tremendous opportunity” to “shape and transform the Bahamas as they hold the largest voting block heading into the 2017 general election.

“The fact that the youth of our country make up the majority of the electorate, as they did back in 2012, they have to understand how much their voices matter. They are the ones that will determine how this country moves forward,” he said.

Mr Mortimer said the incorporation of young people is what separates the DNA from the two major political parties, the Free National Movement and Progressive Liberal Party.

He said: “Our goal is to move our young people to achieve their goals. We want them to move forward and play important roles in our society.”

He added: “The DNA is committed to reaching out to young people, communicating with them and understanding the issues that are important to them. The DNA wants to inspire the youth to step forward and assist in nation building.”

The DNA deputy leader claimed that his party is ”steadfast on crafting youth into future leaders”.

“We are employing the ‘each one, reach one’ campaign, the young members of the DNA are out there everyday. The DNA wants the youth of the Bahamas to take a collaborative step with us and together we can make this country the best country in the world.”

“To be honest, this country belongs to them, we want to support them in building the Bahamas into what it can be. This is a chance to develop a new concept of leadership, one that believes in inspiring the next generation to be better than the generation that preceded them.”