KABUL - President Ashraf Ghani on Monday addressed delegates at a youth Jirga for justice and reform and promised to tackle unemployment in the country and employ more young people within the administration.

Addressing delegates at the Presidential Palace, who came from various provinces, Ghani said bringing reforms is government's duty and a program will be started soon on working out how unemployment can be tackled.

Ghani also urged delegates to put questions to him in future and promised to bring in more young people into the administration.

"Positive pressures are welcome and there are negatives as well but we are not going to name them," said Ghani.

Ghani stated in most cases "I have more complaints than you do - if you don't have complaints then I won't have hope,"

There is no place for hopelessness among the people, he added.

Meanwhile Ghani said government's slogan is reform and transformation.

On the subject of corruption in government he said: "There are a number of reasons for corruption. In one contract alone we were able to stop the waste of five million Afghanis and about 16,500 people are believed to have embezzled government."

Transparency in contracts are in the interests of the Afghan people, Ghani added.

Ghani told delegates that corruption needs to be stamped out. He says delegates are welcome to inform him of ministers guilty of corruption.

In addition, Ghani thanked the youth for their sacrifices - mostly those in the security forces.

"The enemy has plotted to divide the country and those fighting are fighting an imposed war on Afghanistan so therefore all Afghans need to defend the country's sovereignty," Ghani said.

He called for time to build a solid foundation for Afghanistan. "Our aim is to develop Afghanistan," Ghani said adding that people must stay to help build their country and concentrate on reforms.

"Reforms must be based on principals and not on individuals."

He said today a cause for concern among the people was that of the economy. "Our country is a potentially rich country but instead people are living in poverty. Unity and a clear view should be established to utilize these resources."

Speaking to conference delegates Ghani stated there are those who want to destroy the system.

"Corrupt individuals are waiting to destroy the system," Ghani said.

Ghani claims that both war and peace come at a price but neither should affect the country's constitution. (Tolonews)