Kasama DC reaffirms Govt’s commitment to social protection courses

Kasama District Commissioner, Annie Paul, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to promoting social protection programmes as a key pillar for achieving sustainable growth and national development.
‎
Ms Paul says it is imperative for the government to pursue efficient, effective and inclusive social protection systems in order to reduce poverty, vulnerability and inequality in society.
‎
She adds that poverty and vulnerability reduction remain firmly entrenched among the priorities of the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP), demonstrating the government’s strong commitment to inclusive development and ensuring that no one is left behind.
‎
Ms Paul further notes that the government recognises the importance of effective coordination in implementing social protection programmes, as this provides sustainable security against deprivation and extreme vulnerability.
‎
‎“I am confident that the knowledge and skills you have acquired will go a long way in improving service delivery for the poor and vulnerable in the community,” she states.
‎
‎The media reports that the District Commissioner was speaking during the closing ceremony of a Social Protection Transform Training organised by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in Kasama.
‎
She explained that the workshop was designed to give district officers an opportunity to enhance their knowledge and skills, promote coherence, and strengthen coordination mechanisms across various social protection programmes at district and community levels.
‎
Ms Paul further urged the participants to fully utilise the knowledge and skills gained to improve service delivery.
‎
‎ “You are now ambassadors of transformation and coordination in our district,” she noted.
‎
‎Ms Paul also highlighted that the government’s ongoing decentralisation process has significant implications for social protection coordination, as more functions and responsibilities are being devolved to sub-national levels, empowering local authorities to take a leading role in development planning and service delivery.
‎
She praised ILO and its partnership for the unwavering financial and technical support to the government, and urged the organisation to continue collaborating in efforts to promote harmonised, efficient and resilient social protection systems.
‎
‎Meanwhile, ILO Director for Zambia and Malawi, Wellington Chibebe, said the Transform District Training Programme aligns with the newly launched 2025 National Social Protection Policy.
‎
‎Mr Chibebe, who was represented in the meeting by ILO Financial Coordinator, Malambo Simulyampondo, said it takes a lifecycle approach to addressing vulnerabilities at different stages of life in order to combat poverty more effectively.
‎
‎He noted that the programme will help build sufficient capacity across African countries, including Zambia to extend social protection to all, as envisioned by various United Nations agencies.
‎
“ILO seeks to ensure sustainability of the initiative as we scale up the training nationally,” he said.
‎
Mr Chibebe added that the training has equipped participants with knowledge across several components of social protection systems, including finance and financial management and the selection and identification of vulnerable groups.
‎
‎He emphasised that the ILO, through the Transform initiative, remains committed to offering both technical and financial support to the government to improve livelihoods and contribute to the attainment of universal social protection coverage.
‎
‎ “This is a deliberate step by the ILO and other UN agencies to transform and ensure the Zambian government takes full ownership of capacity-building activities in a more cost-effective way,” he said.
‎
Mr Chibebe expressed confidence that the training will yield meaningful progress in advancing universal social protection at both district and national levels.