The Political Science Association of Zambia (PSAZ) has urged political candidates not to shun political debates forums ahead of the August 12, 2021 general elections.

In an interview with ZANIS, PSAZ President Joe Ndambwe said the political debate forums are the best way for candidates to reach out to the general public, due to the limitation in time, due to restrictions brought about by the coronavirus pandemic.

Mr Ndambwe expressed concern, noting that some candidates shun debates at every level and proposed that in future a law should be introduced that compels political parties to be represented by their candidates during debates.

“If we have a law that regulates the debates, it will be easy for candidates to participate,” he said.

The PSAZ president said at the moment it is very difficult to compile candidates to participate in debates, adding that it is just a moral call for the candidates to participate on their own.

Mr Ndambwe explained that the association will also provide forums on which candidates will be able to showcase their manifesto, ahead of the August 12, 2021 general elections.

He said the association is putting in modalities and will look to collaborate with other stakeholders like the Electoral commission of Zambia, media institutions, and universities.

The Association President further appealed to the general public to follow the debates in order to acquaint themselves with the type of candidates who will work with them to grow the country economically.

EXODUS Boxing Promotions promoter Anthony Mwamba has died.

Mwamba, 61,died from the Levy Mwanawasa Teaching Hospital on Thursday morning from suspected COVID-19. Mwamba is among people who played a huge role in raising boxing to a level it has reached today.

He is also credited with female professional boxer Esther Phiri’s rise to fame.May His Soul Rest In Peace.

Choma District Agriculture Coordinator (DACO) Robert Tembo has revealed that out of 25,364 farmers earmarked to receive farming inputs under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) for the 2020/2021 farming season, only 144 have not accessed the inputs.

Mr. Tembo has since called upon the remaining farmers to ensure that they visit their agro-dealers as soon as possible because inputs are available.

“These farmers are at liberty at any time to access these goods, but we will be very happy if they get these inputs as soon as possible,” he said.

He told ZANIS in Choma that it was the desire of government that all farmers fully utilise what is available in their FISP accounts saying some were in the habit of leaving a bit of money unused.

The DACO is however delighted that inputs were delivered in due time before the onset of the rain season.

Mr. Tembo is confident that the timely delivery of inputs, coupled with the good rainfall received so far, will subsequently promote food security in the district.

Meanwhile, government has supplied 600 litres of pesticides meant to eliminate army worms in affected areas in Choma.

Speaking in an interview, Farm Management Officer in the department of agriculture Kalima Nkame disclosed that about 10 hectares of fields in Choma have been invaded by army worms.

Mr. Nkame said the distribution of the chemicals will commerce as soon as they receive information from camp officers on the percentage of damage caused.

“We are getting information from our camp officers concerning the percentage of damage caused. It is on that basis that we will be able to distribute chemicals,” he said.

President Edgar Lungu has congratulated Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, on his victory in presidential elections held on Thursday, 14th January, 2021.

President Lungu said that President Museveni’s victory shows the confidence and trust that the Ugandan people have in him.

“President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s victory has once again shown the hope, confidence, and trust that the people of Uganda have in him to continue steering the country to prosperity.”

President Lungu said that he shared President Museveni’s belief that poverty can only be wiped out of Africa if the grassroots are empowered to produce food for home consumption and the surplus for sale so that they earn capital.

President Lungu added that it is agriculture that shall end hunger in Africa as President Museveni always says.

“I am confident that Zambia and Uganda shall continue enjoying cordial relations under Mr Museveni’s leadership,” President Lungu says.

And President Lungu has congratulated Mr Joseph R. Biden Jr. for being sworn in as the 46th President of the United States of America.

President Lungu says Zambia and the United States of America enjoy great bilateral relations and is confident that this will continue under President Biden.

Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th President of the United States of America, whilst Kamala Harris was sworn in as the first woman , and first person of colour to be sworn in as Vice President.
During his presidential speech, Biden recognized the more than 400,000 deaths in the US due to COVID-19, asking for a silent prayer. Lady Gaga sang the national anthem, while Jennifer Lopez sang This Land is Your Land and Garth Brooks led the audience and viewers at home in Amazing Grace. The first national poet laureate, Amanda Gorman, read History Has Its Eyes on Us. Approximately 25,000 troops were deployed by the Department of Defense to help guard against threats.

President Edgar Lungu has said that there is a need to deal with people who abuse social media to insult and abuse others.

President Lungu said that the United States of America has shown that those who abuse social media can be stopped from accessing it. The Head of state was responding to the clergy in Mafinga District who requested the government to regulate the usage of social media.

President Lungu said ZICTA and ICT experts should explore ways that will ensure that only those who use social media for the good of society are allowed, adding that Social media should not be used to promote violence and abuse of innocent people.

And President LUNGU said he will deploy more police officers to Mafinga in order to curb criminal activities. He said a group of youths calling themselves the JAMBAZI who are killing people will have to be stopped immediately.

President LUNGU said no one should take the life of another except God, the creator and urged the church to help government impart morals in young people.

And speaking on behalf of the Clergy Reverend LEONARD KALUBA called on government to regulate social media as it is affecting people’s morals in the district.

Reverend KALUBA said social media is eroding morals of young people.

He also called on government to quickly enhance the security in the area as alleged ritual killings cases by a group calling itself JAMBAZI have increased.