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Delegates Agree on African Strategies to Combat Drug Abuse and Mental Health Disorders

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Delegates Agree on African Strategies to Combat Drug Abuse and Mental Health Disorders

A comprehensive high-level session focused on addressing drug abuse and associated mental health disorders in Africa culminated in the development of strategic approaches aimed at eradicating drug abuse across the continent.

Olubusayo Akinola, the Head of Social Welfare Drug Control and Crime Prevention, announced the collective agreement of member states to facilitate a multisectoral approach for drug demand reduction services. These services will be established through national drug control bodies, treatment services, and within social care systems.

Delivering the outcome document of the high-level session, Dr. Akinola stressed the importance of implementing a National Drug Epistemological Surveillance Network, in addition to reinforcing police efforts in drug control within member states.

Furthermore, member states committed to advocating for the integration of a drug prevention curriculum within mass media and relevant national social media platforms. This strategic curriculum aims to disseminate information from the national drug epidemiological network and the decisions of the National Drug Control body.

Akinola emphasized the establishment and operation of national networks involving traditional and religious leadership to facilitate the implementation of national drug control action plans. This move intends to engage these influential bodies in combating drug abuse.

Additionally, cultural and sports leaders were urged to promote healthy lifestyles and discourage alcohol and drug use, as their influence in the arts and music industries significantly impacts the interpretation of these substances by young individuals.

It was highlighted that member states must establish specialized drug treatment facilities catering specifically to children, offering evidence-based quality services. Investing in safeguarding communities from the harmful effects of drugs was also strongly recommended.

Moreover, member states were urged to develop, implement, monitor, and evaluate public policies aimed at reducing the harmful use of alcohol in alignment with the principles and objectives of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Alcohol Action Plan 2022-2030.

The reinforcement of the role of women and the empowerment of youth and children was emphasized as critical elements in the prevention of substance use, as highlighted by Ms. Akainola.

“As we conclude this summit, we have collectively agreed on a series of strategies to combat drug abuse and mental health-related disorders that significantly impact our continent. Implementing these strategies is crucial to putting an end to this vice,” remarked Ms. Akainola, underlining the significance of adopting these measures to eradicate drug abuse in Africa.

Regenerate

Government Prepares to Send Cancer Patients to Tanzania for Radiotherapy Treatment

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Government Prepares to Send Cancer Patients to Tanzania for Radiotherapy Treatment

The government, through Health Minister Sylvia Masebo, has revealed plans to facilitate the treatment of cancer patients requiring radiotherapy in Tanzania. The initiative aims to ensure patients’ access to treatment during the rehabilitation phase of the Cancer Diseases Hospital.

Addressing Parliament, Minister Masebo affirmed that while the procurement process is in progress, no patients have been dispatched to Tanzania for treatment. The impending arrangements are anticipated to cover various costs associated with the treatment, including transportation, accommodation, meals, and the radiotherapy itself. The estimated cost per patient for the treatment course is approximately US$4,500.

The selection and referral process will be diligently managed by an ad-hoc committee at the University Teaching Hospital in collaboration with the Cancer Diseases Hospital. This collective effort aims to assess patients and make recommendations for their referral to Tanzania.

The Ocean Road Cancer Institute has shown its willingness to accommodate an additional 40 Zambian patients, in addition to the patients they are already treating. This collaboration is a significant step in ensuring that Zambian patients receive the necessary treatment during the rehabilitation period of their local medical facilities.

The treatment itself spans six to seven weeks, implying that patients will be evacuated to Tanzania every two months, ensuring a continuous treatment cycle until the Cancer Diseases Hospital is fully operational.

Catholic Bishops Urge Zambians to Safeguard Nation’s Democratic Ideals

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Catholic Bishops Urge Zambians to Safeguard Nation’s Democratic Ideals

The Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) has issued a comprehensive Pastoral Statement on the State of the Nation, emphasizing the critical importance of preserving Zambia’s multi-party and democratic identity. The statement, signed by all 12 Bishops of Zambia, addresses crucial political, economic, moral, and social concerns affecting the country.

In their detailed declaration, the Bishops dissect the current state of affairs, underlining both positive and negative aspects of Zambia’s governance systems.

The Pastoral Statement, a comprehensive critique of the nation’s status, focuses on various domains:

Political Environment: The Bishops acknowledge government efforts to restore order in the political landscape, yet raise concerns about shrinking democratic space, selective law enforcement, and the need for transparent and impartial judiciary and parliamentary conduct.

Economic Situation: Addressing the increased cost of living, the statement emphasizes the need for transparency in debt restructuring, effective management of mealie meal prices, and a review of mining tax concessions to ensure fair contributions to the national treasury.

Moral and Social Issues: Concerns are voiced regarding service delivery, the use of social media, protection of the family, and the controversial LGBTQ+ agenda. The statement also condemns demeaning language directed at religious figures and calls for constant communication between the government and its citizens.

Government Response: The Chief Government Spokesperson, Cornelius Mweetwa, confirmed the government’s receipt of the Pastoral letter. He acknowledged the letter’s intent and assured that a comprehensive response would be provided after a thorough review. Additionally, he advised against any immediate responses from the UPND party in an effort to address the matter appropriately.Catholic Bishops Urge Zambians to Safeguard Nation’s Democratic Ideals

The Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) has issued a comprehensive Pastoral Statement on the State of the Nation, emphasizing the critical importance of preserving Zambia’s multi-party and democratic identity. The statement, signed by all 12 Bishops of Zambia, addresses crucial political, economic, moral, and social concerns affecting the country.

In their detailed declaration, the Bishops dissect the current state of affairs, underlining both positive and negative aspects of Zambia’s governance systems.

The Pastoral Statement, a comprehensive critique of the nation’s status, focuses on various domains:

Political Environment: The Bishops acknowledge government efforts to restore order in the political landscape, yet raise concerns about shrinking democratic space, selective law enforcement, and the need for transparent and impartial judiciary and parliamentary conduct.

Economic Situation: Addressing the increased cost of living, the statement emphasizes the need for transparency in debt restructuring, effective management of mealie meal prices, and a review of mining tax concessions to ensure fair contributions to the national treasury.

Moral and Social Issues: Concerns are voiced regarding service delivery, the use of social media, protection of the family, and the controversial LGBTQ+ agenda. The statement also condemns demeaning language directed at religious figures and calls for constant communication between the government and its citizens.

Government Response: The Chief Government Spokesperson, Cornelius Mweetwa, confirmed the government’s receipt of the Pastoral letter. He acknowledged the letter’s intent and assured that a comprehensive response would be provided after a thorough review. Additionally, he advised against any immediate responses from the UPND party in an effort to address the matter appropriately.


Below is the Full Press Statement

ZAMBIA CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS (ZCCB) PASTORAL STATEMENT
The Pastoral Statement on the State of the Nation
“Hear O my people and I will admonish you…” Psalm 81:8
To our dear brothers and sisters in Christ and people of goodwill. Peace and love of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all!
Preamble
We, the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB), having listened to the cries of our people for guidance on political, economic, moral and social issues affecting the nation, do hereby share with you the following:
1. Political environment
A serene and conducive political environment is the hallmark of human society. We acknowledge the good intentions by Government to bring sanity to the political landscape in the Nation by reducing cadreism in public places and political violence.
However, we note the following.

1.1. Shrinking of democratic space

Human rights such as freedom of expression and freedom of assembly are arbitrarily being trampled on especially against those considered to hold dissenting political views or persons belonging to opposition political parties. Intimidation of media houses by state institutions, based on the guests they invite, and the content discussed on their platforms, curtails both media freedom and free speech. This practice also sends an indirect message to media houses to stay away from discussing uncomfortable but very important topics of public interest and to shun or marginalise certain voices whose views may be deemed as unfavourable to those in authority.

The right to peaceful assembly is a fundamental liberty that sustains the activities of political parties and civil society groups in constitutional democracies. On several occasions, however, the police have denied opposition parties the opportunity to exercise this crucial right on the grounds of lack of adequate manpower and unspecified security concerns.

There is also a growing selective application of the rule of law. For instance, it has become a tradition for the police to arrest members of the opposition in a violent manner, keep them in detention longer than necessary, and never take their cases to court, long after being finally released on bond. All these serve as examples of undemocratic practices that fall far short of the respect for civil and political rights that the Constitution obliges the State to uphold.

1.2. Political Parties

Political parties have a huge responsibility in the promotion of peace and democracy. However, we have noted that the political situation is being characterised by the continued politicking and trivialising of important national matters. There is need for a gernuine and right way of doing politics. Politicians ought to realise and appreciate that their priority should be service to the Zambian people and the ruling party should lead and be seen to lead the way in practising good politics.
It seems that political parties are more concerned with eliminating or weakening

party politics should be handled in a mature and well measured manner amongst the political players within their party.

1.3. Judiciary

It is the mandate of the judiciary to adjudicate in matters where a stalemate has been reached in a political party. This must be done in an impartial, objective, and timely manner.

We call upon the Chief Justice of Zambia to provide effective leadership to the bench so that matters that require urgent resolution are heard and determnined in an efficient manner. Any undue delays by the Judiciary in adjudicating political disputes has the potential to heighten tension in the country and stoke further divisions.

1.4. Parliament

Parliament is a place of honour and dignity endowed with the privilege to legislate on behalf of the Zambian people. However, some of the recent happenings in the House fall below the expectation of the citizenry. We, therefore, urge the House and
especially the presiding officers and lawmakers to conduct themselves above board and instil confidence in the people with regard to this important arm of government.

We further urge the Speaker to embrace criticism, build multi-partisan consensus, and accept that she or he is the Speaker of the National Assembly, not of a given political party or another arm of Government. It is also important for presiding officers in the National Assembly to follow the Constitution of Zambia, not precedence or tradition, when dealing with issues that touch on the supreme law of the land and whose resolution has a significant bearing on the character of our Republic as a multiparty democracy.

The election of different leaders in the National Assembly, for instance, should be guided by the Constitution, not precedence, especially in instances where that precedence may be unconstitutional. Precedence is to be observed only in relation to following the constitution of the Republic, not its violation.

1.5. Response to criticism by those in public office.

We are abhorred by the way politicians in general and those in government in particular respond to public criticism. Some resort to the use of uncouth and abusive language. Others employ intimidation, name calling, and rogue websites to maliciously scandalise critics and political opponents. We don’t expect this uncalled for behaviour from leaders in a democratic society where divergent views must be accommodated.

It is a mark of leadership to embrace criticism, especially of a crucial and constructive kind. The public has the right to provide feedback on government performance and activities. The responsibility of public oficials to harness this feedback, regardless of the medium through which it is conveyed. We urge politicians to use respectful language in public discourse and be tolerant to divergent views.

2. Economic situation

We have noted with appreciation the good will by the government to restructure the economy to create an enabling environment for the development of our country. We are aware of the government’s efforts to restructure the national debt. These efforts are commendable.

However, we urge government to be transparent in the whole process and subsequent debt contraction. We demand full disclosure of all bilateral and multilateral agreements as well as transparency in publication of the mining agreements with investors so that the Zambian people know what their public leaders are signing on their behalf.

2.1. High cost of living

Both the exchange rate and inflation have risen considerably in recent months and these trends are adversely affecting the economy. Consequently, the cost of living and doing business has escalated.

While we commend the Government for the Zambia National Service mealie meal initiative that has seen the price of the commodity slightly reduced in some areas, however, we consider the price is still too high for the ordinary Zambian.

We ask the Government to identify the root causes of the high mealie meal prices and put in place effective measures that would reduce the prices to ones that even the poor can afford. Like water, food is life. We call on the Government to provide affordable and accessible food to the citizenry as a matter of urgent priority since the cost of living has become unbearable for most households.

2.2. Review the mining tax regime

To generate increased public revenue for alleviating poverty and investing in social programmes, we urge the government to review mining concessions and tax holidays given to multinational corporations.

Mining is the mainstay of Zambia’s economy, and it is unacceptable that the industry continues to contribute far less to the national treasury than it should. Due to increasing use of technology, mining employs significantly lower numbers of people today than it did in earlier decades.

As a result, the most assured way of deriving maximum benefits from this vital industry is through effective tax and shareholding policies such as those implemented in Botswana, Chile, and other countries rich in mineral resources. We urge the Government to increase its stake in mining companies in relation to shareholding and actively promote local ownership.

2.3. Agriculture

In the spirit of economic diversification, agriculture can play a big role in job creation both at small and large-scale farming and can guarantee food security. Food security produces a wide range of positive impacts including economic growth and poverty reduction (cf. ZCCB, Statement on the State of the Nation, 2022).

Farming Input Support Programme (FISP) can help many of our small-scale farmers. However, this programme has not been free from abuse. In pursuit of improving the same, there seems to be little engagement nor prior preparation with beneficiaries being removed from the programme. It is the duty of Government to be more engaging whenever a new course of action is being undertaken. We urge the Government to increase funding to the FISP and improve its handling of the distribution of farming inputs to avoid food shortages in the future.
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2.4. Manufacturing industry

Successive governments have promised to develop Zambia’s manufacturing base but have done very little to realise this pledge when in office. We urge the Government to identify priority areas and take concrete steps that would actively support the development of manufacturing. The establishment of manufacturing industries can create employment in value chain addition. Products and services from these industries can bring the much-needed foreign exchange, and consequently strengthen our local currency to other convertible currencies. The Government promised to assist private business, especially small businesses, and entrepreneurs, but the continuing high bank len ding rates is killing growth and entrepreneurship. We urge the officials to rectify this challenge.

3. Moral and social issues

Any given society has a set of ruies and regulations that enables its people to live together in harmony and serve each other with respect.

3.1. Service delivery

There seems to be a disconnect between policies intended to remove rigidity and bottlenecks in service delivery and their implementations. The work culture being exhibited by some public officials in their service delivery leaves much to be desired. There are some public officers who when engaged have no courtesy to either acknowledge or respond. They respond only with recourse made to the highest office. However, this trend defeats the purpose of holding such positions. We demand that this comes to an end.

3.2. Constituency Development Fund (CDF)

We acknowledge the good intention in increasing the threshold of CDF and the economic impact these funds may have at the local level. However, there are challenges that need to be investigated and acted upon to build an environment good enough to support the aspiration of the decentralisation policy. This includes the partial disbursement of the amounts. It is pointless to increase the annual CDF amount if only a fraction of it is released annually. We, therefore, call upon the government to release the allocations in their entirety and strengthen monitoring mechanisms on how the CDF is being implermented, and the quality of projects that are being undertaken.

3.3. Use of social media

We are cognizant of the fact that social mnedia is here to stay and the benefits it has come with are numerous. However, we bemoan the abuse of this tool of communication. We are particularly concerned with the use of vulgar language which goes undeterred. We appeal to the conscience of everyone on the responsible use of social media and urge the statutory bodies responsible to be vigilant and enforce laws related to the same. We call upon the same statutory bodies to apply cyber laws stringently against websites set up for malicious purposes and whose handlers cannot easily be traced for the aggrieved to seek recourse to justice in the courts of law.

3.4. Protection of the family

We have noticed with concern that LGBTQ+ agenda is gaining ground with clandestine support from some organisations that are swiftly championing this cause. This does not sit well with our culture and Christian values. We wish to state unequivocally that “…homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered. They are contrary to the natural law.. Under no circumstances can they be approved” (cf. Position of the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops on Homosexuality in Zambia, 2022). We, therefore, urge the Government to come out clearly in defence of the Christian Identity as enshrined in the Constitution and defend the marriage between man and woman, in accordance with the natural order.

3.5. “Lucifer of Zambia”

The denunciation of Archbishop Alick Banda as the “Lucifer of Zambia by the UPND Secretary General Mr Batuke Imenda was not only an affront on the person of the Archbishop Banda but the entire Catholic Church and its leadership in Zambia. Until now, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ruling Partv has not retracted his words.

Until now, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ruling Party has not retracted his words nor apologised apart from the party and its government calling fora ceasefire. The demeaning of the Archbishop by UPND is simply a demonstration of the spirit of intolerance towards criticism as alluded to above.

3.6. The need for constant communication
It is important for those in public office to tell the people what is being done in their name. The culture of only emerging to defend rather than explain government actions should stop. What is needed is not the ability to mislead the people; it is the need to communicate what the government is doing. To this end, we call upon the Government to promote constant interaction between the governed and the governors. The President of the Republic had previously pledged to hold quarterly press conferences. We urge State House to honour this pledge.

3.7. Improving transparency and democratic reform

The current Party in power promised to improve democratic freedom in two important areas:
(i) reform of the Public Order Act so as to establish the people’s right to hold public meetings and make public processions and protests;
(ii) enact an Access to Information Act to establish the public’s access to government information.

We call on the Government to expedite the review of the Public Gathering Bill so that the right to public assembly can be enjoyed without undue restraint. In the meantime, we urge the police to allow opposition parties to hold public rallies without interference. The right to peaceful assembly is a constitutional liberty that should be enjoyed all the time, not just during elections.

We welcome the decision by the Government to table before Parliament the long awaited Access to Information Bill. We recall that an Access to Information Bill was originally promised by the MMD in 1991 and a Draft Bill was even brought before parliament only for it to be withdrawn after protracted debate for consultation with other countries which had similar legislation’.

The PF government of 2011 also promised an ATI Act, and even produced a Draft Bill in 2012, but no Bill was ever put before parliament. We invite all Zambians to carefully read the latest Draft to ensure that it complies with international standards. We also remain hopeful that the UPND government will enact this long-awaited law that would increase government transparency.

4. Conclusion

We invite all Zambians to preserve the multi-party and democratic character of our State, to work hard for a better Zambia, and to safeguard our national identity of One Zambia One Nation by avoiding any form of tribal, political, or religious discrimination. And we urge all Zambians to work for peace for our nation.

President Hichilema Advocates for Economic Partnerships at Saudi-Africa Summit

Chief Editor
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President Hichilema Advocates for Economic Partnerships at Saudi-Africa Summit

During the inaugural Saudi-Africa Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, President Hakainde Hichilema highlighted Zambia’s wealth of natural and human resources, emphasizing the country’s vast potential for global partnerships in various economic sectors. The summit convened 53 African countries, aiming to foster collaboration between Saudi Arabia and Africa for social and economic advancement.

In his address, President Hichilema underlined the need for the summit to yield tangible economic and social benefits for both Africa and Saudi Arabia. He expressed gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its initiative to bolster cooperation with Africa, aligning with the continent’s efforts to engage diverse partners for mutual development.

President Hichilema at the Saudi Africa summit

The President emphasized Africa’s abundance of critical minerals crucial for future energy needs, as well as the continent’s untapped potential in agriculture that could significantly contribute to global food security. He also stressed the importance of investing in renewable energy, highlighting its potential for growth and the global shift toward green economies.

President Hichilema commended Saudi Arabia for its peacemaking endeavors within the Middle East and emphasized the need for lasting peace worldwide. He underscored that regional instabilities affect global economies and impede progress, drawing attention to ongoing conflicts such as those between Russia and Ukraine and the situation in Israel and Gaza. The President emphasized that resolving such conflicts is vital for global economic stability.

Hichilema reiterated Zambia’s commitment to fostering economic partnerships and attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). He highlighted Zambia’s strategic location as a land-linked country, offering potential trade and investment opportunities that could lead to job creation, particularly for the youth and women.

The President concluded his address by expressing optimism for Zambia’s economic future, assuring citizens that despite the challenges, the nation is poised for growth, and with unity and determination, brighter days are ahead.

The summit marks a significant moment for Africa and Saudi Arabia to forge alliances, utilizing shared resources and strengths for collective progress.

The Saudi-African summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia

Zambia To Host 5,000 International Delegates

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Zambia To Host 5,000 International Delegates

A significant global gathering is set to unfold this month as the third International Conference on Public Health in Africa (CPHIA) 2023 is anticipated to draw over five thousand delegates from across the world. Scheduled to commence from November 27th to 30th, 2023, the event is orchestrated by the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, hosting esteemed researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders in the field of public health.

The conference, taking place in Lusaka, aims to serve as a pivotal platform for the exchange of scientific insights, collaborative discussions on research, and concerted efforts towards securing a healthier future for Africa.

Acting Health Minister, Jack Mwiimbu, highlighted the significance of the conference as an opportunity to pool experiences and craft effective strategies in managing disease threats. He emphasized the integral role the conference will play in fortifying resilient health systems across the continent, recognizing the urgent need for unified action in the face of persisting health challenges.

During a ministerial statement to Parliament, Mr. Mwiimbu underscored the pressing need for the conference to prompt action within the local pharmaceutical sector. This action aims to foster innovation, seeking solutions for the long-standing infectious diseases that have been a persistent challenge across the African continent.

The upcoming CPHIA 2023 is anticipated to serve not only as a knowledge-sharing platform but also as a catalyst for actionable initiatives, bridging collaborative efforts towards advancing public health strategies and solutions in Africa.

HH walking the talk – Government Introduces Access to Information Bill 2023 in National Assembly

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HH walking the talk – Government Introduces Access to Information Bill 2023 in National Assembly

The introduction of the Access to Information (ATI) Bill in the National Assembly has been hailed as a pivotal step towards bolstering transparency within the nation, reflecting President Hakainde Hichilema’s commitment to accountability and openness.

Information and Media Minister, Cornelius Mweetwa, underscored the significance of President Hichilema’s dedication to enacting the ATI law. Mweetwa noted the President’s consistent advocacy for this legislation since 2006, emphasizing its importance, which prior administrations were hesitant to address.

Speaking in Lusaka shortly after presenting the Bill to parliament, Mweetwa lauded President Hichilema’s fearless pursuit of government transparency and accountability. He highlighted the President’s swift action in abolishing the law on defamation of the President immediately upon assuming office, underscoring the government’s dedication to fostering openness.

Mweetwa, also the Chief Government Spokesperson, assured the public that the long-awaited amendment to the Public Order Act would soon follow, once the remaining procedural steps are completed.

The ATI Bill, formally designated as N.A.B 24 of 2023, serves to establish the Human Rights Commission as an oversight body concerning matters linked to access to information. It aims to delineate citizens’ rights to access information while setting boundaries, instituting procedures for information requests, and aligning with international agreements, including the United Nations Convention against Corruption and the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights.

The Bill, presented for the first time in the House, has been referred to the Committee on Media, Information, and Communication Technologies. National Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon. Nelly Mutti, MP, has scheduled the Committee to present its report on the Bill on December 7, 2023.

Members of the public have been encouraged to provide submissions related to the Bill during the committee’s deliberations. The presentation of the Access to Information Bill stands as a substantial stride toward cultivating a culture of transparency and accountability, aligning with President Hichilema’s vision for a more open and participatory government in Zambia.

When “active politics” are not so active

Chief Editor
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When “active politics” are not so active

By Michael Chishala

Why is it that in Zambia we seem to have a great affinity for doing strange things? As already noted by other commentators, the government of Zambia holds two contradictory positions by recognising Mr Miles Sampa as PF president whilst simultaneously withdrawing Mr Edgar Lungu’s benefits because he (Lungu) has publicly declared that he has returned to active politics and resumed occupying the PF Presidency. This raises some interesting matters in an ongoing conundrum.

1. Does Mr Lungu declaring his return to “active politics” necessarily imply that his benefits should be withdrawn? Cabinet Office required a written letter from Mr Lungu stating that he had resigned as PF President (with the same letter attached) and was thus no longer in active politics for them to approve his benefits. So how come they apparently took a mere verbal announcement from Mr Lungu as a basis to withdraw his benefits?

2. The Benefits of Former Presidents Act defines what it means to be in “active politics” as holding elective or appointive office in a political party or an intention to do so. Does Mr Lungu announcing a return to “active politics” mean he is now suddenly magically holding office as PF President again? We all know that the PF Presidency is an elective office which he resigned from in 2021. Is Cabinet Office not supposed to ask him for proof that he is now PF President for them to withdraw his benefits? Since Mr Lungu has not been elected again as PF president after his resignation in 2021, what is the basis of withdrawing his benefits? Did he write to explicitly forfeit his benefits? Are we continuing the tradition of lawlessness in the civil service that PF perfected during their tenure?

3. The aforementioned Act has a very serious loophole on the definition of “active politics” by tying it to holding office or the intention to do so. What if Mr Lungu convinces his party that they should adopt him as PF candidate for 2026 but without him holding any official position in the party? According to the Act, he would be fully compliant, since he holds no position and does not intend to. But meanwhile he continues getting his benefits as former president at taxpayer expense as an opposition candidate while campaigning to be president again.

4. In 2015, late President Rupiah Banda attempted a political come-back by getting a rogue faction of the MMD National Executive Committee (NEC) to give him an adoption certificate as the MMD candidate for the 2015 presidential by-election, despite Mr Nevers Mumba being the sitting president of MMD after being elected in 2012 and thus the rightful candidate. Mr Banda was technically not in “active politics” by not holding any position in MMD, but was to all intents and purposes clearly in “active politics”. Is there anything more “active” in politics than running for Republican president? There was no announcement from Cabinet Office that his benefits were withdrawn and this demonstrates the absurdity of the Act. Taxpayers are effectively sponsoring an opposition person running for president.

The official position of the current government on the question of whether Mr Lungu possibly defrauded government by apparently pretending to have resigned as PF President seems to be that they will let sleeping dogs lie. They have left it to any concerned citizen to take the matter to court, despite the admission that there is credence to the potential allegations. This is quite shocking and disturbing from a government that prides itself on following rule of law. Imagine someone else writes to government and ends up being paid taxpayer money under false pretences. Would BOMA similarly wink at that or would they investigate and possibly prosecute to the fullest extent of the law?

From the foregoing inconsistencies and absurdities, it is very clear that The Benefits of Former Presidents Act needs to be repealed. The current president seems to support that and the former president made similar sounding statements when he was in Plot One. Why should a poor country be building a ridiculous 4 bed-roomed presidential house costing millions for an old man with grown children who has already earned plenty of money as President?

A sitting president earns around K700,000 per year with all his expenses paid for as president, not counting other allowances. He thus probably gets not less than K4 million after one 5 year term (never mind two) but we are busy wasting tax payer money to make an already rich man live like a medieval king. That is a pure travesty of morality when the majority of Zambians are wallowing in abject poverty.

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Michael Chishala is a Zambian analyst, blogger, and ICT Specialist. He has interests in Philosophy, Economics, Politics and Art. Email: michael [at] zambia [dot] co [dot] zm.

REFERENCES

Lusaka Times
Did Edgar Lungu defraud the Zambian Government?

Endorsing Lawlessness
Endorsing Lawlessness

News Diggers
Did Edgar Lungu defraud the Zambian Government?

There’s credence to arguments that Lungu obtained money by pecuniary advantage – Haimbe

Zambia Business Times

Presidential, ministerial & top public officers salaries revealed

Makwaza Handed Interim Reins At Power Dynamos

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FAZ Super Division champions Power Dynamos have announced the appointment of Linos Makwaza Senior as interim head coach following the departure of Mwenya Chipepo.

Chipepo resigned as Power coach last week citing alleged differences with some members of the club management.

In a statement on Friday, Power confirmed the promotion of Makwaza from the position of assistant coach to interim head coach.

Songwe Chalwe and Emmanuel Chimpinde will be serving as interim First Assistant and Second
Assistant coaches, respectively.

Power have since thanked Chipepo for guiding the club to winning the league title last season.

“Power Dynamos Football Club (PDFC) wishes to notify its stakeholders that it has parted ways with Head Coach, Mr. Mwenya Chipepo, subsequent to his resignation on 29 October 2023.Effective immediately, the Club has appointed Mr. Linos Makwaza Senior as interim Head Coach, with Mr. Songwe Chalwe and Emmanuel Chimpinde serving as interim First Assistant and Second Assistant coaches, respectively.”

“Other members of the technical bench will maintain their respective positions.The Club would like to express its heartfelt appreciation to Mr. Chipepo for his contributions, particularly in leading it to a 5th place finish in the 2021-2022 Football Season and ultimately securing the victory in the 2022-2023 MTN Super League Championship.The Club further wishes him well in his future endeavours,” the statement read.

What makes “marginalization” a critical issue? (Part 3) 

Chief Editor
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What makes “marginalization” a critical issue? (Part 3) 

 
By Mussie Delelegn Arega1 

Fostering diversity dividends 

The same as business, trade and economic development, ethnic diversity can be a powerful tool, if properly harnessed, to address our collective underdevelopment and backwardness.  Diversity dividend is a synergetic gain for all, which can only be achieved by harnessing the caliber and talents of everyone in a society to maximize societal gains without labels of ethnicity, language, caste, or religion. Building public institutions for inclusive governance and prosperity, is vital to harness diverse assets and resources as well as multiple identities to maximize development outcomes and social welfare while minimizing risks of marginalization, uncertainty, and conflicts. Bridging ethnolinguistic and religious gaps in multiethnic nations is critical for socioeconomic development and for the formation of social or national capital as opposed to ethnic capital. 

As we learn from the extensive essays contained in “From the Rubble”, there was a tendency to denigrate social justice, moral or ethical values as “Western ploy” to undermine socialism and communism which are the desirable ethos of Soviet Russia. There was rampant denialism of the importance of these values and societal norms to foster solidarity among the various peoples and regions of the Soviet Union. SSA, which has been consistently lamenting about its continued marginalization in global trade, investment, and output as well as the global systems of governance, cannot afford entertaining marginalization based on ethnolinguistic and religious grounds. As much as the sub-region demands progressive and beneficial integration into the global economy, it must ensure inclusive political narratives and system of governance by developing a “diversity framework or architecture”. Before demanding equality, equity and distributive justice from the global economy and governance architecture, countries in SSA should first strive to grant these to their own population under inclusive political narratives and development agenda.  They should stop demanding equality and social justice from the global north while they are denying the same social values to a large portion of their own population.  Domestically unified political and development agenda is key for SSA’s regional and global integration.  

Therefore, fostering inclusive politics and maximizing diversity dividend must be part of the development policies and strategies of SSA. This is because that development does not know ethnolinguistic and religious identities. Nor do global warming and environmental disasters. These are collective challenges nationally, regionally, and globally that can only be addressed and resolved collectively. Therefore, SSA’s economic viability and relevance requires a change from the current dominant paradigm of zero-sum-game towards win-win paradigm, which fosters and maximizes diversity dividend. One ought to pay tribute to white South-Africans who not only participated in anti-apartheid demonstrations but also joined the struggle for free and equal South Africa. The global movement of “Black Lives Matter”, which drew colorless congregations and demonstrations worldwide as well as the mass anger and demonstrations in France on the wake of the killings of a French national of Arab origin by the country’s policeman deserve recognition. All these positive occurrences and movements reaffirm that solidarity and unity in diversity are the only cures to our myriads of socioeconomic, environmental, and political problems. As much as multiracial societies endeavor to foster solidarity dividend, SSA must strive to address ethnic divisions, marginalization, and interethnic conflict by fostering diversity dividend to the benefit of “the sum of us” instead of “some of us”.   

Conclusions and the way forward 

The key messages from this piece are that: (a) socioeconomic underdevelopment, backwardness and inability to meet basic needs as well as the need to break multiple dependency syndromes (traps) of SSA require unifying political narratives; (b) SSA should multiply and enhance collective actions and efforts centered on ethnolinguistic and religious plurality, harmony and equality to reverse its marginalization in global trade, investment, output and decision-making processes; (c) political leadership and educated elites of SSA have primary responsibilities to reeducate the public to reset moral values and mindsets towards collective development and social (national) capital formation, away from ethnic capital formation;  (d) foster  cross-ethnic communication to harness diversity’s dividend by ensuring equal access to productive resources, quality education, health infrastructure, including electricity, ICTs;  (e) ethnic identity based narratives should not take away common value systems and undermine unity in diversity, shared history and common destiny; and (f) SSA’s development policies must factor  ways and means of  ensuring inclusive growth by fostering public institutions that remove distortions and  differentiation (discrimination)  based on ethnicity, language or creed. Conversely, erroneous political narratives should not divert the attention of policymakers and the public at large away from addressing collective challenges and multiple deprivation rampant in SSA. 

Building on these key messages and with the view to harnessing diversity dividend the following concrete steps and measures are necessary: 

First, there should be an acknowledgement or recognition that ethnic identity- based politics lead to marginalization and exclusion of many others in vital decision-making processes. There should also be a wider consensus that marginalization leads to inequality, policy distortions, grievances and cycles of protracted conflicts which are among the biggest barriers to socioeconomic revival, growth, transformation, and development. Ignoring or denying the devastating impacts of marginalization for long may lead to terrible consequences to societies at large, including those perceived to be exclusively benefiting from ethnic identity-based political narratives and systems. 

Second, there should be well-informed, conscious, transparent, and accountable processes to foster solidarity and collective commitments of citizens, as well as foster institutionalized mechanisms to permanently address inter-ethnic tensions and grievances. This is fundamental because the consequences of identity-based politics are too complex, dangerous, and colossal for the public institutions alone to effectively address them. Although governments have primary responsibilities, addressing ethnic fragmentation, polarization and   consequential devastating conflicts requires actions from all stakeholders at all levels (national, sub-regional, regional and global levels). 

Third, decisively break the link between political leadership (and state machinery) and ethnic entrepreneurships. This is because such an undesirable bondage can pose enormous challenges for building consensus and forging public alliances against ethnic divisions and ethnic-based political narratives.  Ethnic entrepreneurs and profiteering “prophets” are culprits of unbalanced distribution of resources and unfettered access to productive resources. These happen often at the expense of their own ethnolinguistic and religious groups or other competing ethnic groups, gradually building mistrust between states and the public at large. Studies and empirical evidence provide incontrovertible evidence that ethnic entrepreneurs are behind further ethnic fractionalization. They use all available channels, including formal & informal organizations, religious associations, village elders and self-help grassroots as main vehicles of self-enrichment. They can be dangerously powerful to the political establishments to manage or control them. They can also be costly to societies in economic, political, and social terms as they wield enormous powers that may lead to a feeling of marginalization by those who are not benefiting as much or at all. They even go as far as deliberately damaging the reputation of the political machinery to create fear and a sense of “divide and rule” among the public at large.  

Fourth, there must be deliberate policies and clear rules and regulations to guarantee equal access of citizens to productive resources, education, health, infrastructure, institutionalized incentives, and capital.  Not only publicly funded projects and institutions but also private projects and programmes financed through public-private partnerships (PPPs) should provide public goods without discrimination based on ethnolinguistic or religious labels. 

Fifth, political and public discourses, educational systems (including at higher institutions of learning), research and development (R&D) institutions, formal and informal organizations must espouse civic duties. This paves the way for fostering cross-ethnic communication, mutual coexistence, and social cohesion. Zero-sum-game approaches centered on self-enrichment and “exclusionary preferences” will not be sustainable in the long-run.  Governments of SSA must seek ways and means of addressing social injustice, inequality, and inequity. They also need to develop legal and institutional mechanisms to effectively deal with   ethnic-based diatribes, incitation and hatemongering particularly by political leaders, officials including army and security personnel, ideologues, exclusionist elites including academic or policy advisors, and, more importantly, ethnic entrepreneurs. 

Sixth, governments of SSA should play a leading role and assume primary responsibilities to create enabling conditions to foster interethnic communication, cultural exchanges and social (national) capital. They should devise policies and strategies to fight social fragmentation, marginalization, and exclusion. This should be done with the view to reducing risks and uncertainties facing citizens at large without ethnolinguistic or religious differentiation. They must also foster public institutions and administration by favoring meritocracy, expertise, and competence in the delivery of public goods and services eliminating ethnic-based and quota-driven career systems. They should not let their primordial policymaking functions and institutional authorities be overtaken or undermined by profiteering hypnotizers who use extreme poverty for the objectives of extortion and extraction of scarce public resources. This is key in rebuilding vibrant and capable state institutions as well as in regaining public confidence and trust in political governance.  Fostering public trust and confidence in political leadership is critically important to the management of economic resources and facilitates social cohesion and coexistence among the various social, religious, linguistics or ethnic groups. 

Finally (seventh), there is an urgent need for SSA to harness the potential of its own intellectuals, academic, researchers, scientific and technical communities (at home and in diaspora). These can serve as the source of knowledge, expertise, and experience for policymaking to achieve inclusive development. There are citizens of the sub-region working in reputed global innovation labs, cutting-edge technological centers such as Silicon Valley, prestigious universities, and world-class research global institutions. These vital competences and resources, if systematically harnessed can change socioeconomic and political dynamics of SA for the better. Ignoring or undermining such untapped capital for a long time can be fatalistic or detrimental to the overall progress of the sub-region. 
 

Republican debate: Trump conspicuous by his absence for markets

Chief Editor
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Republican debate: Trump conspicuous by his absence for markets

Despite former President Donald Trump, who has a significant lead in national and early state polls, skipping the third Republican primary debate, the prospect of him securing victory over incumbent President Joe Biden is capturing the attention of investors worldwide.

Five candidates took the stage: former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott.

Missing was front-runner Donald Trump, who instead hosted an evet not far away, in Hialeah, Florida.

Global financial markets, always focused on the intersection of politics and economics, is poised for a “dynamic response” should Trump return to the Oval Office, says Nigel Green, the CEO of deVere Group, one of the world’s largest independent financial advisory, asset management and fintech organizations.

He comments: “Whether you support him or not, there are both positives and negatives of a Trump re-run for markets.”

One of the key factors driving market sentiment is the legacy of Trump’s previous term.

His administration, characterized by pro-business policies, such as tax cuts and deregulation, created a bullish market environment.

“Investors responded favorably to initiatives aimed at stimulating economic growth, and a return to Trump’s presidency could reignite optimism, particularly in sectors sensitive to regulatory changes,” asserts the deVere Group CEO.

However, the road ahead is not without its challenges. Trump’s past inclination towards trade wars, notably with China, injected volatility and uncertainty into global markets.

“A second Trump term could reignite concerns about protectionist measures, trade tensions, and geopolitical instability. Investors would likely find themselves recalibrating risk exposures as the spectre of renewed tariff battles looms large on the horizon.”

He continues: “The unpredictability associated with Trump’s governance style is another factor that may impact market dynamics. His ‘America First’ policy, marked by unilateral decision-making, challenged established norms of multilateral cooperation.

“The potential resurgence of this approach also raises questions about the future of international relations and could introduce geopolitical tensions, prompting market participants to re-evaluate their risk strategies.”

Domestically, his administration’s business-friendly policies are expected to receive a favorable reception in certain sectors, concerns about social and political stability could temper market enthusiasm.

“No question that Trump’s polarizing rhetoric and divisive governance style could exacerbate domestic tensions, with potential consequences for market sentiment,” says Nigel Green.

The Federal Reserve could also be expected to recalibrate its monetary policy in response to changes in the political landscape.

The deVere CEO explains: “If a Trump victory is expected to lead to a considerable increase in economic activity and inflationary pressures, the Fed could consider gradually raising interest rates again to prevent overheating and excessive inflation.”

He concludes: “Trump was, again, conspicuous by his absence at the debate.

“For investors around the world, while he was out of sight on that stage, he was certainly not out of mind. Far from it.”

Zambia Chamber of Mines Discredits Misinformation on Risk Allowances Amidst DRC Truck Driver Protests

Chief Editor
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Zambia Chamber of Mines Discredits Misinformation on Risk Allowances Amidst DRC Truck Driver Protests

The Zambia Chamber of Mines has responded to recent protests by truck drivers in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) over alleged risk allowances for the transportation of mineral loads. The chamber has issued a statement in response to viral social media misinformation, clarifying that no risk allowances are being paid to Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) based trucking companies moving goods for the mines in the DRC.

The Truckers Association of Zambia (TAZ) brought the issue to the attention of the Chamber of Mines, highlighting misinformed claims circulating on social media. The false information alleges that mining companies in the DRC are paying a risk allowance ranging from $500 to $700 per load to SADC-based trucking companies.

The Chamber of Mines, standing by TAZ’s press release from November 8, 2023, categorically denies the existence of any risk allowance for transporters moving mineral loads within the SADC region, particularly those serving its member mines, which constitute the bulk of Zambian production.

Sokwani Chilembo, the Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber of Mines, emphasized that the social media posts inciting mass action based on these false claims are nothing more than fake news and should be ignored. Chilembo urged all queries and clarifications to be directed through the contracted companies that are members of the Truckers Association, emphasizing adherence to the laws of the Republic of Zambia governing the terms of driver engagement.

Zambian law, Chilembo clarified, does not include provisions for any such risk allowances for drivers, and any mass action based on this misinformation would be deemed illegal. The Chamber of Mines echoed the Truckers Association’s call for calm in the transport industry, emphasizing the fragility of the mining sector’s recovery and the potential harm that illegal work stoppages could inflict.

In light of the challenging production landscape in 2023, the Chamber of Mines expressed the hope that transporters and their driver teams will disregard calls for disruptive actions and continue to work without incident in the national interest. The mining sector seeks cooperation and stability to navigate the ongoing challenges and contribute to Zambia’s economic recovery.

Mining Production Decline Contributes to Weakening Kwacha, Says Copperbelt Economist

Chief Editor
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Mining Production Decline Contributes to Weakening Kwacha, Says Copperbelt Economist

Copperbelt based economist Manase Siwila believes declining production in the mining sector is contributing to the weakening of the local currency Kwacha.

The Kwacha on Thursday morning breached the K23 barrier when trading between K23.00 and K22.57 against one dollar.

Major mining firms Konkola Copper Mines, Mopani Copper Mines and Chambishi Metals have not operated at full capacity for over three years.

Mr. Siwila has bemoaned the weakening of the Kwacha against major currencies such as the US Dollar.

Siwila notes that the weak Kwacha shows that the local economy was struggling.

He proposed that increasing exports and reducing externalization of funds by foreign investors can help to stabilise the Kwacha.

“Check the productivity levels, they are so low. The production in the mining sector that we all know helps have foreign exchange into our country seems not to be on the right track in terms of production,” Mr. Siwila noted.

He continued:”Remember we are an importing country, for that matter we seem to have too many imports as compared to exports this in itself has weakened the Kwacha. The weakening of the Kwacha is not good for the economy. This is why the cost of living is on the higher side because we have a lot of money that is being externalized.

Mr. Siwila concluded:”We need to increase production in order to arrest the weakening of the Kwacha. We need to attract more foreign currencies.”

President Hakainde Hichilema Attends Inaugural Saudi-Africa Summit

Chief Editor
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President Hakainde Hichilema Attends Inaugural Saudi-Africa Summit

President Hakainde Hichilema has safely arrived in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, ahead of the first Saudi-African Summit scheduled for Friday. In a statement President Hichilema expressed gratitude for the invitation from His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and outlined the purpose of Zambia’s representation at the summit.

In his message, President Hichilema underscored the importance of showcasing Zambia’s abundant natural and human resources at the summit. The aim is to illustrate the country’s commitment to turning around its economy through hard work and dedication. The President emphasized that every step taken during this diplomatic mission is focused on the development needs of the youth and women in various parts of Zambia, including Kashinakazhi, Chipulukusu, Shangombo, Chief Kambombo area, Egichickeni, and other areas requiring significant development.

“We are committed to ensuring that we bring this to fruition,” President Hichilema stated, highlighting his dedication to uplifting communities that are in need of development.

President Hichilema expressed appreciation to King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud for the invitation and thanked fellow Zambians for their prayers, concluding his message with a heartfelt wish for God’s blessings on the country.

Additionally, President Hichilema stated that the summit’s theme, “A Promising Partnership,” aligns seamlessly with Zambia’s vision of fostering development through sustainable alliances with foreign investors and the Zambian private sector. The President aims to leverage the nation’s resource endowment and prioritize value addition within the country, contributing significantly to economic growth and development.

On the sidelines of the summit, President Hichilema is expected to engage in bilateral discussions with His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al, the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. These discussions are poised to further strengthen the diplomatic ties between Zambia and Saudi Arabia and explore opportunities for mutual cooperation.

Tinted cosmetics makes history at MTC Windhoek Fashion week

Chief Editor
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Tinted cosmetics makes history at MTC Windhoek Fashion week

Tinted Cosmetics, the proudly Zambian makeup brand known for innovation and commitment to enhancing beauty, is proud to announce that it was the main makeup sponsor at the prestigious MTC Windhoek Fashion Week, which took place from November 1st to 4th, 2023, marking a significant milestone in the brand’s history.

Tinted Cosmetics was the first Zambian makeup brand to take center stage at the MTC Windhoek Fashion Week, one of the most anticipated and celebrated events in the fashion industry. This partnership showcases Tinted Cosmetics’ dedication to supporting African fashion and beauty on a global scale.

MTC Windhoek Fashion Week is a platform for emerging and established fashion designers from Namibia and across Africa, has gained international recognition for its commitment to showcasing African talent and creativity. The brand’s involvement in this prestigious event signifies a powerful collaboration between two leading forces in African beauty and fashion.

Tinted Cosmetics is widely renowned for its high-quality products that cater to diverse skin tones and types. Their mission is to celebrate and enhance the natural beauty of every individual. By taking on the role of the makeup sponsor at the MTC Windhoek Fashion Week, Tinted Cosmetics is not only highlighting the brand’s excellence but also promoting the message of inclusivity and empowerment in the beauty industry.

Founder and CEO, Christina Sakala, expressed her excitement about this historic moment, saying, “We are thrilled to be a part of the MTC Windhoek Fashion Week, and we are proud to represent Zambia on such a prominent stage. Our brand has always been about inclusion and we are just getting started; it’s both monumental and encouraging us to be able to showcase our brand on this stage. This partnership is a testament to our commitment to celebrating beauty in all its forms.”

As a makeup sponsor, Tinted Cosmetics provided the makeup products and expertise that were needed to create stunning looks that complemented the fashion designs on the runway. This partnership signifies a significant step forward in building bridges between countries within the African fashion and beauty industries.

“Sonder” unveiled : Tim’s 21-track debut album

Entertainment Editor
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“Sonder” unveiled : Tim’s 21-track debut album

Tim Sonder

Zambian rapper and songwriter Tim Chisenga, professionally known as ‘Tim’ has finally dropped his highly anticipated debut album, “Sonder.” With 21 tracks featuring a diverse lineup of artists spanning both seasoned and emerging talents in the Zambian music scene, Tim has curated a sonic masterpiece that transcends generational boundaries. The album, named after the concept of “sonder” – the realization that everyone has a complex and vivid life – offers a profound and diverse musical journey, exploring themes of love, pain, resilience, and the intricacies of the human experience.

Boasting a lineup of industry heavyweights like Chef 187, Pompi, Abel Musukwa Chungu, Tio Nason, Jae Cash, and more, this album showcases a convergence of distinct talents. The collaborative synergy among these artists elevates the album, ensuring it stands out and creates ripples in the music scene.

‘SONDER’ album out now:

applemusic:

Spotify:

Youtube:

 

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