Education Minister Douglas Syakalima has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to its free education policy, stating it was established to ensure universal access and place education at the center of the national development agenda.

Speaking during the handover of 60 desks donated by Zanaco Bank at Kabanana Primary School in Lusaka, Hon. Syakalima emphasized that national development across all sectors depends on a strong educational foundation.

The desks are the first installment under Zanaco’s 60×60 Programme, launched to commemorate Zambia’s 60th Independence Anniversary. The initiative will see 3,600 desks donated to 60 schools across all 10 provinces.

Hon. Syakalima described education as the cornerstone of Zambia’s development and the basis for building a prosperous society. He stated that while the government is taking measures to ensure quality education, partnerships with the private sector are essential.

“Today’s event is a shining example of such collaboration. Zanaco’s commitment… demonstrates true corporate citizenship and aligns perfectly with our national priorities,” he said.

Zanaco Chief Financial Officer, Kalaluka Itwi, reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to supporting education, linking the donation to their ‘You First’ promise. He highlighted other initiatives, including providing bicycles and reusable pads to schoolgirls and building classroom blocks.

Kabanana Primary School Head Teacher, Bernadette Masumba, expressed gratitude for the donation, noting it will significantly improve the learning environment for pupils.

The United Nations Populations Fund (UNFPA) has rehabilitated the Gender Based Violence (GBV) One Stop Center at Petauke District Hospital of Eastern Province.

The center, aimed at enhancing access to anti-GBV services, was rehabilitated at a cost of more than K400, 000.

The media reports that speaking when she graced the commissioning of the facility that coincided with the commemoration of the 16 days of activism against Gender Based Violence (GBV), Petauke District Commissioner, Martha Mulenga, who was represented by the District Administrative Officer, Vincent Chibuye, appreciated UNFPA for the timely investment that will better the health outcomes of GBV survivors.

“I must take this opportunity on behalf of government to express our gratitude for the support rendered by UNFPA in the tune of over K400,000 that had made it possible for the one stop GBV center to be built,” she said.

Ms Mulenga further appealed to the public not to relent in the fight against GBV.

“I wish to echo my appeal to you all, please do not relent in your effort to fight GBV, together we can make Petauke District and the republic of Zambia free from GBV,” she said.

Meanwhile, UNFPA Program Analyst for Eastern Province, Nicholas Malapa, said his institution remained committed to supplementing the government’s efforts in the fight against GBV.

“As UNFPA we are committed to ensure that we support the fight against GBV. That’s why we work with the government through the Ministry of Health and Petauke Town Council to renovate this One Stop Center that we are officially opening today.

“So this one stop center will provide a range of services from psychological issues, they will do counseling and they will also provide some of the clinical services just to ensure that survivors of GBV heal from the trauma they experienced through the process,” he said.

And Petauke District Hospital Administrator, Eva Mukonka, appreciated the gesture as it will go a long way in championing the wellbeing of GBV victims.

The Apostle Council of Churches (ACOC) have commemorated their 50th Golden jubilee Celebration at the Zambia Airforce (ZAF) Chamba Valley Mess in Lusaka today.

In a speech read on his behalf by the Minister of Science and Technology, Felix Mutati, President Hakainde Hichilema said the event is a celebration of faith, resilience and unity in the country.

The media reports that President Hichilema noted that the council has promoted and preserved the country’s national values and principles.

“The council has been dependable in promoting peace and spiritual guidance instilled in our constitution,” he said.

President Hichilema further indicated that the government remains committed to working with the church in fostering a society anchored on righteousness, integrity and hard work.

He added that the Apostle Council of Churches does not only play a vital role in spiritual growth but also helps in youth empowerment and social welfare.

Meanwhile, ACOC President, Evans Kapinga, thanked the government for support and indicated that the council has been a beacon of hope, making a positive impact in communities.

“We thank the government for their efforts to support the council in its operations,” he said.

Apostle Dr Kapinga has further urged council members to refrain from politicising the church as it should only be used to preach love and unity.

And ACOC Vice President, Apostle Elington Ingo, said the celebration marks the divine essence and purpose of the council.

The Apostle Council of Churches celebrated their 50th Anniversary under the theme ‘Serving God with Purpose’.

Christian Foundation for National Development (CFND) has donated 20 garbage bins to Lilayi Police Training College, in a bid to promote proper waste disposal through increased access to dumping places.

Speaking at the event, Lilayi Police Training College, Commissioner of Police, Mubita Nawa, says the garbage bins will contribute to the principle of cleanliness, which is an integral part of life for all the police officers.

Speaking at the same event, Christian Foundation for National Development Director, Mike Siapengwa says that development starts with the community, which underscores the importance of youth’s participation in development projects.

Mr Siapenga added that he is hopeful that the donation will be a reminder that every small effort contributes to a cleaner country and a more disciplined and proud police service.

Meanwhile, Heavenly Culture, World Peace, World Peace Restoration of Light (HWPL) International Liaison, Eustace Bae, who partnered with CFND, added that the gesture is in line with his organisation’s project of a Crime Free Zone Lusaka.

He added that the project is based on a broken window theory, which asserts that disorder in the environment has an effect on crime rates as the people feel that the area is not being taken care of.

Mr Bae added that when the youths drive change, everyone can make a difference in the community.

COMESA member states have been called to focus their energies on harnessing digitalisation by building a deep resilient and competitive regional value chain.

Vice President Mutale Nalumango says member countries should move with speed to achieve the digitalisation process.

Mrs Nalumango encouraged the private sector to construct world-class digital infrastructure, regional data centres, modernise the transport corridor and also invest in cloud services.

The media reports that the Vice President said this today in a speech read on her behalf by Minister of Defense, Ambrose Lufuma during the 46th COMESA Council of Ministers Meeting in Lusaka.

Mr Nalumango explained that digital corridors remain imperative and competitive in this modern era.

On intra-COMESA trade, Mrs Nalumango underscored the need for robust interventions and reliance on frontier technologies to strengthen existing trade facilitation instruments.

Mrs Nalumango said to enhance trade efficiency and predictability, COMESA has made decisive strides in embracing digitalisation and trade facilitation to overcome bottlenecks in integration.

She however, said Africa cannot develop through over reliance on its developing partners.

She stressed that developing partners have got their own priorities hence the need for every member to reflect on how it can start funding its own activities through the implementation of the market levy in accordance with the COMESA Treaty.

And Council of Minister Chairperson Amon Murwira said member states must strive to industrialize COMESA.

Professor Murwira, who is Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in the Republic of Zimbabwe, called for building a viable and strong regional body through collective efforts.

Meanwhile, COMESA Secretary General Chileshe Kapwepwe said COMESA continues to advance the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme, providing crucial technical support to Comoros, Eritrea, Seychelles and Zambia in formulating and implementing the National Agriculture and Food Security Investment Plans.

Ms Kapwepwe disclosed that a digital Regional Food Balance Sheet platform is being implemented to strengthen access to vital agricultural data.

She highlighted that infrastructure remains the backbone for regional integration adding that COMESA has commenced the preparatory work on the implementation of the Tripartite Transport and Transit Facilitation Programme (TTTFP) which is anchored on harmonising road transport laws, standards, and transit regimes,

On energy, she said the regional bloc is implementing the U$D 10 million Regional Infrastructure Finance Facility (RIFF) Project financed by the World Bank on accelerating sustainable and clean energy access.

Passing a vote of thanks, Seychelles’ Minister of Foreign Affairs Barry Faure is hopeful that the deliberations of the meeting would translate into tangible results.

Ambassador Faure reaffirmed COMESA’s shared commitment to harness the vast potential of the region and to foster economic development to benefit the people.

The Council of Ministers is being held under the theme,” Leveraging Digitalisation to Deepen Regional Value Chains for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth.”