Department of National Guidance and Religious Affairs Assistant Director Godfrey Kaoma has challenged Christians in the country to ensure their faith reflects in their behavior, beyond the Christian nation declaration.

He has noted that despite Zambia having been declared a Christian Nation, moral vices such as hate speech and decisive behaviour have continued among some sections of society.

Mr Kaoma has stressed that it is therefore important for Christians in Zambia to not only read but also reflect on the word of God, allowing it to transform their lives for the better.

The Director said this during an Interdenominational Bible Reading Marathon, at the United Church of Zambia (UCZ) Saint Paul’s congregation in Lusaka.

“My dear fellow Christians, as we read the Bible in the next three days, we are all challenged to let the word of God transform us, so that that declaration of the Christian nation can make sense”, he emphasised.

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS, on the sidelines of the event, Salvation Army Church Territorial Secretary for Spiritual Life Development, Brenda Critch commended the government for actively participating in the Bible Reading Marathon.

Lieutenant Colonel Critch added that it is impressive to see a country dedicate three days to reading the Bible and encouraging its people to get back to the word of God.

And in a separate interview, Seventh Day Adventist Church Southern Zambia Union Conference Ministerial Secretary, Silas Chabala emphasised the importance of having a leadership, guided by the Bible in order to promote integrity in the country.

“If we are going to have a people and nation of integrity, we need to have a leadership well vested in the word of God to guide all plans, strategies and policies. This marathon should serve as a precursor to what should be obtained in the nation daily”, Dr Chabala said.

The National Bible Reading Marathon was launched on October 7, 2025 and officially kicked off by Vice President, Mutale Nalumango.

Minister of Technology and Science Felix Mutati has reaffirmed government’s commitment to driving inclusive innovation and technology growth across the country, as Zambia prepares to host Its Kopala 2025 Innovation and Technology Summit on the Copperbelt in November this year.

Speaking during Its Kopala 2025, Innovation and Technology Summit media briefing in Lusaka, Mr Mutati said the event aims to bring together over 500 participants from across Zambia’s startup and innovation ecosystem including founders, investors, academia and private sector partners.

He said the initiative, spearheaded by the National Technology Business Centre (NTBC) and the Finnish Government builds on the success of last year’s inaugural Innovation and Technology Summit Zambia (ITS-Zed), which has now evolved into a regional platform that promotes collaboration, investment and homegrown innovation.

“ITS-Kopala is riding on our ministry’s mandate to promote innovation, it will bring together the public and private sector startups, founders, investors and ecosystem enablers under one roof, in order to drive Zambia’s digital and technological transformation”, he said.

Mr Mutati commended NTBC and the Finnish Government for adhering to his earlier policy directive to make the summit an annual and inclusive event and for taking it to the Copperbelt Province this year.

“You have demonstrated inclusion by taking this event to Copperbelt”, he said.

He highlighted that through the Support from NTBC, the government has forged strategic partnerships with innovation hubs, academic institutions, investors and private sector players through Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at supporting startups and innovators.

Meanwhile, the Finnish Ambassador to Zambia Saana Halinen says that her country is excited to support all Zambian start-ups innovators and entrepreneurs.

” We support the development and growth of the impact of investment ecosystems in Zambia and display Zambia as an Investment destination for both national and international investors”, she said.

She further encouraged diverse participation from different stakeholders, groups, saying innovation and technology benefits all individuals, ages, origins and social classes.

National Technology Business Centre (NTBC) Director Hachoombwa Ng’andu noted that stakeholders should collaborate in order to achieve and promote start-up innovators, that will offer digital solutions countrywide.

He has since reaffirmed that NTBC will work with government and other stakeholders in order to achieve its mandate to facilitate technology.

Catholic Priest Fr. Andrew Chewe Mukosa says increasing Constituency Development Fund (CDF) allocation without putting up proper monitoring mechanism by the Government is tantamount to increasing corruption.

In the 2026 National Budget, the Government has pronounced that CDF allocation per constituency has been increased to K40, 000, 000.

Speaking in his capacity as Director of Dignitatis Humanae Social Teacher, Fr Mukosa said increasing CDF allocation to K40, 000,000 per constituency will mean nothing without proper monitoring strategies on the ground.

In his budget analysis, Fr. Mukosa, of St. Francis Catholic Church in Kapesha, Mansa challenged leaders to visit grassroots to check the utilisation of CDF on the ground.

“Regardless of how much CDF is increased it does not make much sense without proper monitoring. Most of this money is landing in wrong hands, corruption is on the increase. Even if CDF is increased to K40 million. It will not help because our leadership today is now more digital than factual, meaning it’s more about pronouncements to gain mileage while ignoring what’s on the ground. The increased CDF will mean nothing without monitoring on the ground,” Fr. Mukosa said.

“All our MPS are in Lusaka, most of them don’t visit their constituencies and yet they have the audacity to debate issues in parliament. They debate issues without facts. Here in rural areas the story is different, we don’t see CDF projects as depicted up there. Come down to us and empower us where we are. This is the cry of the youths I am talking to,” he said.

“You know it’s different now, when President Michael Chilufya Sata was in power, he used to visit local initiatives, our leadership now is glued to the comfort of their offices and luxurious homes and hotels, they don’t visit shanty compounds, markets and deep rural areas to find out what people are going through. Our leadership only visits people when they campaign and are looking for people’s vote to get the power.”

On the national power deficit, Fr. Mukosa said the Government should stop power exports until it meets domestic demand.

“Let us stop the export of power and empower our country’s initiatives especially the youths whose businesses such as barber shops, welding, metal fabrication are non functional. I appreciate the efforts that are being made toward the energy sector that is very impressive,” he said.

Meanwhile, Fr. Mukosa said the issue of amending the republican constitution is an important matter.

“Please leave the constitution alone at the moment; it is not a critical issue, look at it when you bounce back to power. They are critical issues however, such as food security in our country focus on that, issues such as the street kids pathology focus on that, the dilapidated roads in our country focus on that, issues of unemployment, focus on that. Lastly, the best thing is to move around and monitor projects, be with the people who need your presence, I have the capacity to talk on behalf of the people because I am always with them. Our leadership should move,” Fr. Mukosa concluded.

The COMESA Competition Commission (CCC) has fined Zambia Airways Limited 2 percent of its total annual turnover for unfair treatment of passengers.

This marks a major consumer protection action with direct implications for Zambia’s aviation industry.

The penalty follows a detailed investigation into an August 2024 complaint in which four passengers missed their connecting flights after a Zambia Airways plane from Livingstone to Lusaka was delayed for over six hours.

The airline reportedly declined to assist the stranded passengers with reconnections, meals, or accommodation, leaving them to bear the costs of their disrupted travel plans.

Announcing the decision during a press briefing in Nairobi, COMESA Competition Commission Chief Executive Officer Willard Mwemba described the airline’s conduct as “unconscionable” and a clear breach of Article 28(1) of the COMESA Competition Regulations.

Mr Mwemba said the behaviour demonstrated “unfair practices and disregard for legitimate consumer grievances,” contrary to the aviation sector’s code of practice.

He explained that the COMESA Competition Commission has also fined Kenya Airways for similar but unrelated circumstances where travelling masses’ rights were infringed upon without taking into consideration operating procedures to align with regional consumer protection standards or indeed, any redress to compensate affected passengers.

“The decision comes amid growing concern over passenger welfare within the Common Market, particularly in the case of Zambia, Kenya and other COMESA Member States.

Airline-related complaints ranging from delays, cancellations, and overbookings to lost or damaged baggage, had surged sharply over the past year, with over 70 percent of affected passengers receiving no compensation or redress,” Dr. Mwemba disclosed.

Dr. Mwemba added that the Commission has initiated a region-wide enforcement effort, issuing new guidelines that require airlines to offer compensation ranging from USD 250 to USD 600 depending on flight distance, and to provide meals, accommodation, and re-routing options in the event of flight disruptions.

“Airlines operating in the COMESA region, including Zambia Airways and foreign carriers such as Kenya Airways and Ethiopian Airlines, must now comply with these passenger protection standards,” he said.

Dr. Mwemba stressed that, “Consumers deserve fairness, dignity, and accountability”.

The Commission’s press briefing, attended by over 33 journalists from various member states, further highlighted on Zambia’s broader market interests, including its oversight of anti-competitive practices by other major global firms such as Diageo Plc which has equally been ordered to amend its distribution contracts in Zambia and Eswatini after being found guilty of restrictive market arrangements.

These interventions, Dr. Mwemba emphasized, are part of COMESA’s continued efforts to ensure fair trade and consumer protection across the region’s 21 Member States.

Zambia, which hosted the Commission’s second press conference in 2024, in Livingstone, remains a key partner in COMESA’s regional integration and competition enforcement framework.

“We are strengthening cooperation with Zambian authorities and stakeholders to build a competitive, transparent, and consumer-friendly market,” Dr. Mwemba added.

The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to protecting passengers and consumers across the region while promoting fair business practices that support economic growth and integration within the region.

Dr. Mwemba has since urged media in the region to assist the Commission in raising awareness among citizens in the COMESA Region and beyond, over anti-competitive business environments not only in the aviation sector but in several other businesses that affect consumers directly and indirectly.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mulambo Haimbe, has described the 24th Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Summit of Heads of State and Government held in Nairobi, Kenya today as successful.

Mr Haimbe adds that COMESA has further issued a communique pointing out areas of agreement during the deliberations.

The Minister, who represented President Hakainde Hichilema at the event, said key take away is the COMESA member states’ joint approach to the issue of capital which is crucial to Zambia and the entire organisation.

“We of course appreciate and understand the need for international financial architecture but also the key point is what we are doing ourselves for the institutions that we already have in COMESA and on the African continent,” he noted.

Mr Haimbe also stressed the need for continued and strengthened integration especially from the security perspective, stating that there cannot be effective development, collaborations and partnerships in the continent without ensuring that key questions on peace and security are addressed.

He also noted that the other key message is as mentioned by the COMESA in- coming Chairperson, the President of Kenya, William Ruto, that member countries should have confidence in themselves.

The Minister states that it is one thing for COMESA countries to want to achieve certain things but if without confidence in their own ideas, decisions and plans, then nothing can be achieved.

“That is another take away that we as Zambia agree to one hundred percent,” he said.

Mr Haimbe has also congratulated President Ruto and his Vice President of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa for their new roles in COMESA.

And, Kenya President, William Ruto, noted that COMESA’s strength does not only lie in economic integration but also in social and human integration.

He added that over the years, COMESA’s integration journey has not only facilitated trade but also fostered peace, stability and resilience across borders.

” COMESA strength lies not only in economic integration but also in social and human integration at the heart of our mission and our people, and shared determination to bridge economic exhaustion gaps that divide our region,” he stated.

President Ruto further urged COMESA member states to recommit their vision of prosperity and sustainable development by ensuring that no member lags behind.

“As we gather here today, we must reaffirm our shared vision of prosperity, inclusivity and sustainable development ensuring that no member country is left behind,” he stressed.

President Ruto indicated that the ultimate goal of integration in Africa must be long term sustainable growth, job creation, poverty reduction and improved legal standards for the citizenry.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s President, Emmerson Mnangagwa, reaffirmed his country’s commitment to peace and security as well as good governance across the region.

” Zimbabwe stands ready to work with fellow member states in promoting stability and collective peace,” he assured.

President Mnangagwa also noted that it is a collective responsibility for COMESA member states to harness the strength that lies in regional integration and promote a better future for the people.

” We all have a duty to harness collective strength within the region. Together we can deliver on a promise of a better future for our people,” he said.

COMESA Secretary General, Chileshe Kapwepwe, stated that the organisation is working with speed to digitise every aspect of its trade facilitation instruments and construction of digitised and physical infrastructure.

” For instance, the 2.5 Billion COMESA- World Bank Digital Acceleration Programme, it’s rolling out in 2025 targeting connection of 108 million people and digital services, to at least 100 more by the year 2030.

” This initiative prioritises access for women, youths, refugees, businesses and public agencies,” he explained.

Ms Kapwepwe noted that the theme for the meeting which is ‘ Leveraging Digitalisation to Deepen Regional Value Chains for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth’ reflects COMESA’s vision to harness technology for economic transformation, empowerment of the people and to foster a resilient future.

She further urged Heads of State to discuss issues surrounding over dependence on global development aid and delayed application and implementation of trade policy instruments.

” In our deliberations, let us confront persistent obstacles such as over dependence on global development aid and delaying deliberate commitments to slow application and implementation of trade policy instruments among others,” advised Ms Kapwepwe.

The high level gathering marked a significant milestone for the 21-member block.

COMESA is also celebrating 30 years of fostering economic integration, trade and cooperation across Eastern and Southern Africa.

At the event, Burundi handed over instruments of power for COMESA Chairmanship to Kenya, with Zimbabwe taking up the role of Vice Chairperson.

Zambia has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the rights of children in conflict with the law through the official launch of five key Child Justice Institutional frameworks aimed at strengthening child justice in the country.

Minister of Community Development and Social Services, Doreen Mwamba, has revealed that the five documents launched include the National Diversion Framework, the Revised National Child Justice Strategy and Action Plan (2022–2026), the Prosecutors’ Handbook on Sexual Violence.

“The documents also include Zambia Police Guidelines on Handling Children in the Criminal Justice System, and the Prosecutors’ Guidelines on the Management of Children in the Criminal Justice System,” she disclosed.

Ms Mwamba explained that the frameworks are more than just policies they represent a commitment to protect vulnerable children and to reform systems that have long required transformation.

In a speech read on her behalf by Minister of Youth Sport and Arts Elvis Nkandu during the joint launch of the Child Justice Institutional Framework and the Child Justice week in Lusaka, Ms Mwamba highlighted the National Diversion Framework as a major milestone, noting that it reflects a bold shift towards restorative justice.

She emphasized that children in conflict with the law should not be punished but guided, rehabilitated and reintegrated into society.

The framework promotes alternatives to prosecution such as mediation, counselling, skills training and community-based solutions to help restore dignity and reduce stigma.

ZANIS reports that the Minister has since called on justice professionals, prosecutors, police officers, social welfare officers, and adjudicators to use these documents as their guide to strengthen their work and service to the people of Zambia.

Inspector General of Police Michael Musonda noted that the new framework seeks to promote rehabilitation over punishment, diversion over detention and compassion over condemnation when handling children who come into contact with the law.

In a speech read on his behalf by Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police Christopher Chanda, Mr Musonda outlined three key focus areas under the new framework promoting diversionary measures that keep children out of cells and courtrooms.

“Fostering collaboration with prosecutors, social workers, and community leaders, and upholding the principles of the Children’s Code Act and international standards such as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child,” he said.

Meanwhile National Prosecution Authority (NPA) Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Gilbert Phiri noted that while the documents differ in focus, they share a common objective to strengthen prosecutorial practice by equipping prosecutors with clear principles, tools, and guidance for handling cases involving children, whether as victims, witnesses, or offenders.

The DPP emphasized that the frameworks represent a collective commitment to justice reform that places the best interests of the child at the centre of prosecution and judicial processes.

And Chief Mazdimawe of the Ngoni speaking people of Eastern province has emphasized the crucial role of traditional leaders and communities in safeguarding children’s rights and advancing child justice reforms in Zambia.

Chief Mazdimawe said traditional leaders play a central role in protecting children from harm and ensuring that justice processes reflect compassion, inclusion, and dignity.

He highlighted three key pillars necessary for an effective child justice system participation, prevention, and restorative reintegration.