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Fostering recovery and transformation in Africa to reduce inequalities and vulnerabilities

Chief Editor
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Fostering recovery and transformation in Africa to reduce inequalities and vulnerabilities

By ALBERT M. MUCHANGA

The ‘Fostering Recovery and transformation in Africa to reduce inequalities and vulnerabilities,’ theme is a clear demonstration of the unwavering commitment of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa to inclusive growth and sustainable development in Africa in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the African Union Agenda 2063 and the High 5s of the African Development Bank, which all include focus on improving the quality of life of the African people.
The poverty and inequality profiles of Africa are insightful. Although we are the richest region in the world in terms of endowment of natural resources, we are the poorest when it comes to measures of income and wealth.

Coming out of these low levels of income and wealth is now being made more challenging by climate change as seen in the recent flooding in Madagascar, Malawi and Mozambique. We must add to this the looming debt crisis which could undermine all the growth achievements of the past 23 years. Africa’s economic growth has not been sufficiently inclusive to engineer decent jobs and reduce widespread poverty, inequalities, exclusion and resilience. To surmount poverty, inequality and exclusion, Africa must embark on people-centred recovery and transformation. For this transformation to be attained and sustained, there is need to secure abundant financial resources. In this respect, mobilisation of domestic resources should be prioritised with a particular emphasis on fighting against illicit financial flows, which deprive the continent of approximately, US$90 billion annually. My starting pitch is hence the need to create fiscal space for high and sustained levels of economic growth. The fiscal space generates four capacities to invest in programmes and projects that reduce poverty and inequality. The lesson of experience in this area is from China’s efforts, which by 2019 enabled the Chinese Government to overcome absolute poverty, well ahead of the 2030 target of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by promoting inclusive economic growth. With this in mind, we have partnered with the African Development and AUDA-NEPAD to commission a study on achieving inclusive growth and sustainable development in Africa.

The study, which operationalises the first aspiration of Agenda 2063: ‘A prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development’ will be completed by December this year. It is anchored on attaining and sustaining seven to 10 per cent growth rates between 2023 and 2063. The seven to 10 percent growth target, in addition to being supported by economic theory, is part of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, African Union Agenda 2063 as well as the Instanbul Programme of Action for Least Developed Countries and its successor, the Doha Programme of Action for Least Developed Countries. Key to this high growth is taking advantage of the fact that Africa is a low-income region as well as coming up with serious efforts in raising investment levels across Africa through, as earlier mentioned, domestic resource mobilisation. In addition, there should be mobilisation of the private sector, both domestic and foreign as well as undertaking sustainable borrowing. The study gives prominence to investment in human capital development and utilisation. The major elements of this are: investments in education and science, with a focus on employability; investments in technology and innovation; investment in health; harnessing the demographic dividend by, among others, investing in the growth of decent employment opportunities; leveraging the African diaspora; mainstreaming the informal sectors into the formal sectors; investing in gender equality and youth empowerment; and, investing in the development of morality, integrity, discipline, self-esteem and self-confidence. Of course, we do not overlook other drivers of inclusive growth and sustainable development such as macroeconomic management and stability; physical infrastructure; environmental sustainability; industrialization; transport, communication, financial and tourism services; agriculture; digital transformation; intra-African Trade and diversifying and growing trade between Africa and the rest of the world. I will say more on digital transformation, intra-African trade and export growth and diversification.

Digital technologies offer us a chance to unlock new pathways for rapid and inclusive economic growth, innovation, job creation and access to services. Africa has several headline successful and dynamic ecosystems. The mobile money revolution is a well-known example: with 300 million accounts, one of the highest in the world. In this connection, mobile money has begun transforming Africa’s job markets, expanding financial services to the underserved and unlocking innovative business models for local small and medium sized enterprises. To date, more than 500 African companies provide technology enabled innovation in financial services (fintech). Johannesburg and Cape Town in South Africa, Nairobi in Kenya and Lagos in Nigeria rank among the top 100 cities for fintech ecosystems worldwide. In addition, over 640 tech hubs and incubators are active across the continent, up from 314 in 2016. However, in order to achieve the objectives of Agenda 2063 and create a massive number of jobs for the youth, tackle poverty and inequalities, digital transformations will need to expand beyond these islands of success and this is what we want to achieve during implementation of the study referred to earlier. It is a common refrain that power abroad flows from power at home.

In this connection, the entire African Union system will fully collaborate with the Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area in implementing the programme of action emanating from the theme of the ear which is focused on implementation of the Agreement and Protocols establishing this continental market. One of the key programmes is the development of agro-parks aimed at initially making Africa food secure and later, a net food exporter. The agro-parks will, through specialization, also promote the development of regional and continental value chains in agriculture, and consequently, increase intra-African trade in food products and intermediate goods. Inclusive and sustainable industrialisation is another key focus area. Some of the key programmes that we plan to collaborate with our partners in this area involve: building capacities for rural cooperative agro-processing; building capacities for production of intermediate goods from Africa’s vast array of natural resources; building capacities to mainstream research and development to boost innovation; and, development of regional and continental value chains such as the DRC-Zambia batteries for electric motor vehicles project. The strategic importance of this project lies in the fact that the global drive to sustainability offers an opportunity to create decent jobs through transformative investments in industrial processing of strategic minerals that the continent is endowed with.

Some of the soft elements of the industrialisation drive are intellectual property rights protection, investment promotion and development of quality infrastructure. With respect to the first element, we are collaborating with the Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area in coming up a common and aligned institutional arrangement for intellectual property rights protection. We will do the same with respect to investment promotion. As far as quality infrastructure is concerned, we are in the process of coming up with the Made in Africa standard, which when operational, will promote competitiveness among qualifying companies as well as contribute to removal of technical barriers to trade. The African Continental Free Trade Area market has a bright future. We have a young population with a growing middle class whose demand for industrial goods in 1.5 times higher than the global average. In this respect, I look forward to finalisation of our collaborative project with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa on the mainstreaming of cross-border trade. Once we have reliable statistics on intra-African trade through this project, we shall be better placed to capture demand and, consequently, attract increased investments into the market.

Although the process of de-globalisation is underway, and that we have since the 1970s, experienced progressive decline of our share of global trade from six percent to 2.7 percent currently, Africa is still committed to international trade. International trade is, among others, a source of foreign exchange and transfer of technology just as much as it is a key measure of competitiveness. In this connection, we have started work on coming up with a programme on export diversification and growth. Through the programme, we plan to move Africa away from a producer and exporter of commodities to an exporter of manufactured and agro-processed goods as well as services such tourism and labour. As I come to the end, let me make five points. The first point is on climate financing. As we go towards the green transition, there is a real danger that Africa’s climate financing gap will grow. New estimates by the African Development Bank show that Africa will need between US$1.3 and US$1.6 trillion between 2020-2030, or US$118 billion to US$145 billion annually, to implement its commitments to the Paris Agreement and its nationally determined contributions. If these targets are not attained, there is a possibility of increased climate induced poverty and destitution across Africa.

The second point is on collaboration. In this respect, we look forward to collaborating with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa in the implementation of the decisions and recommendations of this Conference on this theme. We are also collaborating with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa on a readiness assessment towards an African Customs Union/Common which is key to deepening the African Continental Free Trade Area market. This deepening will bring us closer to macroeconomic convergence which is critical to facilitating Africa-wide poverty reduction and inclusivity. My third point is that inclusivity is an absolute necessity. Our progress will be determined not by those at the top ladder of our income profiles but by those at the bottom. The faster we improve the social and economic status of those Africans at the bottom, the faster will be our progress.

My fourth point is that one of the key resources required to reduce poverty, inequality and exclusion in Africa is continuous effort. Once momentum is established, it must be sustained. Any slippage can lead to major set-backs and these must be avoided at all costs. In this respect, Africa must have strategic focus on, in the words of the theme; Fostering Recovery and transformation in Africa to reduce inequalities and vulnerabilities.’ We must hence avoid distractions but persevere with unshakable resolve. My fifth and last point is that development is a Do It Yourself (DIY) process. Do It Yourself. Let us always remember this. Nobody but ourselves will end our poverty, inequalities, destitution, vulnerabilities and underdevelopment. Let us do it, with resolve, integrity, discipline, self-esteem and self-confidence.

The author is African Union Commission Commissioner Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals (ETTIM)

Zambia warned of becoming a danger to the region as it integrates with American system, says Dr Cosmas Musumali

Chief Editor
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Zambia warned of becoming a danger to the region as it integrates with American system, says Dr Cosmas Musumali

Dr Cosmas Musumali, the General Secretary of the Socialist Party (SP), has warned that Zambia is becoming a danger to the region due to its integration into the American system. He added his voice to those calling for the “government of angels” to review its relationship with the United States.

For some time, sections of society have insinuated that the United Party for National Development (UPND) is a “puppet government” being controlled by the West. There have also been complaints that the UPND is listening more to foreign powers and neglecting the plight of suffering Zambians who ushered them into power in 2021.

Appearing on KBN TV’s State of the Nation last night, Dr Musumali said it was important to review Zambia’s relationship with the US, adding that there are more pressing issues for Zambia and the African continent to consider.

“Let us go back a little bit into history. At one time, Africa wanted to liberate itself. We had formidable leaders, our own heroes. Patrice Lumumba was one of them. What did he say? He said the wealth of the Congo is for the Congolese and the Africans. And that was not good enough for the imperialist world and the US, France, Belgium were against that,” Dr Musumali said.

“Their mandate is to exploit this continent. They are after their own interests on this continent. So let us not be naïve, let us not be lied to. Lumumba was killed because of that. Kwame Nkrumah made the same phrase, any African leader who stands up today and says the wealth which is on this continent is ours is regarded as an enemy to the imperialist world, led by the US.”

Dr Musumali cautioned that Zambia was getting even closer to being integrated into the American system.

“You have seen the MoU that was signed more recently in terms of the issue of electric batteries. We are becoming a new colonial state of the West order and that is what we should be reviewing. We should be looking at the issues that we should not allow foreign forces, foreign armies to use Zambia as a staging ground for protection for American interest. We are talking about AFRICOM and the office that they are setting up here. That office is unwelcome,” he said.

“Those are critical issues on our security, they are critical issues on the security of this region, and in the entire region, most governments are worried about the developments that are taking place in Zambia. Those are the issues when it comes to the US that we should be looking at.”

Dr Musumali also accused the UPND government of being oblivious to the region and not listening to what is happening outside of Zambia.

“If you get into Zimbabwe today and talk to Zimbabwean officials, if they are honest enough they will tell you they are worried about the development in Zambia. If you talk to South Africans, they will tell you we are worried about the developments that are taking place in Zambia. So Zambia is not creating friends in the region. Zambia is creating friends in the US and maybe within South Africa, a small portion of South African white capital,” he said.

He warned that Zambia might be diplomatically isolated if it continues down this path.

“The implications are that we are going to be isolated diplomatically. And the implications are that we are a danger to the entire region. The implications are that even at the African Union level, at SADC Region, we are losing out on that harmony on that cooperation that we used to enjoy all these years,” he said.

Dr. Musumali’s warning comes after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Zambia and the United States on the issue of electric batteries. He argued that Zambia was becoming a new colonial state of the West order, and the government needed to review its relationship with the US. He warned that foreign forces and armies should not be allowed to use Zambia as a staging ground for protection for American interests, referring to the establishment of an AFRICOM office in Zambia.

“Those are critical issues on our security, they are critical issues on the security of this region, and in the entire region, most governments are worried about the developments that are taking place in Zambia. Those are the issues when it comes to the US that we should be looking at,” he said.

Dr. Musumali called on the UPND government to prioritize the interests of the Zambian people and Africa as a whole, rather than being influenced by foreign powers. He warned that any African leader who stands up today and says the wealth which is on this continent is ours is regarded as an enemy to the imperialist world, led by the US.

Zambian Opposition Leader Warns Against Violation of Constitution in ZNBC Director General Removal

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Zambian Opposition Leader Warns Against Violation of Constitution in ZNBC Director General Removal

Opposition leader in Zambia’s Parliament, Brian Mundubile, has warned that removing Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) Director General Berry Lwando on regional basis would violate Article 259 of the Constitution of Zambia. Mr. Mundubile, who is also a Presidential Candidate for the Patriotic Front (PF), stated that the UPND party, which is currently in power, should address the economic challenges facing the country, such as the high cost of living and insufficient medical supplies in hospitals, instead of focusing on regional politics.

Article 259 of the Constitution of Zambia requires those with power to appoint to take into account regional diversity. Mr. Mundubile believes that the ZNBC Board took this into consideration when appointing Mr. Lwando and his management. Recently, UPND-aligned media platforms, including Koswe, Zambian Watchdog, and Zambian Bulletin, have been campaigning to remove ZNBC employees based on their regional affiliation. UPND cadres have also given an ultimatum to the ZNBC Board to remove Mr. Lwando and his management, leading to concerns that regional politics is influencing the decision-making process.

Mr. Mundubile also warned of the dangers of caderism, which is the practice of using political power to gain access to government positions. He claimed that caderism was present in the UPND government and was causing conflict between cadres and government officials. Mr. Mundubile called on President Hakainde Hichilema to take swift action to prevent the removal of government employees based on their names or allegations of party loyalty.

Mr. Mundubile cited several instances of violence caused by UPND cadres, including beating up PF members and MPs in Kitwe, assaulting police officers in Chisamba and Kasama, and attacking government officials, including a District Administrative Officer (DAO) in Kasama and a District Education Board Secretary (DEBS) in Kafue District. He called on President Hichilema to ensure that cadres stay away from government operations to allow government officials and parastatals to work freely.

Finally, Mr. Mundubile expressed concern over a video that went viral, showing UPND cadres threatening to beat up anyone wearing PF regalia. He called on the Police Inspector General to arrest the culprits, saying that President Hichilema’s promise of a violence-free Zambia must be upheld

El Mukuka presents his second single taken off his forthcoming album ZEBRA entitled “Simple Things”

Entertainment Editor
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El Mukuka presents his second single taken off his forthcoming album ZEBRA entitled “Simple Things”

EL mukuka

El Mukuka presents his next single taken off his forthcoming album ZEBRA entitled “Simple Things“. The song is a collaboration with South African star Argento Dust (who recently had the smash hit Asanda with Zakes Bantwini) and Zambian singer/songwriter Marocco.

 

Bloated Civil Service: President Hichilema is incompetent and lacks even the most basic of management skills

Chief Editor
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Bloated Civil Service: President Hichilema is incompetent and lacks even the most basic of management skills

By Sean Tembo – PeP President

1. Some things we can argue about while other things are inarguable. It is inarguable that President Hakainde Hichilema has the most bloated civil service in the history of Zambia since independence. Despite creating several meaningless Permanent Secretary (PS) positions at Cabinet Office and appointing PSs in addition to Directors to head Departments at Ministries such as Home Affairs, Sports, Youth & Culture, having two economic advisors at State House etcetera, he has now proceeded to create an additional layer of bureaucracy at State House, called the Presidential Delivery Unit (PDU).

2. Evidently, the President is trying to compensate for his lack of management skills by having a bloated civil service. He believes, wrongly so of course, that the larger the civil service, the greater the chance that he will deliver on his basic mandate of uplifting the living standards of the Zambian people. But he is very wrong. The only way to compensate for the lack of management skills in a leader is for that leader to, first of all, appoint competent subordinates, and secondly allow those subordinates to operate autonomously, without interference from the incompetent leader.

3. But the case of President Hakainde Hichilema is one of double tragedy. In fact, it is one of the triple tragedies. I say so because firstly it is inarguable that the President himself is incompetent and lacks even the most basic of management skills. Secondly, the President has failed to appoint competent subordinates, but has instead appointed senior civil servants on the basis of patronage to his political party; the UPND, as well as on the basis of kinsmanship. Thirdly, President Hakainde Hichilema does not believe in the delegation. He believes in having his hands in every little activity that his Government is engaged in at any given time, despite his inherent incompetence.

4. This is the reason why the quality of decisions coming from Hakainde Hichilema’s Government are below par. You find a state institution such as NAPSA lending money to foreigners so that they can construct the Lusaka – Ndola road and collect toll fees for 25 years and calls it a PPP project!!! Instead of increasing the number of oil refineries so that eventually there can be one in every provincial center, he kills the only one that we have and converts it into a storage facility, thereby killing all industries that depended on heavy fuels and bitumen, such as Ndola Energy Company which was an independent power producer. Instead of reducing the price of key production inputs such as fuel and electricity, he increases them substantially and then wonders why the cost of living is ever going up!!!

5. Indeed, President Hakainde Hichilema has not made a single sensible, publicly known decision, ever since he ascended to the presidency. If l believed in witchcraft, l would have thought that he has been bewitched. That someone has cast a spell on him so that he should always make bad decisions for our country. But the problem is not about witchcraft, it is about his management style or lack thereof. The key issue is that despite being inherently incompetent, he holds a false belief that he is super competent. And since he believes that he is super-competent, he brushes off anyone around him who seeks to offer him advice. And when it becomes apparent that his decisions are not yielding fruits, he simply goes and employs more people and creates more departments such as this so-called Presidential Delivery Unit. May God have mercy on our nation.

Respond to Petition Against Judges, Attorney General told

Chief Editor
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Respond to Petition Against Judges, Attorney General told

Constitutional Court Judge Justice Margaret Munalula has directed the Attorney General to respond to the Petition in which two citizens are challenging the process of appointing 20 Judges of the superior courts by 6th April, 2023.

Meanwhile, the petitioners have this afternoon successfully filed an application for an interim conservatory order to preserve the status quo on number of Judges of the superior courts pending determination of the matter.

In an interview this morning, Mr Maurice Makalu said his lawyers appeared before the Court this morning and the Judge indicated that the case is peculiar as it challenges the appointment of the judges of the court and that the court has to determine how such a case would be heard since it has interest in it.

What is surprising is that the Judge has told our lawyers that they cannot make interim applications before the matter is allocated, a direction which is alien because she was sitting herself and giving directions. However, we have still instructed our lawyers to go ahead and file an application so that justice can be served.

This is a case in which, Governance Activist, Isaac Mwanza, and Culture Change Consultant, Maurice Makalu, have petitioned the Constitutional Court on the appointment of judges. They are alleging that the process to recommend 20 judges for appointment was flawed as it did not follow the principles and values stipulated in the Constitution, and is illegal.

Meanwhile lawyers petitioners asked the Court to issue a temporally order to preserve the status quo of the Judges until the final determination of the matter.

They also want the appointments quashed and a direction for the Judicial Service Commission to restart the process so that Judges can be appointed on merit, and in compliance with the constitution.

Zambian Appointed as a Vice President to a Portfolio at the World Bank

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Zambian Appointed as a Vice President to a Portfolio at the World Bank

In a major development, the World Bank has appointed a Zambian National, Dr. Samuel Munzele Maimbo, as its Vice President for Budget, Performance Review and Strategic Planning. This appointment is a testament to the exceptional capabilities of Dr. Maimbo and his extensive experience in the field of international development and banking.

Dr. Maimbo has been associated with the World Bank for over two years now, where he previously served as the Director of the International Development Association (IDA) Resource Mobilization and International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) Corporate Finance department. In this role, he was responsible for implementing IDA’s hybrid financial model and conducting policy analysis of IBRD income and corporate finance. Prior to that, he served as the Chief of Staff in the Office of the World Bank President since September 2022.

Dr. Maimbo has a Ph.D. in Public Administration (Banking) from the University of Manchester, an MBA in Finance from the University of Nottingham, and a BSc. in Accounting from Copperbelt University, Zambia. He is also a Fellow Chartered Certified Accountant (FCCA, UK).

Dr. Maimbo’s appointment as the Vice President for Budget, Performance Review, and Strategic Planning is a major milestone for Zambia. It is the highest position ever held by a Zambian National at the World Bank, and it is a testament to the country’s potential and the caliber of its citizens. Dr. Maimbo’s appointment highlights Zambia’s commitment to the development of international finance and banking, and it reflects the World Bank’s recognition of Zambia’s potential and the capabilities of its people.

Dr. Maimbo’s role as Vice President for Budget, Performance Review, and Strategic Planning is a critical one for the World Bank. In this position, he will be responsible for overseeing the bank’s budget and financial management, as well as ensuring that its programs and projects are aligned with the bank’s overall strategic goals. He will also be responsible for conducting performance reviews of the bank’s operations and programs to ensure that they are meeting their intended objectives and outcomes.

Dr. Maimbo’s appointment comes at a time when the World Bank is working to address the significant challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the global economy. His expertise and experience in financial management and policy analysis will be critical in helping the bank navigate these challenges and in ensuring that its programs and projects are effective in addressing the needs of developing countries.

Dr. Samuel Munzele Maimbo’s appointment as the Vice President for Budget, Performance Review, and Strategic Planning at the World Bank is a major achievement for Zambia and a testament to his exceptional capabilities and extensive experience in the field of international development and banking. It is also a reflection of the World Bank’s commitment to recognizing the potential and capabilities of individuals from developing countries and to ensuring that its programs and projects are effective in addressing the needs of the world’s most vulnerable populations.

The appointment of Dr. Maimbo as the Vice President for Budget, Performance Review, and Strategic Planning at the World Bank is expected to have a positive impact not only on Zambia but also on other African countries.

President Hichilema receives prestigious VIP Global Water Changemaker Award

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President Hichilema receives prestigious VIP Global Water Changemaker Award

New York – President Hakainde Hichilema has been awarded the prestigious VIP Global Water ChangeMaker Award at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

The inaugural award was received by Zambia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Dr Chola Milambo, who accepted the award on behalf of President Hichilema, on the sidelines of the UN 2023 Water Conference that started today, March 22 to March 24, 2023.

This was during a flagship event on the Launch of the High-Level Panel report: Pathways for mobilizing USD$ 30 billion annually by 2030 for water investments in Africa.

President Hichilema was presented with the award alongside, His Excellency, Hussein Ali Mwinyi, President of Zanzibar, for being the first two African countries to develop and launch their country water investment programmes.

President Hichilema launched the Zambia Water Investment Programme (ZIP) 2020 – 2030 in July last year.

During the same event, co-chairs of the International High Level Panel on Water Investment for Africa, H.E, Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal, H.E, Mark Rutte, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Netherlands, H.E, Hage Geingob, President of the Republic of Namibia and H.E, Jakaya Kikwete, former president of the United Republic of Tanzania were also presented with awards for demonstrated high level commitment and leadership on water investments in Africa.

Water Changemakers is a global challenge with two categories – the VIP Global Changemaker Award for demonstrated high level political commitment and leadership for water investment.

The other category is the Global Innovation Challenge Award for the most promising climate resilient innovations with the greatest potential for scale, replication and further investment to support a water secure world.

Water Changemaker was convened by the Global Water Partnerships, K-water and the World Bank Group.

President Hichilema should immediately release the 2019 Boundary Delimitation Report-Christian Churches Monitoring Group

Chief Editor
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President Hichilema should immediately release the 2019 Boundary Delimitation Report-Christian Churches Monitoring Group

The Christian Churches Monitoring Group (CCMG) has called on President Hakainde Hichilema to immediately release the 2019 Boundary Delimitation Report.

Delimitation is the process of mapping and re-aligning of electoral boundaries, these are
constituencies, wards, polling districts and provinces in order for effective and efficient conduct of
elections.

The delimitation of electoral boundaries is a key electoral process and should be guided by the fundamental principles of impartiality, equality, representativeness, non-discrimination and
transparency.

CCMG Steering Committee Chairperson Bishop Andrew Mwenda has issued a press statement calling on President Hichilema to immediately release the 2019 Boundary Delimitation Report.

Bishop Mwenda said CCMG is concerned
with the secrecy surrounding the 2019 Boundary Delimitation Report.

The senior clergy said the report is critical to planning for both state and non-state actors and must be in the interest of the President to release such reports to the public for their effective participation.

Bishop Mwenda charged that it is disheartening that huge sums of tax-payers money
were spent on this exercise and four years later the 2019 Boundary Delimitation
Report is still being held by the executive

“Article 229 (2) of the Constitution of Zambia provides for functions and mandate of the Electoral Commission of Zambia, which among other things includes delimiting boundaries for purposes of conducting elections. CCMG is concerned
with the secrecy surrounding the 2019 Boundary Delimitation Report which up to now has not been released to the public, despite the ECZ submitting the same to the Executive,” Bishop Mwenda said.

In Zambia, boundary delimitation is a legal provision in Article 229 of the Constitution No. 2 of 2016 as well as the Electoral Process Act No. 53 of 2016.

These pieces of legislation provide the mandate for the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to conduct delimitation of constituencies, wards and polling districts.

“We, therefore, call on the President to immediately release the 2019 Boundary Delimitation Report, which contains details of number of Polling
Stations, Polling Districts and Wards created prior to the 2021 general elections and the proposed increase to the current number of constituencies.
This report is critical to planning for both state and non-state actors and must be in the interest of the President to release such reports to the public for their effective participation,” he said.

Bishop Mwenda said CCMG believes that government’s continued holding on to the report undermines the principle of transparency on the part of government, which consequently has
a bearing on the independence of the ECZ and its ability to fulfil its mandate without influence from the Executive.

“It is disheartening that huge sums of tax-payers money were spent on this exercise and four years later the 2019 Boundary Delimitation
Report is still being held by the executive. CCMG believes that government’s continued holding on to the report undermines the principle of transparency on the part of government, which consequently has
a bearing on the independence of the ECZ and its ability to fulfil its mandate without influence from the Executive. CCMG reiterates its call for expeditious constitutional and electoral reform to give the Electoral Commission of Zambia
full independence so that it fulfils its mandate independent of any political influence,” Bishop Mwenda said.

The Christian Churches Monitoring Group (CCMG) is an alliance of four faith-based organisations formed to help promote credible elections.

CCMG’s mission is to strengthen democratic electoral processes and encourage citizen participation in democratic governance in Zambia through civic and voter education, non-partisan election monitoring, research and documentation, electoral reform advocacy and capacity building of civil society organizations in democracy, elections and governance.

CCMG was launched in November
2014 with the goal of monitoring the January 2015 presidential by-elections.

Since then, the network committed itself to monitoring the whole electoral process that lead to the 2016 general elections and is committed to monitoring the electoral process leading to 2021 general elections.

Poland based Catholic group Donates a huge church bell to Zambia

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Poland based Catholic group Donates a huge church bell to Zambia

Poland-based Catholic group called Yes to Life Foundation has donated a huge church bell to Zambia as one of the activities aimed at discouraging abortion.

The Church Bell called Voice of the Unborn will come to the Cathedral of the Child Jesus in Lusaka and visit many Zambian towns.

Pope Francis blessed the bell on Wednesday during a ceremony attended by Lusaka Archbishop Alick Banda and Father Wojciech Lapczynski, a Polish priest, who has been working in Zambia for more than 30 years.

According to Vatican News, voice of the unborn bells are already in Poland, Ukraine and Ecuador.

The YES TO LIFE Foundation, headquartered in Poland, actively reminds people of the need to protect human life from conception to natural death, through various initiatives.

The Pope pointed out that the Voice of the Unborn Bells are a reminder of the need to protect life from conception to natural death.

“As a sign of the need to protect human life from conception to natural death, the Yes to Life Foundation is donating to Zambia the Voice of the Unborn, the bell I have blessed. May its sound carry the message that every life is sacred and inviolable,” Pope Francis said on 22nd March, during the general audience.

“Every year some 50 million children around the world are killed by abortion. This bell is meant to cry out for reflection, and for fewer and fewer of these abortions to occur each year,” stressed Vice President of the YES TO LIFE Foundation Bogdan Romaniuk.

Referring to the war in Ukraine and other armed conflicts around the world, Romaniuk reckoned that abortion bears the stigma of a crime analogous to war crimes against humanity.

They are four such bells created on the initiative of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Foundation YES TO LIFE. The different destinations in the world they go to are not accidental.

So far, the “Voice of the unborn” bells are in Poland, Ukraine, Ecuador, and Zambia. France, Mexico, and Nicaragua have also expressed interest in having the bells.

Each time, the bells first resound in St. Peter’s Square symbolically set in motion by Pope Francis. “I think this bell is a spark that comes out of Poland and spreads to the whole world,” Bogdan Romaniuk said.

Bogdan Romaniuk noted that the blessing of the bell took place shortly before the Day for the Sanctity of Life, celebrated by the Church in Poland on the Feast of the Annunciation of the Lord on March 25. He also stressed that concern for life was close to the heart of St. John Paul II, the originator of the Day of the Sanctity of Life.

He spoke of it, for example, in his encyclical “Evangelium vitae”. “We, who grew up in the era of John Paul II’s pontificate, explored his message, can boldly say that this bell, this spark that pleads for life conceived, also flows from the teaching of St. John Paul II,” stressed the vice president of the YES LIFE Foundation.

The bell blessing ceremony on March 22, at the Paul VI Auditorium, was attended by Lusaka Archbishop Alick Banda and Father Wojciech Lapczynski, a Polish priest, who has been working in Zambia for more than 30 years, in addition to a delegation from the YES TO LIFE Foundation. The bell will travel to the Infant Jesus Cathedral in Lusaka and visit many Zambian towns and cities.

“We believe that this symbol will further carry the message that every life is sacred and inviolable,” Bogdan Romaniuk stressed.

The Przemysl-based bellmaker Jan Felczynski’s workshop created the newest “Voice of the Unborn,” like the previous ones.

The casting for Africa has a unique symbol of the Zambian and Polish bishop rings joined together, which commemorates the meeting of the clergy from the two countries.

The inscription reads: “Sign of the spiritual bond between the Roman Catholic Church in Zambia and Poland. Warsaw, May 17, 1970”.

The YES TO LIFE Foundation, headquartered in Rzeszow in southeastern Poland, actively reminds people of the need to protect human life from conception to natural death, through various initiatives. One of the most important is the project of the “Voice of the Unborn” bells.

Zambia to introduce economic legislation – HH

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Zambia to introduce economic legislation – HH

President Hakainde Hichilema has announced that the Zambian government will introduce several pieces of legislation aimed at unlocking various economic sectors in the country. Speaking at the opening of the ABSA House, the President explained that these measures are part of the government’s efforts to address issues affecting investment and trade in the country.

To accelerate economic growth, the President stated that the government had established the Presidential Delivery Unit, which will oversee the implementation of high-priority government programs and projects. He urged ABSA Bank to consider partnering with the government in various economic sectors, including green energy, through public-private partnerships.

During the event, President Hichilema also congratulated Samuel Maimbo for becoming the first Zambian to be appointed as Vice President of the World Bank. The Finance Minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane, commended ABSA Bank for constructing the ABSA House and called on them to continue working with the government through the Public-Private Partnership model of financing various economic projects.

In her address, Bank of Zambia Deputy Governor for Administration, Rekha Mhango, assured the banking industry of a conducive environment to thrive in. The ABSA Group Board Chairperson, Sello Moloko, praised the Zambian government for its efforts to stabilize the economy.

Meanwhile, ABSA Zambia Managing Director, Mizinga Melu, revealed that the bank has invested over $650 million into various economic sectors such as agriculture and mining over the past three years.

The government’s move to introduce legislation to unlock various economic sectors is a welcome development that is expected to attract more investments into the country. The creation of the Presidential Delivery Unit will also ensure that high-priority projects are implemented in a timely and efficient manner, boosting economic growth.

The call for public-private partnerships in various economic sectors is also an excellent strategy that will encourage private sector investment and promote the sharing of risks between the government and private sector. This will ultimately lead to the creation of more job opportunities and the development of new industries, which will spur economic growth.

The appointment of Samuel Maimbo as Vice President of the World Bank is also a significant milestone for Zambia, as it demonstrates the country’s capacity to produce world-class professionals capable of holding high-level positions in international organizations.

In addition, the Zambian government’s efforts to unlock various economic sectors through legislation and public-private partnerships are commendable. It is expected that these measures will attract more investment into the country and create more job opportunities, ultimately spurring economic growth.

Zambia Rally to Beat Lesotho

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Zambia on Thursday evening rallied to thump Lesotho 3-1 in the Group H tie on day-three of the 2023 Africa Cup qualifying campaign.

Italy-based forward Lameck Banda came off the bench to score a brace at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium as Chipolopolo rekindled chances of qualifying to the Africa Cup.

Coach Avram Grant was forced to replace injured captain Lubambo Musonda with Banda just after 12 minutes.

Zambia went behind in the 33rd minute when keeper Toaster Nsabata parried Tsoarelo Bereng’s freekick into his own net.

Striker Fashion Sakala leveled four minutes later with a superb cracker from outside the box to ensure the two teams went into the half time break with a 1-1 scoreline.

Banda put Zambia in front with powerful header from a corner by Kings Kangwa eight minutes after the break.

The Lecce player completed his brace with a 56th minute goal after a solo effort that saw him take on a cluster of defenders before producing a robust shot to beat Sekhoane Moerane.

Meanwhile, victory pushes Zambia to the top of Group H with six points in three games as Lesotho remained bottom with one point.

Zambia and Lesotho will clash on Sunday in their fourth Group H match in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Ivory Coast and Comoros face off on Friday in the other Group H match.

Ivory Coast have four points and Comoros sits on three points going into their third match of the qualifying campaign on Friday.

Nzovu counsels researchers, scientists to take keen interest in biotechnology research

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Nzovu counsels researchers, scientists to take keen interest in biotechnology research

By BENEDICT TEMBO

Minister of Green Economy and Environment Collins Nzovu has prodded researchers and scientists in Zambia to take keen interest in biotechnology research to improve the lives of our people and combat emerging diseases, improve productivity, and provide quality medicines in order to spur socioeconomic development.

Mr Nzovu said in order to strengthen the application of biotechnology and biosafety, the Ministry Green Economy and Environment has commenced the process of reviewing biotechnology and biosafety policy of 2003.

He said the draft policy has since been developed and currently undergoing validation process.

“Once the policy is finalised, it will provide a legal framework in addressing the challenges that affect biotechnology and other related issues, Mr Nzovu said in Lusaka today during the official opening of awareness and sensitisation meeting for heads of departments for schools and research institutions applying biotechnology and biosafety.

He said it is important to note that in recent years, biotechnology is being used to find solutions in agriculture, medicine, environment and industrial applications.

Mr Nzovu said some of Zambia’s neighboring countries are already utilising biotechnology in agriculture.

He said Malawi has commercialised the production of genetically modified cotton.

“In addition, today as we speak genetically modified cotton has now reached farmers in Malawi and Kenya while Uganda has genetically modified bananas commonly known as plantain. Today we also have vaccines that have been made through genetic modification, among them Astrazenca, Johnson and Johnson, Moderna which are used in the fight against Covid-19; insulin for diabates and many gene therapies used for genetic disorders,” Mr Nzovu said.

He said it is evident that the country environment has not been spared by the negatives effects of climate change and thus requires biosafety measures in the application of the technology.

Mr Nzovu said the impacts of climate change include among others, low yields, more pests and diseases, increased heat stress on organisms, drought, increased soil salinity, high temperatures, more flooding and wildfires.

“Therefore, biotechnology is a tool in the hands of researchers like yourselves to find solutions to mitigate climate change impacts and other environmental management issues that have greatly affected the country,” he said

He is aware that issues of genetically modified organisms in Zambia remain contentious and cannot be ignored.

“some contributing factors include misinformation, disinformation, lack of understanding of modern biotechnology and myths among others. The holding of this meeting has come at the right time when the majority of our citizens have inadequate information with regards to genetically modified organisms (GMOS) and do not appreciate the benefits of biotechnology,” Mr Nzovu said

Earlier, National Biosafety Authority chief executive officer/ registrar, Lackson Tonga said biotechnology is one of the tools that may provide answers to some of environmental challenges the country is facing today including climate change.

“Currently, Zambia allows for research involving genetic engineering except in crops or livestock of strategic national importance. Therefore, this is an opportunity for tertiary and research institutions to conduct research on issues that the country may need solutions from be it in medical and animal health, agriculture, environment, mining or industry, but research and development as well as commercialization should be conducted by observing the safety of human, animals and environment,” Mr Tonga said

He currently the NBA has allowed research in the health sector where it has issued some permits on activities aimed at fighting HIV, diarrhea in children, and sickle cell.

“We have also been part of the fight against Covid-19 by conducting risk assessments on some genetically modified Covid -19 vaccines,” Mr Tonga said

Milupi Urges Private Investment Through Public Private Partnerships as he declares Zambia ripe for PPPs

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Milupi Urges Private Investment Through Public Private Partnerships as he declares Zambia ripe for PPPs

Zambia’s Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development, Charles Milupi, has announced that the country is fertile for Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) in infrastructure development. Speaking at a business forum organized by the Invest Africa Mission to Zambia in Lusaka, Milupi said that the government has a lot of viable infrastructure projects that private investors can partner with the government to develop through PPPs.

Milupi highlighted that the Ministry has a lot of viable infrastructure projects in both the road and housing sectors that need funding through PPPs. In the road sector, the country has a lot of viable roads, such as the construction of the Livingstone – Sesheke road and the One Stop border facility at Katima Mulilo, among others. Meanwhile, in the housing sector, there is a housing deficit, and the government wants to partner with the private sector to construct houses to bridge the gap.

The Minister emphasized that the government’s agenda is to find investors to take up these infrastructure projects. He encouraged investors to put in their bids for the many viable infrastructure projects available in the country.

Earlier, the Minister had met with Tendai Kanyumbu, the director for Meridiam Southern Africa, who is also in the country to explore investment opportunities in infrastructure. Milupi said that he thought it was important to share with the citizens how they spent their time during the day.

Zambia has been actively seeking partnerships with the private sector to fund its infrastructure projects. The government sees PPPs as a way to accelerate infrastructure development and bridge the gap in the country’s infrastructure deficit. The announcement by the Minister reinforces Zambia’s commitment to PPPs and provides an opportunity for private investors to partner with the government in developing the country’s infrastructure.

Government committed to upholding morality, ethics in the country – Vice President

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Government committed to upholding morality, ethics in the country – Vice President

Vice President Mutale Nalumango says Government is committed to promoting morality and ethics among Zambian citizens.

Mrs Nalumango said Government and the Church should continue working together to ensure that national values and principles become an integral part of the society.

The Vice President said this in a speech read on her behalf by Permanent Secretary for Parliamentary business, National Guidance and Religious affairs, Ndiwa Mutelo during the closing ceremony of the church leaders consultative meeting on National scripture engagement at the cathedral of the holy Cross in Lusaka.

The Vice President said, the Bible has been the best tool in history that has helped to transform not only individual lives but whole societies.

Mrs Nalumango is happy that the church and bible translating institutions are making good use of technology by being innovative thereby producing audio, video and sign language scriptures.

“The translation of the Word of God into local language will surely accelerate the transformation of our communities,” she stated.

She said the government will continue working with the church and bible translation organisations to ensure that the transformation of the people helps to sustain peace, love and development.

“Zambia, as a Christian Nation, seeks to use such innovations to mainstream Christian and moral values across all sections in the nation,” Mrs Nalumango added.

And the Word for the World (TWFTW) has commended the government for upholding Christian values in the country, as Zambia is the only constitutionalised Christian Nation in Africa.

Dr Alemayehu Hailu emphasised the need to eradicate Bible poverty in Zambia.

“When we give scripture to the people in their mother tongue they are able to understand,” he said.

He further thanked the Government for their support throughout their consultation.

Father Jackson Katete has appealed to the government to remove tax for Bible translation equipment.

“We don’t only need support from outside partners, we need support from our government, in the form of removing tax on translation equipment,” he added.

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