Mr Mwamba says it is only a perception that the two are enemies as the two have a good relationship and will continue doing so despite some people thinking otherwise.

“Wynter is a very good friend of mine, Its just a perception that me and Wynter are enemies, we are good friends and we will continue to be good friends”. Mr Mwamba said.

And Mr. Mwamba has clarified that he has not sued Mr Kabimba as an individual as insinuated in some quarters of society but he has sued the party and Mr Kabimba being the general secretary is suppose to defend it.

“I haven’t sued him in his private capacity but its the party that I sued and apparently he is secretary general of our party so he is suppose to defend the party, so I haven’t sued him parse but the party”. He explained.

Meanwhile Mr Mwamba challenged anyone with intentions of standing against him in Kasama in case of a by- election to try if they wanted to see what he was made of.

Mr Mwamba who was jokingly talking to Kelvin Sampa who is purported to be eyeing the Kasama central constituency seat in an event that it falls vacant dared him to try if he was man enough.

“I want to show him what am made of, I won’t go for campaigns I will come for campaigns at the last minute and I will show you who GBM is!” Mr Mwamba told Mr Sampa.

Mr Mwamba had to seek the courts intervention to prevent his party from expelling him from the ruling Patriotic Front party.

Mr Mwamba was talking to journalists in Lusaka on monday.

The University of Zambia (UNZA) and the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) have today signed a grant of US$1,229,000 aimed at funding the economic policy management programme (EPM) for Zambia.

The money, which was provided by the ACBF is for training 110 students in EPM and seeks to promote the female ratio up to 40 percent and also provide short term training to 60 participants in order to provide an opportunity to build skills among mid-career public servants.

UNZA Vice Chancellor Stephen Simukanga signed on behalf his institution while ACBF Executive Secretary Emmanuel Nnadozie signed for his organisation.

Professor Simukanga said at the signing ceremony for the grant that the programme has scored enormous successes in the four years it has been running.

He said the university has so far trained over 160 students in economic policy management since 2008.
Prof. Simukanga said in 2012, the University of Zambia conducted a study to evaluate the impact of the programme on the skills of its graduates and their contribution to policy and decision making in their work.

He said the study revealed that the programme has delivered important skills to public sector staff.
And speaking at the same ceremony, ACBF Executive Secretary Emmanuel Nnadozie said the EPM programme was one of the courses that will pave way for better understanding of capacity requirements if Africa was to achieve the Africa 2068 plan which was launched by the African union recently.

Prof. Nnadozie said since its establishment in 1991, ACBF has been supporting policy centres with the objective to have most of the policy decisions in African countries being evident based policy research.
He said the ACBF has however realized that this could not be achieved without enhancing the capacity of the public sector hence the involvement of the education sector.

Prof. Nnadozie further said Africa is facing is a lot of challenges and needs to transform its natural resources in order to create jobs for its growing young population adding that resolving these challenges requires sound policies and advocacy beyond borders.

During the first phase in Zambia, the programme was able to train 166 students and 90 percent of the graduates who got promoted attributed their elevation to being a direct result of their EPM degree, which indicated recognition and value the employees place on this programme’s master’s degree.

Government has again extended the registration period for Non governmental organizations (NGOs) under the NGO Act no.16 of 2009 by sixty days effective 4th February to 5th May 2014.

Community Development,Mother and Child Health Minister Joseph Katema has made in the announcement in a statement issued to QFM News.

Dr Katema said the extension is to allow the NGOs that collected registration forms but were unable to submit them before the deadline on 3rd February to do so.

He said NGOs that did not commence the registration process before the deadline of 3rd February,2014 can apply for registration as long as they complete the process with the stipulated timeframe.

Dr Katema has warned that the NGOs that will not abide by the provisions of the law as stipulated in Section 10 on the prohibition of operation by an NGO not registered in accordance with the Act, will face appropriate action as stipulated by law.

He however clarified that those that wish to register new NGOs can proceed to do so as the deadline for registration does not apply to them.

[QFM]

Government says it will ensure punitive measures are taken against perpetrators of Gender Based Violence (GBV) against women and girls.

Chavuma District Commissioner, Lawrence Kayumba, said God created men and women equal but with different roles, adding that any one taking advantage of them through any kind of abuse should face the wrath of the law.

Mr Kayumba said this over the weekend during this year’s International Women’s Day Celebrations in Chavuma.

He stressed that traditions and customs that promote GBV and stigma against women and girls should be done away with especially that Zambia is celebrating 50 years of political Independence and urged Chavuma residents to report any form of violence against women to relevant authorities.

Mr Kayumba also said there is need to inspire women in various ways so that their potential to achieve excellence is realised in line with this year’s International Women’s Day under the theme ‘Inspiring change, celebrating God’s favour on 50 years of women’s excellence and achievement’.

The District Commissioner also took time to praise a freedom fighter, Elizabeth Mulongesa, who used to cook for the male freedom fighters in Chavuma during the liberation struggle.

And speaking earlier, International Women’s Day Organising Chairperson for Chavuma, Mispa Musomali, said the theme for the women’s day is an indication of women’s achievements and excellence through team work exhibited through the independence struggle.

Mrs Musomali commended President Michael Sata for recognising women who are holding key position in government and parastatal companies.