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The Prisons Care and Counseling Association (PRISCCA) has expressed disappointment with the ever increasing number of Zambian women being arrested and convicted on charges of drug trafficking.
PRISCCA Executive Director Godfrey Malembeka said his association was concerned about the number of women going to prison because of trafficking in drugs.
Mr. Malembeka said women need to be empowered through groups such as cooperatives so that they desist from engaging into illegal ways of earning money.
He noted that by behaving engaging into drug trafficking, the Zambian women were devaluing themselves thereby eroding the respect which people had for them.
Mr. Malembeka told ZANIS in Lusaka today that women involved and those who intend to venture into such activities should be seriously educated and counseled on the dangers of drug trafficking since prison is not a nice place to stay.
He suggested that non-governmental organisations (NGOs) such as NGOCC and other women organisations should step up sensitisation programmes for women and juveniles against drug trafficking.
Mr. Malembeka also called upon the national education campaign division of the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) to educate the women instead of just apprehending them and putting them in custody.
He further advised women indulging in illicit activities to find legal means of uplifting their living standards.
Mr. Malembeka feared that the number of women in prisons may surpass that of men if they continue with their criminal activities.
China Jiangxi Corporation for International, Economic and Technical Cooperation has donated about K232.5 million (US$50,000) worth of assorted items to the Ministry of Education.
Minister of Education Dora Siliya, who confirmed the donation to ZANIS in Lusaka today, said all the donated items are for selected schools in Western province alone.
Ms. Siliya said the items comprise 20 computers, 500 books, 100 footballs, basketballs and netballs and other education material sets.
She said the donation will significantly help in equipping schools in Western province with materials that would improve the standards of education in the area.
She has since thanked China Jiangxi Corporation for International, Economic and Technical Cooperation for the donation.
And President Rupiah Banda has paid gratitude to the Chinese government for being an all-weather-friend of Zambia from time in memorial.
President Banda said relations between China and Zambia date back to pre-independence period and have continued to grow.
He noted that even when China was still a poor country, it assisted Zambia in many areas of political and economic development.
He said this when Vice Governor of China’s Jiangxi Provincial Government, Hong Lihe and his delegation, paid a courtesy call on him at state House today.
President Banda said the building of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway (TAZARA) was one project that proved China’s genuine friendship with Zambia.
“I am therefore very happy to receive you in our country which will deepen relations with your country,” he said.
He pointed out that in the recent past, the cooperation between the two countries has increased tremendously.
“In our recent history, we have cooperative a great deal. Now we can boast of a lot of development through assistance from China,” he said.
And Vice Governor of Jiangxi Provincial Government, Hong Lihe his country was happy that Zambia’s economy was growing very fast while her political environment has remained stable.
Mr. Hong said President Banda’s government has implemented its national development plan well hence the positive economic development.
He said praised the Zambian government for recording massive economic development in the recent past.
He observed that Zambia’s current economic development were similar to that of his province.
Mr. Hong said President Banda was also paying a lot of attention to the education sector in the country.
And Mr. Hong said Chinese companies operating in Zambia were receiving a lot of support from the Zambia government.
He said as a result, these companies were delivering satisfactory results especially in the construction industry.
China’s Jiangxi Province has a population of 44 million.
File: Bank of Zambia of Zambia governor Caleb fundanga (right )and his deputy Dr. Denny Kalyalya
Alternate Executive Director of the Africa Group One Constituency at the World Bank, Dr. Denny Kalyalya has implored the Zambian government to take full advantage of the current warm relations and the numerous opportunities the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) offer to advance the cause of development for Zambia.
This is contained in a statement made available to Lusakatimes by Ben Kangwa Press secretary for the Zambian Embassy Washington DC.
Dr. Kalyalya said the World Bank Group and IMF see a lot of potential in Zambia and that engagements with the two Institutions now was of advantage to Zambia’s economic development.
He said, ”The two Institutions see a lot of potential in Zambia and the important role in the global context the country can play in fighting poverty.”
Dr. Kalyalya noted that the recent visits to Zambia by the IMF Managing Director Mr. Dominique Strauss Khan and that of the World Bank Group President Mr. Robert Zoelick in March and December last year respectively were indications of positive economic progress in Zambia.
Other indicators were the establishment of the country office by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the appointment of a Country Director for Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe stationed in Zambia.
“ It is therefore incumbent upon Zambia and Zambians to step up to the plate and explore various options through the Country Assistance Strategies (CASs) and other mechanisms of effectively engaging with the Bretton Woods Institutions (BWIS) for the betterment of mother Zambia,” he added.
Dr. Kalyalya was speaking at a luncheon hosted at the Zambia Embassy in Washington DC to mark the end of the Minister of Finance and National Planning Dr. Situbeko Musokotwane and his delegation’s attendance of the 2011 IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings.
Earlier, Dr Musokotwane told his audience which included Zambians working at the IMF and World Bank that the 2011 IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings were a success.
He said he was pleased to note that Zambia was attracting a lot of positive attention within the IMF, World Bank Group and the African Development Bank .
The Minister said the Bretton Wood Institutions were interested in understanding Zambia’s economic priorities. Crucial infrastructure and developmental needs of Zambia and how the various institutions could collaborate with the government were discussed at length during these meetings.
Dr. Musokotwane was particularly happy with the discussions on the way forward regarding the funding of a railway line to connect Zambia to the Port of Lobito in Angola, which he said was “critical” for Zambia’s imports and exports
He stated the willingness by the African Development Bank (ADB) on projects such as the Kazungula Bridge – a joint project between Zambia and Botswana across the Zambezi River that is intended to link Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) through Botswana and South Africa.
The Auditor General’s Office is bidding for the position of United Nations Auditor which falls vacant next year when South Africa’s term expires. Auditor General Anna Chifungula disclosed the development at her office today when a Chinese delegation which is in the country for a study tour called on her.
Ms. Chifungula said Zambia stood a better chance to scoop the position as her office had more qualified personnel to Audit the accounts of UN once it assumed the position. ZANIS reports that the Auditor General noted that the position would offer Zambian Auditors experience and to build their capacity but was quick to note that there were competitors who were also campaigning hard for the same position.
She solicited for Chinese support during voting in the General Assembly during voting saying the cordial relations the two countries enjoyed should help Zambia scoop the position. Ms Chifungula said her office had since sent in bids and were waiting for elections slated for November this year.
She commended the Chinese government for continued collaboration with the Zambian government in various ways and hoped that the cordial relationship would continue as it benefited both China and Zambia.
The Auditor General further stated that despite the help China had offered in various forms, her office still faced challenges such as insufficient vehicles to send officers to some rural parts of the country, equipment for use and competent human resource to implement integrated Financial Management Information System the country had.
And Chinese Delegation Leader Liu Haiyu thanked the Auditor General and the Zambian government for allowing the Chinese to conduct a study tour in Zambia. Mr. Haiyu who is also Chinese Director General for the National Audit Office explained that the study tour was meant for the delegation to learn how Zambia conducted auditing and draw more experience from their Zambian counterparts.
She said this would further strengthen the already existing relationship between the two countries.
The MMD party said that it will be willing to participate in any public debate as long as it is informed in good time. Party Deputy national Secretary Chembe Nyangu told QFM that people calling for public debates can go ahead and organize them if they so wish and that the MMD will be more than willing to participate and use the platform to sell its manifesto.
Mr. Nyangu said that the proposed debates should however not be used to humiliate the MMD as a party or be used to brew up squabbles that may put the party into disrepute. He added that MMD has a lot of people that are specialized in various fields who can efficiently articulate issues contained in the party manifesto.
Yesterday, Heritage Party president Brigadier General Godfrey Miyanda who featured on QFM’s Monday Nite Live programme called for public debates were aspiring candidates in this year’s elections can debate issues.
And Mr. Nyangu has said people condemning President Rupiah Banda’s move to right off the balances owed by the tenants of the former mine houses on the Copperbelt should be realistic.
Mr. Nyangu says the directive issued by the president was in line with the MMD government’s policy of empowering the citizens of Zambia.
And Miners in Kitwe in the Copperbelt Province have applauded President Ruphia Banda for his directive to write off outstanding balances on former parastatal houses sold to sitting tenants in the region.
United Mineworkers Union of Zambia General Secretary Wisdom Ngwira said in a statement to ZANIS in Kitwe yesterday that his members have pledged support to Government under the leadership of President Banda.
Mr Ngwira said it was gratifying that President Banda’s leadership had realised to empower citizens with houses through the housing empowerment scheme.
He said it was a job well done to the people just as the second republican President Dr Fredrick Chiluba did in 1992.
And former dissolved Reform Party District Information Publicity Secretary Kenneth Nguluka appealed to President Banda not to be distracted by remarks of some clergy instead concentrate on improving the living standards of the people.
Mr Nguluka told ZANIS that the majority of the people were appreciating what President Banda had done during his term of office and only priests like Bishop Alick Banda with hidden motives could talk ill of President Banda’s performance.
Mr Nguluka was reacting to Bishop Alick Banda of Ndola Diocese’s remarks that the directive by President Banda to write of the outstanding balances on former parastatal houses was a move to lure votes in this year’s election.
He said though he was not a beneficiary of the directive he was in full support because it had been done in good faith.
He stated that it was a fact that people have no capacity to finish paying for the houses and that this directive had nothing to do with votes.
Mr Nguluka said all politicians got votes from the people who stood for the truth and listened to them.
He urged Bishop Banda to preach peace to the people as the country heads towards elections and not to provoke them.
Some of the rehabilitated equipment at Luanshya Copper Mines
Vice President George Kunda has expressed happiness to see the revival of Luanshya district in terms of its economic activities as a result of the re-opening of Luanshya mines,Baluba and Mulyanshi copper mines which would create jobs for the local people .
Mr Kunda has also disclosed that Government would tar all Copperbelt roads including those in Luanshya district.
ZANIS reports that speaking during a public rally addressed at Nkulu Mashiba high school in Roan Constituency Tuesday afternoon, Mr Kunda said he was also happy to note that the people of Luanshya were coming up with many structures such as shops ,including a filling station.
The Vice President also observed that under the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD), the Agriculture sector had improved due to Government’s good agriculture policies resulting in continued maize bumper harvest and increased production of Rice and Soya beans among other cash crops.
Speaking during the same meeting, Copperbelt Province Minster Mwansa Mbulakulima said the Patriotic Front manifesto was a document of lamentations responding to the successes of MMD and that it was not a consistent and diverse paper which people should not take seriously because there was completely nothing in it .
Works and Supply Minister Gabriel Namulambe who is also MMDs National Elections Chairperson was confident that President Rupiah Banda would emerge victorious in this year’s elections.
Mr Namulambe said the MMD was a party with national character that had scored immense successes in infrastructure development and urged the people of Roan constituency to vote for the ruling party.
Earlier, Vice President Kunda visited house number 191/section 21 of Mpatamatu where he was born and raised as well as the market and Mpatamato high school where he completed his secondary education before going to the University of Zambia for further studies.
Mr Kunda said the visit to his former house signified that he had not lost touch with the area where he was born and raised up.
The Vice President urged the people of Roan to vote for an MMD candidate who would work closely with the President ,the Vice President and the ruling party and bring development in the area .
And during the same day, the Vice President handed over a school hall at Nkulu Mashiba high school which was rehabilitated through the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit under his office at a cost of 124 million kwacha .
The Vice Preisdent wondered why Roan Member of Parliament Chishimba Kambwili failed to repair a hall over a period of two years using money from Constituency Development Fund and described this as gross negligence.
President Rupiah Banda is today expected to witness surgical operations to be conducted by visiting United States (US) specialised Surgeon on children suffering from different ailments at Lusaka’s Beit Cure Hospital.
The renowned US Surgeon is in the country at the invitation of President Banda after watching him perform exceptional surgical operations on Cable News Network (CNN).
Beit Cure Hospital Executive Director Peter Kyalo commended the President for his initiative saying the gesture will go a long way in affording children admitted to Beit Cure Hospital an opportunity to receive specialised medical care.
Dr Kyalo said his institution wants to ensure that as many children as possible suffering from different ailments are operated on by the visiting surgeon who is scheduled to leave the country on Saturday.
He also urged members of the public to send their children to Beit Cure Hospital as soon as they notice any abnormality in their growth.
He said conditions such as hydrocephalus, yields better results when treated at an early age. Hydrocephalus is a condition characterised with bulging of the head.
ZANIS
Nkana Water and Sewerage Company (NWSC) in Kitwe in the Copperbelt Province has issued a seven- day ultimatum to Wusakile residents to demolish illegal structures built on spaces where sewer lines are to be laid.
NWSC Community Mobilisation Specialist Mwangala Chiwala said the ultimatum would serve as a warning to the residents and their failure to comply would result in the Planning Unit of the Council to demolish the illegal structures commonly known as ‘tuma cabins’ and there would be no compensation.
ZANIS reports that She said illegal structures and extensions in the township were rife as they have left no space where sewer and water lines could be laid.
Mrs Chiwala was speaking at a public meeting with Wusakile residents held at Wusakile high school.
Sections B7 and B4 have 59 and 34 illegal structures respectively that were earmarked for demolition if new toilets were to be built in Wusakile Township .
Mrs Chiwala said further delay to raze down the structures would affect commencement of laying sewer lines an exercise which had started in some parts of the township.
About 1, 800 houses were targeted to be connected to the main sewer lines to facilitate the construction of individual toilets.
Residents were expected to pay K180, 000 and K250, 000 for water and sewer connections respectively.
The Sanitation Improvement Project is Government funded to be executed by Nkana Water and Sewerage Company with technical support from Mopani Copper Mines.
And Kitwe City Council Town Planner Christopher Lukwesa said the illegal structures have distorted plans of placement of ZAMTEL, ZESCO and sewer lines in the area
He warned residents against defying the ultimatum as they would be inconvenienced when Council takes action.
President Rupiah Banda has commissioned mobile hospitals for Southern Province with a call to every Zambian to access medical facilities as their fundamental right because Government was spending public resources to improve their welfare.
President Banda reiterated his Government’s commitment to bettering the lives of Zambian people through mobile hospitals that were accessible, affordable, cost effective and quality health care brought closer to all Zambians without exception.
ZANIS reports that he said this in Mazabuka district, Southern Province when he handed over the mobile hospitals to the Provincial administration.
The launch of the mobile hospitals comes barely after two weeks when President Banda commissioned the similar ones in Chongwe district in Lusaka district.
He said the provinces should come out with strategies that would safeguard the lifespan of the facilities.
“The mobile health units being handed over today are a clear testimony to our Government’s resolve and commitment to improving the health of our people. Our people in Southern Province and other rural parts of Zambia are still disadvantaged because of lack of health services there,” he said.
The mobile hospitals comprise an out-patient unit, x-ray, theatre, laboratory, dispensary and audio units among others.
And President Banda has disclosed that Government had also acquired state of art ambulances in form of boats to be used in locations where the people depended on water transport.
He further revealed that the Nigerian Government had donated an brand new ambulance to Mazabuka District hospital to reduce maternal health related issues.
He further disclosed that Government through the Ministry of Health had embarked on massive infrastructure development across the country enshrined in the Sixth National Development Plan such as health posts and hospitals being constructed in Choma, Namwala, and Kalomo respectively.
He disclosed that Mazabuka district hospital would be up-graded into a general hospital status to match with the growing population seeking quality health care services.
He thanked stakeholders and cooperating partners for their continued support in the provision of health care services to the people.
President Banda has since flown back to Lusaka. He left Nakambala stadium aboard a Chopper at 17-40 hours.
Southern Province Minister Elijah Muchima, Mazabuka, District Commissioner Tyson Hamaamba, senior Government officials and MMD party officials from both the district and the entire province saw off the Head of State who completed his busy schedule in Mazabuka district.
Government has ordered 100 million vaccines at a cost of K7 billion for cattle vaccination in Southern Province.
And President Rupiah Banda has implored the people of Zambia to vote wisely to ensure that the country’s development agenda continues to move forward.
This came to light in Mazabuka today when President Rupiah Banda officiated at the Southern Province Chiefs meeting.
ZANIS reports that at the same meeting Dr Martine Mtonga, a Consultant told the chiefs that vaccines would be given at zero cost to farmers in the province.
He also disclosed that tests for cattle were taking long and noted that Government had decided to build a new laboratory for cattle in Choma at a cost of K2 billion.
And President Banda said the wealth of people of Southern Province was wealth for all Zambians because if the province had more animals, it meant that the country would get richer.
Mr Banda said the country was at crossroads as it was expected that people have to go to elections this year.
He said there were people who did not like what Government had achieved so far and would want to mess up things.
‘’It is important that we think seriously because who is voted into office will have to continue running these institutions. Everyone of us has a role to play in ensuring that people vote correctly,’’ he said.
‘’Definitely our country is on its way up, the truth is we are getting somewhere. That is why we are bringing K7 billion here for the vaccination and we can afford to give it to the people of Southern Province for free. We are not going to give up subsidising fertiliser to our people until we feel they do it on their own,’’ he said.
The President predicted another bumper harvest during this year’s farming season. ‘’Those who are opposed to our bumper harvest would have preferred that we fail. We are happy that K1.3 trillion has gone to farmers. We will look for K1.3 trillion again to pay our people if they produce a bumper harvest again,’’ he said.
The President castigated some of the old politicians for talking of things they failed to do because they once held positions of responsibility in Government.
‘’Some of these old politicians should not talk because they have been in these positions before. For them to come and say you haven’t done this is not right because they have been there,’’ he said.
He appealed to traditional leaders to work together with Government in developing the country. He said Government had found a formula of growing more food and attracting more investment into the country. He also urged the chiefs to pray for the country so that it could hold peaceful elections.
‘’I have always been for peaceful elections, win or loose but there must be peaceful elections,’’ he said.
He also noted that chiefs were Government’s most important cooperating partners to see to it that development took place.
He said everyone must have a record and have a basis for who to vote for . ‘’Over the houses I announced in Kitwe recently, I have been receiving petition after petition and I have been studying these petitions, at last I said ok, these people can have these houses but surprisingly I have had a chain reaction,’’ he said.
He said he thought the Church’s prayer was that the people should be uplifted from poverty.
Luapula Province Minister Besa Chimbaka has said that stories on suspected ritual killers carried on Radio Yangeni, a local radio station run by the Catholic Church, might have contributed to inciting the people of Senama and Kapesha to resort to violent protests.
He advised the radio station management to observe responsible reporting and always strive to verify their stories.
Mr Chimbaka has described as unfortunate violent protests that have erupted in Mansa and led to loss of life and property.
Mr Chimbaka has also directed Police to fish out all perpertrators behind the violence that has rocked the district for the past two days for them to face the law.
The Minister said police should fish out those behind the violence, adding that rumour mongering is a crime and police must immediately deal with it.
He also called upon opposition political leaders in the province to condemn and stop the people involved in the violent riots from using their slogans and symbols, as no single person is supposed to take pride or use the riots for political purposes.
[pullquote]The Minister said police should fish out those behind the violence, adding that rumour mongering is a crime and police must immediately deal with it.[/pullquote]
ZANIS reports that the Minister said the riots that have culminated into burning and looting of shops as well as houses belonging to selected businessmen is unfortunate and will have a long time negative economic effect on the people of Mansa.
He said no Mansa resident must take pride in what is happening and noone should even make political capital out of the situation.
“What is happening is unfortunate because innocent lives have been senselessly wasted while investment that is supposed to provide jobs to the people has been destroyed.
” This will have long economic effects on the people of Mansa and is not good for future investment.
[pullquote]He also called upon opposition political leaders in the province to condemn and stop the people involved in the violent riots from using their slogans and symbols, as no single person is supposed to take pride or use the riots for political purposes.[/pullquote]
” Look at AMICO investment, look at ICM and PAPI, they all had invested and employed a lot of people who will now have no jobs and this means perpetuating poverty in the district,” Mr Chimbaka said.
Residents of Senama and Kapesha areas in Mansa have in the past two days taken to violent riotus behaviour following a rumours that local businessmen have engaged killers who are abducting children for body parts to use in boosting their businesses.
Business properties that were looted and burnt belong to four business people AMICO investment belonging to Ibrahim Sanaullar, Nana belonging to John Kambafwile, ICM investment owned by Ireen Chilongo and Country Grocery run by Papi Muzungu.
The rioters also burnt down houses and vehicles belonging to the businessmen.
Another businessman a money lender named Wilbroad Chishimba was burnt to death yesterday, his was also house destroyed and four vehicles set on fire.
Meanwhile, relative calm has returned to Mansa after riot police and army personnel intensified operations. Attempts by some protesters to ransack Country grocery and Rendezvous Nite Club were quickly thwarted.
Luapula Province Minister has called for beefing up of police personnel in Mansa so that people’s life and property can be secured at all costs.
Authorities have confirmed that affected business together with their families have been taken to safety house where they are being kept.
Inspector General of Police has since warned perpetrators of violence that they will be dealt with.
The Zambia Voluntary Soccer Fans Association (ZAVOSOFA) Patron Peter Makembo has urged the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) to intervene in the differences between Zambia Nation Soccer Team coach Dario Bonnetti and his under 23 counterpart Lucky Msiska.
ZANIS sports reports Makembo saying in an interview in Lusaka today that FAZ was best placed in assisting to help sort out or address the differences between Bonnetti and Msiska.
Makembo stressed that there was need to settle the Bonneti- Msiska impasse quickly before the duo’s differences get out of hand.
He added that what the soccer fans countrywide want to see was that the duo reconcile once again for the sake of development of football in Zambia.
Makembo said the Bonnetti and Msiska differences were further helping in the derailment of the soccer standards in the nation.
The duo have been at each other’s neck for some time now over the the country’s major sport’s wellbeing leading to the latter to quit as national team assistant trainer in February this year.
In another development, Makembo commended Zambian strikers Collins Mbesuma and Emmanuel Mayuka for their continued scoring prowress in their respective foreign clubs.
Makembo pointed out that the duo have continued to please their fans proud with their splendid performance in their respective clubs.
He urged Mbesuma and Mayuka not to relent in their good performance of playing well and continue scoring for their clubs.
Switzerland based Zambian Striker Emmanuel Mayuka on Saturday continued stealing the limelight for the BSC Young Boys with his impressive performance when he scored in the win over AC Bellinzona in the Swiss Super League.
And Golden Arrows Chipolopolo forward Collins Mbesuma on Friday night netted a penalty in the 3-1 defeat to ABSA Premiership leaders Ajax Cape Town.
The Meteorological Department of Zambia has disclosed that the prevailing dry spell in most parts of the country signifiesend of the 2010/2011 rain season.
Senior Meteorological officer Chizgane Ngwira in an interview with ZANIS disclosed that his department was carrying out an analysis with the Ministry of Agriculture to come up with the 2011 Crop Produce Report.
Mr. Ngwira said the country recorded a good amount of rainfall this year, which was likely to result into a good crop harvest.
He said that according to the monitored report of rainfall pattern this year, most parts of the country recorded normal rainfall although some districts had below normal rainfall.
Mr. Ngwira cited Lundazi as one of the areas that had recorded below normal rainfall as a result of partial droughts.
But he said Chipata, Luapula and Western Provinces had recorded normal to above normal rainfall this year.
And the Meteorological department has advised farmers who planted their crops early to start harvesting as the country was not expecting any more rainfall.
However, Mr. Ngwira urged farmers whose crops were not yet ready for harvest to wait until the crop was dry.
He explained that the maize that was planted late had a high moisture content which may disturb quality of the crop, if harvested early.
He added that the Food Reserve Agency (FRA), which he described as a credible buyer of maize in the country, had been finding it difficult to buy the crop with high moisture content.
Mr. Ngwira further advised farmers not to rush to harvest and sell their crop to briefcase traders but to wait for the crop to be ready.
VATICAN Ambassador to Zambia Archbishop Nicola Girasoli
Vatican Ambassador to Zambia, Nicola Girasoli, Girasoli has distanced the Catholic Church from the attacks on Government by some Catholic priests in the country.
Apostolic Nuncio Girasoli was speaking at a media breakfast and launch of his book entitled, “One Hundred Thoughts of Peace; we can negotiate everything except human rights” held at his residence in Lusaka today.
He explained that the Catholic Church in Zambia spoke through the Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) and therefore, opinions and statements from individual Catholic priests should not be regarded as the stance of the church.
“This (attacks on government by some catholic priests) is not the stand of the church, the stand of the Catholic Church is done by ZEC. So the voice of a single priest is the opinion of that priest and not of the Catholic church,” he stressed.
He said the Catholic Church was working well with Government but had a role to speak for the voiceless in society.
Ambassador Girasoli said the Catholic Church runs over 220 schools in the country and 39 hospitals with one university.
He also observed that Zambia was one of the countries with high respect for basic human rights.
Ambassador Girasoli said human rights and press freedom were highly respected in Zambia as compared to other countries on the African continent.
[pullquote]On the issue of some politicians planning to allow homosexuality if they came to power, Ambassador Girasoli explained that the rights of gays and lesbians should be respected because they were human beings too.He was however quick to point out that in Christianity, homosexuality was a clear sin adding that the Catholic Church strongly condemned the act.[/pullquote]
On the issue of some politicians planning to allow homosexuality if they came to power, Ambassador Girasoli explained that the rights of gays and lesbians should be respected because they were human beings too.He was however quick to point out that in Christianity, homosexuality was a clear sin adding that the Catholic Church strongly condemned the act.
Ambassador Girasoli has also observed that the Zambian economy had grown in the recent past due to favourable economic environment in the country. He said it was recognisable that the economy had recorded positive strides in the last five years of his stay in Zambia.
He that said among many factors that have contributed to the improvement of the economy were the favourable international economic developments.
Ambassador Girasoli pointed out that there was need to recognise the role of economic growth in the country and ensure that it benefitted all citizens.
“We must acknowledge the role of this growth and we must also see that this growth benefits the majority of the population,” he noted.
[pullquote]“What we see unfortunately is this gap between the rich and the poor is unfortunately becoming wider,” he said.[/pullquote]
However, Ambassador Girasoli noted that the economic growth that had taken place in Zambia in the recent past had not fully benefitted the ordinary Zambian people.
“What we see unfortunately is this gap between the rich and the poor is unfortunately becoming wider,” he said.
Ambassador Girasoli therefore suggested that it was important to allow citizens to have more access to the use of Zambia’s natural resources in order for them to come out of poverty.
He explained that citizens should have access to natural resources because they essentially belonged to them and not to Government.
