Government has expressed deep concern and disappointment over many young people’s behaviour of engaging in drug and alcohol abuse and unprotected sex.

Central Province Minister Ackimson Banda said in Kabwe today that it was sad that while government was trying to provide a conducive environment to foster youth development, most of them were following a destructive path.

Mr. Banda was speaking during the commemoration of the Africa Youth day whose theme is ‘productive youth for stability and economic development.’
He observed that if these vices were left unchecked, the youths, who are future leaders of the country, would be completely ruined.

Mr. Banda said to avert this situation, government would establish at least one youth resource centre in each district, which would contribute to the eradication of youth unemployment in the country through skills training. He explained that the targeted youths were those that dropped out of school and those that have never been to school.

Mr. Banda said the provision of life long skills to vulnerable young people would enhance their livelihood through better employment prospects in the formal sector and through self employment.

He said government would use such programmes in its effort to achieve the Millennium Development Goal number one, which aims at eradicating extreme poverty and hunger by the year 2015.

“I wish to direct local authorities in all the districts in my province to work tirelessly and swiftly act in collaboration with other stakeholders to ensure that perpetrators of these vices are brought to book,” he said.

And speaking earlier, Central Province acting Youth Development Coordinator Azele Mbewe congratulated all African youths aged between 15 and 35 years and encouraged them to be productive and positive agents of economic development of the African continent.

Mr. Mbewe said the African youth charter that was launched by Youth, Sport and Child Development Minister Kenneth Chipungu yesterday was aimed at empowering African youths and increase their participation in the process of consolidating peace, stability and establishing sustainable development in Africa.

ZANIS

The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) says it has arrested over 51 people across the country for illegal possession of psychotropic substance during the 45th Independence period.

DEC spokesperson John Nyawali confirmed the development in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today saying about 800 kilograms of cannabis was seized in the process.

Mr. Nyawali further said DEC in Siavonga arrested a female Zimbabwean national for drug trafficking.

He said Kerina Chivima was arrested when she was found with four pieces of compressed cannabis weighing 4.4 kilograms concealed in her traveling bag.

Mr. Nyawali said the Zimbabwean national was arrested together with Felix Musakanya, a bricklayer of Kaleya compound in Siavonga who was allegedly found with 268 balls of loose cannabis found after a search at his house.

The spokesperson further disclosed that the Commission has arrested two peasant farmers in Chief Hanjalika in Mazabuka district for allegedly trafficking in 768 kilograms of cannabis.

The DEC Public Relations and Press Liaison Officer warned people against engaging themselves in psychotropic substances because they risked being prosecuted.

ZANIS

President Rupiah Banda says there is need for the country to use its rich cultural heritage to promote national unity.

President Banda says despite having 73 tribes with their own culture and traditions, Zambians have continued to be one.

The President says that the richness of the cultural heritage of these different ethnic groups should make Zambia proud as a nation because this represents unity in diversity.

Mr. Banda was speaking in Chongwe today, when he officiated at the Chakwela Makumbi traditional ceremony of the Soli people of Chieftainess Mukamambo II at her at Makuyu Royal Palace.

The President said there was need for all Zambians to continue promoting unity and pride in the country.

Mr. Banda challenged the Soli people and all Zambians in general to preserve cultural events at they serve as important for a through which the communities can learn and assimilate useful customs, values and attitudes.

And President Banda said culture was also key to development.

The President observed that apart from its potential to safeguard the country’s traditions, culture can be used to promote tourism development, creative industries and local commerce.

Mr. Banda noted that there was need for the country to harness the potential of the cultural activities to create jobs for the people, especially in rural areas.

He said administration would continue supporting traditional ceremonies because it believes that no meaningful development can take place without culture.

And Senior Chieftainess Nkomeshya Mukamambo II, commended government for the many developmental project in the province and Chongwe district in particular.

Speaking through her principal advisor, John Luputa, Senior Chieftainess Nkomeshya, said her people were happy that government was working hard to improve their lives.

She also appealed to government to consider upgrading the Chalimbana Teacher’s College into a university.

The traditional leader said despite massive infrastructure, the college has continued to be underutilized.

She said over the years, the number of students at the college, established in 1939, has continued to reduce.

Senior Chieftainess Nkomeshya said the student enrollment rate now stands at 83 from the previous 500.

And Chakwela Makumbi National Chairperson, Noreen Mapala said the ceremony could not taker place last year, following the demise of late President Levy Mwanawasa.

Mrs. Mapala said the Basoli people in whose land President Mwanawasa’s remains lay, have now decided to release his spirit.

She thanked government for its support to the ceremony.

This year’s ceremony was attended by over 20 traditional leaders including Paramount Chief Chitimukulu of the Bemba.

Meanwhile, President Banda has called upon all traditional rulers in the country to play an active role in the fight against retrogressive vices in their chiefdoms.

Mr. Banda said as custodians of the country’s culture, chiefs should bring to the attention of their subjects, issues pertaining to the contemporary agricultural methods, girl child education, early marriages, HIV/AIDS, risky traditional practices such as sexual cleansing, spouse inheritance and spouse battering.

President Banda also appealed to traditional leaders to help sensitize their subjects on the dangers of deforestation.

ZANIS