Yesterday, 3 February, the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) presented to the Human Rights Committee of the National Constitutional Conference (NCC) more than 12 thousand (12,481) signatures from Zambians across the nation demanding that these rights be included in the new Bill of Rights of the new Constitution.

The JCTR says in a release signed by a Chilufya Chileshe obtained by ZANIS in Lusaka, today,that the move was aimed ensuring that the NCC rights Committee takes consideration on the strong need of making Economic, Social and Cultural Rights justiciable and legally enforceable through inclusion in the new Bill of Rights.

The JCTR adds that this is a strong voice from many Zambians that strengthens the wishes of many Zambians expressed in the last three Constitutional Review Commissions (Mvunga, Mwanakatwe, and Mung’omba Commissions).”

It says that the Zambians’ wishes must be taken seriously by members of the NCC and government.

“We should not take for granted the voices and aspirations of Zambians that made such demands. The realization of ESCR through inclusion in the new Bill of Rights is mandatory in promoting human dignity and also in according these rights their proper place,” says Dominic Liche of the Church Social Teaching Programme at the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection.

It notes that this it is encouraging that the NCC through the Human Rights Commission is seriously considering inclusion of ESCR in the new Constitution in its review of the proposed Mung’omba Draft Constitution.

According to Mr Liche, however, “ We have noticed some distracting voices that are trying to sway support of NCC members towards non-inclusion. These voices have mainly argued that provision of ESCR will bankrupt Zambia and that Zambia cannot afford a Referendum.

” Such voices are merely misleading for we have stressed that these rights will be progressively realized and prioritisation and maximisation in utilisation of available resources can ensure that more and more Zambians access their needs.”

JCTR is not necessarily arguing for distribution of “free” social services, but “access” to these basic necessities. Those against the Referendum seem to be saying that people’s choices and aspirations do not matter in making a Constitution that is claimed to be a “People’s Constitution”.

Mr. Liche stressed that “Zambia should adopt the new Constitution through a Referendum because the Constitution begins with “We, the people…” and people must be involved in the adoption process Otherwise, there is a danger that the next President and Party in power will simply call for a new Constitution.”

It is the duty of Zambians especially policy makers (such as members of the NCC) and the legal professionals to make clear in policy and legislation how these rights can be implemented. To continue hiding under the cover of “Zambia has no money and ESCR will make us bankrupt” is inadequate to answering the demands of the many Zambians who want these rights to be enshrined in the new Bill of Rights of the new Constitution.

According to the JCTR ESCR, constitutionally guaranteed , are necessary for the fulfillment of the Millennium Developments Goals (MDGs), the Fifth National Development Plan (FNDP) and the Vision 2030.
ZANIS/MM/ENDS

Government says the inclusion of opposition members and MMD cadres in the Presidential delegation during foreign tours is not a new phenomenon.

Chief government spokesman Lieutenant General Ronnie Shikapwasha said this has been done before by the three past presidents in order to add value to the processes and proceedings of the Zambian delegation.

Lt. General Shikapwasha , who is also Information and Broadcasting minister, said the choice of the delegation member is the prerogative of the president.

He said the inclusion of opposition members goes to show how committed President Banda has to the principle of inclusiveness so that they add value and also be better informed about the goings in government.

Mr Shikapwasha said embracing the principle of national inclusiveness is one sure way of narrowing people’s political differences in national issues in the country.

He said the president cannot discriminate against Zambians on the basis of party membership or the jobs held in any given political party,adding that party cadres are also Zambians and using public funds on them when they add value to the Zambian delegation when attending important government businesses is justifiable.

” The inclusion of Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) President Edith Nawakwi in the presidential delegation to the 12th session of the African Union in Addis Ababa is not an anomaly,” he said.

He said Ms Nawakwi was expected to contribute in whatever area the president wanted her to do so.

Mr Shikapwasha further said giving exposure to Zambians from different walks of life is useful for the country as Zambians will become knowledgeable on different issues.

He adviced some named opposition and labour movement leaders not to pretend that this is a new phenomenon and that it does not benefit Zambians.

Mr Shikapwasha reminded the aggrieved leaders not to forget that this was same practice during first Republican President Dr Kenneth Kaunda and second President Dr Fredrick Chiluba’s administration.

Mr Shikapwasha said even late President Dr Mwanawasa’s administration did the same when need arose.

ZANIS/PM/IS/ENDS/MM

African leaders meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia last night failed to reach a consensus on modalities for the transformation of the African Union Commission, AUC, to the African Union Authority, AUA, as a first step towards the establishment of a Union Government.

On the last day of their 12th summit, African leaders met until the early hours of Wednesday to work out the final details of the Union Government, but could not agree on modalities for transforming the AUC into an Authority.

At an earlier sitting, the African leaders had agreed to create the African Union Authority to coordinate African efforts towards the emergence of a United States of Africa. The deal was struck after a day-long meeting on Sunday.

The African Union Authority, which was to be established, would have a President, a Vice President and Commissioners, who would e secretaries while other organs of the AUC among Assembly of the Union, Executive Council and Permanent Representative Committees would have remained unaltered.

But the seeming breakthrough was reversed at the full official sitting on Tuesday, which lasted until early Wednesday, leading to the postponement of the summit’s closing ceremony.

Libyan Leader Muammar Gaddafi, who has been in the forefront of those pushing for the formation of a Union Government, stormed out of the meeting minutes before it ended.

Zambia is a prominent voice among those calling for a gradual approach in the formation of the Union Government.

Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, who chaired the special session on the Union Government on Sunday, said the breakthrough on the creation of the Authority was reached to guide the steps towards a United States of Africa.

AUC President Jean Ping confirmed the hitch, saying that the African leaders agreed on the creation of the AU Authorities but could not agree on the modalities of transforming the AUC into an authority.

“We agreed on the creation of the African Union Authority, but we faced difficulties on the modalities of creating the Authority,” said Mr. Ping.

ZANIS/ENDS/SJK/MKM

Former first lady Maureen Mwanawasa has challenged government to adopt a revolutionary approach to the nation’s economic challenges and create fall back industries to avoid over dependency on the mining sector.

Dr. Mwanawasa has also called for enhanced education provision and accessibilities saying education remained Zambia’s cornerstone to economic development.

Speaking in Chililabombwe when she donated assorted educational support materials to the Konkola Support to Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC), Dr. Mwanawasa said there was need to effectively use the abundant natural resources to develop various industries unlike depending on minerals, which are a wasting asset.

She said Zambia had the potential to alleviate poverty and ensure its citizens accessed better living standards through the implementation of pro poor policies and economic activities in various sectors.

Dr. Mwanawasa further called for the development of export zones in border areas to enhance cross border trade, which has the capacity of creating jobs for the trading communities.

“Zambia does not determine copper prices on the world market so people should have other sources of income in case they lose their jobs as is the case now. Copper is a wasting asset hence the need to create sustainability of other industries,” she advised.

The Former First Lady reiterated the Maureen Mwanawasa Community Initiative (MMCI)’s resolve to offer educational and nutritional support to OVCs as well as the aged in various localities in the country.

Among the donated items were books, assorted clothes, blankets, sugar, soap mosquito nets, chitenge materials, jerseys and sweat shirts as well as bicycles.

And speaking at the same function Konkola OVC chairperson, Obvious Kamukwamba thanked the MMCI for the donation saying the gesture would greatly help the 300 orphans his organization was currently sponsoring.

Mr Kamukwamba said his organization would demonstrate transparency in distributing the donated equipment while urging the beneficiaries to take care of the gifts whose monetary value was high.

In an other development, former first lady has implored the Zambian community to uphold children’s rights and create a conducive environment under which they should grow and develop into productive citizens.

Speaking when she officiated at the opening of Nsungeni Early Childhood Care and Development Centre at Chililabombwe’s Lubengele market, Dr. Mwanawasa said children need to be brought up in conducive environment.

The care and development centre, which shelters about 160 marketeer’s children, is an initiative of the Maureen Mwanawasa Community Initiative (MMCI) and Konkola Copper Mines (KCM).

Dr. Mwanawasa said the centre would enable disadvantages children access protection, good nutrition, healthy living conditions and an early education while their parents are trading at the market.

She commended KCM for its corporate social responsibility programme which had facilitated the funding of the project, which caters for children aged between six months and six years.

The MMCI has also facilitated the construction of another childhood care and development centre in Kapiri Mposhi called Amundame.

And KCM General Manager Keith Kapui expressed delight at his organisation’s involvement in helping the underprivileged in its area of operation through childhood care and educational support.

Mr Kapui said KCM was committed to investing into community ventures that uplifts children’s well being and development as demonstrated by its capital injection into community and trust schools in Chingola and Chililabombwe.

ZANIS/TT/MKM/ENDS

By Philos Zambianos ([email protected])

I do not agree with the idea that corruption is the root of the evils in Zambia. Corruption is just a by product of the bad economy which itself stems from the bad policies of government who obviously do not have a clue what they are doing, other than enrich themselves while preaching to the masses that they have their best interests at heart. Corruption follows a bad economy not the other way round. Zambia had a much smaller corruption problem at independence than now.

Corruption (especially the petty one) flourishes the most in poor countries. If you look at Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index, it is always dominated by poor countries, with Zambia being among the most corrupt countries. The last 2008 index puts Zambia in the same range of ranking as Nigeria, Mauritania, Niger and Nepal, countries well know for their corruption.

(see http://www.transparency.org/policy_research/surveys_indices/cpi/2008)

The only way you can significantly reduce corruption is by adopting policies that favour high economic growth which in turn creates wealth that keeps people busy rather than soliciting for bribes. If you make it easy for people to do business, everyone including civil servants will be able to engage in meaningful economic activities that will make them tons of cash.

Secondly, you need to take away the power of politicians in economic activities. As long as government has power to arbitrarily set rules governing how business is conducted, set import taxes or create endless operational rules, corruption will always be there. Various business lobbies can pay people in government to push their agenda. This is why many nations for example restrict access to their markets or impose tariffs on certain imported goods. Their politicians are bought off or otherwise influenced by lobby groups representing businesses. If the government did not have the power over such matters, corruption would be reduced.

Thirdly, kill red tape. For example, to operate a hotel in Zambia requires more than fifteen different licenses that can take many months to get (even up to a year). How can you kill corruption with so many regulations like that? There are too many procedures and there is opportunity for corruption at every stage. Even simply registering a company can take several days when it should really be a one day affair.

Another important factor in truly fighting corruption is using computer and communications technologies to make government processes faster, more efficient and transparent. For example, the Patents, Companies and Societies Registration offices can have an online database of all organisations in Zambia including contact details, directors, trustees, annual reports, etc. If there is a government tender going on, it is easier to investigate possible corruption by checking from this database whether the directors of a company that wins the tender are related to the minister or permanent secretary at the government department (of course the tender itself should have been published online with the winners mentioned).

An unintended positive consequence of using computer technologies is that government saves more money especially with the internet. Imagine how much money Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) spends printing tax return documents every month and the wasted labour inputting all the data collected from tax returns. Why can’t they put a system to do tax returns on the ZRA website? Tax payers can simply file their returns online and walk to any bank and deposit the money owed to ZRA. Imagine the speed, efficiency, convenience and costs saved for both tax collector and tax payer.

Of course I am realistic enough to know that these things I have mentioned (and this is not an exhaustive list) will probably never be implemented by the Zambian government. But if our leaders implemented such policies, they would benefit tremendously as there would be endless business opportunities arising from the higher economic activity. They would not need to solicit bribes or depend on foreign aid as there would be so many opportunities for them to make honest money. Even if there would be a remnant of corrupt politicians, they would certainly remain a minority and would be caught more easily since the police and the press would be better financed in a prosperous nation.

So perhaps I should follow the Christians and start praying for God to send us a Messiah president who understands these things and is willing to throw away decades of wrong policies since independence. A person that can observe how other countries became wealthy from poverty and learn from them. A person who can boldly take a new revolutionary approach to economics rather than keep doing the same old “tried and tested” nonsense that landed Zambia in the mess it currently is in.

A president who for once is able to do the right thing.

MMD national secretary, Katele Kalumba has reiterated that MMD national chairman Michael Mabenga was not forced to hand over the acting party presidency to President Banda.

He has advised members to desist from issuing statements on the matter until the National Executive Committee meets.

“As national secretary, I would like to advise members to desist from making statements on the issue of acting party president until the NEC meets on February 7, 2009 as earlier announced,” Dr Kalumba said.

In an interview in Lusaka yesterday, Dr Kalumba said his statement that Mr Mabenga had voluntarily handed over the position of acting party presidency was made after discussions between Mr Mabenga and President Banda and that it was not based on duress.

“My statement was clear that Mr Mabenga voluntarily offered President Banda the position of acting party president and Mr Banda was humbled by the offer and willingly accepted, subject to ratification by the NEC,” Dr Kalumba said.

He said anyone suggesting that Mr Mabenga was forced to hand over the position or that Mr Banda was already acting party president was misrepresenting the statement he issued.

Dr Kalumba said procedure was that NEC would meet and the proposal for President Banda to be ratified as acting MMD presidency would be presented at the meeting for endorsement or rejection.

He said that this did not mean that Mr Banda would be MMD president but that he would be acting party president.

Dr Kalumba said this was because there was no provisions in the MMD constitution for the NEC to elect a party president.

He said an administrative precedent had been set when President Mwanawasa sought the support of former President Dr Chiluba, former MMD Vice-President Enoch Kavindele and former party national chairman, Chitalu Sampa for him to be allowed to act as party president.
He said Dr Mwanawasa was never elected as acting MMD president but was elected president at the MMD national convention.

Dr Kalumba was reacting to party spokesperson, Benny Tetamashimba’s sentiments that there had been perceptions, mostly bordering on lies and misinformation, that Mr Banda had forced Mr Mabenga out.

Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Vocational Training Jonas Shakafuswa has advised people calling for disciplinary action against him to use other means of sorting out differences instead of alleged intimidation and threats.

Mr Shakafuswa, who is Katuba member of Parliament, said this in an interview in Lusaka yesterday.
“Things are better sorted out through other means other than intimidation,” Mr Shakafuswa said.

He said Dr Kalumba deserved respect and that it was unfortunate that some MMD officials allegedly did not respect him.

Mr Shakafuswa maintained that Mr Banda was leader for all and not just a few individuals.

[Zambia Daily Mail]