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The Zambia Disability HIV/AIDS and Human Rights Programme (ZDHAHRP) has called upon the government to consider translating the national budget yellow book into braille for the blind people to understanding the national budget.
ZDHAHRP Programmes Director, Elijah Ngwale, said that the blind persons in the country were left out on the number of issues because they do not understand the content of the budget.
Mr. Ngwale explained to ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today that blind people in Zambia could only contribute to the economic growth of the country if all government planning documents were also produced in braille.
He explained that for along time now, the blind community has failed to contribute to important government projects because they do not see what is contained in the documents.
He further challenged the government, through the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services (MCDSS) and the Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAFPD) to hold workshops for persons with disabilities to discuss and analyse the 2009 national budget.
The ZDHAHRP director stated that the workshop will help people who were visually impaired to have a better understanding on the budget, adding that they will be educated on the importance of document.
He disclosed that the workshop will also give them a chance to come up with informed decisions that will consequently enable them inform government on issues affecting the disabled in the country.
Mr. Ngwale has however, commended Finance and National Planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane for the national budget which he said touched all important sectors of the national economy.
He further pointed out that there was need for government to effectively implement policies that were in the 2009 budget if the country was to improve economically.
I was in the passenger seat of a friend’s car as we waited for the lights on the intersection of Independence Road and Burma Road when my attention was drawn to a green Toyota Land Cruiser which pulled over next to us. The driver was a middle-aged white man with a white dog on his passenger seat. That is not an unusual sight in Lusaka nowadays. It was not even unusual that behind in the open van were two of my fellow black Zambians. What was unusual though was that it was raining. The guys behind were being soaked in rain while the White man and his dog were having a cozy ride in first class.
As the lights turned green and the vehicles sped towards town, I rolled my windows down and asked the man in the Land Cruiser why he would opt for the guys behind to get soaked while he had an animal ride shot-gun. His response was, “this is an expensive dog and it is none of your business. This is my business,” as he negotiated the turn on Kafue Roundabout to head south. Both my friend and I were speechless for a moment.
Later that day I recounted to the same friend what had happened to me a few weeks earlier. I went to purchase a tape for my video camera in one of the Indian owned shops on Cairo Road. As soon as I bought the tape, I decided to window shop next door. Fortunately, this shop carried similar products as the previous one where I bought the tape. I found the tape in this shop for about K6,000 cheaper. I hastily bought the cheaper tape and went back in the first shop to return the more expensive one. I asked for my money back because I found a cheaper one next door. He of course said they did not take returns but I insisted. He then said, “Why don’t you think before you buy? Fuseki.” In Zambia, “Fuseki” is an insult. Saying I was angry after hearing these words is an understatement. I cannot repeat the words I used to this man.
He quickly realized that he was dealing with a different person. His employees and the customers in the shop couldn’t believe their ears and eyes. I pointed my index finger and placed it right on his forehead and told him to never ever speak to me or anyone in that shop using such language. His body was shaking and you could hear the fear in his voice. He asked one of his employees to give me my money and go. I got my money and left but not before I shared a few more words of wisdom with him.
A few hours later in a restaurant a man walked to me and thanked me for speaking out for them in that store. He agreed with me that foreigners were disrespecting Zambians and abusing them in their own country. These foreigners are quick to change sides and claim the Zambian citizenship when it advantages them like the Indian man earlier.
As a Zambian living in my own country I deserve some respect and not to be treated like an animal. If I were in some little town in Sweden or some village in Nepal I would probably take it in and just shut up. However, in my country I will show you that I belong here and this is my territory and you may be invading my space.
I am in no way against foreigners. There are many foreigners who come to Zambia and make significant contributions in our communities. Many are respectful, cordial and considerate. Unfortunately, some are arrogant and disrespectful. These are the kinds we need to watch out. Whether or not they are our employers we should not reduce ourselves to sub-humans to be accepted by them. It is our country and let us stand up for our rights.
President Rupiah Banda was today among Heads of State and Government that attended a special session on the union government held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The closed-door session was among others, discussing the establishment of a unified Africa to give African people a stronger bargaining power at international forums.
The process towards the formation of the union government has followed decisive steps.
In January 2005, the fourth AU summit in Abuja, Nigeria, the leaders decided to set up a committee of seven heads of state under the leadership of President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda to examine the proposal in all its ramifications.
This was after reviewing the proposal of creating certain ministerial portfolios for the union.
In July the same year, the fifth AU summit held in Sirte, Libya, affirmed that the ultimate goal of the union was full political and economic integration that would lead to the United States of Africa after reviewing the report submitted by the committee.
The committee had recommended that there was need to work towards the formation of a union government for the continent.
A year later, in 2006, a committee of seven African heads of state submitted a report to the AU summit. The report, known as the “Study on an African Union Government towards the United States of Africa”, outlined a roadmap of forming the United States of Africa by 2015 in three phases.
In November 2006, the AU Executive Council concluded that all member states should accept the United States of Africa as a common and desirable goal, but differences existed over the modalities and time frame for achieving this goal and the appropriate pace of integration.
In July 2007, the AU summit met in Accra, Ghana to debate the plan for an African union government.
Meanwhile, President Banda held private talks with British Minister for Africa, Asia and the United Nations at the UN building in Addis Ababa today.
Mr. Banda also held one-on-one closed-door talks with Vice President of the World Bank at his presidential suite at Sheraton Hotel.
And, Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Felix Mutati told ZANIS here that African countries should act regionally to address infrastructure and energy deficits on the continent.
Mr. Mutati said African countries should move collectively forward to face some of the pressing challenges facing the continent.
He announced that Zambia would in April this year, host a financing conference for the development of the North to South corridor.
Mr. Mutati said the conference will aim at identifying bottlenecks in sourcing and accessing funds for development.
The Choma District Development Coordinating Committee (DDCC) has rejected project proposals amounting to K350 million under the Constituency Development Fund for Choma central.
Members of the committee resolved unanimously during their meeting held in Choma yesterday not to endorse project proposals, which were submitted by various wards, because most of the applications allegedly lacked merit and sufficient information
The members further argued that most projects that were proposed were not viable to warrant allocation of public resources for their expansion.
This is the second time in less than a week that the DDCC has met and rejected the same CDF project proposals that were submitted by the planning sub-committee of the DDCC.
Chairman of the committee, who is also District Commissioner, Laiven Apuleni, said the decision of the members was binding.
Mr. Apuleni said the project proposals would be sent back to the applicants and be subjected to field appraisals to satisfy concerns raised by the DDCC.
During the meeting, it was discovered that some of the project proposals had unrealistic figures, thereby raising suspicion about their credibility.
In one instance, the community had applied for as little as K 2. 5 million for the construction of a one by three classroom block at a certain school.
But the Ministry of Education submitted to the committee that the realistic figure for the construction of a one by three classroom block in the prevailing economic situation is K180 million.
Most of the project proposals from various communities for the rehabilitation of schools and health centres had amounts that were not sufficient to reach completion stage.
The members of the DDCC resolved that they would not endorse their signatures to a project document that was not clear especially that the Constituency Development Fund was public money.
They noted that members of the Choma constituency CDF were more concerned with how to apportion the K 400 million according to their wards without considering priorities and the impact of the projects.
The DDCC members said it would be better for the CDF committee to come up with significant projects that would have an impact on the development of the district.
They noted that the piecemeal system of sharing CDF according to wards without considering developmental priorities was responsible for the non-completion of many stalled projects that are funded under the same fund.
Southern Province Minister, Daniel Munkombwe today chased a ward councilor out of a provincial strategic meeting which was held to discuss how the recurrent cholera outbreaks could be contained in the province.
Mr. Munkombwe ejected councillor, Joseph Jambo, of Doctor Mubitana Ward, saying he was not qualified to attend the meeting because he had personalised issues concerning the illegal potters market in Livingstone.
”If you are defending Potters Market, can you march out of this meeting. Don’t prejudge us, you are not qualified,” he said.
Mr. Munkombwe said he had not called the meeting to discuss specific areas.
He said he did not need to be given distorted information by people who were biased as he had a huge responsibility of informing Minister of Health, Kapembwa Simbao, on what was happening in the province.
Livingstone Mayor, Grace Shafik told the minister that there were too many Zimbabweans sleeping at the illegal Potters Market but councilor Jambo denied saying there were no Zimbabweans sleeping at the area.
In response, Mr. Munkombwe said government was worried about illegal structures that were springing up, noting that government was going to clean up wherever illegality existed.
He said Potters market lacked essential facilities such as clean water and sanitation hence it should not be used.
The minister added that this situation had greatly contributed to recurrent cholera outbreaks in the province.
He also charged that health inspectors were not doing their job because they had allowed areas that were not fit for use by human being to continue operating.
Mr. Munkombwe warned that if the cholera situation in Livingstone was not contained, it would lead to a reduced number of tourists visiting the city.
Government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the film industry and encouraging its growth in the country.
Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services (MIBS), Ronnie Shikapwasha, said it was government’s desire to make the Zambian film industry reach the levels which other Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries have attained.
Lieutenant General Shikapwasha explained that if the film sector was properly supported, it would supplement government’s efforts of creating job opportunities for the local people.
In a speech ready on his behalf by Director for Press and Planning at the ministry, Juliana Mwila, Gen. Shikapwasha said in this years budget, government has allocate some funds for the growth of the film industry in a bid to attract more players to the sector.
He was speaking at the closure of the National Association of Media Arts (NAMA) workshop and launch of the NAMA website in Lusaka last evening.
He pointed out that his ministry would support all programmes that were aimed at capacity building towards the development of the local film producers.
Lt. Gen. Shikapwasha, who is also Chief Government Spokesperson, has meanwhile disclosed that his ministry has licensed eight privately owned television station, which aimed at promoting the local film productions.
He explained that the television and film industries in any country play an important role in economic development through remitting tax to government.
He added that his ministry was in the process of repealing the theatres and cinematography Act and that it will amend the copyrights and performance Act.
The minister said these pieces of legislation will protect the film industry and artists from piracy.
General Shikapwasha has since thanked the Finnish government for supporting local film producers and has appealed to the corporate world to help government develop the sector.
And speaking earlier, Finnish Ambassador to Zambia Sinikka Antila, said culture should be regarded as one of the resources for national development.
Mrs. Antila explained that it was for this reason that her government was committed to promoting and supporting the global strategy for world heritage.
She disclosed that the Finnish government has a local cooperating fund policy through which civil society development and projects dealing with culture were funded.
She further said the Ministry for Foreigner Affairs of Finland was also sponsoring the cultural exchange productions between Finland and Zambia in order to encourage film producers in the two countries.
The Finnish envoy said this in a speech ready on her behalf by the Programmes Officer at the Finnish Embassy, Melissa Saila.
And National Arts Council Chairperson, Mulenga Kapwepwe thanked the two governments for supporting the development of the film industry, adding that this would go along way in improving local film production in Zambia
Irish Ambassador to Zambia, Bill Nolan, has urged the Zambian government to come up with an effective mechanism that will ensure that public funds were prudently and transparently use.
Mr. Nolan said there was need for government to come up with strategies that would ensure that public funds were utilized in a manner that would foster economic development in the country.
He told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today that as the country passes through an economic recovery period, there was an urgent need for government to put in place extra remedial measures that would deter people from abusing public funds.
Mr. Nolan observed that many countries in Africa were lagging behind in development because of lack of punitive measures aimed at deterring people from misapplying and abusing public resources.
The envoy was commending on findings of the Auditor General’s report that huge sums of public resources were unaccounted for in some Zambian foreign missions.
ZESCO technicians and forensic experts sifting through rubbleA Lusaka couple of Indian origin was this morning burnt to death by an inferno that swept through their house situated along Church road in Rhodespark area.
The neighbour to the deceased couple, Muyoya Chibiya, said his family noticed the fire on the neighbour’s house at around 04:00 hours this morning.
Mr. Chibiya said he then informed the fire brigade, who quickly responded.
He said it took about an hour for the fire fighters to extinguish the fire, which also destroyed all household goods in the living and other rooms in the house.
The eyewitness said after putting out the inferno, fire fighters and other people retrieved the two bodies which were charred beyond recognition.
A family friend to the deceased couple, Satisha Khumar expressed shock at the accident saying the death of the couple was a great loss to the Indian community living in Zambia.
The bodies have since been taken to the University Teaching Hospital mortuary.
The Mongu Municipal Council management yesterday admitted diverting some capital funds as reported in the 2008 Auditor General’s report.
Council Town Clerk, Francis Kalenga, revealed that a sum of K50 million from the K150 million, which the Ministry of Local Government and Housing disbursed for the construction of a local play park and a public toilet, was diverted into paying staff salaries and wages.
Mr. Kalenga said this at the full council meeting that was held in the Mongu Municipal Council chamber yesterday.
In the same meeting, the local authority management also admitted withdrawing about K12.5 million from the CDF administration, and used it t pay staff salaries.
The K12.5 million was withdrawn from the CDF money meant for monitoring unspecified CDF projects.
And Finance Director, a Mr. Litebele, disclosed that Western province acting Permanent Secretary, Phanuel Chibala, has since given the council management three days to prepare answers on the audit report.
Mr. Litebele said the management has since committed itself to reimburse the money by May 30th this year.
Councilors however refused to accept the commitment to reimburse the money, and demanded to get proper answers from management.
They charged that the council management was pathetically running the affairs of the local authority.
The councilors observed that underage children were resorting to going in drinking places because the district had no play parks where they could have entertainment.
They also said despite the management having access to CDF funding, the council had not been monitoring the implementation of the CDF projects.
The councilors have since suggested that the local authority should reorganize itself and reshuffle some officers in order to improve operations of the council.
In another development, the full council meeting heard that the Ministry of Local Government and Housing has approved the proposal to extend Mongu town should be extended to Kasima area.
This was disclosed by Mongu Acting Town Clerk, Francis Kalenga yesterday during the full council meeting held at the municipal council chamber.
Mr. Kalenga said the ministry of Local Government has since directed that the council should start advertising plots at Kasima land.
And Mongu mayor, Charles Akende, said the allocation of plots at Kasimu land will be done and fully monitored by the council.
Mr. Akende said only serious developers will considered for the allocation of plots at Kasima land, adding that the council will be in charge of allocating and monitoring development on the land.
WORLD-CLASS film producers in Hollywood want to shoot a movie on David Livingstone in Zambia, and Government is cheered that would showcase the country’s tourism potential to the outside world.
Minister of Finance and National Planning, Situmbeko Musokotwane, explaining the budgetary incentive of 15 per cent refund of the expenses incurred in shooting movies, locally, said the Hollywood movie would help highlight Zambia’s tourist scenic spots.
Dr Musokotwane said this in Lusaka yesterday during the recording of the “Culture Remodeling” television programme hosted by the Ministry of Finance and National Planning.
He said the movie based on the late missionary, who died in Zambia, would feature the Victoria Falls, wildlife and some local actors.
A senior government official has urged government workers to avoid engaging into careless lifestyles in order to lessen their chances of contracting the deadly HIV virus, which leads to AIDS.
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services Assistant Human Resources Director, John Moyo, said when workers lead responsible lifestyles, government would cut down on money it spends on conducting funerals of officers who die from HIV/AIDS related illnesses.
Mr. Moyo expressed sadness that the HIV/AIDS pandemic was claiming mostly the most productive age group in the country.
He noted that responsible citizens could help reduce the HIV/AIDS prevalent rate from the current 14.3 per cent to a single digit percentage.
Mr. Moyo was speaking in Lusaka yesterday when he officially opened a one day HIV/AIDS sensitization workshop for Ministry of Information members of staff.
He said careless lifestyles were frustrating government efforts of reducing the prevalent rate of HIV/AIDS.
He warned workers against having multiple sexual partners because this led to the spread of the pandemic.
Zambia is among the countries in the Sub-Saharan African region that are seriously hit by the pandemic.
Mr. Moyo further challenged the participants to go for Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT), which would enable them, know their status and make informed decisions about their future.
He reiterated that government, through the Ministry of Health, is giving free Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ARTs) to people living with AIDS.
And in a vote of thanks, ZANIS HIV/AIDS Peer Educator, Loveness Chuumbwe said the workshop was an eye opener and educative to the workers.
Ms. Chuumbwe encouraged the participants to the workshop to share the knowledge they acquired from the workshop with others so that the country can move towards reducing the prevalence rate further.
The Global Funds has provided K50 million to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services for HIV/AIDS capacity building workshops, from which 200 employees would benefit.
EVANGELICAL Fellowship of Zambia executive director Paul Mususu is joined by other clergy in dedicating the Mbunda Bible which was launched in LusakaGovernment has urged the church to continue playing a vital role in reducing poverty levels in the country.
Information and Broadcasting Services Deputy Minster, Elijah Muchima, said the church should not only preach to people but should also assist government in taking care of the under privileged people in their communities.
Mr. Muchima noted that government will always support church projects which are aimed at improving the living standards of people in the country.
He was speaking at the Bible Society of Zambia (BSZ) re- launch of the Mbunda translated Bible in Lusaka today.
He stated that the launch of vernacular Bibles in the country will add meaning to the declaration of Zambia as Christian nation.
Mr. Muchima explained that people who can not read English should be given a chance to study and understand the word of God in their own mouth tongue.
The Deputy Minister further urged people in the country to emulate the Mbunda speaking community and produce more translated Bibles in various local languages.
And speaking earlier BSZ General Secretary, Esther Odani, thanked government for the support rendered towards the production of the Mbunda Bible.
Reverend Odani said her organisation worked closely with government during the translation of the Mbunda Bible.
She further disclosed that the 5,000 produced copies will be sold locally and to neighbouring countries such as Angola and Namibia where they were Mbunda speaking people.
DEFUNCT Gateway (GTV) subscribers being turned away from the company premises inn LusakaABOUT 300 jobs have been lost by the closure of the pay television station, GTV.
GTV-Zambia managing director, Chrispine Kagulurah, said in an interview yesterday that about 21,000 subscribers have been affected by the closure of the company.
The termination of services follows a decision by the London-based parent company, Gateway Broadcast Services, to go into voluntary liquidation due to the global financial crisis.
“Gateway Broadcast Services announced today (Friday) that its Board of Directors has unanimously approved a plan to liquidate the company. The current financial and global crisis has severely interrupted the company’s ability to secure further funding for the continued operation of the business,” a company spokesman said in a statement released yesterday.
“The company has worked extensively with external advisors and all internal resources to investigate, evaluate and analyse strategic alternatives for the company to further continue to operate. In determining to approve the company’s Plan of Liquidation, the board and management carefully reviewed the advice and findings,” he said.
Gateway Broadcast Services, which supplied the GTV service to subscribers across Africa, has over the last 2 years invested a total of US$200 million.
“The economic crisis that has emerged globally over the last few months has caused excessive demands on the business,” the spokesman said.
He also said that the company realised the negative impact this has had on customers, creditors and staff, and that efforts were made to keep the company going “but we are all the unfortunate victims of the current global economic crisis”.
Mr Kagulurah said that 22 countries in Africa were affected by the decision.
He said that decision was a particularly big blow for Zambia because the company was viable and growing. He said, however, that GTV-Zambia could not operate independently because its content was controlled by the parent company in London.
Mr Kagulurah said that the decision to terminate operations caught him by surprise as he and mangers in other countries were only informed of the decision at 16:45 hours on Friday through a tele-conference.
He said all the workers would be paid their separation packages but he could not commit himself on refunds to subscribers.
GTV subscribers expressed shock at the sudden closure of the station.
One of the subscribers, Mr Henry Ngulube, said Government should have measures to safeguard citizens from such abrupt closures.
Another subscriber, Mr John Mwansa said: “I hope GTV management will do something quickly in order to have this station back. Is GTV going to pay back our monies?
“Behold, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs forth; do you not perceive and know it and will you not give heed to it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert” (Isaiah 43:19, AMP).
Today’s Word from Joel and Victoria
If we are going to be all that God created us to be, we have to be open to change. Just because something worked five years ago doesn´t mean it´s still going to work today. We can´t get so set in our ways that we won´t try anything new. Many people today have lost their enthusiasm, or there´s no freshness in their life because every time an opportunity comes for change, for promotion, for increase, they shrink back because they´re not used to it. They don´t realize that´s what´s keeping them from going to the next level.
One thing I´ve noticed about successful people is that they know how to change with the times. They don´t get stuck in a rut doing the same thing, the same way, year after year. They´re constantly evaluating where they are and what they´re doing. They make adjustments so they can improve.
Decide today to stay open for the new thing God wants to do in your life. Remember, He´s promised to make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Look for the new thing so that you can fulfill the destiny He has prepared for you!
A Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father, search my heart today. Remove any attitudes or thought patterns that would keep me from Your best. I will stay open to the new things You have in store for me. In Jesus´ Name. Amen.
VICE president George Kunda wave party symbols at MMD cadres
President Rupiah Banda has arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for the twelfth ordinary session of the Summit of the African Union Heads of State and Government, which officially started on 26th of January and runs to the 3rd of February 2009.
The presidential plane carrying Mr. Banda and his entourage touched down at Bole International Airport at 12: 40 hours local time.
President Banda, who is accompanied by First Lady Thandiwe, and Special Assistant for Political Affairs Akashambatwa-Mbikusita Lewanika, was received by Ethiopian Labour and Social Affairs Hassen Abdella and
Zambia’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Patrick Sinyinza.
Also at hand to receive President Banda were members of his advance party that included Foreign Affairs Minister, Kabinga Pande, Energy Minister, Kenneth Konga, Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister, Felix Mutati, Chief Analyst for Press and Public Relations, Dickson Jere and Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Tens Kapoma.
Others that welcomed Mr. Banda were African Union Commission Deputy Chairperson Erastus Mwencha and Zambia’s envoy to the Great Lakes Region Siteke Mwale.
President Banda, who was given a twenty one gun salute by a battalion of the Ethiopian army, was immediately after arrival driven to Sheraton Hotel where he will be lodging until his departure back for Zambia on Wednesday, next week.
The theme for this summit is “Infrastructure Development in Africa”, with a particular focus on the transport and energy sectors.
The current global financial crisis will also be amongst the major topics of discussion during the 12th African Union summit.
The AU summit kicked off with the 17th ordinary session of the Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC), which
FIRST Lady Thandiwe Banda going to board the Presidential Challenger plane
ran from 26-27 January 2009 and was followed by the 14th ordinary session of the Executive Council (EC) from 29-30 January 2009, which will culminate into the 12th ordinary session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government from 1-3rd February 2009.
Meanwhile, African Union (AU) foreign affairs ministers on Friday received the Commission’s analysis report in Addis Ababa, which outlined three different patterns for the setting up of a continental government.
Briefing the press, Senegalese Senior Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cheikh Tidiane Gadio however, said the report was not debated during the executive committee’s meeting, which started on Thursday, because ministers decided to leave the question to the heads of state and government, who pledged to devote 1st February as AU government day.
Concerning the AU government, the report proposes as first option, the creation of nine cabinet posts in Health, Environment, Infrastructures, Peace and Security and Commerce, among others.
This government would be chaired by the president of the AU Commission, whose vice president would become his assistant.
The second proposal is about extending the union government to 16 members. This means that seven others important persons would join the nine commissioners to form a government chaired by the commission president to be assisted by his vice-president.
The last option, which has been endorsed by some countries, is to create a government composed of 53 ministers originating from the organisation’s member states.
And African Union Commission Chairperson, Jean Ping, has called on AU member countries to speed up the integration of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) into the African Union structures.
Addressing a NEPAD Heads of State and Government implementation committee in Addis Ababa today, Mr. Ping said this could be done by among others, appointing a new Chief Executive officer to head the NEPAD secretariat and its successor entity.
Mr. Ping however, pointed out that notable strides had been made to accelerate the integration of NEPAD into the AU which include the recent signing of the Host Agreement with South Africa, which now accords NEPAD Secretariat and successor entity the status of an African Union office outside the headquarters
He said work has also commenced on the implementation of the host agreement by the joint technical team of the South African authorities, the African Union Commission, the NEPAD secretariat and the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA).
Mr. Ping said these achievements are important milestones in the on-going work of integrating NEPAD into the structures and processes of the African Union.
He stressed the need to fast-track the integration process so that Africa can face its challenges by speaking with one voice, particularly to its development partners.
The Zambia Disability HIV/AIDS and Human Rights Programme (ZDHAHRP) has called upon the government to consider translating the national budget yellow book into braille for the blind people to understanding the national budget.
