President Rupiah Banda has called for concerted and accelerated efforts towards universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support.

Mr. Banda said it is through prevention, treatment, care and support that the country can reverse the pandemic and reduce its impact.

The President was speaking in Lusaka at the Interfaith Candlelight memorial Service for the World AIDS Day at the Cathedral of the Child Jesus.

He said the HIV and AIDS epidemic posses one of the greatest challenges of the time with an estimated national HIV prevalence rate of 14.3 among adults aged between 15 to 49 years old.

He noted that Zambia still remains one of the countries worst affected by the pandemic in the region.

Mr. Banda however said government and its cooperating partners has recorded huge gains in reversing the tide of the pandemic and in mitigating its adverse.

He explained that the estimated 14.3 percent national prevalence rate represents a 2 percent reduction in HIV and AIDS prevalence between 2001/2002 and 2007.

He revealed that about 200,000 people in need of Anti Retroviral Treatment are now accessing treatment while the levels of stigmatization and discrimination associated with the pandemic has also begun to slow down.

The President however emphasized that the struggle against HIV and AIDS is far from being won saying there is still need to intensify the prevention of further infections.

He assured that his government, the National Aids Council and government’s cooperating partners will utilise all the available resources to halt the spread of HIV and AIDS.

Zambia Interfaith Network Group on HIV/AIDS-ZINGO Board of Trustees, Suzanne Matale said there is need for every one to look at HIV and AIDS as their problem.

Reverend Matale also said there is need to embrace and encourage each other if the fight against the

pandemic is to be won.

She assured those living with the pandemic that they were not alone but that God loved them.

Earlier National AIDS Council-NAC of Chairperson Bishop Joshua Banda called for clarity on HIV and AIDS prevention messages.

Bishop Banda said there was need to identify correct ways of delivering prevention messages especially to young people who still have problems comprehending prevention messages.

He challenged Faith Based Organizations to work closely with NAC to provide further guidance to young people and to refine preventive messages.

Meanwhile, Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS-NZP+ Vice Chairperson, Alfred Kwenda called upon government to pay attention to children living with the virus.

Mr. Kwenda said the country has so far done well in reducing the spread of HIV and AIDS but that there was need to reduce on distance to accessing treatment and to provide treatment to all children living with the virus.

He said the number of people going for Voluntary Counseling and Testing has increased but that it was important for government to provide the services every where in the country.

ENDS…..CBM…AM….ZANIS

SECOND Republican president Frederick Chiluba has advised Zambians against resorting to violence whenever they are aggrieved.

Speaking to Journalists at the Lusaka International Airport before leaving for South Africa for his scheduled medical review yesterday, Dr Chiluba said violence did not pay and that politics was about accommodating divergent views.

He said Zambia, which had been praised by a lot of people, was among the first countries to start the democratisation process and that in a democratic country, peace must prevail.

Dr Chiluba said democracy was about the freedom of speech and the freedom to belong to any political party and that insults or being physical was not part of democracy.

“Violence does not pay and democracy does not require being physical, politics of democracy is politics

of disagreements and you cannot be unified in everything,” he said.

Dr Chiluba advised Zambians to understand the global economic recession.
He said the situation did not start with Zambia alone but had affected big economies such as the United States America and Germany.

“If America and Germany have been hit so hard, banks have been subsidised and there are job losses, certainly Zambia whose economy is tiny, shall be affected and people should understand,” said Dr Chiluba

On reported claims by Patriotic Front president Michael Sata that he was to blame for his defeat in the October 30 presidential election, Dr Chiluba said Mr Sata was his brother and had no quarrels with him.

Dr Chiluba praised late president Levy Mwanawasa and President Rupiah Banda for reaffirming the declaration of Zambia as a Christian nation.

He said when he declared the country a Christian nation, a lot of people thought it was a political gimmick, but that the declaration was fundamental and that the country was on solid ground.

Dr Chiluba said one did not become a born again Christian by works alone but by declarations.

He explained that when he was first evacuated to South Africa two years ago, the cardiologist had little or no hope of him surviving but that the Lord had been kind to him and was recovering well.

Dr Chiluba said he had struggled between hospital and attending to court proceedings where he is facing charges of theft and that the Lord had not deserted him.

The former president, who thanked Zambians and doctors that had attended to him, urged people to repent and turn away from their sins.
He said love and mercy should always endure among Zambians.

Dr Chiluba is accompanied to South Africa by his wife Regina, his spokesperson Emmanuel Mwamba, Physician Justin Kangwa and security officers.

[Times of Zambia]

Opposition Patriotic Front (PF) has been advised to identify and understand the root cause of the high mealie-meal prices before thinking of taking to the streets in protest.

The counsel is from Youths and Students for Rupiah Banda National Chairman Emmanuel Tembo who is also former UNZASU president.

Mr. Tembo told ZANIS in an interview that the PF should understand that the escalating mealie meal prices have not been caused by government as the whole world is
undergoing a financial crisis and Zambia, like all other countries, has not been spared.

Mr. Tembo was reacting to a statement in the press where the PF on the Copperbelt has applied to hold non-violent protests simultaneously in all towns against high mealie-meal prices, among other things.

He charged that the opposition political party is trying to gain political mileage out of an issue which government is working tirelessly to address.

He said government has assured the people of Zambia that they will look into the matter with a sense of urgency.

Mr. Tembo also urged the PF to practice within the party by subjecting the party leadership to a convention as the party has never been to a convention since its inception in 2001.

He has since urged Zambians to give full support to President Banda and his government to focus on the developmental issues for the eradication of poverty in the country.

ZANIS/GP/AM/ENDS

Heading Updated

A Lusaka HIV and AIDS activist Nkandu Luo has challenged the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) to embark on legal reforms on HIV and AIDS in an effort to address the issue of alcohol abuse and gender violence among others.

Professor Luo said alcohol abuse was issue that to contracting HIV and AIDS and the sad thing was its abused in bars and taverns by juveniles.

She said this on Friday in Lusaka during the launch of the LAZ HIV and AIDS workplace policy where urged LAZ show Zambians what she called, “art of Implementation” of policies.

“One source of HIV is alcohol and abuse of it by young people who always drinking in bars and taverns everyday. I challenge you LAZ to embark on a legal reform to refrain such people to drinking as know what alcohol can do to people,” she said.

She said the epidemic was a health issue which affected other human developments hence, the need for lawyers to look at laws which deal with alcohol abuse and gender violence how they could link the two to the disease.

She said the country was one of the seven most affected countries in Africa with a 14 per cent HIV prevalence rate following reduction of 1.3 per cent HIV prevalence rate in eight years.

Prof Luo said Zambia could do more to reduce the prevalence rate to single digit figure if learnt the art of implementing many policies it was formulating.

However, she said it was gratifying to see LAZ coming on board to fight the epidemic which had raged communities and professionals from sectors in the past 20 years.

She was optimistic with lawyers on board; the goal of making the country a free HIV incidence could be possible.

She warned LAZ against putting the document after being launched on shelves instead time to implement was now if the fight against the epidemic was to be won.

Earlier, LAZ vice-president Stephen Lungu said the disease in the last 20 years had taught them many lessons of fighting it and was happy the disease could be reduced.

Mr Lungu said the launch of policy would help the Association to create awareness of the epidemic amongst its members and staff and that of immediate families.

“We also provide our members with information and tools to help them make informed decisions regarding the prevention, care and treatment of HIV/AIDS and related sexually transmitted and opportunistic infections,” he said.

He reminded all the members and staff that each one of them had a responsibility to ensure the policy did not become a monumental item for the shelves and drawers in their offices instead it being read and used always.

[Times of Zambia]

Today’s Scripture

“I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close” (Revelation 3:8, NLT).

Today’s Word from Joel and Victoria

God is ready to present you with new opportunities. He wants to open new doors before you. It doesn’t matter what’s happening in the world around you, in the economy, the housing industry, or with job reports; God’s Word still remains true. He rewards the people who seek after Him. He’s not the least bit concerned about how He’s going to supply your needs. There is no recession in heaven. He has His eye on you, and He still opens doors that no one can shut! In an instant, He can bring the right people into your life, the right opportunities, and the right resources to take you to a new level.

But in order to go to a higher level, you have to have a higher way of thinking. You can’t stay focused on what’s happening in the natural nor allow worry and fear to fill your thoughts. Remember, God’s ways are higher than our ways. He is working on your behalf behind the scenes in the supernatural realm. Choose to keep an attitude of faith and expectancy. As you do, you’ll move forward through the open doors of blessing God has prepared for you.

A Prayer for Today

Father in heaven, I bless Your holy name. Thank You for opening doors for me that no one can close. Fill me with Your peace and joy today as I wait on You. In Jesus’ Name Amen.

Joel Osteen ministries

National Group for Emerging Leaders has challenged government to allow young people to get involved in the running of the country by appointing youths into government.

Organization Secretary General Stembridge Mwangala says young people have for a long time been struggling to get recognition by government.

Briefing the press in Lusaka today, Mr. Mwangala said young people should be given chance to participate in national affairs.

He pointed out that young people need to be incorporate into leadership and groomed to take up leadership.

Mr. Mwangala said it is worrying that young people are being discriminated against in terms of leadership.

He said they are many young people with the capacity to hold influential positions in government.

Mr. Mwangala noted that young people are facing many social challenges that include the ravages of HIV/AIDS and unemployment.

He questioned how long young people should wait before they are given chance to participate in national affairs.

And government says it is committed to supporting young people to become agents of positive change.

Sports, Youth and Child Development Deputy Minister Dr. Christopher Kalila says this is why the ministry of sports, youth and child development has placed the youth at the centre of all its work.

He added that there is need for youths to be proactive participants in shaping their future and that of the country.

Dr. Kalila was speaking when he officiated at the Dance For Life ceremony in Lusaka today.

Speaking earlier, Students Partnership World Zambia Country Director John Kalage said Dance for Life initiative aims at bringing HIV and AIDS education to young people through music and dance, inspiring them to take action to push back the epidemic.

Mr. Kalage said young people account for almost 45 percent of all new HIV infections with an estimated 5.5million young people living with HIV today.

He added that Students Partnership World Zambia recognizes then value of protecting our young people by imparting them with life skills.

And Zain Zambia Public Relations  and Corporate Affairs Manager Kennedy Mambwe said Zain was happy to be part of the Dance for Life initiative that brings together youths in 19 countries worldwide via satellite to celebrate the achievements of young people in pushing back HIV and AIDS.

He said youths form part of that group of people with plenty of potential that should be harnessed for the development of our continent.

ZANIS/GP/AM/ENDS

The Investment Climate Facility for Africa-ICF today signed an agreement with the Judiciary of the government of Zambia on the computerization of the Zambian courts.

The Agreement is aimed at increasing Judicial efficiency by computerizing and automating all courts procedures.

The first phase of the project which will cost US$600,000 will not only facilitate computerization but also provide training for court staff to ensure they are able to use the new technology.

The Judiciary in Zambia currently record court proceedings manually and by computerizing existing systems, the time spent on each case will be dramatically reduced.

Chief Justice Ernest Sakala said the Project of computerizing the Zambian courts comes at a time when society has raised concerns at the slow pace the Judiciary is disposing off matters in courts.

Chief Justice Sakala said the project has also come at a time when everywhere in the region, courts are being called upon to deliver a service to communities they serve saying the world is at the same time under going immense technological change.

The Chief Justice explained that while upgrading of physical facilities on its own would not guarantee autonomy and independence of the Judiciary, better facilities and work environment often contribute to higher motivation and productivity of the members of the Judiciary.

He pointed out that there was need though for the Judiciary to be efficient, effective and equitable in its duties.

Chief Justice Sakala said it is the aim of the Judiciary that the computerization project with the assistant of the ICF will translate into a cost efficient system for the Judiciary in Zambia.

He revealed that the initial phase is expected to run for the next nine months saying upon success, the Judiciary will embark on the second phase which will cost over US$4 million.

He also revealed that the second phase is also expected to automate all registries, introduce and electronic data base to safe guard all court records and provide standby generators.

Chief Justice Ernest Sakala reiterated the need for the Judiciary to respond to the concerns of the citizens by improving the rate of disposing cases.

Speaking at the same function, ICF Executive Officer, Omari Issa said the changes to the Judiciary are relatively straight forward to implement but that the results are enormous in terms of the improvements to Zambia’s investment climate.

Mr. Issa said a modern Judiciary gives investors assurance that they can enforce contractual obligations fairly and speedily saying it is also an important indicator of a government’s commitment to create a healthy investment climate.

He reiterated ICF’s support to the project in Zambia.

And the Law Association of Zambia-LAZ Honorary Treasurer Overs Banda said LAZ is excited about the project saying LAZ will work with the Judiciary and the Consultant to ensure the success of the project.

ICF is a unique public-private partnership between government and business that aims to help Africa create a more attractive business environment and realize its potential as a global player and trading partner.

ICF works to remove real and perceived obstacles to domestic and foreign investment by assisting Africans to prepare and promote the continent as an investment destination.

ENDS/CBM/AM/ZANIS