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Zambian Tourism at whole new level

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The Zambian Government yesterday launched the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area Integrated Development Plan, KAZA, aimed at enhancing the growth of the tourism sector in the Southern African region.

Speaking shortly after the launch of the programme Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources Minister, Michael Kaingu, said the launch of the integrated plan will significantly assist in the attainment of the social, economic and environmental goals set by the Zambian government.

He cited Namibia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Angola, Botswana and Zambia as key countries to benefit immensely from the KAZA integrated plan.

He said the move to sign the Memorandum of understanding was also aimed at improving the living standards of people in both Western and Southern provinces of the country respectively.

Mr Kaingu said the KAZA integrated plan will target three national parks that include Mosi-o-tunya, Kafue and Sioma-Ngwezi national parks respectively.

He cited infrastructure development such as roads, airports, hotels and the Private Public Partnership (PPP) as some of the extra remedial measures that the government has put in place to facilitate the growth of the tourism sector.

Mr Kaingu challenged entrepreneurs in the country to seriously invest in the sector by other developing places with attractive features such as water falls.

He said Zambia was still an attractive tourist destination with variety of unique tourism products that other countries did not have which he said needed to be exploited.

Mr Kaingu said ZTB should make the 2010 Soccer World Cup slated for South Africa and the 2011 All African Games to be held in Zambia a marketing tool for the development of the country’s tourism sector.

He also disclosed that his ministry is in the process of coming up with the carnival type of tourism that would enable the country to market its tourism potential meaningfully to other regions.

And speaking earlier at the launch of the KAZA programme, Senior Chief Mukuni of the Toka-Leya people of Southern Province pledged total support to the KAZA integrated plan and assured government of his subjects support to the programme.

Chief Mukuni said the successful launch of the programme will play a paramount role in the transformation of the Livingstone city and other surrounding areas as it would help in boasting Zambia’s tourism potential to greater heights.

He further urged his subjects to support the government plan in an effort to enhance tourism development and employment creation for the people.

Zambia Get a Feel of Konkola

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Zambia entered day 2 of training camp on the Copperbelt with two back-to-back wins in training games today in Chililabombwe and Kitwe.

In the morning, coach Herve Renard got his first view of Konkola Stadium where his men will face Swaziland in their 2010 World/Africa Cup qualifier this Saturday.

Zambia played Konkola Blades in Chililabombwe where they beat their hosts 3-0 in a training match at the same venue.

Midfielder Clifford Mulenga of Bidvest Wits of South Africa scored a brace while striker and Captain Christopher Katongo from Brondby in Denmark got the other goal for Zambia.

Zambia later traveled back to Kitwe in the afternoon where they played one more training game against Power Dynamos at Arthur Davies Stadium and won by the same margin.

New call-up Owen Mwendabai of Avenir de La Marsa in Tunisia opened scores for Zambia before Zanaco striker Roger Kola made it 2-0.

Kabwe Warriors attacker Emmanuel Mayuka got Zambia’s third towards the end of the match.

Meanwhile, Renard is set to name his final 18-member team on Friday on the eve of Saturdays 14:00hrs kickoff against Swaziland at Konkola.
And new call-up Fwayo Tembo has yet to report to camp 48 hours after Renard drafted the former Zambia Under-20 midfielder who plays for Etoile du Sahel of Tunisia.

Renard has yet to make a decision over the player.

However the other five call-ups who include Mwendabai all reported for training camp in Kitwe on Tuesday.

They include Isaac Chansa of Helsingborg in Sweden who returns after serving a one-match suspension.

Power Dynamos defender Francis Kasonde also returns after recovering from injury.

Zesco United midfielder Rainford Kalaba is also in camp all while Green Buffaloes goalkeeper Mike Poto arrived late Wednesday afternoon.

‘Sata, Levy pact great’

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Mozambique High Commissioner to Zambia, Maria Mate, says the reconciliation between President Mwanawasa and Patriotic Front (PF) president, Michael Sata is not only good for Zambia but a shining example other leaders in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region should emulate.

High Commissioner Mate said the reconciliation should be encouraged for the purpose of promoting peace and unity in Zambia and the entire SADC region.

“The reconciliation between President Mwanawasa and Mr Michael Sata is a good thing and a shining example in the region because it is based on SADC principles of promoting peace and reconciliation,” Ms Mate said.

She was speaking in Lusaka yesterday when she paid a courtesy call on Lusaka Province Minister, Lameck Mangani at his office.

The reconciliation of the two leaders would help to promote peace and unity in the country.
She appealed to Zambians to rally behind the two leaders.

Earlier, Ms Mate described the recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa as criminal and a sad development to the SADC region.

She said the attacks should not be encouraged because they were a recipe for civil unrest in the SADC region.

“Mozambique had to evacuate 40, 000 of its nationals that were caught up in the xenophobic attacks in South Africa. What happened was a sad development and we shall wait for the judgment,” she said.

In another development, Ms Mate called for exchange visits between provincial government administrations in Eastern and Lusaka provinces in Zambia and those of Tete Province in Mozambique.

She said such visits would help the exchange of ideas aimed at improving the welfare of the people living along the border areas.

“I recently travelled to Luangwa, Katete and Petauke to check on the health centres in areas where the two countries share the border. There is a pending trip of health officials from Zambia to Mozambique to look at these issues,” he said.

And Mr Mangani called for the strengthening of the cordial bilateral relations that have existed between the two countries.

Zambia and Mozambique had a lot in common especially regarding the people on the common border.

The provincial minister said exchange visits would help to improve the welfare of people in border areas.
“People of Zambia and Mozambique have a lot of things in common especially those in Eastern Province and such trips will help a lot.

We have to improve the health centres in border towns for the benefit of people from the two countries.

The minister later held a private meeting with the High Commissioner for 30 minutes.

Daily-Mail

Government to control NGOs

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Government has reiterated that it will continue to regulating the operations and activities of the Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) as they were not capable of doing so on their own.

Luapula Province Acting Permanent Secretary (PS), Clement Siame, said this in reaction to calls made by the civil society to allow them regulate themselves.

This was during the official launch of the Zambia Council for Social Development (ZCSD) Provincial Liaison Organization held at Mansa Hotel in Mansa yesterday.

Mr. Siame noted that NGOs had not shown government any expertise to convince it that they could regulate themselves.

He said NGOs had no ability to regulate themselves and insisted that government would instead continue regulating them.

The acting PS however said government was committed to work with civil society and faith-based organisations to help resolve challenges that Zambia was faced with.

He said that ZCSD, through the Anti-Voter Apathy (AVAP), which is the provincial liaison organization, would enhance the relationship with government.

He observed that the launch carried important responsibilities to advance the vision and purpose of not only ZCSD but all the civil society organisations in Luapula province.

Mr. Siame also urged NGOs and civil society to partner with government for the benefit of the communities.

And speaking earlier at the same function, ZCSD representative, Nzindikilani Daka appealed to government to have the code of conduct done by civil society to assist in regulating themselves.

Mr. Daka explained that the revised copy of the NGO bill has not been availed to civil society for them to scrutinize the contents, saying the civil society organizations were not sure of whether their concerns had been addressed.

UK gives Zambia K8.9 bn

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The United Kingdom has given Zambia K8.9 billion for capacity building in the Parliamentary Reform Programme,PRP.

Visiting UK Minister for Development, Gillian Merron, signed on behalf of the UK government while Finance and National Planning Minister, Ng’andu Magande, signed for Zambia.

Speaking during the signing ceremony in Lusaka today Mr. Magande said the objective of the three year grant is to build capacity so that the country develops a representative, responsive, efficient, accountable and linked parliament.

Mr Magande said the grant will greatly assist in addressing the capacity development component of the PRP III which will be implemented as a distinct component of the PRP.

He said the grant will develop the institutional, human and operational capacities of the Members of Parliament and the staff of the national assembly in order to have an improved legislative system.

Mr Magande added that the assistance will also enhance the MPs’ capacity to carry out oversight function of the operations of the executive arm of government.

He commended the UK government for its continued support in fulfillment of the Ten year partnership arrangement which was signed last year in the UK.

He said under the ten year arrangement the UK has been providing bilateral assistance to Zambia at the indicative level of at least K255 billion per annum.

Mr Magande assured the UK government of accountable and transparent utilization of the funds.

And UK Minister for Development, Gillian Merron, said the UK has provided assistance in order to strengthen the National Assembly as a representative voice of the Zambian people.

Ms Merron said the programme aims at improving the relationship between the MPs and the constituents, producing better laws and increasing scrutiny on government operations.

She said the funds are also an opportunity for the Zambian government to invest in far reaching programmes that will improve the lives of the citizens.

Masebo to demolish Celtel offices tomorrow

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Local, Government and Housing Minister, Sylvia Masebo, has expressed disappointment at the Lusaka City Council’s failure to address the problem of illegal structures.

Ms Masebo prodded the LCC to urgently demolish all illegal structures that have continued to mushroom in various parts of town and residential areas.

The minister said this when she toured some parts of the city in the company of her Lands counterpart, Bradford Machila, and officials from the LCC.

The visibly annoyed minister also directed the LCC to immediately demolish the proposed Celtel offices under construction in the Lusaka Show grounds saying the development was not approved.

She wondered why the LCC allowed the construction to continue saying the council is also to blame for the increase of illegal structures in the city.

Lusaka City Council Spokesperson, Henry Kapata, said the council has not approved the construction of the offices adding that the local authority will tomorrow move in to demolish the structure following the minister’s directive.

Mr Kapata said the council will also embark on an exercise to demolish all illegal structures in the city.

Future of NCZ in cabinets hands

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Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister, Sarah Sayifwanda, has reiterated that government would fund Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia (NCZ) as soon as cabinet concludes discussing the way forward for the company.

And Mrs. Sayifwanda has clarified that the K58 billion meant for recapitalizing the company has not yet been finalized, allaying reports that the company would only be given K8 billion as reported by union officials earlier.

Mrs. Sayifwanda told ZANIS in an interview today that her ministry was still discussing the future of the company, adding that it could not abandon it.

She said the company would still be supported even if it was going through financial and operational difficulties.

Mrs. Sayifwanda explained that it was not true that NCZ would be given K8 billion because cabinet was still discussing the matter and no conclusions have been made yet for the company.

She said the K8 billion issues have been misinterpreted, noting that her ministry was yet to come up with the actual figures.

Last Friday, the minister paid a surprise visit to NCZ where she held discussions with management on the problems of the company.

She also advised NCZ union officials to work in collaboration with her ministry when expressing their grievances instead of running to the media first.

Mrs. Sayifwanda also assured management that government would not close the company.

Zambia Head To Kitwe

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Barely 24 hours after making a six-hour transcontinental road and plane ride from Swaziland to Lusaka, Herve Renard and his men this morning left the capital by road for the Copperbelt to begin their 2010 World/Africa Cup Group 11 qualifier training camp in Kitwe.
Zambia arrived back home last evening at 20:00 by air from Johannesburg following an earlier four-hour bus ride from Mbabane and made a 24-hour night-stop in Lusaka before driving up to the Copperbelt at mid- morning on Tuesday.

All 18 players from the Swaziland game that ended 0-0 in Mbabane on Sunday are in the side for the Copperbelt training camp ahead of the return leg against the Swazi’s this Saturday at Konkola Stadium in Chililabombwe.

The team will include six additional call-ups including midfielder Isaac Chansa.

The midfielder from Helsingborg in Sweden returns to the team after serving a one-match suspension following his red-card served to him at the end of Zambia’s 1-0 away defeat to Togo played in Accra, Ghana on May 31.

Another five players have been called-up into the team with three of those returning after missing the Swaziland trip.

Power Dynamos defender Francis Kasonde is back after recovering from injury, while Green Buffaloes goalkeeper Mike Poto and Zesco United Rainford Kalaba returns after being dropped from the first leg game against Swaziland.

However, the biggest news is that Renard has handed call-ups to two Tunisian -based players.
Strikers Fwayo Tembo of Etoile du Sahel and Owen Mwendabai of Avenir de La Marsa have both been drafted into the team.

Mwendabai returns after a three year absence while Tembo gets to train with Zambia yet again after briefly joining them in a pre-Africa Cup tournament training camp in Tunisia in January where Zambia played two friendly games against their hosts.

Meanwhile, Zambia will train from Arthur Davies stadium in Kitwe for the duration of their training camp on the Copperbelt ahead of Saturday’s match against Swaziland at Konkola Stadium.

Kickoff for Saturdays match has been brought forward from 15:00 to 14:00 due to safety concerns.

This is after 12 fans died in a stampede at the same venue on June 2 last year at the end of Zambia’s 3-0 Africa Cup qualifier victory over Congo-Brazzaville.

Cheating Spouses

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People who have nothing to hide, hide nothing.

Signs of a cheating spouse

1. Find birth-control pills in her medicine cabinet, and you’ve had a vasectomy.
2. Mutual friends start acting strangely toward you. (They either know about the cheating or have been told stories about what a horrible wife or girlfriend you are.)
3. He stops confiding in you and seeking advice from you.
4. He leaves the house in the morning smelling of soap and returns in the evening smelling like deodorant.
5. He joins the gym and begins a rigorous workout program.
6. He buys a cell phone and doesn’t let you know.
7. He sets up a separate cell phone account that is billed to his office.
8. He carries condoms, and you are on the pill.
9. Begins to delete all incoming phone calls from the caller ID.
10. Deletes all incoming e-mails when they used to accumulate.
11. He becomes “accusatory,” asking if you are being true to him, usually out of guilt.
12. Raises hypothetical questions such as, “Do you think it’s possible to love more than one person at a time?”
13. He buys himself new underwear.
14. Has a sudden desire to be helpful with the laundry.
15. Has unexplained scratches or bruises on his or her neck or back.
16. Suddenly wants to try new love techniques.
17. He/she fairly suddenly stops having sex with you.
18. He/she suddenly wants more sex, more often.
19. Supposedly works a lot of overtime, but it never shows up on the pay check.
20. Picks fights in order to stomp out of the house.
21. You find out by accident he or she took personal time off from work – but supposedly worked on those days.
22. Spouse’s coworkers are uncomfortable in your presence.
23. Has a sudden preoccupation with his or her appearance.
24. You get calls where the caller hangs up when he or she hears your voice.
25. She sleeps with her purse by the bed.
26. He goes to the store for groceries and comes home 5 hours later.
27. He tells you can get hold of him at a different telephone number.

Causes of cheating

The root of unfaithfulness in marriage has absolutely nothing to do with who we are married to. It has to do with who we are as people.

What causes a spouse to cheat is lack of morals “ It takes a person of upright character to withstand the temptations of society.Sometimes a person will commit adultery even when they know it is wrong. It is a lifestyle thing. Monkey see, monkey do.

What to do if you are having problems

Firstly don’t try to make sense out of nonsense.In order to resolve your relationship, contact with “the other person” must be cut off 100%.Make the hard decision i.e either leave the marriage to free your partner, or commit to stay.
Maturity enables you to control your impulses. You must do whatever it takes UNTIL your partner finds the emotional closure.Time heals nothing. It is what you do with the time.
Healing can’t start until hurting stops.You can’t work on the affair while you’re still having it. Remember that it is better to be healthy alone than sick with someone else.

Affair proof your marriage

Your relationship must be based on a solid, underlying friendship. Friends talk, laugh, share, and do things they’re interested in together. Don’t stop being friends just because you’re each others spouse.

Your relationship has to meet the needs of the two people involved. Understand what your partner’s needs are so you can meet them. Figure out what your own needs are and communicate them. If your needs are not being met, communicate and negotiate. Don’t let resentment build.

You can’t control your partner’s behavior, but you don’t have to set yourself up to get hurt either. Inoculate yourself against infidelity by making sure you’re attentive, involved and plugged in to your marriage.

How to be plugged in

1. Turn toward your partner, not away. You absolutely cannot fix a problem inside a relationship by turning outward. All that does is create problems.
2. Don’t play games in your head. It is a short step from thought to action.
3. Don’t confuse reality with fantasy. We often forget that there’s a difference between falling in love and being in love. You can’t expect a love that grows to be like it was on the first date.
4. If you want to have a good partner, be a good partner. Put 100 percent into your marriage.
5. Is your marriage in a rut? “Bored people are boring,” Find a passion, get energized, find some time together to rediscover the love and commitment you have for one another.
6. Work on your marriage every single day not just during the bad times. Wake up each day and ask yourself, “What can I do today that will make my marriage better.”
7. Make a plan together to renegotiate your relationship. If you’ve gotten off track, it’s never too late to get back to a better place.
8. Take care of yourself. Eat healthy, exercise and look your best. Feeling good about yourself will radiate and your spouse will notice.

Britain introduces new migrant scrutiny system

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The British government has introduced a new system for assessing highly skilled migrants wanting to work in the United Kingdom (UK).

The new system, which will come into effect on June 30th, 2008, is one of the new Australian style points based system (PBS).

According to press statement released to the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) in Lusaka by the press and public affairs section of the British High Commission, the introduction of the PBS follows the tightening of the British border security arrangements.

The statement indicates that the new system is far easier for applicants to use and is aimed at attracting those who have the highest skills and those who wish to invest in the UK.

It states that further tiers relating to students, workers with a job offer and temporal workers would be rolled out over the next 12months.

UK’s Boarder and Immigration Minister, Liam Byrne noted that the PSB had worked well in Australia, adding that he was confident it would work well for the UK as well.

“UK is a fantastic place to work and develop for those with the skills we need. A points system has worked well in Australia and I think it will work well for Britain. This is a key part of the huge shake-up to our boarder security this year” Mr. Byrne said.

He said all Visa applicants would now have to submit their fingerprints for checking against government database before Visas were approved.

He explained that those who use false documents would face a ban of up to ten years from the UK.

In addition, severe penalties have been introduced for employers of illegal workers in the UK and a new unified border force has been established.

“Twalya again”- Milanzi

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The People of Milanzi have been receiving free bags of mealie meal and other food substances in an effort by the MMD to win their votes.United Party for National Development (UPND) has therefore accused the ruling MMD of vote buying in a bid to win the forthcoming Milanzi by election set for 26th June this year.

UPND Party President Hakainde Hichilema says the his party has received reports that the MMD is allegedly engaging in electoral malpractices by distributing mealie meal and other food stuffs in exchange for votes.

Speaking during a media briefing at the party headquarters in Lusaka today, Mr. Hichilema charged that the ruling party has taken advantage of the high poverty levels among people in Milanzi to extort votes in a bid to win the election.

He added that the poverty is being deliberately being perpetuated by the MMD due to the government’s poor agriculture policy.

Mr. Hichilema wondered why the government is allegedly spending a lot of resources during the election period when civil servants and UNZA students are demanding for improved salaries and meal allowances respectively.

And the UPND President says his party has welcomed the recent reconciliation between Patriotic Front President Michael Sata and President Mwanawasa.

Mr. Hichilema said the reconciliation which has been received with mixed feeling is in line with the party’s position to promote issue based politics.

He however said that the party will not be further dragged into debating over the reconciliation issue which he described as a dead issue.

Mr. Hichilema has also challenged Information and Broadcasting Services Minister and Defense Minister George Mpombo to stop defending the reconciliation between Mr. Sata and Dr. Mwanawasa.

He said the two Ministers should instead answer to queries from the recent Auditor General’s report were misapplication of funds have been reported in some government departments and other challenges such as the rising food prices among others.

Mr. Hichilema has also called on Zambians to unite under the party’s theme dubbed unity of purpose in order to achieve economic and social independence.

He said disclosed that the party leadership has so far embarked on touring different parts of the country to promote and strengthen the party.

Meanwhile former MMD Member of Parliament for Liuwa constituency Western Province Nabiwa Imekendu has resigned from the ruling party to join the UPND.

Mr. Imekendu said he has resigned to join the opposition UPND with over 1000 former MMD party members in the province including former Kalabo United Liberal Party district deputy chairperson for elections Captain Lawrence Nyambe.

Mr. Imekendu who also presented hundreds of MMD membership cards believed to have been surrendered by former MMD and ULP members said the number of cards surrendered is evidence of people’s diminishing confidence in the ruling party in the province.

And Captain Nyambe said he had decided to come back to the UPND from the splinter ULP because he has now realized that Party President Hakainde Hichilema has a heart for poor and marginalized Zambians.

Foreign competitors’ influx saddens Namibia

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Namibian business community have raised concern on the influx of foreign competitors in the South West African State saying they will take up the issue to the government for redress.

The businessmen are concerned with foreigners dominating business in Namibia and thus met for the second time at Ongwediva on Sunday to discuss the matter before taking up the issue with Government.

They want President Hikefupunye Pohamba’s government to protect them against what they termed, undermining of businesses of indigenous people by foreigners, especially from China, India and Germany.

This, they said, is a result of the policy of free-market system that the Government has introduced since the country’s independence.

However, the community is not completely opposed to their foreign competitors’ investment in the Namibian economy, but only want restrictions on certain business areas where the natives are not performing.

They strongly opposed that foreigners compete with the locals in retailing, even at village levels in the rural areas.

” It is unfair for us to compete with people that are financially backed by bigger companies in their respective countries of origin.

” They should be restricted to manufacturing and wholesale business ventures,” the concerned group charged,” the business community said.

They singled out the Chinese and Indians as the culprits in the opening of small retailing businesses in villages, while Germans are allegedly competing with locals in buying land for commercial purposes.

They claimed that some business personalities of foreign origin have even managed to acquire title deeds to own land at some Namibian business centres such at Oshikango, where portions of land are declared ‘China Town’.

The concerned group has thus decided to approach the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) to take up their concern with the relevant higher authorities as a matter of urgency.

The NCCI, according to the group, is well aware of the issue since 2004.

“We will be forced to take up the issue with the Government or with our country’s President if the NCCI once again fail to respond positively to our concern,” said Vaino Kamati, who chaired last Sunday’s meeting.

Another prominent businessman, Epafras Mukwiilongo said: “It is high time that indigenous business owners stop watching their businesses closing down because of uncontrolled foreign-owned business ventures without taking any action.”

Children urges GRZ to allow them to vote

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Government has been petitioned to allow children participation in the selection of national leaders through voting.

Children who gathered to participate in this year’s Day of the African Child commemoration in Ndola petitioned government to review the voting age to 16, to allow children participate in the selection of leaders.

Speaking on behalf of other children, Kanseshi High School Grade 11 pupil, Grace Phiri, regretted that the kevels of child participation in national matters and particularly those relating to children still require to be raised substantially.

“We the children of Zambia, feel that the level of child participation in our matters can still be taken to greater heights, we feel that children should be allowed to vote at the age of 16 to allow them to participate in choosing the leaders of the nation,” she said.

The children also advised government to view them as partners in national development and involve them in matters of decision making at all levels.

The children also challenged parents to discuss HIV/AIDS and issues of Voluntary Counselling and Testing, VCT, openly with children.

“We want our parents to openly and willingly discuss HIV/AIDS and VCT issues with us and not to view it as a taboo,” she said.

Meanwhile, government reiterated its commitment to equip children with ife saving skills to help them grow into responsible citizens capable of contributing to national development.

Youth Sport and Child Development Deputy Minister, Angela Cifire, said this today when she officiated at the commemoration of the Day of the African Child in Ndola this morning.

Ms Cifire explained that government reviewed the national child policy, which now takes on board new issues in the area of child welfare and development such as child headed households, child abuse, HIV/AIDS, Streetism, child labour among others.

Speaking earlier, United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, Deputy Country Representative, Elspeth Erickson, emphasised the need for children to realise their rights, that she said, came with responsibility.

Zambia today joined the rest of the continent in commemorating the International Day for the African Child.

June 16 th was declared the Day of the African Child to commemorate the Killing of innocent school children in Soweto, South Africa, on June 16 1976.

ZANIS/ENDS/PC/ZANIS/SJK

Invest in ICTs, Govt. urges postal service providers

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Government has called on postal administrators in the Southern African region to invest in Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) in order for them to provide value added products and services to the public.

Communications Deputy Minister, Mubika Mubika, urged postal administrations to reform from being traditional operations-led organisations to customer and service-led organisations.

Mr. Mubika was speaking in Siavonga today at the official opening of the Southern African Postal Operators Association (SAPOA) Annual General Meeting.

He said investing in ICTs would help postal administrations in the region to compete favourably with other countries on the continent and protect their revenue base.

He noted that the postal services sector was, together with other economic sectors, transforming itself on the basis of economic and market integration.

And speaking earlier, ZAMPOST Board Chairperson, Jazzman Chikwakwa, prodded government to use postal services to deliver salaries to civil servants in rural areas where financial institutions do not exist.

Mr. Chikwakwa said ZAMPOST was found in many areas of the country, making it easier for early delivery of salaries to civil servants who, in most cases, travel long distances to provincial centers to get their money.

UNFPA Threatens to Withhold Workshop Funding

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United Nations Fund for Population (UNFPA) country representative, Deji Popoola, has challenged institutions implementing the sixth country programme to translate their plans into action that would improve the quality of life in rural areas.

Addressing participants attending a four-day workshop on behaviour change communication strategy at Pilgrim Motel in Kabwe today, Dr. Popoola praised the participants for developing quality plans with real issues affecting girls and women in the community.

However, Dr Popoola said the good plans from the workshop should not end up on paper but be translated into action that would improve the quality of life for many girls and women.

He said he has been saddened by the rate of school drop outs among girls, high incidences of teenage pregnancies and socio-cultural practices that expose young girls and women to HIV/AIDS.

He expressed sadness at the number of girl children dropping out of school in Northwestern province, which has the worst number of girl-child school dropouts due to teenage pregnancies and bad cultural practices.

“I was recently in Northwestern province where I found at one school 29 girls had dropped out in a single term due to pregnancy.

“On my way I also witnessed at a camp where a young girl in grade three, was being initiated and that night she was supposed to have sex with an elderly man. There are three things that were going to happen to her, either she was going to get pregnant, get HIV/AIDS or get pregnant and HIV at the same time,” Dr Popoola said.

Dr Popoola however expressed happiness that these were exactly the issues that the participants to the workshop were discussing and developing a behaviour change communication strategy.

He threatened to withhold money for workshops in future if the strategies being developed for behaviour change were not followed up by action that would make a difference in the lives of women and girls, especially in rural areas.

The workshop has drawn participants from Luapula and Northwestern provinces where UNFPA and the government of Zambia are implementing a population and development programme, with focus on improving the quality of life among women and girls.

And speaking at the same occasion, Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) Assistant Director for Research and Public Relations, Francis Banda, assured the UNFPA representative that the behaviour change communication strategy being developed would be translated into action.

Mr. Banda said, after the workshop tomorrow, a ZANIS team would leaving for Luapula province where it would train drama groups that would implement communication plans in communities for behaviour change.

He said a comprehensive plan would also use other communication tactics that would reinforce interventions to better the lives of women and girls in the country.

ZANIS/SNK/ID/KSH/ENDS

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