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Low condom use worries UNFPA

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United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has bemoaned the continued low condom use and other forms of contraceptives in the country.

UNFPA Country Representative Deji Popoola said the low condom use in the country is worrying as it is an indication of high risk behavior which can result in increased infections of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STIs) such as HIV/AIDS.

Dr. Popoola told ZANIS in Lusaka today that there is need for more advocacy on condom use and to promote protective rubber sheath as a dual protector from STI’s and unwanted pregnancies.

He said although condoms are readily available and accessible at either very cheap prices or free of charge, their consumption have continued to be low in the country despite several efforts to sensitize communities on their importance in family planning and prevention of STI’s.

And Dr Popoola has observed that the contraceptive drug Depo-Provera has continued to be some women’s choice contraceptive regardless of the controversy that surrounded it after reports that it contained the HIV virus that causes AIDS.

He said according to the UNFPA’s findings, most of the women that accessed the contraceptive from government medical institutions continued accessing it from the private sector after the established false media reports.

Dr. Popoola said all districts in the country are currently making orders of Depo-Provera from the Medical Stores adding that the continued production supply is an indication of restored confidence and consumption of the contraceptive by women across the country.

He has since commended government through the Ministry of Health for having handled the once controversial Depo-Provera issue professionally.

Recently media reports that Depo-Provera a contraceptive injection for women contained the AIDS virus stirred emotions of anxiety among some consumers in the country.

The contraceptive was however withdrawn from medical institutional shelves for thorough investigations after which it was conclusively established that it was free of HIV.

And UNFPA Programme Officer for Reproductive Health Sarai Malumo said there is need to establish reasons behind the low usage of condoms in the country despite various and extensive forms of sensitization campaigns.

Dr. Malumo said the trend is not encouraging because statistics have continued to show an overall imbalance in the use of condoms and other forms of contraceptives among both the urban and rural populations in the country.

She however said that her organization will not relent in carrying out sensitization campaigns and education programs to ensure that contraceptives are used in both family planning and prevention of STI’s such as HIV/AIDS through the use of condoms.

ZANIS/CM/AM/ENDS

PSM Bemoans Ministries’ lack of adherence

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The Public Service Management Division (PSMD) has observed that most government ministries did not adhere to operation guidelines in their various strategic plan documents.

Public Service Management Division Director for Organisation Design and Systems, Japherson Phiri, said the division was entrusted to re-organise government ministries.

Mr. Phiri said the division was however finding it difficult to monitor the government activities because most of the ministries were not adhering to their strategic plans.

“As a division, we are entrusted with the responsibility of re-organising government ministries but this task has proved to be difficult because the ministries do not adhere to their strategic plans due to lack of funding and we also do not have a monitoring exercise in place,” he said.

He explained that most ministries attributed the failure to adhere to strategic plans to erratic funding from the Ministry of Finance and National Planning.

Mr. Phiri further said lack of a monitoring exercise by the Public Service Management Division has contributed to the lack of monitoring the ministries.

He however said the division had plans to engage consultancy services, adding that it has since started to put in place a permanent monitoring service.
ZANIS/PC/KSH/ENDS

Social protection policy to be in effect soon

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The Ministry of Labour and Social Security is finalising a draft national social security policy aimed at addressing issues of social protection for employees in the country.

Labour and Social Security Minister, Ronald Mukuma, disclosed this when he launched the social protection expenditure, performance review, social budget report and executive summary in Lusaka today.

The launch is an output of the first year of work of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID) funded projects in Zambia called, ILO Global campaign for social protection and coverage for all as a means to reducing poverty in Africa and Asia.

Mr. Mukuma said government was committed to mainstreaming various projects into the main social welfare programmes under the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services.

He added that the Sector Advisory Group (SAG) on employment and labour would be meeting with other SAGs for a joint framework for the next stage of the project to address the composition of a social protection system and funding mechanisms.

He noted that there was need to strengthen the coordination mechanisms among the concerned stakeholders in order for the social budget model to be implemented.

“The launch of the social protection and expenditure review report on Zambia provides the country with an opportunity to identify the fiscal space needed to finance social protection expenditure,” he said.

Mr. Mukuma said the implementation of the findings and conclusions in the report would form an integral component of the decent work country programme that was launched in December 2007.

He added that the report provided a comprehensive synopsis of existing social protection arrangements in Zambia, saying the SAGs that have been established within the context of the Fifth National Development Plan would consider the provision of minimum benefits that would serve as benchmarks for poverty alleviation.

Mr. Mukuma has also pointed out that the improvement in the Zambian economy has created opportunities for sustained livelihoods for Zambian citizens, adding that stakeholders should translate these gains into reduced poverty levels.

The Minister commended the ILO member countries for electing Zambia to serve on the ILO governing body, saying the country considered it an honour to represent the interests of the constituents during the tenure of office which runs from 2008 to 2011.

Speaking earlier, ILO Country Representative Gerry Finnegan said social protection was an important tool for achieving poverty reduction.

Mr. Finnegan called for concerted efforts in addressing Zambia’s poverty levels which were currently high, saying there wais need to prioritize the well being of the poor in the country.

He stated that there can be no decent work in Zambia without social protection of workers.

And Zambia Federation of Employers president, George Chabwera commended the cooperating partners for providing a comprehensive analysis of the need for social protection of workers.

Dr. Chabwera said social protection has, in the past, not been addressed well, adding that it was high time to start addressing it.

And Zambia Congress of Trade Unions Vice President, Sam Phiri, said there was need for equal distribution of wealth in addressing social protection of workers.

Mr. Phiri expressed concern on the delay by some employers to pay workers their pensions noting that in most cases, workers received their pensions posthumously.

ZANIS/BK/KSH/ENDS

Levy Scheduled for a Medical Examination-Mulongoti

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President Mwanawasa is scheduled to under-go medical examinations at Percy Military hospital in Paris, France.

Chief Government Spokesperson, Mike Mulongoti said the team of medical experts will later inform the government of their findings.

Mr. Mulongoti who is also Information Minister urged persons wishing to visit the President in Paris not to so.

He said visiting President Mwanawasa is not necessary under the current circumstances.

Mr. Mulongoti also said the Military Hospital is a highly restricted place where such visitors would not be allowed passage.

And South African President THABO MBEKI has apologised for having erroneously called for a moment of silence in honour of President Mwanawasa who was falsely reported to have died.

Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Leslie Mbula said President Mbeki phoned him last night to express his remorse.

The President is being treated for hypertension following a stroke he suffered while in EGYPT.

[ZNBC]

ZAWA nabs two for killing fish using poison

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Zambia Wild Life Authority (ZAWA) in Lundazi district have arrested two suspected poachers of Kapezi village for killing fish using dangerous poison imported from Malawi.

ZAWA Operations Ranger for East Luangwa Area Management Unit(ELAMU) Mr. Kamona Akayombokwa confirmed the arrest of two poachers to ZANIS in Lundazi district today .

Mr. Akayombokwa has since identified the duo as Kennedy Willima 62 and George Willima 58, of the same family from chief Chinunda in Chipata district.

Mr. Akayombokwa disclosed the poachers were arrested on Monday this week when ZAWA conducted a routine patrols in Lukusuzi national park, for killing fish in Lukusuzi River using dangerous pesticides commonly known as pear imported from Malawi.

He also further revealed that poachers were apprehended for illegal entry of into Lukusuzi national park and for unlawful possession of unlicensed muzzle loading guns.

The operation Ranger is saddened that people from neighbouring chiefdoms of Chipata district were now encroaching and illegally killing fish and poaching in the park.

Mr. Akayombokwa said the suspected poachers are currently police custody and will appear in court for the two offences.

Meanwhile Elephants are reported to be destroying fields in chief Jumbe’s area in Mambwe district in eastern province.

District Commissioner John Chilowa told ZANIS in a telephone interview that the elephants have destroyed vegetable gardens and winter cropping fields in Logomo, Chisulo and Nthamba villages in the area.

Mr. Chilowa stated that the matter was reported to Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) adding that officers who were dispatched in the mentioned areas have not yet spotted the elephants.

The District Commissioner said the officers are still searching for the elephants adding that ZAWA will do everything possible to address the matter.

He advised farmers in the area to erect chillie fences in order to protect their fields from the jumbos that are known to been destroying crops in the areas.

VP Urges SADC to invest in the education sector

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Vice President Rupiah Banda has urged the Southern African Development Community (SADC) member countries to invest in the education sector and develop other innovative capacities with a view to enhancing the growth of the economic development in the region.

Mr. Banda says SADC member countries should strive to invest in the region’s education sector as it is not only a fundamental human right but one of the most decisive factors of contributing to all forms of economic development.

The Vice President said this when he officially opened the 2008 meeting of the SADC Ministers Responsible for Education and Training in Lusaka today.

Mr. Banda said there is need for SADC member countries to recognise and regard education as one of the most essential goals for attaining economic development in the SADC region.

He further said that if well development , education can have a positive impact on the social mobility, employment creation and poverty reduction.

He however bemoaned the going down of education standards in the region saying despite some great commitments made by the SADC member states to expand education and training provision, the region still faces major challenges that constrain the contribution of the education and training sector to national and regional socio-economic development.

The Vice President explained that although the region has made substantial progress in the provision of free and compulsory education with net enrollment ratios ranging between 70 to 98 percent, and gender parity index, survival to Grade five and completion rates at the end of the primary cycle is low in a number of member states.

Mr. Banda has since urged the SADC member states to take the development of education and training in the region as a cognizance of global trends.

Earlier, SADC Chairperson for Education and Training Professor Lungwangwa urged SADC Member States to reflect on the progress made in meeting the education for all and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

ZANIS/TK//MK/ENDS

Opening of Mine in Mporokoso to stimulate economic activity

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Government says the opening of the Mine in Mporokoso will stimulate economic activities ion the region.

Lunte Mp Felix Mutati said the development will not only create the much needed employment opportunities for the local people but will also compel other service providers such as mobile phone companies to establish their presence in the area.

Mr. Mutati who is also Commence, Trade and Industry Minister added that Government was doing everything possible to facilitate the opening of the mine by a Zambia company called Nsandulula.

Speaking during his courtesy call on Chief Mukupa Kapoma , The Minister has since appealed to people in Luangwa ward to be ready to give up part of their land for the establishment of the mine.

Mr. Mutati has however assured those who will be displaced that they will be compensated and relocated to other places

Earlier, Chief Mukupa Kapoma said his subjects were eagerly waiting for the opening of the mine in his chiefdom.

The Chief has since urged the Government to do everything possible to ensure that the mine is opened so that his people get employed.

Mukupa Kaoma’s chiefdom is believed to be endorsed with mineral deposits such as copper.
ZANIS/HM/MK/ENDS

Under-20 Suffers Injuries and Withdrawals

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Injuries and withdrawals have hit the Zambia Under-20 camp on the second day of training camp in Lusaka ahead of next weekends Caf 2009 Africa Youth cup qualifier away to Mauritius.

Defender Lameck Tembo from Lusaka Celtic who limped off in the 1st leg against Mauritius at Woodlands Stadium in Lusaka that Zambia won 1-0 last Sunday
has been ruled out for 3 weeks.

Also out for the same period due to injury is City of Lusaka midfielder Evans Musonda.

Musonda’s place has been taken by midfielder Chiyesu Sakafunya of Power Dynamos.

And the team has suffered its second voluntary withdraw with the departure of captain and midfielder Justin Zulu today for Israel.

Zulu has returned to his Middle East base for pre-season training with his Israel division 2 club Hapoel Be’er-Sheva.

The first withdrawal was by Zanaco midfielder Stophira Sunzu.

He withdrew from the team earlier this week due to a trial commitment at French Ligue 2 side Chateauroux and leaves the country for Europe on Monday.

And Zambia are expected to leave for Mauritius on Thursday

Levy’s Condition Remains Stable – Mulongoti

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Government says President Levy Mwanawasa’s condition remained stable in Percy Military Hospital in Paris, France where he is admitted.

Updating the Nation on the president’s condition on National television this evening, Chief Government’s spokesperson Mike Mulongoti said government was confident with the medical attention the president is receiving in France, all will be well.

Mr. Mulongoti has since urged Zambians to ignore earlier reports on BBC, and other international media organisations that President Mwanawasa had died.

Mr. Mulongoti who is also information and Broadcasting Services Minister, appealed to Zambians to regard as false any information outside what government is saying.

He urged the country to continue praying for the quick recovery of the president.

ZANIS/CM/MK/ENDS

There is no Malone Zaza at the Zambian SA Embassy-Mbula

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The government has launched investigations to establish the person who issued a statement in South African that President Mwanawasa had died.

Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Leslie Mbula has confirmed.

He however disowned the person who issued a statement on South Africa’s – SA-QF Radio Station.

Mr. Mbula said the statement issued by a man who claimed to be the head of Protocol Section at the High Commission’s Office in South Africa was Malicious

He said the Zambian High Commission has no such title as head of protocol section or any one known as Malone Zaza working at the Embassy.

Mr. Mbula said it is unfortunate that the radio station went ahead to publish such a rumor without verifying facts with the Zambian embassy in South Africa.

He cautioned the media against alarming the nation and the world at large.

The High Commissioner was speaking in an interview with ZNBC News.

The BBC and other International media organisations run stories to the effect that the president had died.

Chief Government Spokesperson, Mike Mulongoti later issued a statement to deny this.
[ZNBC]

One person dies along Lusaka/Livingstone road

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One person has died in a road accident along Lusaka/ Livingstone road when the vehicle he was in collided with a Zezed Marcopolo bus after Kafue river.

Sinazongwe District Council Chief Administrative Officer Artfello Siachinga who was a passenger on the Marcopolo bus from Lusaka to Maamba said the driver of the Toyota corolla died on the spot while the other passenger was rushed to Mazabuka Hospital.

Mr. Siachinga told ZANIS in Sinazongwe that all the people in the bus were safe except one woman who was rushed to the hospital for observation.

He said the window screen for the Marcopolo bus was severely damaged after it swerved off the road where it stopped after hitting into a tree.

Mr. Siachinga disclosed that driver for the Toyota Corolla lost control and rammed into the Marcopolo.

The Marcopolo bus belongs to Mrs Zedzed in Maamba Township.
By Press time all the people in the bus were still at the accident scene.

Levy Media Reports are Malicious-Mulongoti

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International reports suggesting that President Mwanawasa had died are only malicious and untrue.

Chief government spokesperson, Mike Mulongoti said the President who is admitted to a French Hospital is still in a stable condition.

Mr. Mulongoti who is also Information Minister said this in a national address on ZNBC Television.

He said doctors attending to the President are happy with the progress made so far and his condition remains stable.

Mr. Mulongoti said D. Mwanawasa has continued to recieve treatment for hypertension in the intensive care unit at Percy Military Hospital in Paris, France.

The Chief government spokesperson said the President spent a satisfactory night at the hospital and there were no new developments.

The First Lady and family members are at his bedside.

He said the nation will be kept informed on the Presidents condition regularly.

The BBC, Reuters and Sky news had earlier carried reports that President Mwanawasa had died.

President Mwanawsa suffered stroke in Egypt where he had gone to attend an African Union Summit.

He was first hospitalised there before being moved to the French Hospital.
[ZNBC]

Reuters Reports that Levy has passed away

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JOHANNESBURG, July 3 (Reuters) – Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa died in a Paris hospital on Thursday after suffering a stroke earlier this week, South Africa’s Talk Radio 702 reported.

The radio quoted a Zambian High Commission spokesman as saying that Mwanawasa died earlier on Thursday morning. Mwanawasa was taken to hospital in Egypt just before an African Union summit on Monday and Tuesday and then transferred to Paris.

http://africa.reuters.com/country/ZM/news/usnWEA0961.html

More to follow

FTJ’s Case adjourned, as Nchito Complains

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The Defence hearing of Second Republican president, Frederick Chiluba and two others was prematurely adjourned – Wednesday.

Prior to the adjournment, both the state and Dr. Chiluba’s lawyers argued on accessing documents from the defunct Access Financial services.

Ndola High Court Registrar, Jonas CHinyama was scheduled to continue hearing the defence of former Access Financial Services Chief Executive Officer, Faustine Kabwe.

But his lawyers John Sangwa and Robert Simeza applied for adjournment to allow them have access to the documents.

State prosecutor Mutembo Nchito complained that applications by the defence lawyers have always been crafted to delay the court process.

And in his ruling Mr. Chinyama said the impression created by the defence’s applications was that it was a fishing expedition because they had not specified the documents they wanted from Access Financial Services.

He however allowed the adjournment but complained of the slow pace of the proceedings.

[ZNBC]

ZCTU might press for salary negotiations

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Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has cautioned government to brace for fresh salary negotiations with trade unions following the increase in fuel and food prices.

ZCTU Acting Secretary General Ian Mkandawire said the recent hike of fuel prices will negatively affect workers in the country as the workers expenditure of essential commodities is likely to increase.

Mr. Mkandawire said government and other employers should increase worker’s salaries by the same margin as the increased fuel prices to protect employees from being negatively affected by the soaring oil prices on the world market.

Mr. Mkandawire said government should further consider fully subsidizing the importation of crude oil as a means of cushioning the raising prices of fuel in the country.

He said the current subsidy is not enough as it will not adequately cushion the prices of food and other essential commodities in the country.

And Mr. Mkandawire has appealed to the Secretary to the Cabinet’s Office to speed up the ratification of the collective agreement entered between the University of Zambia and the University of Zambia Lecturers and Researchers Union (UNZALARU).

Mr. Mkandawire’s appeal follows the threat by UNZA lecturers to strike as reported in one of the daily tabloids today.

He has however called on the UNZA Dons to be patient and engage government calmly into negotiating the way forward on the standing issues between the two parties.

The lecturers at the country’s highest institution of learning have threatened to down their tools on grounds that management has delayed to implement their new conditions of service.

ZANIS/CM/MK/ENDS

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