Zambia, a former recipient of food aid, has given the U.N World Food Programme (WFP) 10,000 tonnes of white maize to feed orphans and people living with AIDS, a senior aid official said on Thursday.
WFP country manager for Zambia, David Stevenson, said the government donation would be used to help feed hungry people in Zambia where the aid agency requires an additional $10 million to feed Zambians affected by floods in the last rainy season.
“It is the first time Zambia has done so (donating food) and it’s a tremendous gesture in many ways that shows we are collaborating well with Zambia in meeting the needs of hungry people,” Stevenson said.
He added assessments were underway in Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Malawi and Swaziland on food requirements, and part of the Zambian donation could go to help feed hungry people elsewhere in Africa.
“The priority for distributing this food will be within Zambia because we have 600,000 people requiring food aid while the donation can only feed 550,000 people for three months,” Stevenson told Reuters.
Officials say thousands of Zambians and Malawians still face food shortages despite maize surpluses in the two nations in the 2006/07 season.
In June, Zambian Agriculture Minister Ben Kapita said the country’s 2006/07 maize output declined 4.4 percent to 1.36 million tonnes compared with output for 2005/06 due to floods which destroyed the crop in 41 of the country’s 72 districts.
Kapita said Zambia would keep 250,000 tonnes of maize in strategic reserves in addition to the surplus of 160,000 tonnes the previous year.
The government last week authorised traders to export 200,000 tonnes of maize to Namibia and the democratic Republic of Congo.
In Zambia, where one in every five adults aged 14 to 49 years either lives with AIDS or is infected with HIV, people especially in rural areas are unable to feed themselves because they either spend too much time nursing relatives suffering from AIDS or are too sick to grow their own food, officials say.
1. Ba Chapi ,
With all your blogging here, you neither inspire some of us nor instill hope that something will ever come out of this Generation heavily stuck in blogs. Instead of building change structures on the ground, here you are blogging to yourselves tangibly without the people who drive change. The voting block has no access to your blogging worst off the internet services. With excerption of a negligible bored folks at UNZA and some work places in Zed who sadly shy political activities, all bloggers here are posting their rhetoric from the Diaspora. RSA, the Netherlands, Perth Australia, Atlanta Georgia, Bridgeport Connecticut, California, Houston, Dallas and Fort worth Texas. Others are from Los Angeles, Fort Lauderdale Florida, Birmingham, Westminster and Central London in the UK with an isolated pool from Canada, Eastern European countries and Kenya. All you are doing in the virtual world around the clock is insult Boma, Levy and those who don’t agree with you. Meanwhile voters are totally in the dark apart from Boma daily sympathizing with you after looking at how you have lost it all. Do you really believe you are making a change mark on the ground with your blogging when the ruling MMD mafias are fusing their grip and power dimension? They are on the ground and building blocks. As long as you continue with your blogging dream, I see MMD ruling beyond 2025 God forbid. Blogging will never have any impact in our politics atleast for the next 15-20 years. If you are serious with your dream cut off from the blog and head your way on the Ground.
Poverty worries Magande
By JERRY MUNTHALI
GOVERNMENT says the improved economic performance the country has recorded in the last eight years has not significantly reduced poverty because the gains are mainly urban-based and in capital-intensive sectors.
And Government has launched a programme to disseminate the Fifth National Development Plan (FNDP), the Vision 2030 and the 72 District Plans.
Speaking during the launch in Lusaka yesterday, Minister of Finance and National Planning Ng’andu Magande said Government was aware that the improved economic performance since 1999 had not significantly reduced poverty.
Mr Magande said this was due to the weak growth and poverty relationship as growth was concentrated mostly in urban areas and in capital-intensive sectors of mining, wholesale and retail trade, and construction.
“In order to advance towards the attainment of the objectives of the national long term vision and the Fifth National Development Plan as well as the global Millennium Development Goals, it has become important to realign the priority sectors,†Mr Magande said.
He was happy that the dissemination of the planning instruments had taken a novel important aspect in terms of accommodating all stakeholders.
The minister said for the first time in the history of the country, the Vision 2030 and the executive summary of the FNDP had been translated into Chibemba, Chinyanja, Chitonga, Kaonde, Lozi, Luvale and Lunda.
Mr Magande was concerned that all documents were previously written in English only, thereby marginalising those who were illiterate.
Government has also transcribed the Vision 2030 and the executive summary of the FNDP into Braille to enable the blind to fully participate in the development agenda.
That was to facilitate easy implementation and take all stakeholders on board.
These planning instruments were designed to take the submissions from the consultative process into account, in line with Government’s goal to continue with the viable economic policies that would promote broad-based growth, consolidate national unity and economic and political stability.
Government was working closely with the national, provincial and district development coordinating committees and donors for effective implementation of the nation’s agenda.
He called on the National Coordinating Development Committee, the Sector Advisory Groups, the Provincial and District Development Coordinating Committee, non-governmental organisations, faith-based organisations and ordinary Zambians to be the pillars of implementation.
“I urge you all to put in every effort for the successful implementation of the plan,†he said.
And Finance permanent secretary in charge of planning and economic management, James Mulungushi said the planning division had developed a results monitoring framework to track progress.
Dr Mulungushi said one such tool was the production of an annual FNDP progress report in line with the principles of transparency and accountability.
CBU lecturers to be fined. Management has said all on a go slow lecturers at CBU a dedcution of K2. 000 000 will be made from their wages. If there grievances are not prevalent who ever is making this decision is right. Lecturers have so many priveleges. Iwe FACT what is wrong with you cannot you see since ever we started blogging things are changing. All of us are after political power to see lives of Zambians improve. Even Parliamnent has has no agreed to declare their assets and a bill is under way to declare their wealth when taking office and leaving. My dear Internet is the best weapon to campaign because in future everyone will have it in its homes.
In the same spirit and wisdom , Magande please translate the Constitution and the draft accordingly into the said languages in #2
#1 FACT, you comments are noted by why pick on Chapi alone?You should have just commented in general the way you have listed bloggers home of resident without personalisation issues.This is not right, you must appologise to chapi unreservadely.One thing is clear these comments that appear here will by no means rich the intended receipients (PIG)its just a mere academic exercise but for those of us who appreciate interaction, we have learnt one or two things which we ca apply once on the political arena.Believe you me some contributions are worth taking, I only wish some people from the executive can have time to just stumble and read what people outside govt and party lines evaluate them.So Mr ‘Chinshika’ desist from personal attack, even you your IP reveals you are not in Zambia, so why make the fussy out of it?
Chapi continue blogging with an open mind
Kuku (4),
Slow down with your spokesmanship. In no post here have I indicated that I’m in the homeland. Like yourself, am freely in the Diaspora with nothing to fear about. My frank advice to Chapi and those locked up with the same dream has been inspired by what I have read in one of his own remarks to some LT posted headlines along the threads. It’s never meant to discourage or endanger him understanding the new order transparency and tolerance for diversity in Zed. My post has been meant to instill a sense of serious reflection on his watch and rhetoric strategy of replacing the MMD a song some trolls here have been aimlessly singing yet without substance on the folder. If that has choked you my brother, I cannot help it considering that I don’t play apologetics but freely post my views and concerns in public domains on public matters I see comments on. If you have given yourself the job of a spokesperson for those taking my views negative or the blog, that is a job I will respect but prepare to endure the pain it brings in the face of diversity. At worst, how you receive them, is certainly not my business because I take no pleasure in ba Chipante pante. With this response I hope I have not been taken as another sparkplug or unfairly engaged you into some self dehumanizing anger drive.You can do better.
Well, one comforting FACT is Boma agents read these blogs and pass on the infor in their daily reports to their superiors. So Boma knows what the diasporees think of Zed issues. By the way, Boma has the resources and partnerships to trace a blogger if they so wished. The IP addresses of our machines and our use of the same machines for other usually formal business apart from bloging, requiring use of true identity make it possible. One blogger in the FTJ era was traced to a university accomodation in England and identified after defacing the presidential potrait on a Boma site.
Easy! There have been sparks of fire on the blog lately. Others are threatening to track each other using IP addresses. I am wondering whether those who work for Lusaka Times are bloggers as well or they just sit aside and watch. What is really going on?
GLUCO (7),
You are throwing that concern to a wrong chap all together.Ifimipashi ifyakowela fyakwa ka Joze aside (evil spirits), Easy started the business of posting IPs for those that challenged Ka Joze though.Others didn’t hit back likely because he had it all wrong.This is a challenge to moderate with strong regulations. Otherwise, recent events have put this blog on a death roll unless reason prevails.
By Michael Kahn Reuters – Friday, July 27 12:03 amLONDON (Reuters) – Using marijuana increases the risk of one day developing a psychotic illness such as schizophrenia, according to a study that provides some of the strongest evidence yet linking the drug to a mental disorder.
(Advertisement)
Marijuana is one the most commonly used illegal substances in many countries with up to 20 percent of young people in places like Britain reporting either some use or heavy use, researchers said, citing government statistics.
Many consider it on par with alcohol or tobacco but the results shows marijuana poses a danger many smokers underestimate, said Stanley Zammit, a psychiatrist at Cardiff University and the University of Bristol, who worked on the study.
The researchers found that marijuana users had a 41 percent increased chance of developing psychosis marked by symptoms of hallucinations or delusions later in life than those who never used the drug. The risk rose with heavier consumption.
“If you compare other substances like alcohol or tobacco it may not be as harmful, but what we are saying is neither is it completely safe,” Zammit said in a telephone interview.
Other findings have highlighted the link between marijuana use and the risk of schizophrenia-like symptoms such as paranoia, hearing voices and seeing things that are not there.
But this study marks one of the most comprehensive, thorough and reliable reviews of its kind and should serve as a warning, two Danish researchers wrote in an accompanying comment in the Lancet medical journal, which published the study on Friday.
EVIDENCE
They said the results mean an estimated 800 cases of schizophrenia in the United Kingdom could be prevented each year by ending marijuana consumption.
“We therefore agree with the authors’ conclusion that there is now sufficient evidence to warn young people that cannabis use will increase their risk of psychosis later in life,” they wrote.
The team did not look directly at people who used marijuana but instead conducted what is called a meta-analysis by reviewing 35 studies in search of a potential connection between psychotic illness and using marijuana.
They reviewed evidence from studies ranging from one year to 27 years and only looked at research that did not include people already showing signs of psychotic illness.
The researchers also adjusted for factors — like depression or a susceptibility to harder drugs — that could one day lead to a mental disorder to focus more directly on the links between marijuana and psychosis, Zammit said.
“We have described a consistent association between cannabis use and psychotic symptoms, including disabling psychotic disorders,” the team wrote.
But both Zammit and the Danish researchers said ultimate proof to show a direct relationship would be have to come through a randomized trial of healthy young people and long-term follow-up.
Such a study, however, is unlikely given marijuana is illegal in most countries and the ethical questions given the drug’s known harmful effects, they said.
#5 Mwaice stop day dreaming, Iam not a spokesman but I stand on truth and only the truth shall set you free.I was just advising you not to pin point anyone.Your general assessment was fine but to single out one person was grave.Iam not in diaspora,Walimonako Main Masala yasanguka abroad? Come on be serious,My internet provider is Katele Kalumba through chiyenge.com.for LT its mysq18.ixewebhosting.com ,I dont incurr any charges, its very free except for one condition ….ask me later,natwala abana ku swimming pool.wilasabaila ingo mulwele wa lunse.Muleke dobo baice imwe nomunobe Paparazi/Hamafimomo,Mine Police.See article above on dobo, ikamicita akantu
#8 bushe who is Ba Borniface Kabaso? Ebene ba LT gives us his address, so that we can address our conerns to him.
Patron
RUFQUA state that “those who dwell in the devils foot steps are called muskqad and can be seen by their fruits they bear that are seedless and bitter and can not be linked into the next generation” This suits you ci patron we mbifi wee.
#1 FACT.Did you even bother to check what the topic of discusion is?I seem to be giving you sleepless nights with my effective blogging.You couldn`t even wait for my comment for you to respond.You`re attacking #1 and yet you`re the first blogger(#1).HOOPS!!!!!!Let`s learn to be above anything petty and contribute positively for the betterment of mother Zambia.
“The priority for distributing this food will be within Zambia because we have 600,000 people requiring food aid while the donation can only feed 550,000 people for three months,†Stevenson told Reuters.” This is fantacy way of reporting. The idea behind such kind of reoprting is to show that zambia has failed in its quest to feed the hungry. All Stevenson neeeded to say was that the donation will be distributed within zambia because it is going to last for 2 months and 22 days, period.Why bring in the arithematic of 60,000 against 550,000? All of you bloggers have lost sight today because of a new comer. What is not happening? In-fighting brought about by Fact. Wherever this Fact has come from to bring confusion and mislead people on the blog, God knows.This Fact is no one else other than Pragmatist. We know you from your arabic style of visualising things.
Ba Kuku ba mudala, bushe elyo mulanda pali Main Masala mulosha kuli ‘Mine’ Masala, yaku Ndola nangu kwaliba ‘Main’ Masala imbi pa Zambia. Nakulila ku ND elyo kwaliba ubwafya bwaku misteka Mine Masala as Main Masala.
Gentlemen we are still discussing the situation at DEC with Mr Chitoba having abused office but still serving. What is different between him and Richard Lazarous Sakala? Is it tribe?
#7GLUCO its good to fight on the blog because this Cyberwar and there is no blood shed, blood harm or death. Here is mental torture only allowed to distinguish those who will need to be taken to Chainama for treatment. You if you want to become a leader you shoud pass assessment center and IQ test. More you should know the stuff you are dealing with. Servcieman(Rsd) I didnt intend to break in the Server of Lusakatimes because they are not be investigated. Its a crime. I just wanted to show that its possible to trace someone today. A firewall is man by humans and it can be penetrated. Just a reminder to you of ” I love you virus”. This is a mission possible. # kuku I know some chap in USA who once worked for GRZ as a data specialist. He is specialising in Programming, He loves Java. I love COBOL.
Fact, the truth pains.It doesn’t matter whether we are in Zed or not. Zed is ours .Shilungafye no kubwela.If you read some of the articles about politician whether in Uk (Europe)or America you will see that by critising the politicians actually you are trying to keep them in check and balance.Why so concerned about our criticisms about the politicians especially Levy and MMD? if Sata is criticised you dont question why? If you benefit from levy, we dont.If he doing well no criticisms. Fact,Communication easy and simple. Sometimes before you know What is happening in Zed, some pipo they know.Mr fact dont be a spokesperson for the govt that is why Mr Mupo is therefore.For Chitoba it was just the matter of time to be implicated in corruption.His cousin Levy is quiet.if it is someone from another tribe he could have been dropped to pave a way for investigations. Where is zero tolerance?The levy is showing being rogue over Chitoba.There is total panic and fear by the govt. SHAME CHUCHU!
YOU HAVE KILLED THE FREE SPEECH SPIRIT
Lack of wisdom and failure to provide leadership when the blog traffic has exhibited a sublevel behavior of incest, impersonation and privacy rights bleach has compromised the future of this blog. Your inaction to loose wired kids has reduced standards and made visitors think twice about their participation. Wondering why Zambian online blogs have the shortest life spans. We talk of leaders on politicians, yet we are failures on small projects right here. Lifa, Jose, Kadansa and AM have beenn ignored insulting at our expense while the other fellow posting as Patron and Easy are exposing access to our IPs. Together, whether by collaboration or not, you have inhibited logic putting the blog on its death bed.lord help your people to act with wisdom even in differences.If this continues, where will leadersship come from after the serving?
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