First Lady Esther Lungu has urged girls who drop out of school due to pregnancy to return and continue with their education after they give birth.

The First Lady said this at Kasamanda Primary and Day Secondary School when met 23 girls who were pregnant and have since returned to school after giving birth.

The First Lady, who is wrapped up the Esther Lungu Foundation Trust (ELFT) outreach programme tour of Mambwe district yesterday, was elated that the girls have decided to go back to school.

Mrs Lungu told the 23 girls that the step they had taken was a clear indication that the re-entry policy was effectively being implemented for the benefit of girls.

She urged the girls to remain resolved in pursuit of their education as school knows no age, adding that whatever challenges the girls may have encountered in life and at whatever age, they should be determined to get educated.

“The world is evolving and we all have to move with it at the same pace and the only way that can be achieved is by acquiring an education. When you are educated and independent, you will be able to find solutions to whatever problem you face because no problem lasts forever,” she said to girls who are now doubling as teen mothers and school girls.

She noted that going back to school, as the 23 had done, was the first step in the right direction.

The First Lady stated that the bold decision the girls made serves as an example to other girls in their situation who feel shy to go back to school.

“By deciding to go back to school, you girls have shown that you are heroines. I pray that your friends who feel shy to go back to school can emulate your courage and determination and go back to school,” Mrs Lungu said.

Mrs Lungu presented food hampers of peanut butter, cooking oil, sugar, baked beans among others to the 23 girls as a way of motivating them

At the same time the First Lady’s foundation trust also donated 10 computers, 20 solar lights with chargers, 120 text books, 202 washable towels, two sets of soccer jerseys and two soccer balls among other items to Kasamanda Day Secondary. This was in addition to a donation of mealie meal, rice, cooking oil, drinks, soya and biscuits among other items.

The ELFT also made a similar donation of 30 solar lights, two sets of jerseys among other items to Kasamanda Primary school.

Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Christopher Yaluma says a fair trading environment for all players is cardinal in fostering sustainable businesses and economic growth in the country.

Speaking when he flagged off the dry capacity measures project at Chambeshi Market in Kasama today, the Minister explained that the initiative is aimed at ensuring that both the trader and the consumer get a fair deal.

Mr. Yaluma explained that in the past people complained of lack of transparency with the instruments used to measure dry products such as beans, Kapenta among others.

He explained that the “meda” which is a traditional device used to measure dry products is among the instruments that caused concerns between traders and consumers as it was not standardized.

The Minister has therefore expressed confidence that the launch of standardized measurement instruments popularly known as meda will help promote fair trade.

“Because of the new instruments which will be used, traders will not give out more products than their money’s worth and the consumers will get value for their money” he said.

He has since commended the Zambia Metrology Agency (ZMA) for its hard work which has seen the project become a success.

And Zambia Metrology Agency Executive Director Himba Cheelo noted that her organization is happy that stakeholders, especially the traders, have welcomed the project.

Ms. Cheelo stated that the use of the newly introduced instruments will promote transparency and a fair trading environment thereby benefiting both the trader and the consumer.

“We are happy that stakeholders have come on board to support us in this project” She stated.

Ms. Cheelo has since reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to ensuring that there is a fair trading ground for all players.

And speaking on behalf of the traders Chambeshi Market Chairperson Fred Chansa has commended ZMA for coming up with an initiative to standardized instruments used by traders.

Mr. Chansa stated that this will make trading easier for marketers at the market.

“The complaints of marketers not using standard instruments will now be a thing of a past,” he said.

Mr. Chansa has since advised the traders to ensure that they start using the new instruments to help promote transparency as they conduct their business.

African Writers Space Zambia, has challenged the Zambian writers to show the world how rich the country is by telling local stories through their publications.

Country Coordinator, Marita Banda, notes that Zambia has many talented writers who should come out of their comfort zones and contribute to the African hub of writers.

ZANIS reports that Ms Banda was speaking during the 3rd African Writers Conference, held at Alliance Francaise in Lusaka this morning.

Mrs Banda said Zambia is privileged to host the writers’ conference with 30 participating countries after it was launched in Nigeria 3 years ago.

And African Writers Space, Executive Director, Anthony Onugba said the conference aims to showcase African works and identity.

And National Arts Council of Zambia (NACZ) Assistant Director for Literary and Performing Arts, Mwiche Chikungu, said it was

“NAC is much interested in seeing that the value of writers is appreciated world over,” Ms Chikungu stated.

Ms Chikungu has praised African Writers Space Zambia for organizing this year’s event amidst the challenges brought by the COVID-19.

The Continental Leadership Research Institute Director Mundia Hakoola says there is need for more young people to take up leadership roles.

Mr. Hakoola said the number of youths in leadership positions is low in Zambia hence the need for youths to be trained in various leadership roles.

Mr. Hakoola told ZANIS in an interview in Ndola yesterday that the Research Institute is training young people from all political parties and the community in Lusaka and Copperbelt provinces.

He explained that youths in the country are mostly used as tools of violence instead of taking up leadership roles.

“We are a platform that engage youths in issues of governance and leadership to ensure that we build their capacity in taking up leadership roles by reducing the trend of young people being used as tools of violence,” he said.

He added that the trainings are aimed at enhancing capacity of young people to participate in democratic processes by varying for public office.

“Currently from our research conducted, we have seen that out of the total 156 members of Parliament, only three are considered as youths.

Therefore, we want to ensure that youths up their game in taking up leadership positions, the importance of taking part in voting and issues of how to deal with dialogue.

You find that most of the time youths do not dialogue but engage in violent activities, that is why we are undertaking trainings for them to ensure that they know their core duty in governance issues,” he said.

And Lumuno Nyimba one of the trained youths from Ndola said the training has enlightened them on how to be responsible as young people.

“As youths, we have been very relaxed in terms of taking up leadership roles because we limit our capacity and what we can do. Hence the training has really opened up our thinking and we will be more proactive in dealing with governance issues,” she said.

She added that youth participation in leadership roles will help the country move forward as they have a lot of potential.

Ezra Mushipi another trained participate said youths have huge role to play in issues of governance.

He thanked research institute for training them and explained that he will use the information to be models of change.

He called on all the youths in the country not to be used as tools of violence even as the country heads to the polls next year.