LONDON, Monday, 19 October 2020- Zambia’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Lt. Gen. Paul Mihova has implored Zambians both home and away to jealously guard the peace that the country has been enjoying as peace is a rare gem.

Addressing Zambians in the United Kingdom during the commemoration of the National Day of Pray and Fasting, organized by the Zambia Overseas Christian Fellowship (ZOCF) UK and the Zambian High Commission, the High Commissioner said the peace that Zambia has enjoyed over the past 56 years is as a result of the favour of God upon Zambia and therefore, must be cherished and guarded jealously by all.

“Fellow Zambians I implore you not to take the peace and unity that we are enjoying for granted as these are vital to the attainment of prosperity. For development to take place, you need a peaceful environment, for investors to come and invest in the country you need a peaceful environment, therefore, peace and unity are a prerequisite to prosperity, and this cannot be over emphasized,” he said.

He said as Zambians, we must ensure that we remain united and work together in order to attain the much needed prosperity in line with John chapter 3 verse 2 which says “I wish above all things that you prosper and be in health even as your soul prospers”.

“Fellow Zambians, another important factor to consider is that the prayer of faith will always commit God to intervene in the affairs of men. Therefore, let us not give up but continually unite and pray for the people of Zambia without ceasing. I am confident that God will hear from heaven and heal our land. Today’s prayers is a clear demonstration of the Humility, Unity and Peace that exist among the people of Zambia and I am assured that God, who takes pleasure in the prosperity of his people will reward us accordingly as we diligently seek him,” he said.

And offering a word of exhortation, Pastor Simon Nkole, senior pastor, Kitts Green from Birmingham called on all Zambians in the diaspora to take a step and help develop Zambia. “If we do not take part in developing Zambia, no one will develop it for us. Let us all take part in the development of our country Zambia.”

Senior Chief Chipepo of the Tonga people of the Gwembe Valley, in Chirundu district, has urged the government to halt the teaching of Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) in schools.

Speaking during the commemoration of the Day of National Prayer, Fasting, Repentance and Reconciliation held at the showgrounds in Lusaka, Snr Chief Chipepo said CSE sexualizes children, promotes alien sexual education and practices, and was harmful to children.

Snr Chief Chipepo said CSE was not an answer to challenges related to teen pregnancies, child marriages, and sexual abuse against adolescents as argued by its promoters. He said CSE was against Zambia’s cultural, traditional and religious values and urged government to abandon its teaching in schools.

The traditional leader becomes the second one after Paramount Chief Chitimukulu of the Bemba people condemned the teaching of condemned CSE. Paramount Chitimukulu expressed concern that CSE was graphic and was not age-appropriate especially that the curriculum targeted children as young as those attending schools from Grade 5 to Grade 7.

Many stakeholders including the Church, have condemned the implementation of Comprehensive Sexuality Education in Zambia citing concerns and sensitivities. He stated that it violates cultural, traditional and family values.

CSE is also condemned for introducing children to other gender identities beyond male and female, and for forcing children to accept and respect the LGBT community. Promoters of Comprehensive Sexuality Education, UNFPA, UNESCO and IPPF contend that CSE will help reduce teen pregnancies, child sexual abuse and child marriages.

The agencies have collaborated with Curriculum Development Centre at the Ministry of Education to integrate and roll out CSE in the national education curriculum. Vice President Inonge Wina informed Parliament that the government had halted the full implementation of CSE until a multi-sectoral technical working group met with stakeholders and ironed out all the concerns surrounding CSE.

Meanwhile, Chief Chipepo condemned the abuse of young people by politicians. He said the politicians use other people’s children in political violence. “Let the politicians behave as human beings not like animals. We refuse the spirit of recruiting our children as cadres, leaving their own children,”.

He said political leaders should afford education and job opportunities to young people and not abuse them for violence.

Paramount Chief Chitimukulu of the Bemba people says the voter apathy that characterised the previous Presidential Election must not be replicated in the 2021 General Election.

The Traditional Leader says Zambians must be aware that voting is a constitutional right that entitles them to choose leaders of their choice.

Paramount Chief Chitimukulu says this in turn makes Zambians to indirectly participate in the governance of the nation.

He said this in Lusaka last night in a speech read on his behalf by Lusaka’s Saint Maurice Parish Priest Gabriel Mwanamalye during the launch of the Movement for Voter Sensitisation -MVS-, an organisation with a mandate to supplement efforts against voter apathy.

Paramount Chief Chitimukulu is the Patron of MVS.

At the same function Paramount Chief Mpezeni said Sensitisation against voter apathy is key to ensuring citizens participation in the electoral process.

Paramount Chief Mpezeni said this in a speech read by his representative Christopher Zimba.

And Presidential Affairs Minster Freedom Sikazwe who was the guest of honour called on Zambians to vote in large numbers in the 2021 General Election.

Mr. Sikazwe said the move will make Zambians actualise the Constitutional provision of majoritarian leadership at Presidential level.

Meanwhile Senior Chief Kanongesha of Mwinilunga district, North Western Province observed that voter apathy stifles democracy.

Others who attended the event are Chief Chikanta of Kalomo district who said traditional leaders must play a role in campaigns against voter apathy, while Senior Chief Shakumbila of Mumbwa district said political violence contributes to voter apathy and called for the deregistration of violent political parties.

The Kafue Magistrate Court has convicted Obrian Phiri of Mtendere compound to six months imprisonment with hard labour for unlawful possession of medicinal products.

Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority (ZAMRA) Senior Public Relations Officer, Christabel Iliamupu disclosed that this was in matter where ZAMRA in conjunction with the Zambia Police presented Phiri, 38 before Kafue Resident Magistrate Kawama Mwamfuli.

Mrs. Iliamupu indicated that Phiri abrogated the Penal Code Act of Chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia in one count, adding that in a separate count, the accused was fined K5 thousand for selling medicines at a place other than a pharmacy.

She stated in the second count, failure to pay the fine Phiri will be slapped with nine months simple imprisonment.

Mrs. Iliamupu reiterated the Authority’s commitment to regu
lating medicinal products and allied substances being consumed by the people.

“We remain committed to ensuring that medicines are legally obtained and sold in registered outlets. This is to ensure safety, quality and efficacy of medicinal products and allied substances being consumed by the Zambian people,” Mrs. Iliamupu pointed out.

She warned that failure to adhere to the standards concerning the possession and sale of medicinal products and allied substances will result in prosecution.

This was contained in a statement availed to ZANIS in Lusaka by ZAMRA Senior Public Relations Officer, Christabel Iliamupu.