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Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo arriving at the Royal Airstrip in the Lower Zambezi
Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo has implored tour operators in the Lower Zambezi to prioritize local tourists in order for the sector to be sustainable.
And Mr Lusambo has challenged the tour operators to stop quoting their services in foreign currencies.
Speaking on Saturday when he held an interactive meeting with tour operators in the Lower Zambezi, Mr Lusambo said Zambians should be encouraged to visit tourist sites.
He said making the charges affordable and advertising tourism services in the local media will go a long way in creating a sustainable local tourism sector.
Mr Lusambo said government considers the tourism sector as a priority hence the decision to classify it as an economic sector.
The Lusaka Province Minister who is also Kabushi Member of Parliament said it is unfortunate that many Zambians have never had a chance to sample local tourism products.
He also announced that givegnment will start working on the Chiawa-Katuba road in order to make the Lower Zambezi accessible by road.
Mr Lusambo further directed the tour operators to stop the practice of charging in US dollars.
He said pegging the Kwacha to the US dollar rate should also be discouraged.
Mr Lusambo also condemned the practice of compelling local tourists to going through South Africa when making and confirming bookings and reservations.
On the issue of mining in the Lower Zambezi, Mr Lusambo said the position of government on the matter has been made.
And speaking on behalf of the tour operators, Lower Zambezi Tourism Association Acting Secretary
Paula Vrdoljak said the operators are concerned that the area is operating without a Management Plan since the expiration of the last one.
Mrs. Vrdoljak also emphasized the need for clarity and assurance on the long term sustainability of the Lower Zambezi given the proposal to launch mining activities in the area.
Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo in the Lower ZambeziLusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo meeting with local stakeholders in the Lower ZambeziLusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo on a game drive in the Lower Zambezi with Lusaka Province Deputy Permanent Secretary Frazier MusondaLusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo with Chieftainess Chiawa in the Lower Zambezi
Friday the eighth 2019 will probably go down as the best diplomacy day on the annual calendar of President Edgar Lungu.
It is the day he came out and reconnected with the country through the fourth estate and managed to win many hearts and souls, even from his harshest critics.
It is the day that the Edgar Lungu Zambians voted for in 2014 and repeated the feat by more than 50 percent in 2016 came alive saying “I am still your man and live in the same country as you.”
In diplomatic parlance we would call it a ‘Diplomatic Coup’ due to the warm fuzzy feeling it left on the minds of many long after he had walked off the stage, leaving journalists eating from his hands and thirsting for more positively.
The President of Zambia has his own style of communicating, unlike his predecessors such as Dr Kenneth Kaunda who depended heavily on press conferences, and that must be respected.
The mingle, however, proved communication and diplomacy professors right: an eloquent and likable politician like him sometimes needs to be left to roam in the wild in order to spread his wings effectively. He did that on Friday like a duck turns to water.
President Lungu explained the crippling power shortages in a more succinct and humanly manner than it has probably been ever explained before, by reducing it down to Jack the Barber, BOB the welder and Sarah the hair dress who have shut down business due to the shortages of power.
He made the problem a human problem, not a climate change or technical problem ordinary Zambians affected by the scourge daily do not want to fathom.
President Lungu did not just present the problem but threw a proverbial bone to journalists when he touted the solution of a $100 million German Zambia GETFIT renewable energy project for 120MW which must be ready next year. A watt at a time.
While talking visionary long-term solutions apart from GETFIT and new regulation that must make the sector profitable, President Lungu told journalists about the short-term measures of getting the industrial power machinery running through the importation of $44 million worth of energy, expensive but necessary.
After doing all the heavy pushing and removing the elephant in the room-energy-that is directly adversely affecting everyone in Zambia in one way or another, he humbly explained that for Zambia’s GDP to grow, industrialisation, agriculture and skills would be vital. Ramp up exports.
Another diplomatic score he bagged but many could not see directly was his subtle exuding of confidence which he showed by owning a problem, touting a solution and saying: “I am in charge”.
President Lungu did not pass the back and if anyone inside and outside his party were in any doubt about his willingness to give and take a punch in the next 2021 poll, he cleared the air by telling them: “I am coming back…am ready for a fight.”
Analysing Friday as a diplomat and a student of international relations and an author, I can draw a conclusion that the Friday State House mingle was a win for the Commander in chief.
The journalists that broke bread and water with him shall fondly retell the story over and over because it’s not every day you get to mingle with the President of Zambia.
Perhaps his astute Secretary to the Cabinet Dr Simon Miti would encourage more of these mingles with the media perhaps once a month, a quarter or whenever it is felt that Zambians want the calming voice of the President.
This is diplomatically the reason the Captain on the plane steps in and says: “This is your Captain speaking…we are going through a turbulent patch, but everything will be normal in a while. Please keep your seat belts on until the seat belt sign is switched off. Thank you.”
President Lungu known mostly for being a man of the people showed once again that the trappings of State House have had little or no effect to his natural-born traits of humility and patience. He remains a man of the soil.
President Lungu mingled, shook lots of hands, shared a joke here and humoured the press like the ordinary husband, father and lawyer they voted for.
Needless to say, the energy deficit did not immediately go away but the narrative has now changed to that of Hope instead of Despair.
Reconciliation and love and not combative and settling of personal scores.
The political adage “everybody needs just five minutes with the President” came to life: a classic case study in diplomacy, cultural studies, and public speaking or engagement.
The author is the Ambassador of Zambia Germany. He is also the author of the insightful book “Against all Odds, President Edgar Chagwa Lungu’s Rough Journey to State House.”
Chipolopolo Zambia CHAN team on Saturday beat Namibia away in a friendly international.
Zambia beat Namibia 2-0 in Windhoek as part of both sides 2020 CHAN finals preparations.
Nkwazi and ex-Kitwe United striker Emmanuel Chabula in quiet fashion continued his great Chipolopolo form when he struck a brace in each half with his first goal coming on the stroke of half-time.
It was Chabula’s second brace in as many games after scoring in the 2-2 home draw against eSwatini in a 2020 CHAN last round, final leg qualifier on October 19 in Lusaka that secured Zambia’s passage to the Cameroon finals.
Chabula has stealthy taken his Chipolopolo tally to six goals so far this year after scoring his debut Zambia goal on June 2 in a 2-2 draw against Malawi in the 2019 COSAFA Cup quarterfinals in Durban.
Coach Beston Chambeshi is pleased with the goalless draw Zambia forced against South Africa in their opening Group B match of the Under-23 Africa Cup played in Cairo, Egypt on Saturday night.
It was a game of two halves in which Zambia dominated the first half and South Africa were the better side in the last half.
‘It was a nice game, very entertaining, very competitive and I am happy also with the result like what my colleague (South Africa coach David Natoane) said,’ Chambeshi said.
‘You know South and Zambia it is like a local derby. It’s Zamalek-Al Ahly, so it is not an easy game. We have to thank the boys they played very well. It was tactically well take,’ he said.
‘We started very well in the first half and South Africa contained us. Second half it was South Africa who came on us. A draw is better for us,’ Chambeshi said.
Zambia’s key players Patson Daka, Enock Mwepu and Fashion Sakala missed the game due to club commitment.
South Africa coach David Natoane said:’ I think a draw is a fair result. I think we gave the audience a very good game. Unfortunately we did not give you the goals; we will keep the goals for the next two games.’
Zambia’s next match is against Nigeria on Tuesday.
Ivory Coast are leading Group B with three points after edging Nigeria 1-0 in the two sides opening match earlier on Saturday.
The Bemba Royal Establishment has refuted a story in one of the private tabloid that is alleging that the Establishment has floated names of persons to stand as presidential candidates in the 2021 general elections.
And the establishment has also denied allegations by Chief Mukuni of the Toka Leya people of Southern Province that Bemba Chiefs and Chitimukulu had a meeting with President Edgar Lungu where the Chiefs submitted names of their preferred candidates.
Speaking on behalf of the Establishment, Chief Luchembe of Mpika district said the story is fake and should be dismissed with the contempt it deserves.
Chief Luchembe explained that no one from the Bemba Royal Establishment including Paramount Chitimukulu has held meeting with President Lungu to discuss issues concerning succession.
He said it is unfortunate that Chief Mukuni who is supposed to be the custodian of tradition could start issuing such malicious statement.
He said the Bemba’s are a peaceful group adding that the Chitimukulu is known to be free thinker who is admired by Zambians.
Chief Luchembe who was flanked by Chitimukulu and other Bemba Chiefs said this in Mungwi district during the Ilamfya Council for the Bemba Royal Establishment during the week.
He alleges that Chief Mukuni might be used by some people who are jealousy of the Bembas because of the support they have in the country.
Chief Luchembe has since advised Chief Mukuni to come out in the open if he has anything against the Bembas.
Chief Mukuni is quoted to have issued a statement in the Mast Newspapers last week with the headline “Edgar intends not to stand in 2021 reveals Mukuni, and banner headline “Lungu Opt Out’.
Residents of Luwingu district have appealed to Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) to follow the laid down time table for power outages instead of doing it up-hazard.
Most of the concerned residents said they were concerned with the manner ZESCO in the area is implementing load shading in Luwingu contrary to the laid down timetable released for November 2019.
They collectively lamented that ZESCO is not providing electricity during the day when they are expected to be productive thereby contribute to national development.
“We expect ZESCO to do things professionally and not up-hazardly by switching on and off without following the timetable they have released to the public, it is not only annoying but also very frustrating if they do not know,” they said.
And some civil servants have appealed to the government, through the office of the permanent secretary, to consider providing generators to various department to power their offices in order to effectively run the government operations.
They said many are the times when they expect electricity but are denied access to the commodity a situation which is highly affecting the government operations at the district level.
Meanwhile, the residents complained that electricity provided at night is meaningless because people are done with day to day activities.
Following the poor rainfall pattern last rainy season due to climate change which has seen low water levels on most sources of electricity generation, the utility firm recently issued a countrywide timetable for power outages which are in the range of four to fifteen hours or more in most parts of the country.
Government recently announced that it will soon start importing power from ESKOM at a cost of $13.5 million.
Energy Minister, Mathew Nkhuwa further disclosed that with the inclusion of transmission charges the cost will go up to $21 million.
Mr Nkhuwa said that the importation of power from ESKOM will cushion and reduce on load shedding hours from at least eight to six hours.
He said government will continue engaging various counterparts to address the power deficit affecting the countr
Finland has pledged her country’s continued investment in Zambia’s Agriculture and Forestry sectors.
Finnish Ambassador to Zambia, Pirjo Suomela Chowdhury says the favourable rainfall pattern and other suitable climatic conditions suitable for agriculture in the country is what has made it a definite agriculture investment destination for her country.
The Finnish Envoy said this today when she called on the Copperbelt Province Permanent Secretary, Bright Nundwe in Ndola.
She added that Zambia, and the Copperbelt in particular, has huge potential to uplift people’s livelihoods through agriculture.
The Finnish Envoy stated that her office is already in talks with a business delegation that attended last year’s Aggregate Expo to visit the Copperbelt and exploit the business opportunities that lie in the province.
Ms. Chowdhury, who is in Ndola to attend the Ndola District Chamber of Commerce and Industry annual Gala Awards later, has since commended the chamber for its positive contribution to reviving the economy in the district.
The economic activities which were becoming silent is slowly coming on board due to the positive contribution which the current leadership has put in place, she said.
The envoy said the Chamber of Commerce is working tirelessly to ensuring that Foreign Direct Investment continues to flow in the district.
And Mr Nundwe said the partnership between Zambia and Finland has resulted in great economic benefits between the two nations.
The Permanent Secretary has also called for more Finnish investment in Zambia’s forestry and agricultural sectors especially on the Copperbelt.
He said the Copperbelt has three prominent districts namely Masaiti, Mpongwe and Lufwanyama, which investors should exploit in the two sectors.
Kabwe District Food Nutritionist, Mary Mungabo, says only one thousand farmers out of 24,000 in Kabwe district have received farming inputs for the 2019/2020 farming season.
Mrs Mungabo said the 1000 farmers received the farming inputs this week in an exercise that commenced on Tuesday.
She discloses that the exercise that commenced on Tuesday this week would be concluded before the onset of the rains.
Mrs Mungabo was responding to questions during a full council meeting held yesterday at the Kabwe Municipal Council on whether the DACO’s office had commenced the distribution of farming inputs to farmers in Kabwe district.
She however explained that the delay in the distribution of farming inputs to the rest of the farmers was as a result of the farmers not depositing their K400 contributions on time adding that a big number of them had not yet made their deposits.
All the 24,000, who are expected to benefit under the Food Input Support Programme (FISP), will all collect medium maturing varieties such Zambezi seed and Pana seed due to the fact that Kabwe district is in a region with medium rainfall.
Mrs Mungabo said farmers were also being advised to consider Conservation agriculture and to focus on diversification as the country is trying to promote other seed varieties such as sorghum and Millet apart from Maize.
Meanwhile, hiwang`andu District Commissioner (DC), Evelyn Kangwa, has urged cooperatives to clean their registers for the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) and remove deceased farmers.
Ms Kangwa said there is a tendency of getting farming inputs on slots of deceased farmers, a development which is disadvantaging others from benefiting under the programme.
Ms Kangwa said accessing inputs on a slot which was meant for someone who died is illegal saying every cooperative member who will be found wanting will face the wrath of the law.
ZANIS reports that the DC said this during a meeting with small scale farmers at her office.
She has called on the Ministry of Agriculture to develop a system that will be helping in cleaning the farmer registers every farming season so that deceased farmers can be removed and replaced on the programme.
And Macheleta Village Headman, Gordian Kafuko, said it has been observed that some individual members of cooperatives have been getting more than two packs of farming inputs every farming season.
Mr Kafuko alleged that some beneficiaries from Chisokotwa cooperative have benefited double packs this farming season sating that the move should come to an end so that other farmers can benefit.
The Kasama Taxi Drivers Association has welcomed government plans to stop political party cadres from extorting money from traders and drivers in markets and bus stations.
ZANIS reports that Association president, Janny Yambayamba, said the move will help to bring sanity and order in markets and bus stations.
Mr Yambayamba charged that cadres do not have authority to collect levies from marketeers, bus and taxi drivers.
And Mr Yambaymba has commended political party cadres in Kasama district for not interfering with the operations of taxi drivers.
He explained that previously the trend of collecting levy by political cadres was common but this has died over the years due to the good relationship shared between transport operators and political party cadres in the district.
The Association President has however called on commuters and transport operators to report anyone unauthorised person found collecting levy on behalf of the council.
Government recently called for the removal of all political party cadres from markets and bus stations countrywide.
Minister of Local Government, Charles Banda, reiterated that President Lungu’s administration wants sanity restored at bus stations and markets countrywide, by ensuring that the collection of levies is done in a clear and transparent manner through the local authorities.
Dr Banda said the ministry has embarked on a programme of appointing management boards to manage and control markets and bus stations in line with clause 3(1) of the Markets and Bus Stations Act No. 7 of 2007, in order to cure this malaise.
Recently, a renowned Lusaka proprietor of Capital Buses Ishmael Kankara threatened to remove his buses from operating on some routes in the city citing ‘harassment by political party cadres who demanded money for selfish gain.’
Bwana Mkubwa Member of Parliament Hon. Jonas Chanda.
By Dr Jonas Chanda
In my debate in Parliament on the 2020 Budget allocation to the Ministry of National Guidance and Religious Affairs, I have responded to Leader of the Opposition in the House and UPND Member of Parliament for Monze Hon. Jack Mwiimbu’s assertions that since the United Nations (U.N.) supports GAY RIGHTS, why should Zambia contradict the UN or is Zambia going to pull out of the UN?
Firstly, the PREAMBLE of the Constitution of Zambia states that “WE, THE PEOPLE OF ZAMBIA: ACKNOWLEDGE the supremacy of God Almighty; DECLARE the Republic a Christian Nation…” Since Christianity does not support gay rights or gay marriage, the Patriotic Front (PF) party and Zambia as a nation do NOT GAY RIGHTS or GAY MARRIAGE either. Moreover, Zambia is a Sovereign State and not a colony of the U.N. or any other international body, and the Constitution of Zambia is the Supreme Law of the land above any other international agreements to which we have a right to accede or not, or even pull out.
Article 8 of the Constitution also highlights the National Values and Principles, among which are MORALITY and ETHICS, PATRIOTISM and NATIONAL UNITY, and DEMOCRACY and CONSTITUTIONALISM
It shows the LACK of LEADERSHIP when the leader of the Opposition in Parliament says that UPND will NOT associate with the PF on any key national events like Independence Day, National Day of Prayer, Heroes and Unity Day, Labour Day, Africa Freedom Day, and others. These commemorative events, some of which are international, are above petty partisan politics and are bigger than both the PF and UPND. In national matters, PATRIOTISM should always trump PARTISANSHIP.
My advice to the UPND leader Mr Hakainde Hichilema is to show PATRIOTISM and stop deliberately misleading the nation by his claims that private investors from the US have pledged to invest over US$25.8 billion in Zambia in the first 5 years of his administration if he becomes President without any firm commitments. This is the same way Zambians were duped by the same western “investors” and “institutions” over the scandalous Privatisation programs of the 1990s in which Mr Hichilema participated and which saw Zambian mines, companies and assets being stripped and sold for a song at the expense of the country.
UPND is also being hypocritical on CONSTITUTIONALISM. On the one hand, they Oppose and Boycott the Constitution-refinement process to which they were invited at the National Dialogue Forum (NDF) and have totally refused to make submissions to the Parliamentary Select Committee on the Constitution Amendment Bill No.10. On the other hand, they state in their Manifesto (page 11) under the title “NEW CONSTITUTION FOR NEW ZAMBIA” that they support the following amendments to the Constitution:
50% plus 1 majoritarian President, VP running mate, Cabinet from outside Parliament, Recall of non-performing MPs, Genuine Separation of Powers, EXPANDED BILL OF RIGHTS BILL, Constitutional Court, Referendum to enhance Constitutionalism, Avoidance of bye-elections, Proportional representation, Approval of acquisition of external debt (borrowing) by Parliament, and Repeal of “obnoxious” pieces of legislation.
Why is UPND NOT courageous enough to come and state these positions publicly and participate in the Constitution refinement process so that together we can have a Constitution that stands the test of time? And Zambians should remember that it is the UPND who misled many Zambians and vigorously campaigned against the same EXPANDED BILL OF RIGHTS in the Referendum of 2016 and made sure it failed. Today they are claiming to support it. Shame!
I also call on UPND to advise one of their key supporters, a traditional leader from Livingstone, to stop threatening NATIONAL UNITY and PEACE through his careless talk aimed at “EXPORTING TRIBALISM” and “DISUNITY” to PF with his wild claims that different tribal and regional factions are jostling for power in PF. This traditional chief, instead of promoting National Unity, is doing the opposite and is hell-bent on exporting the same dangerous and toxic TRIBALISM and REGIONALISM that has haunted UPND into the PF. It is however gratifying that Chief Luchembe, on behalf of the Bemba Royal Establishment, has dismissed his claims with the contempt they deserve.
Issued by:
The Author is a Ruling Patriotic Front Member of Parliament, Bwana Mkubwa Constituency in Ndola
Tollgates have been commissioned at both Manyumbi and Kafulafuta. In the Picture , a Rosa Bus driver paying a toll fee in accordance with the law at Manyumbi Tollgates in Kapiri Mposhi District
THE Zambia Roads & Highway Safety Group (ZRHSG) is urging the Zambian Government through the National Road Fund Agency (NRFA) to consider employing the disabled and physically challenged Zambians to work in the toll gate booths country-wide as a way of empowering them.
The ZRHSG has observed that most toll booths are manned by energetic young men and women who do a job that can easily be handled by Zambians with physical disability.
“As a group we feel the work of collecting funds in the toll gate booths on our roads can easily be reserved for persons with disability. These toll gates provide Zambia with an opportunity to empower this usually neglected and marginalized sector of our society,” says Group Admin Mthoniswa Banda.
The Zambia Roads & Highway Safety Group (ZRHSG) feels such as act would release the many energetic young men and women, women of whom are school leavers into more challenging work in other departments and or into further studies into better ways of manning tolls and improving the country’s dilapidated road network.
“Having traveled around the country through the many Toll Plazas now erected on our roads, I am of the view that the job of sitting in a “Toll Booth” and collecting Toll money deserves to be given to the “Physically Challenged” (Disabled), persons. These are a special group of persons and we need to provide jobs to them. Let’s follow the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2012 of the Laws of Zambia…” posted a member of the Zambia Roads & Highway Safety Group (ZRHSG).
“Those toll booth fellas are they college graduates? If yes, we might be wasting human talent and energy. We need all energetic boys and girls where they are needed most in other roads department or road safety,” posted another.
There are many laws and policies that include persons with disabilities in Zambia, but their implementation is limited. The Disability Act of 2012 ensures full and equal human rights and freedoms to persons with disabilities.
As of 2008, it was estimated that around 256,000 in Zambia have a disability in some form. In 2011, it was estimated that the numbers may actually be somewhere between 1 and 2 million people with disability in Zambia.
According to the Zambia National Disability Survey of 2015, initiated by the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services (MCDSS), and implemented by the Central Statistical Office (CSO) and the University of Zambia (UNZA), in collaboration with SINTEF Technology and Society (Norway) and UNICEF Zambia, among persons with disabilities, 41.4 percent of males and 20.3 percent of females said that their level of education while the rest had had challenges getting employed, despite being educated and qualified to get jobs. The study also confirms that persons with disabilities have a lower sense of well being (which measures anxiety and depression) than those without disabilities.
Zambia Roads & Highway Safety Group (ZRHSG) is an online group with over 1,400 members and is for sharing experiences and knowledge on road safety and defensive driving on Zambian roads and Highways by both professional drivers, car owners and the majority road users as passengers or pedestrians. These discussions will help identify road safety issues, bad policies and bad road designs requiring improvement by government and its agencies such as RTSA, RDA, NRFA, ZP and local councils.
Every week, the ZRHSG will produce a statement summarising the group discussion and sharing this opinion with Government Road Safety agencies and other policy makers so they improve Zambia’s Road Safety.
Napsa Stars on Saturday jumped to second place on the 2019/2020 FAZ Super Division log following a 3-0 home win over promoted strugglers Kabwe Youth Football Academy at Woodlands Stadium in Lusaka.
Collins Sikombe put Napsa 1-0 into halftime with a 5th minute goal in this rescheduled Week 8 fixture.
Laudit Mavugo then struck a brace in the 56th and 60th to lift his spirits after he was snubbed by Burundi for their 2021 AFCON qualifiers next week.
Napsa move from third to second on 21 points, exchanging places with Red Arrows who have 20 points.
They are now six points behind leaders Zesco.
KYSA stay bottom with 5 points from ten games.
At Shinde Stadium, second from bottom Mighty Mufulira Wanderers blew away a 1-0 lead to lose 2-1 at home to Green Eagles.
Mise Katende put Mighty ahead in the 52nd minute but Gozon Mutale equalised in the 71st minute and Hosea Silwimba clinched the three points in the 75th minute.
Eagles jump from ninth to sixth on 14 points.
And at Arthur Davis Stadium in Kitwe, Power Dynamos’ hopes of a first home win since September 14 were foiled after Buildcon rallied to hold them 1-1.
Christian Ntouba put Power ahead in the 53rd minute but Eric Kabulo levelled in the 69th mibute.
Zambia’s Ambassodor to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative at the AU, Mr Emmanuel Mwamba.
By Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba
The Governments of Denmark and Kenya, together with the United Nations Populations Fund (UNFPA), have organized one of the biggest conferences to be held in Africa that will take place in Nairobi, Kenya, from 12-14 November 2019.
The organizers intend to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the historical International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), which took place in Cairo, Egypt in 1994.
But the United States government, The Vatican and the African Union (AU), and the Kenyan Church have expressed strong concern and reservations about the meeting.
The concerns relate to the draft texts ( Nairobi Statement) and the strategic focus of the meeting that has shifted from population and development issues to matters related to access and rights to abortion rights and; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex(LGBTQ) rights.
Another critical issue is that no substantive, inclusive and substantial consultations on the texts were carried out with policy organs of the United Nations and the African Union.
The Holy See has since pulled out of the meeting stating that;
“The Holy See notes that if more time and a truly inclusive approach had been chosen, broader support could have been ensured for the text and for the conference”.
But the deeper concern is the realization that the meeting appears to misrepresent the legitimate authority of the United Nations.
The Meeting is being held outside of the United Nations framework, thus precluding transparent inter-governmental negotiations while conveying the misleading impression of UN member states on “consensus” on the “Nairobi Statement.”
So the Nairobi Summit cannot be deemed to be a meeting requested by the United Nations or held under its auspices as was the original ICPD which it is seeks to commemorate.
The ICPD was convened under the auspices of the United Nations and was organized by a secretariat composed of the Population Division of the then UN Department for Economic and Social Information and Policy Analysis (now the Department of Economic and Social Affairs) and UNFPA.
So what is the controversy?
In the original ICPD of 1994 and the subsequent Program of Action, the primary call was for member states to implement programs for universal access to health, and to institute family planning programs.
Over time, UNFPA has expanded the goal to include Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) and now Rights(SRHR), the right to access education regarding sexual and reproductive health, an end to female genital mutilation, and increased women’s empowerment in social, political, and cultural spheres.
But it is their special goals and targets created to address adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights including access by adolescents, to abortions, and in many cases without parental consent; and the aggressive introduction of LGBTQ matters that have raised stakeholder’s concerns.
These programs are being implemented without due regard to national, religious, cultural and traditional values and interests of Africa and other UN member states that remain conservative on such matters.
So what are Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights(SRHR) and Comprehensive Sexuality Education(CSE) and why have they caused so much controversy and indignation?
1. Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights(SRHR)-Sexual and reproductive health and rights or SRHR is the concept of human rights applied to sexuality and reproduction.
UNFPA is driving an agenda to ensure that SRH&R should be part of public health and development strategies.
SRHR is described as good sexual and reproductive health, a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being in all matters relating to t
sex and the reproductive system.
It implies that people are able to have a satisfying and safe sex life, the capability to reproduce, and the freedom to decide if, when, and how often to do so.
The description might appear innocent and noble but attract embedded controversial guaranteed rights such as free access sex (all types of sex), free access to abortions, and redefine gender identity as a matter of right beyond male and female identities as we know it.
These are matters that Africa has not established consensus on.
This also raises concern when such rights are extended to adolescents who in religious, traditional, community and cultural settings may not be permitted to have free sex as they deem(as sex is reserved for marriage), experiment with their sexual orientation( gay sex and couples are alien and offend known social norms) and in many jurisdictions outlawed) and are allowed to change genders as they wish(a big matter pending determination in legal, scientific, religious and cultural terms in Africa).
This violates and offends social and national values in those communities.
2. Comprehensive Sexuality Education(CSE)
CSE curriculum is controversial as it has many extreme aspects such as introducing children as young as seven to learn about same-sex families, and to the controversial concept of numerous gender identities.
Children are also taught about masturbation, oral and anal sex, and other types of sex.
Many religious groupings have called CSE curriculum “satanic and evil”.
CSE is also deemed as a tool targeting Africa’s children and young people as a quick way to change Africa’s highly conservative positions on LGBTQ and gender identity issues.
CSE is a highly controversial matter as it drove like a “rights-based” approach to sex education that encompasses more than just teaching children and youth about sexual intercourse and human reproduction.
On the other hand, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization(UNESCO) the specialized agency of the United Nations based in Paris, France that has been driving the agenda, states that CSE is a curriculum-based process of teaching children and young people to learn about the cognitive, emotional, physical and social aspects of sexuality.
UNESCO states that CSE aims to equip children and young people with knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values that will empower them to realize their sexual health, well-being, and dignity;
It says CSE encompasses children and young people to understand issues about relationships, gender, puberty, consent, and sexual and reproductive health.
But critics state that CSE programs have been hijacked by pro-abortion and pro-LGBTQ organizations that have introduced in the children’s sex education curriculum issues promoting same-sex marriage, controversial gender identities, and LGBTQ issues.
CONCLUSION
The ICPD25 being held in Nairobi may miss a great opportunity to address and promote the broader goals of the world aiming to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs) by 2030, and the goals to end poverty, secure good health and well-being of all, and realizing gender equality and achieving sustainable communities, among many other SDG goals.
The narrow focus and attention to Sexual Health and Reproductive Rights and the attendant Comprehensive Sexuality Education become the poisoned chalice spoiling the noble goal of the original ICPD and its developmental agenda on health population growth and development.
The Author is Zambia’s Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union.
Home Affairs Minister Hon. Stephen Kampyongo addressing Diplomats in Ethiopia
Home Affairs Minister Hon. Stephen Kampyongo has said that it is the duty of Zambian diplomats to clarify misrepresentations against the country on social media and other platforms.
Speaking when he addressed diplomatic staff at the Embassy of the Republic of Zambia in Ethiopia, Mr. Kampyongo said it was unfortunate that some people were using social media to tarnish the image of government to the outside world.
He gave an example of reports that falsely suggest that Zambia has become ungovernable and was sliding into a debt trap, adding that diplomats must ensure that such misconceptions are clarified.
Mr. Kampyongo also warned diplomats against engaging in partisan politics saying diplomats could only show their partisan stance when voting as this was the right of every Zambian.
And the Minister said Government is doing everything possible to see to it that it eases on the changes that Zambians are faced with that include load shedding which he attributed to effects of climate change.
He also said Government had put in place mechanisms that would see it repay its debt obligation as opposed to social media reports that it had failed to do so.
Mr. Kampyongo said President Lungu had an ambitious development agenda that had resulted into the construction of roads, schools and hospitals among others.
He urged the diplomats to be loyal to President Edgar Lungu and the government of the day.
And Zambia Embassy Charge’d’Affaires Mrs. Nadine Chabwe thanked the Minister for finding time to address the diplomats on pertinent issues that affect the country.
The Minister was in Addis Ababa to attend the Minister Session of the 3rd Technical Committee Meeting on Migration , Refugees and Internally Displaced People.
Home Affairs Minister Hon. Stephen Kampyongo with Diplomats in Ethiopia
President Edgar Lungu has said that he is a sponsored candidate for the ruling party and ready for the 2021 general elections.
Responding to a question from a Journalist during the Presidential Media Engagement at State House yesterday afternoon, President Lungu said if some PF members want to go to the general conference, he is ready for it, adding that he has been fought several times through contestation and that he believes in democracy.
“I am just a sponsored candidate for the Patriotic Front and I cannot determine how PF wants to run its race till 2021. And the Central Committee and General Conference are all organs of the PF. So if the PF chooses this route or that route, I am ready for anything,” he said.
“For me, I am a democrat. I am a champion of democracy.”
President Lungu further said the Patriotic Front is a leading player in terms of embracing democracy.
“We will go to the general conference if that will be the wish of the PF. In short, I am game,” said President Lungu.
And on the perceived reconciliation with Former Roan Member of Parliament Chishimba Kambwili, President Lungu said he has nothing against him.
“Yes, I went to Church to remember my late President Michael Chilufya Sata. I didn’t know that Mr. Kambwili was also in the church. So the priest called me and I shook hands with Mr. Kambwili. I was lamenting at that time when called for reconciliation because I have never differed with him,” said the Head of State.
“In short, I have got no issues with Chishimba Kambwili myself except he has offended some members of my family by calling me a thief, a corrupt person, and a drug dealer. After the church service, the priest saw it fit and called us to his office where he (Chishimba Kambwili) said he has suffered, his business and family are suffering.”
The President insisted that he has not differed with Mr. Kambwili.
Meanwhile, President Edgar Lungu has called on students in high learning institution to take the lead in governance issues and participate in matters of national development.
President Lungu says the country can only groom better future leaders if students are allowed to voice out on issues affecting the country.
The Head of State adds that Zambia is currently struggling in a lot of areas because some of the solutions could be suppressed in some students.
President Lungu was speaking after his routine morning run with students from the University of Zambia, Evelyn Hone College and The National Institute of Public Administration-NIPA.
Zambia Association of Colleges Students Union ZACOSU president Peter
Bwalya hailed President Lungu for coming up with the routine morning run.
Mr. Bwalya said he happy that the practice is slowly being becoming rife among Zambians in most Townships.
He said the union will endeavor to spread the practice in all high learning institutions in a bid to fight non-communicable.
