President Lungu has said the respect for human rights and the promotion of good governance and democracy help in providing a conducive environment for everyone to live in decently.

President Lungu said ECOSOCC was cardinal in the development agenda of African countries.

Mr. Lungu said that was why Zambia was keen to host the ECOSOCC headquarters in Lusaka.

“I can only assure you that Zambia has embarked on a serious transformational agenda to ensure that we reach out to our remotest parts of the country and develop in a progressive manner for the wellbeing of the poor people,” he said.

He said ECOSOCC’s presence in Zambia would encourage government to work even harder in the country’s infrastructure and economic development agenda.

“There is no finishing line in development. We always aspire for more,” he said.

The President said meaningful development cannot be achieved without involving civil society organisations and other stakeholders in the country.

Mr. Lungu said the respect for human rights and the promotion of democracy and good governance will guarantee all Zambians a better place to live in.

He has since assured ECOSOCC that the Zambian government will support its operations in the country.

The ECOSOCC delegation is in Zambia pursuant to the country’s decision to align the organ’s statutes and define a structure which it should have here.

ECOSOCC will be the first AU organ that will be hosted in Zambia since the country attained political independence in 1964.

Zambia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Harry Kalaba, his Permanent Secretary Chalwe Lombe and Zambia’s Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the AU, Susan Sikaneta attended the meeting.

Meanwhile, the Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) of the African Union (AU) has wished Zambia and her citizens well as the country approached the 2016 general elections day.

ZANIS reports that ECOSOCC presiding officer, Joseph Chilengi said his organisation was wishing President Edgar Lungu and the Zambian people the best in the elections.

Dr. Chilengi said this in his message written in the Visitors’ book at State House today.

The 15-ECOSOCC delegation held a meeting with President Lungu today.

“ECOSOCC delegations wish the President and the people of Zambia best wishes as you proceed to elections,” read the message in part.

Dr. Chilengi has meanwhile requested the people of Zambia to look at President Lungu’s leadership positively and with confidence.

Zambia won the decision to relocate the ECOSOCC secretariat to Lusaka and a place for the construction of offices has since been identified.

The ECOSOCC delegation is in Zambia following the country’s decision to align the organ’s statutes and define a structure which it should have here.

ECOSOCC will be the first AU organ that will be hosted in Zambia since the country attained political independence in 1964.

Ms Justice Chibomba said the majority of people in Zambia are too poor to afford legal representation.

She said as members of the bar, Lawyers must remind themselves that in as much as they were members of an elite group of learned and women, they should never forget they are members of the larger communities where they live.

Ms Justice Chibomba was speaking in Livingstone at AVANI Victoria Falls Hotel yesterday in a speech read for her by Supreme Court Judge Mumba Malila during the fifth Law Association ot Zambia (LAZ) conference.

The conference is being held under the theme “Back to the Basics: The role of the Legal Profession”.

“If our legal fees are affordable, most of our people would be enabled to access justice and not only the affluent. In this way, we shall dispel the myth that justice is only for the rich.

“One way would be to employ alternative ways of resolving disputes quickly, cheaply and simply,” Ms Justice Chibomba said.

She said Lawyers had a duty to constantly remind themselves that they belonged to a noble profession that was founded on deep respect for law as well as the rule of law, courtesy and respect for seniority at the bar, respect for each other and for the bench.

“The public is increasingly concerned about our profession, some of these concerns stem from public disillusions that result into deep seated mistrust of the legal profession of the men and women at its center whether they are at the bar or on the bench,” she said.

She said it was not uncommon to hear of complaints from the general members of the public against lawyers and other courts, while likewise, members of the bar had genuine concerns relating to the bench and vice versa.

“The question which we must ask ourselves therefore is what we can do as a profession to ensure that the highest standards of dignity and performance are promoted and upheld,” she said.

And LAZ President George Chisanga said the past one year had been as eventful as they had been challenging for the Association.

Mr Chisanga said his organisation had observed the country go through significant changes in matters of governance particularly in the enactment of the constitution amendment Act Number 2 of 2016.

He said LAZ has witnessed unending anxiety the proceedings relating to the removal of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), have pushed the agenda for a judicial pronouncement in the public application of the Public Order Act, have continued to be part of a legal and justice sector reforms and had joined and argued the case in which it was sought to forego the 2016 tripartite elections.

General education Permanent Secretary Chishimba Nkosha has died after a short illness.

His son Mwila has confirmed this through a Facebook posting on his wall, saying his father fell sick yesterday and died in the early hours of today.

Minister of Youth, Sport and Child Development Vincent Mwale said it is government’s desire to ensure that children are removed from the streets and placed in families and alternative care facilities.

Mr. Mwale said government remains committed to ensuring that no child is abused, neglected or subjected to any degrading way including those living on the streets.

Mr Mwale said this in a statement issued to ZANIS in Lusaka today to mark the commemoration of the International Day of Street Children which falls on April 12 each year.

This year’s International Day of Street Children was commemorated under the theme “Identity.

Mr. Mwale said this year’s theme is a reminder to all Zambians to identify with the difficulties children on the streets face in accessing key services such as education, health and protection systems among others.

And Mr. Mwale said government will continue to enforce the existing laws which protect children in the country.

Mr. Mwale however warned that individuals who cause children to be on the streets will be made to account for their misdeeds in line with the provisions of the laws of Zambia.

He said government is concerned with the rising number of street children in the country which currently stands at over 13,000.

Mr. Mwale has since urged all Zambians to join government in ensuring that no child sleeps works or makes the street a place of livelihood.

Zambia National Students Union ZANASU says the student body is cheered by LAZ Vice President Linda Kasonde’s decision to stand for the position of President when the associate holds election.

In a statement Humphrey Mwenya ZANASU President, said the decision will inspire women in their quest for equality.

Below is a full statement from the student body.

Press Release

Date: 14th April 2016.

In a world where technology is making rapid strides, the barriers of gender are becoming dismantled , there is no doubt that governance is being enriched when women are seen equal and given equal responsibilities.

As Zambia National Students Union ZANASU we have received with delight calls by stakeholders from the law profession who have expressed the support for Linda Kasonde to contest for LAZ Presidency.

The students body is cheered to have LAZ Vice President Linda Kasonde run for Presidency. A sign of inspiration to many Zambians who feel women had an equal opportunity to make a difference in taking up key governance roles and adequately contribute to the development of Zambia. Also achieving the SDG,s on equal opportunity for all through full and effective participation and equal opportunity for leadership at all levels of decision making.

Women have showed an equal commitment levels to work as men. Male predominance is history, various women have risen to the task and continue to perform exceptionally very well..
Women are now bus drivers, transport officers, civil society organisation presidents and chairpersons , managers , chief justices, and continue to perform above pur.

The various calls by different stakeholders for Linda kasonde to take up the position of Presidency ahead of the fourth coming LAZ Elections is result of her vision, interest and passion to serve the law profession body diligently in carrying her duties and responsibilities effectively and efficiently…

We would like to urge females to emulate fellow women who have broken the barrier and assumption that it’s a man’s world and contribute positively to the welfare of man kindly.

We there wish to encourage LAZ Vice President Linda Kasonde to contest for the Presidency ahead of the fourth coming general elections as it is a source of inspiration to the female folk and men as well, a sign of bravery, hard work and commitment to work.

HUMPHREY MILANDILE MWENYA
ZANASU PRESIDENT