Join our community of SUBSCRIBERS and be part of the conversation.
To subscribe, simply enter your email address on our website or click the subscribe button below. Don't worry, we respect your privacy and won't spam your inbox. Your information is safe with us.
Shepolopolo on Tuesday night ended their pre-2022 Women’s AFCON friendly itinerary with a 5-0 loss to Uganda in Marrakesh.
The 2022 CECAFA Women’s Cup champions went into the break with a three-nil lead after scoring all three goals in the last eight minutes of the first half.
Rita Kivumbi put Uganda ahead in the 38th minute and a minute later Fauzia Najjemba added the second.
Viola Nambi added goal number three in the 42nd minute to score one of two on the day.
She completed her brace in the 57th minute and fifteen minutes later, Fazila Ikwaput completed the rout.
The result was Shepolopolo’s first loss in their pre-tournament games after drawing 1-1 with WAFCON hosts Morocco on June 8 in Rabat and beating club side FC Phoenix Marrakech on June 25 in Marrakech.
It was also Zambia’s first loss in their earlier seven international matches played in 2022 after two wins and five draws.
Shepolopolo now head back to training for the final countdown ahead of their July 3 Group B opener against Cameroon in Casablanca.
Togo and Tunisia are Zambia’s other Group B opponents at the WAFCON Morocco is hosting from July 2-23.
Green Party president Peter Sinkamba has called for increased allocation of funds to the Drug Enforcement Commission to enhance sensitization programmes against drug abuse in schools.
Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Kitwe today, Mr Sinkamba acknowledged that there is rampant drug abuse among learners in schools and universities a situation he said should be addressed.
Commenting on the World Drug Day which falls on June 28, which Zambia has also commemorated today, Mr Sinkamba further called for a stronger policy to guide and regulate the access and use of drugs of abuse such as marijuana and cocaine.
He noted that Zambia did not have a strong policy regulating the administration of drugs which he said leads to the rampant abuse of drugs by learners in schools both at secondary and tertiary education levels.
The Green party president also called on the Drug Enforcement Commission to collaborate with non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) to enhance sensitization against drug abuse in schools.
“When you have a policy which guides you, you cannot have a problem of drug abuse in schools, colleges and universities, the biggest problem we have is lack of policy on drug abuse and we shall resolve that problem with the policy, of course, the Drug Enforcement Commission is trying through the community outreach programmes to sensitize children and students not to indulge but more resources need to be availed,” Mr Sinkamba said.
He also noted the need for the introduction of drug abuse in the learners’ curriculum so that children start learning about drug abuse and its dangers so that they appreciate the importance of abstaining from drugs as they are growing up.
Meanwhile, Mr Sinkamba has bemoaned the slow pace at which the New Dawn government is moving in legalizing the growing of Marijuana for medicinal purposes.
He said Zambia would have been thinking about growing the second crop by now if the government was moving fast in finalizing the law on the implementation of the policy.
He noted that Zambia was losing huge sums of money and employment opportunities by delaying the implementation of the policy on the cultivation of marijuana.
He was however hopeful that the process of formalizing the law on the legalization of marijuana cultivation will soon be actualized.
Today President Hakainde Hichilema led Zambians in commemorating the World Drug Day at Mulungushi International Conference in Lusaka.
And last year, the Patriotic Front government passed the law legalizing the cultivation of marijuana which is earmarked to be piloted by the Zambia National Service (ZNS).
Kellys Kaunda, the Chief Information Officer for 12K Energy Group, has advised President Hakainde Hichilema to replace his entire media team at Statehouse.
Posting on his Facebook page in reaction to what he described as taking his article out of context, Mr Kaunda accused the current media team to have let the president down and warned that soon the president will realise how a scam the team is.
Mr Kaunda listed a number of incidents where the media team had let the president down and cautioned that if the president chooses to keep his media team, he will have no one except himself to blame should Zambians continue to misperceive his moves.
Below is the full post
PRESIDENT HAKAINDE HICHILEMA MUST REPLACE THE ENTIRE STATE HOUSE MEDIA TEAM
The Watchdog, run by some members of the President’s media team has taken my article this morning out of context. The lamentations regarding staff turnover after the change of government was made by UPND members on a panel that included Dr. Munshya, who is now High Commissioner-designate to Australia.
Deceitfully, the State House media team left out this fact, typical of how they always covered stories even when they were in the opposition. This line of media communication will not cut it now that you are in State House.
So far, you have lamentably let down President Hakainde Hichilema and the country at large. Responding to my article doesn’t come anywhere nearer what is expected of you. You may hoodwink a few people around you but not any communicator worth his salt. Here is how you have lamentably failed President Hakainde Hichilema.
When he announced his cabinet along with new ministries, some of which include the Green Economy, did any of you lay out any strategic communication plan to unpack the concept of a green economy and how it is related to climate change policies? When the President made his inaugural speech to the UN General Assembly, did any of you even realize that the man was outlining his foreign policy objectives by rolling out a communication strategy to this effect?
The President set up a public/private dialogue forum, did any of you communicators at State House demonstrate how big this development was in policy formulation and implementation or business/state relations and their relevance to national development?
The President makes one of the most important speeches of his career before the EU parliament, did you demonstrate any knowledge of what that speech meant and how it should be received?
The President has touted the increase in CDF as a major development in Zambia, has any of you media team members demonstrated any knowledge regarding public policy implementation and how this may be communicated to secure a public understanding of what it means? I can go on and on.
This President is way beyond your paygrade. You have scammed the man into believing that you are the right people for the job. Yes, I have the right to be angry because, I alone, can handle the job you have lamentably failed. And believe you me, should this President offer me to run the State House media team, I will accept because I owe it to the Zambian people.
The man you are serving ran an empire in the private sector where merit was the currency of trade. If you think he is not going to realise that his media team is a scam, you are out of your minds. If he chooses to keep you, he has no one except himself to blame should Zambians continue to misperceive his moves.
Lumezi Member of Parliament (MP), Munir Zulu, says there is need for the government to revisit the crop prices announced by the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) recently.
Mr. Zulu observed that the commodity prices for the 2021/2022 crop marketing season do not correspond with costs incurred by farmers during the last farming season.
“The price of maize and soya beans has negatively affected the farmers and going forward, the government shall be engaged so that it considers increasing the market price of maize and soya beans,” he said.
Speaking to ZANIS today when he ended his visit to the valley area of the constituency, Mr. Zulu said the government should consider buying maize and soya beans at a more beneficial price to farmers.
He added that an upward adjustment in the price of grains will also assist farmers make a profit from their crops sales.
“The FRA price is not tallying with the cost of production for maize, however, increasing the market price will also help with the high cost of fertilizer,” he said.
The FRA recently announced that it will buy a 50 kilogramme bag of maize at K160 while a 50kg bag of soya beans is pegged at K550.
And Mr. Zulu has bemoaned the deplorable state of feeder roads in Mwanya, Chitungulu and Kazembe chiefdoms respectively.
“The road network is so bad and it is unfortunate that the constituency keeps recording road fatalities due to the poor roads,” he said.
Kitwe District Commissioner, Lawrence Mwanza, says his office and the Black Maintain Community Consortium will consider reducing the number of trucks loading at the slag dump (Black Mountain) every day in a bid to reduce traffic congestion on the Kitwe-Kalulushi road.
This decision follows complaints from residents of Kitwe and Kalulushi about the traffic congestion on the road caused by the trucks ferrying material from the black mountain to the processing companies.
Mr Mwanza said there are over 300 trucks using the road every day.
He noted that the problem is compounded by the numerous trucks heading to the Kasumbalesa border that use the same road, adding to the trucks from the black mountain.
“The quick solution there is the one that we have been working on. We have managed to find a route behind Mopani for the trucks carrying the slag from the black mountain, so if we take away all those trucks at the back, we will be easing up the route but we still have a challenge with the numerous trucks entering Kitwe enroute to Kasumbalesa,” he said.
He explained that the government is actively looking for a lasting solution to the challenge of constant congestion on the road, which he said is inconveniencing many other motorists.
And Mr. Mwanza has said the government will soon work on the Chibuluma-Kalulushi road which he said is also contributing to the traffic congestion because of its poor state.
The mining operations at the black mountain have continued to be the cause of traffic congestion both in Kitwe town and on the Kitwe- Chibuluma road.
Residents of Kitwe and Kalulushi using the road to go for work and back home have complained about the congestion saying it is becoming difficult for them to get to their various destinations on time.
There have also been cases of thefts from motor vehicles especially around St. Anthony compound as vehicles move slowly due to the traffic jams.
Ndola District Commissioner (DC), Joseph Phiri has engaged some cement manufacturing companies to help with road rehabilitation in the area.
Mr. Phiri says roads in Ndola especially those in the Central Business District (CBD) need quick attention as they are in a poor condition.
ZANIS reports that Mr. Phiri said cement companies and other stakeholders should come on board and rehabilitate some of the roads through their Corporate Social Responsibility.
He has expressed happiness that some companies such as Zambezi Portland, Zmart, Neelkanth Lime, and others have already come on board, and works on some roads have intensified.
Mr. Phiri added that government alone cannot manage to attend to the needs of the people as it has a lot of competing needs, hence the need for the business community to come on board.
And Zambezi Portland Cement Chief Executive Officer, Gomeli Litana has assured that the company is always ready to partner with government on matters of development.
Mr. Litana said the company is also ready to cross-pollinate ideas on how best to construct roads that will stand the test of time.
He noted that there is a need for government to start constructing concrete roads which are durable.
Mr. Litana added that concrete roads will also result in the creation of new jobs in the cement industry.
Chief Chizela of Mufumbwe has implored government to help in ending the unceasing litigation over the ownership of Kalengwa mine in the district.
Speaking through his spokesperson, Lapson Kayombo during this year’s Ntongo traditional ceremony over the weekend, Chief Chizela said the Kalengwa dispute on ownership has been a subject of litigation for over ten years.
The traditional leader said meanwhile Zambia’s Supreme Court has on four occasions, passed its ruling in favour of Euro Africa Kalengwa Mining Limited who are in partnership with Moxico Mineral Resources.
Chief Chizela said despite the ruling from the Supreme Court, the Chizela Royal Establishment and the people of Zambia have seen the High Court repeating what the Supreme Court had finished.
The traditional leader is however, confident that the current government will ensure that the said litigations will come to an end, saying Zambia now has a government with respect for the rule of law.
“Now that we have a responsible government led by President Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia, we trust that the situation will change. Guest of honour, let me remind you that the people of Zambia voted out a vicious government that had no regard for rule of law.
“Now that we have a determined government with a vision to take Zambia to greater heights, we expect this government to end these litigations,” he said.
Chief Chizela said people in his chiefdom prefer seeing Moxico Mineral Resources opening the Kalengwa mine so that young people can get employment at the exploration firm.
And North-Western Province Minister, Robert Lihefu has expressed government’s commitment to supporting investments which will increase the production of copper in the country.
Mr Lihefu said increased copper production means an increase in wealth as well as poverty alleviation in the country.
“Because, if we are going to have increased production in copper, we are going to increase wealth for this nation and end poverty. Not only that, we are going to increase the collection of our taxes,” he said.
Mr Lihefu has since pledged to ensure that the long over-due ownership of Kalengwa mine comes to a conclusive end.
“This government, your government under the leadership of Mr Hakainde Hichilema, has taken note of all the challenges (ownership disputes and litigations) that you have been going through in the past and that will be in the past and will not repeat itself,” he said.
Meanwhile, Moxico Mineral Resources Country Director, Davies Mwanamoya said Moxico Resources is indeed best described by the firm’s slogan which states that ‘we are here to stay’ as it is the only mining organization working in partnership with local people.
Mr Mwanamoya said Moxico is possibly the only mining firm where local people have a privilege to be directors, which is in line with the government’s desired investment approach.
“Why are we here to stay? Because we are the only company that works in partnership with the local people,” he said.
Shepolopolo play their final pre-2022 Women’s AFCON international friendly this evening when they face fellow tournament finalist and CECAFA champions Uganda in Marrakech.
The friendly comes five days before Shepolopolo kicks off its WAFCON campaign with a Group B opener against Cameroon in Casablanca.
And Tuesdays game comes after his second-choice side beat FC Phoenix Marrakech 6-0 on Saturday night.
“We are yet to play another international game (this time) against Uganda. That is where we will be able to see (what we want) because in that game, we intend to use the possible team that will start the tournament,” Mwape said.
Mwape rested his key players for the training game against Phoenix who included goalkeeper Hazel Nali, defender Margaret Belemu, Vice-captain Grace Chanda and defender Lushomo Mweemba.
They are all expected to return this evening for the first time since holding Morocco in Shepolopolo’s first international friendly that ended 1-1 draw on June 18.
Residents in Msuka area of Chasefu District in the Eastern Province have bemoaned lack of social amenities needed to facilitate development in the area such as a clinic.
Residents have also bemoaned the poor state of Msuka Primary School, lack of Food Reserve Agency (FRA) market and poor road network among other developmental projects.
Speaking on behalf of other residents in the area, Cephas Banda of Chimenya village said there is need to prioritise the construction of a health facility to enable people access health services at their doorstep.
Mr Banda said lack of a health facility in the area forces people to cover long distances to the nearest Malandula Rural Health Centre to access health services.
He lamented that despite several appeals to construct the facility from way back in 2015, nothing has materialised.
“We started in 2015 appealing for a health facility, politicians and government officials have been promising but nothing is happening. We spend K250 to transport pregnant women to Malandula clinic to access health services,” he said.
Mr Banda is also saddened that Msuka Primary school which became operational in 1966 has remained undeveloped with old and falling apart infrastructure, including staff houses.
He further said that there was a need to refurbish the school and construct a modern 1×3 classroom block with two staff houses so that the school can be upgraded to a junior secondary level.
Mr. Banda further observed that farmers also incur losses as they spend a lot of money to transport their farm produce to Egichiken FRA shed for the market.
“Owing to lack of market, as farmers last year we were spending K50 per bag of maize to transport our produce to Egichiken FRA shed to access the market and remained K100 which is a loss to us,” Mr. Banda said.
He has appealed to the government to put up a temporary mobile market at Msuka central where farmers could sell their farm produce as they await for the storage Shed to be constructed.
Mr. Banda highlighted the developmental challenges when Chasefu District Commissioner, Lufeyo Ngoma toured Musuku area to familiarise and appreciate community concerns.
Meanwhile, Mr. Ngoma has advised residents to apply for Constituency Development Fund (CDF) through the Ward Development Committee (WDC) for the projects they want to undertake in the area.
The District Commissioner has however advised WDC members to engage the Community on the priority projects they want to implement.
“My advice to you WDC members is that you must always engage community members when selecting and applying for the projects you want to undertake,” Mr. Ngoma said.
And in a vote of thanks, Chief Magodi’s Induna Zinawose, Saiwell Mkandawire advised the community members to unite and contribute 25% community upfront towards the construction of a health facility.
The Induna also assured the District Commissioner that the community stands ready to construct a storage shed where FRA can be buying farm produce from the farmers.
A 31 year old male teacher of Kaoma district’s Kashokoto Primary who last week was apprehended for alleged sodomy today appeared in court for mention in the area.
Mwiya Imebo appeared before Magistrate Brilliant Kalumba for mention in Kaoma Magistrate court.
Magistrate Kalumba explained to Imebo that he had been charged with an offence of having carnal knowledge against the order of nature contrary to section 155 subsection A of the Laws of Zambia.
She further explained that Imebo did have carnal knowledge of his male colleague Alvin Mwanza of Chawama compound in Lusaka between 11th and 12th June 2022.
Imebo has, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge, and Magistrate Kalumba has since set July 20th as a day for commencement of trial.
According to the statement given to police, it is alleged that Mwiya offered Mwanza a cup of tea believed to have been intoxicated shortly before going to bed.
After a cup of tea, Mwanza and Mwiya went to sleep and shared a bed and it was at that moment when the alleged anal penetration took place.
The victim only discovered that he had been raped after finding himself messed up in the morning when he woke up.
It was at this point that he decided to report the matter to police and subsequently rushed to the hospital for a medical report.
According to the Zambian laws a person having canal knowledge against the order of nature could save a maximum jail sentence of 14 years if found guilty by the courts of law.
When countries are taking advantage of Cryptocurrencies using tech companies like Huawei, Mutati thinks it is normal to sell Zamtel as Technology Minister. Trading in gold gave countries standing in the world but the new gold is data and virtual money now. In a country where no one knows the ratio between virtual money and actual printed money, decisions like those being pushed by Felix Mutati can not be seen as a crime until it is too late. Printing money is a preserve of central government and that is why when you are found with the counterfeit currency it becomes a crime but in the future tech companies like Zamtel will be the ones printing virtual money through transfers. Selling that company is the worst crime one can do to his own country.
China uses WeChat as a currency today using their own communication company equivalent to Zamtel to pay salaries and transactions. This saves a lot of money for the government and they keep their people’s data in the country, data that could have been mined by the likes of google for sale to third parties. If you really think that only outsiders are capable, why don’t you just privatise everything including government ministries, Zambia Police, Zambia Army and ZNS?
Should we go and get white people to come and run our government? If your people can trust you to run their government, why don’t you put them first when making decisions like this? Selling Zamtel will mean that you will hand over the privacy of your own people to a foreign company that will be selling off personal data to third parties.
During the Rhodesian wars, Ian Smith was jamming PTC (now Zamtel) communications to sabotage our own army. Samora Machel was killed using jammed communication and here we have some Minister at the forefront of destroying the future. Google and other technology companies in Silicon are allowed to be independent because their government still has an upper hand and monopoly over communication through NASA. Elon Musk and his Space X are still sub-contractors of NASA and for them to get to the international space centre, they had to win a contract with the government. What else will you have when you sell everything to foreigners?
When you have a fossil Felix Mutati that believes in foreigners being in charge of a Technology Ministry, it is impossible to convince him that we have people in this country that can turn Zamtel around if given the same incentives as those who were clapping for the President. We have these very bad Zambians that work against the interest of their own country and to make matters worse, we even pay them for it. In the early stages of privatisation, Bwalya Chiti did the same thing to Zamtel when he was at Communications Authority by blocking Zamtel to go GSM so that they could start Cell phones.
They said Zamtel had no capacity but today, I have a Zamtel simcard and so are more than a million other Zambians. Bwalya Chiti was deliberately propping up companies like Telecel (MTN) and Zamcell (Airtel) which were just small start-ups with no infrastructure to stand on. They were lying to the people that the Zamtel Management never wanted it go GSM but some very bad Zambians like Bwalya Chiti had shares in Telecel which is now MTN that was basically riding on Zamtel Infrastructure and they kept blocking it from getting cellphones.
Those of us that were still patriotic even got those analogue phones without sim cards. Traitors have been trying to kill this company that was built by our forefathers for years and today this Mutati is at it again after Sata got it back. Bwalya Chiti after causing so much carnage at Zamtel over pennies paid to him in form of shares by those that owned Telecel, even came back to the government for a job in Chagwa government.
The MTN and Airtel you see today grew from Zamtel yet Mutati and company are spreading lies on behalf of those bidding to buy it that this company cannot make profits or maybe they are just too ignorant to know otherwise. My guess is that someone has been promised a few pennies by some street kids from outside to sell this company. If you don’t know anything just give Zamtel to young Zambians instead of getting people we do not know from outside to come and be in charge of our private information.
After all, you have sold a lot of companies to outsiders for a song, why not give your own people a chance? KCM was given to Vedanta even before they even paid a single penny for it and they just used the same copper sales to pay for the same company. Today people are even saying Vedanta is the rightful owner! The Zambian people are the rightful owners who just have criminals negotiating for them.
I know people that can run Zamtel profitably if you gave it to them the same way you did with KCM. That company is a virtual money maker and a data mine you are trying to sell.
An unknown illness has broken out at Lunte Girls STEM School in Lunte district in Northern Province which is causing knee-jerking among the girls.
The condition which started last month in May has so far affected about 26 girls, was confirmed by area member of Parliament Mutotwe Kafwaya.
Lunte Girls STEM School Head teacher, Micheal Chinika who confirmed the development said some pupils presented some strange knee-jerking disease about a month ago.
Mr. Chinika the school reported the cases to the Ministry of Health which took samples from the affected pupils.
He disclosed that results from the samples taken have not been released yet.
Mr. Chinika said ten girls who had the illness have recovered and are in school while ten others are in the care of their parents and only three pupils are still affected by the unknown illness.
The Headteacher said this when he briefed the provincial Minister and his entourage.
And Northern Province Minister, Leonard Mbao who visited the school for fact-finding mission in the company of senior officers from the Provincial Office, Ministries of Health and Education described the condition affecting the girls at the school as disheartening.
He said the government through the Ministry of Health is doing everything possible to manage the condition as samples were sent to Lusaka.
He said the cause of the unknown illness will be known once the results are sent back.
He has since appealed to the management and pupils to remain calm as they wait for the results from Lusaka.
And Northern Province Education Officer (PEO), Nawa Mulambwa said the school has put in place measures to prevent the further spreading of the disease.
He said the school has decided to isolate the pupils as they await results from Lusaka.
He has since advised the pupils to remain calm as they await the results from Lusaka.
Later the Provincial Minister addressed pupils at the school and assured them of government’s commitment to addressing the problem of water at the school.
Recently, a video circulating at Lunte Girls showing pupils bending while walking.
President Hakainde Hichilema says Zambia’s efforts in attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is being hindered by the continued raging effects of the Covid 19 pandemic and global instability arising from conflicts.
President Hichilema said his administration is working very hard to ensure that it achieves the SDGs set out by the United Nations (UN) as development targets for countries to reduce poverty and improve their socio-economic conditions.
Mr Hichilema observed that attainment of SDGs has been affected by continued increase of commodity prices such as food, fuel, fertilizer among others on the global market.
President Hichilema has since called on the UN to collaborate with his administration to improve the living standards of Zambians through enhanced tailored made development assistance and partnerships.
The President said this when he received credentials from new UN Resident Coordinator for Zambia, Beatrice Mutali at State House in Lusaka yesterday.
Ms Mutali takes over from Dr Cumba Mar Gadio as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Zambia.
President Hichilema congratulated Ms Mutali on her appointment and advised her not to feel alienated but feel free in Zambia and work towards the benefit of Zambians.
Mr Hichilema said it is the duty of the UN to work with all stakeholders to end raging conflicts around the world and ensure that global peace, and stability returns to enable countries focus on socio-economic development.
The President stressed the need for enhanced collaboration between the UN and Zambian government to provide development and improve the welfare of Zambians.
“Government and the UN need to work together to reduce poverty…we need to improve the standards of living of our people,” said President Hichilema.
President Hichilema urged the UN to consider supporting Zambia in the education, health and water sectors among others.
Mr Hichilema said Zambia continues to need support in the health sector especially with the Covid 19 vaccinations which his administration has increased from around 5 percent to about 30 per cent.
He said his administration is determined to improve water reticulation for Zambians by investing in the sector to provide safe drinking water.
President Hichilema pointed out that Zambia has made strides in attaining the SDG of universal education through its free education agenda which is providing education for all.
The President stated that Zambia remains committed to the Paris Agreement on addressing and tackling global climate change.
President Hichilema said his creation of a ministry of green economy speaks volume about his administration’s desire to address climate and environmental matters.
He assured the new UN Resident Coordinator that his administration will not relent on the corruption fight and that there will be sacred cows as everything will be done within the provisions of the law.
President Hichilema said his administration has worked to ensure that the rule of law and order is restored in society and is now striving to ensure that human rights, liberties and other freedoms are enjoyed by all Zambians.
He pointed out that the UN is not a foreign organization but one that Zambia has a part and share due to her membership to the global body.
And presenting her letter of credence and recall of her predecessor, Ms Mutali congratulated President Hichilema on his election as Zambia’s seventh President.
Ms Mutali commended President Hichilema for maintaining political stability and peace in the country following peaceful elections and transition which the world can draw lessons from.
The UN Resident Coordinator said President Hichilema’s efforts to restructure the country’s debt and restore the economy is commendable and that her office will coordinate all UN agencies to deliver necessary development support.
Ms Mutali described relations between Zambia and the UN at national and global level as excellent.
She said the UN is undertaking reforms aimed at repositioning the global body’s development agenda and system through the attainment of the SDGs by 2030.
Ms Mutali said the UN system in Zambia has formulated and aligned its development cooperation under the UN framework 2023 to 2027 to Zambia’s 8th National Development plan.
“The UN will ensure to work towards achieving of goals under the 8 th National Development Plan,” said Ms Mutali.
She said the UN will support President Hichilema’s administration in its quest for good governance, rule of law, human rights, HIV prevention, decentralization and disaster preparedness among others.
Ms Mutali said the UN remains committed to supporting Zambia’s free education policy and ensure that the education sector is transformed to meet the development needs of Zambians and the country.
She invited President Hichilema to attend a planned summit on education and the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference COP 27 summit to be held in Egypt later this year.
The presentation of credentials was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations, Stanley Kakubo and senior State House and Ministry officials.
HH with United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator Ms. Beatrice Musimbi Mutali. delegation at statehouse
The Drug Enforcement Commission of Zambia (DEC) says youths have become major victims of drug abuse and illicit trafficking in Zambia.
DEC Public Relations Officer Mathias Kamanga said that after the Covid -19 outbreak there has been an increased number of youths who have engaged themselves into drug abuse and illicit trafficking
Mr. Kamanga said this during a Zambian National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) Update program in Lusaka yesterday.
He urged parents to be aware of their children’s behavior and to be quick in noticing changes of behavior in their children.
Mr Kamanga was speaking ahead of the commemoration of the international day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking, dubbed “fighting drugs and substance abuse through strong families and health lifestyle” which falls every year on June 28.
Mr Kamanga urged parents to engage with their children and sensitize on the effects of drug abuse and illicit trafficking to create awareness amongst their children.
“Awareness activities, such as roadshows, street talks, visiting school, churches and market places to sensitize the dangers of drug abuse are some of the activities the DEC is doing,” he noted.
Mr Kamanga appealed to the government to build a national rehabilitation centre that will ensure that people are reformed and rehabilitated to become better citizens.
President Hakainde Hichilema has commended the World Bank Group for its continued support to Zambia’s economic restoration programme.
And President Hichilema has also appreciated the bank’s support towards Zambia’s quest for a debt restructuring programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Speaking when visiting World Bank Group Managing Director, Anshula Kent paid a courtesy call on him at the State House, President Hichilema explained that he was elected into office by the people of Zambia in order to reform the economy.
He noted that efforts have already been made towards improving the current economic status and enhancing national development.
The President cited the provision of free education from grades 1 to 12, and the promotion of skills development as a tool to create employment opportunities among others as some of the programmes aimed at bettering the lives of the people in the country.
“We appreciate your support in our debt restructuring programme which is very important to us, we came into office on the ticket of bringing change, and people took this decision because they want the economy to be restructured in order to bring development,” he said.
The Head of State noted that the government is committed to delivering an expanded economy that takes into consideration the social needs and development of the people.
He however, stated that for this to be achieved, there is need for the government to address its financial challenges such as the high debt.
President Hichilema expressed concern that the current debt levels have a negative impact on the country’ economic development agenda.
He said this is why there is a need for institutions such as the World Bank Group to come on board and assist Zambia through the IMF deal.
“The current debt level is choking, if nothing is done to address it, it has the potential to affect our economic development agenda, that is why we need your support in our debt restructuring programme,’’ he stressed.
The Head of State has also said that Zambia will reinforce its partnership with institutions such as the World Bank Group for the benefit of the country.
President Hichilema pointed out that the country is likely to accrue more benefits by interactions with international organisations like the IMF and the World Bank Group, contrary to the beliefs by certain sections of the society that they do not mean well. World Bank Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer Ms. Anshula Kant and her delegation at State House.
And World Bank Group Managing Director, Anshula Kent has pledged her organisation’s support to efforts by Zambia to reach a debt sustainability programme by the IMF.
Ms. Kent said the World Bank Group is pleased with the economic transformation being undertaken by the government of Zambia hence will support any initiatives targeted at enhancing its development.
“We appreciate the collaboration that we have with Zambia, and will support your efforts to improve the economy of the country and the whole process that you are doing to restructure it,” she said.
The World Bank Group Managing Director who is also Chief Finance Officer is in the country for a three day working visit where she is expected to hold a number of high level meetings with key stakeholders and visit World Bank funded projects. World Bank Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer Ms. Anshula Kant and her delegation at State House. House.
