Zambia has been elected as one of the four Vice Presidents of the United Nations Conference of the State Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

As Vice President, Zambia will represent the African Group in New York, in the Bureau of the Conference of the State Parties for the period 2021-2022.

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is an international human rights treaty of the United Nations intended to protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities. It was adopted by the general Assembly on December 13th, 2006 and subsequently came into force on May 3rd, 2008.

State Parties to the Convention are required to promote, protect, and ensure the full enjoyment of human rights by persons with disabilities and ensure that persons with disabilities enjoy full equality under the law.

The Convention serves as a major catalyst in the global disability rights movement enabling a shift from viewing persons with disabilities as objects of charity or medical treatment and social protection to viewing them as full and equal members of society, with human rights.

The Convention follows decades of work by the United Nations to change attitudes and approaches to persons with disabilities. The Convention is intended as a human rights instrument with an explicit, social development dimension.

In accordance with Article 40 of the Convention which states that “The States Parties shall meet regularly in a Conference of States Parties (COSP) in order to consider any matter with regard to the implementation of the present Convention.” Sessions of the Conference of the State Parties have been held in New York at the United Nations Headquarters since 2008

The 14th Session of the Conference of States Parties is scheduled to take from 15th to 17th June, 2021, this year at the United Nations Headquarters. The over-arching theme of the 14th Conference is ” Building back better: COVID-19 response and recovery; Meeting the needs, Realizing the rights and Addressing the socio-economic impacts on persons with disabilities”.

United Party for National Development (UPND) Solwezi East Member of Parliament Hon Teddy Kasonso says it’s disillusioned to think that UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema can fix anything.

Mr. Kasonso has admitted that governance is a serious and complex issue whose development is gradual.

Speaking when he officially defected to the Patriotic Front,Mr Kasonso said his defection is painful but very necessary in the interest of national development devoid of tribalism, regionalism and hatred which is what the UPND is known for.

He admitted further that the PF under President Lungu’s leadership has scored on many socioeconomic sectors and deserves to continue on such a trajectory.

“What will bally fix?he cannot fix anything” hon Kasonso said and emphasized that development cannot come at a goal.
He has since encouraged President Lungu not to be distracted by detractors but continue to deliver more development and unite the country beyond tribal and regional politics which is the DNA of the UPND.

He said he disagrees that the PF is not a party of national unity going by how it has embraced members from all regions across the country.

He said the PF has delivered and it is time to show the world “what you have done”.

“Chingola-Solwezi road is a good example of the good works under the PF” hon Kasonso said.

And Hon Kasonso has said the UPND does not have numbers to win this year’s general elections.

He said he will go flat out and give it “his best shot” to ensure President Lungu wins the August general elections.

He said President Lungu is Zambia’s best choice and has the experience of having worked with him for 6 years and knowing his capabilities.

President Edgar Lungu has directed the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock to urgently bring to cabinet a memorandum on fisheries and aquaculture development fund.

President Lungu has further directed that the US$23.7 million aquaculture seed fund he launched in Mwinilunga last year be part of the same fund to be established.

“I am directing the Honourable minister ( Professor Nkandu Luo ) for the ministry of fisheries and livestock to urgently bring to cabinet a cabinet memorandum on the establishment of the fisheries and aquaculture development fund in line with the fisheries act no. 22 of 2011.

“I further direct that the us$23.7 million aquaculture seed fund which I launched in Mwinilunga in chief kanyama’s chiefdom on 30th may, 2020, be part of the fisheries and aquaculture development fund,” the President stated.

The President said this in Siavonga district today when he officiated at the first harvest of the two cooperatives which were supported by the Presidential empowerment fisheries initiative.

President Lungu said the move will ensure a self-sustaining fisheries and aquaculture subsector adding that looking inward was better before seeking outside help.

And President Lungu said positive results of initiatives from piloted fish farming projects is a demonstration that Zambia can be self-sufficient in fish production and become a net exporter in the region.

“I am happy to learn that in 2020 Zambia produced an estimated 45,670 tonnes of fish from aquaculture, representing 18 percent improvement from the 2019 aquaculture production which was estimated then at 38,800 tonnes. Aquaculture production was only 10,520 tonnes in 2011.

“ This increase between 2011 and 2020 is because my government has put in place a robust programme for aquaculture production across the country ensuring that no one is left behind,” President Lungu noted.

He further commended Kamimbi and Buyantashi cooperatives for their hard work exhibited in managing the fish which was stocked last year and were harvesting it today.

“i wish to urge other fish farmers to emulate the good work and dedication demonstrated by Buyantashi and Kamimbi cooperatives. There is need for us to kill the culture of dependency syndrome by promoting self-reliance, ” said President Lungu.

And Minister of Fisheries and Livestock Development Professor Luo has appealed to the private sector to support communities that have potential to come out of poverty. She said it was sad that the private sector was not doing enough to supplement government efforts.

Prof. Luo said the success story of the two cooperatives shows that the private had the potential support people come out of poverty if they work and partner with government.

The Minister said her ministry will continue providing policy framework and guidance to ensure that the aquaculture industry thrives and grows as demonstrated by those who have benefited from such funds.

Earlier, Yalelo Fisheries Board Chairperson Fisho Mwale commended the President for showing leadership by responding to the needs of the vulnerable in society.

He said it was gratifying that his company was able to contribute and provide support to ensuring that the cooperatives succeeded in their project.

Mr Mwale said the company is ready to support communities and work with other partners to support communities who come up with such initiatives.

Lusaka Province Permanent Secretary, Elias Kamanga says appearing before the Public Accounts Committee for mistakes made by technocrats is among the most unpleasant experiences for controlling officers.

Mr Kamanga said Permanent Secretaries, as controlling officers, get grilled as they take responsibility for the mistakes made by officers under their charge.

Speaking at the official opening of the Integrity Committee Workshop for the Ministry of Energy and Lusaka Provincial Administration in Kafue this morning, Mr Kamanga said civil servants need to ensure that they avoid audit queries by ensuring they follow all financial procedures.

He also noted that failure to follow public procurement and financial guidelines by departments may also lead to failure by controlling officers.

Mr Kamanga advised members of the Integrity Committee to assess operations of their departments’ corruption red flag and devise mitigation measures to develop an annual corruption prevention action plan which details steps to mitigate risk factors.

“The Integrity Committees are also supposed to facilitate development, review, and to internalize corporate governance practices and guidelines. They also need to follow-up queries from the Auditor General and other internal audit queries.” He said.

Mr Kamanga also stated that the formulation of Integrity Committees are mechanisms aimed at promoting proactive, preventive and pre-emptive interventions that enhance effective delivery of services.

“As civil servants, we are entrusted with the responsibility of presiding over public affairs and we are expected to do so with the highest levels of integrity. I believe the skills being acquired here will capacitate you to enhance the operations of the government on a day to day basis.” He said.

And Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Acting Director General, Rosemary Khuzwayo said improving management and efficiency in the delivery of public services is an essential element of any national strategy to reduce corruption and enhance good governance.

Ms Khuzwayo stated that few opportunities for corruption arise when public services are provided in an efficient and effective manner.

“This is so because citizens are no longer required to compete for scarce and inadequate services often by way of paying bribes,” she said.

She stated that the integrity of the members of committee and secretariat will be equipped with knowledge and skills required to execute their roles and responsibilities in their respective institutions.

The five day workshop which started on Monday drew participation from officers under the Ministry of Energy and Lusaka Provincial administration.