UNZA TO DEVELOP A KIT TO DETECT THE CORONAVIRUS

 

The University of Zambia (UNZA) is developing a method for the rapid detection of the corona virus that will be low cost, use low power, and based on easy-to-use point of care devices.

The multidisciplinary research project being undertaken by a team of researchers in the Department of Chemistry and Biological Sciences under the School of Natural Sciences, draws expertise in Virology from the School of Veterinary Medicine.

The goal of the research is to develop a method that uses a portable device and can detect the virus in a much shorter period compared to the conventional methods. 

Furthermore, the method will require less expertise to perform, involve lower costs, and be less labour intensive.

Meanwhile, the University of Zambia (UNZA) Acting Vice Chancellor, Dr. Tamala Kambikambi has congratulated the multidisciplinary team of experts developing the novel method for the detection of the Corona Virus.

The Acting Vice Chancellor states that when faced with a crisis such as the COVID-19, the country looks for answers from researchers from institutions like UNZA. 

She adds that the multidisciplinary team of experts has shown commitment to finding solutions to the global crisis through the efforts being put in place to develop a method for testing COVID-19.

Dr. Kambikambi is optimistic that the portable device to be developed will be of great importance in monitoring those that have the disease during therapy. 

She adds that the method for testing to be developed will add value in surveillance efforts being carried out in the communities and at strategic points owing to its ease in deployment and use.

She has expressed gratitude to the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) for providing initial funding for the research.

GOVERNMENT IMPRESSED BY FQM’S PASSION FOR EDUCATION

Delegates at an engagement meeting between First Quantum Minerals, the Provincial Education Officer and the District Education Board Secretary.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 ...the mining firm has engaged extensively with the government over the years to keep them abreast of its sustainability programme.

First Quantum Minerals has redoubled its efforts to engage with government through the Ministry of Education, as part of its education improvement programme in North-Western Province.

The mining company has engaged extensively with the government over the years to keep them abreast of the sustainability programmes and community engagement projects spearheaded by its Trident and Kansanshi foundations in the areas around its Sentinel Mine in Kalumbila and Kansanshi Mine in Solwezi.

“Through effective stakeholder engagement and working together, resources are optimised and sustainable rural development achieved. The objectives of our livelihoods development programme include making a visible benefit around the community through a structured approach towards education support in a manner that will illustrate the much-needed mind-set transformation for rural development,” said Trident Foundation Manager Joseph Ngwira.

Speaking at an engagement meeting with the Provincial Education Officer and the District Education Board Secretary, Mr Ngwira emphasised that FQM’s corporate policy guidelines for supporting communities where the company conducts business were for community benefit that would outlive the mine life.

The engagement meeting with the Provincial Education Officer (PEO) and the DEBS was aimed at enhancing the mining firm’s education support programme.

The PEO was impressed by the passion for education being illustrated by FQM through the Trident Foundation and said the best way to say thank you would be to ensure that performance in supported schools improves.

And the DEBS thanked the foundation for adopting an engagement strategy as this would ensure programme sustainability and promote other stakeholders to handle education support sustainably.

“First Quantum has spent over US$100 million on sustainability and community development programmes by aligning the Kansanshi and Trident foundations’ programmes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. As a company, we believe that true economic growth of a country is reflected in the state of health, education, agriculture and quality of life that its citizens live. And apart from the government’s developmental programmes, social investment plays an important role in nurturing the growth of a country,” Mr Ngwira continued.

In 2018, FQM partnered with Educore Foundation to strengthen access to quality education through the provision of support structures including technical assistance and targeted financial support to government schools.

The partnership includes ‘in school’ and ‘out school’ educational support. All programmes components being implemented are described in an agreed annual operational plan.

Programme components being implemented through the out of school support or community learning centres include early childhood education and adult education, open learning and skills training.

“Through foundation-supported programmes, mind-set transformation will be encouraged by mentorship so that beneficiaries understand the importance of developing into independent and responsible citizens. Skills development supported by Foundations doesn't only cover the mainstream education sector but caters for community members being provided various skills such as farming as a business and tailoring,” he added.

GOOD NUTRITION AND COVID-19- The WHO recommendations

By MacPherson Mukuka

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) have created nutrition guidelines for adults during the COVID-19 outbreak. Although food cannot cure or prevent infection with COVID-19, proper nutrition is important to overall health and well-being. People who eat a balanced diet tend to have stronger immune systems and are therefore at lower risk of developing illnesses and contracting infectious diseases than those who consume an unbalanced diet.

• Eat fresh, unprocessed foods: Eat fruits, vegetables, legumes (e.g., lentils, beans), nuts and whole grains (e.g., unprocessed maize, millet, oats, wheat, brown rice, or starchy tubers or roots such as potato, yam, taro, or cassava), and foods from animal sources (e.g. meat, fish, eggs, and milk).

• Eat fresh fruits and vegetables every day: It is important to eat two cups of fruit and two-and-a-half cups of vegetables every day. Try to limit cooking time for fruit and vegetables. When fruits and vegetables are overcooked, they lose valuable nutrients. When choosing canned fruits or vegetables, try to choose options without added sugar or salt. Fresh fruits and vegetables also make great snacks.

• Drink plenty of water every day: Try to drink eight to 10 cups of water every day. Water is necessary for our bodies to function properly and helps to transport nutrients in the body. Drinking enough water also helps regulate body temperature and eliminate waste. Try to drink more water than fruit juices and fizzy drinks, which contain lots of sugar.

• Eat moderate amounts of fat and oil: Try to choose lean meats such as poultry and fish instead of red meats such as beef, lamb, and goat. When eating dairy products, try to choose options with low or reduced fat. Try to avoid heavily processed foods with high fat content such as junk food, fast food, and fried foods. Foods such as fish, avocado, nuts, and olive, canola, sunflower, and maize oils have natural fats called unsaturated fats. Try to eat more of these than the saturated fats found in fatty meat, butter, cream, cheese, lard, and palm or coconut oils.

• Eat less sugar and salt: When cooking, try to limit the amount of sugar or salt you add. Limit your daily use of salt to less than one teaspoon per person. Choose water over sugary drinks and fresh fruit over snacks such as cookies, cakes, and chocolate.

• Avoid eating at restaurants: It is possible to have the virus without showing symptoms. If this is true for you, eating at home will reduce the chance of passing the virus to someone else. Eating at home will also reduce your contact with people who could have COVID-19. When you must be around groups of people, it is important to maintain at least two metres between yourself and other people. This may be difficult in a restaurant.

• Practice food hygiene: There is no evidence that COVID-19 can be spread through contact with food. However, food hygiene is still important to a healthy diet. To practice food hygiene, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds before handling food, after handling food, and after going to the bathroom. It is also important to wash and sanitize all surfaces used to prepare food and ensure that the cooking area is free from animals and insects. Cook meat, poultry, eggs, and seafood thoroughly. For meat and poultry, make sure that juices are clear, not pink. Use safe, clean water to wash food thoroughly, especially if it will be eaten raw. Select foods that have been processed for safety, such as pasteurized milk, and do not eat foods past their expiry date.

• Limit consumption of alcohol: In stressful situations, some people are tempted to cope by using alcohol. Alcoholic drinks have little to no nutritional value. Drinking too much alcohol can also lead to serious health problems. If you drink alcohol, drink in moderation and try to cope with stress in other ways, such as by talking on the phone with friends, enjoying physical exercise at home, and sticking to a regular sleep schedule.

Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, purpose and principles as it relates to State Protocol.

Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, purpose and principles as it relates to State Protocol.

By MacPherson Mukuka

Bachelor of Communications in Journalism

1.0 Introduction

With regards to the universal participation of independent states international affairs, the amount and degree of compliance among State parties and the impact on diplomatic influence has had on the global legal order, the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (VCDR) stands out to be one of the most outstanding treaties, enabling the United Nations to organise and have a progressive and improved international law. The Convention’s success results not only by remarkable nature of prior work by the negotiating skills of State representatives at international conferences, but also to the strong and stable ‘simple rules’ of diplomatic law that emphasis mutual benefits derived from adherence.

1.1 Background of the convention

Following the agreement in 1961, the VCDR, went into force on 24 April 1964 in accordance with Article 51 (1) of the Convention. It sets out how independent countries can establish, uphold and, where necessary, terminate diplomatic relations. The convention defines who a diplomat is and his/her entitlement to special privileges and immunities. These include immunity from civil and criminal prosecution in the host state and exemption from all dues and taxes.  As is stated in the preamble of the Convention, the rules are intended to facilitate the development of friendly relations among nations, irrespective of their differing constitutional and social systems. The purpose of such privileges and immunities is not to benefit individuals but to ensure the efficient performance of the functions of diplomatic missions (United Nations, 1961).

Veljić (2012) stated that the Convention required diplomats to obey local laws, however, the only sanction permissible under the Convention, in the absence of a waiver of immunity, was expulsion. This prevented the potential abuse by local authorities of the power of a state's law enforcement system. Reciprocity also formed an effective sanction for the observance of the rules of the Convention.

1.3 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations

The 1961 VCDR outlines the rules of diplomatic law, ratified by Zambia on 16^th June 1975 and implemented by the Diplomatic Immunities and Privileges Act of 1965. The Convention codifies the rules for the exchange and treatment of envoys between states, which have been firmly established in customary law for hundreds of years (United Nations, 1961).

It is an international treaty that defines a framework for diplomatic relations between sovereign states. It categorically states the privileges of a diplomatic mission that enable diplomats to perform their function without fear of intimidation or harassment by the host country. This exclusively holds the legal foundation for diplomatic immunity. Its articles are regarded as a footing of modern international relations. As at 19^th November 2019, the VCDR had 60 signatories and 192 state parties.

Boulgaris, Hecht, and Jazairy (2015) stated that VCDR emphasizes it is important that foreign relations personnel can carry out their duties without intimidation by the host government. In particular, the Convention establishes rules for the appointment of foreign representatives, the inviolability of mission premises, protection for the diplomat and his/her or her family from any form of arrest or detention, protection of all forms of diplomatic communication, and the basic principle of exemption from taxation. There is also immunity from civil and administrative jurisdiction with limited exceptions, and need for diplomats to respect the laws of the host state, and guidance on policy on impaired driving.

The fundamentals of diplomatic protocol are rooted in the system of privileges and immunities. This system allows diplomats to exercise their duties in a foreign country in full security of their person, the members of their household, their workplace (embassy or mission), their private residence, their documents, and the like. When the United Nations was established, the privileges and immunities of its officials and of the member states representatives needed to be defined. The current legal system is based on a series of international agreements starting with the United Nations Charter up to the VCDR (ibid).

Protocol is defined in the Oxford Dictionary as the official procedure or system of rules governing affairs of State or diplomatic occasions. The term protocol is derived from the Greek word protokollen, a fusion of the words protos (first) and kola (glue). It referred to a sheet of paper glued to the front of a document to provide it with a seal of authenticity, a practice that serves as a reminder of today’s Letters of Credentials (Oxford University Press, 2019).

Barker (2006) indicates that the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations holds a complete framework for the institutionalisation, preservation and termination of diplomatic relations on a basis of consent between sovereign countries. It specifies the functions of diplomatic missions, the formal rules regulating appointments, declarations of persona non grata of a diplomat who has in some way given offence, and precedence among heads of mission. It further sets out exclusive rules, privileges and immunities to enable diplomatic missions act without fear of coercion or harassment through enforcement of local laws and to communicate securely with their sending Governments.

In its preamble, the Vienna Convention enumerates these conditions by clearly stating “that the purpose of such privileges and immunities is not to benefit individuals but to ensure the efficient performance of the functions of diplomatic missions as representing States” (United Nations, 1961. p.1).

The Convention provides for withdrawal of a mission where economic status and security in the receiving state is not guaranteed and if for some reasons breach of diplomatic relations which may happen as a result of abuse of immunity or severe deterioration in relations between sending and receiving States.

In cases where a diplomat acts against the host state by breaching the diplomatic code of behaviour through words or actions, the host nation can within the powers as provided by the Vienna Convention, expel the erring diplomat.

A clear example in relation to this provision is the expulsion of Cuban Ambassador accredited to Zambia, Nelson Pages, in 2018. This followed the ambassador’s decision to attend a launch of political party whose values and principles are rooted in Cuba. Before his expulsion, then Cuban Ambassador to Zambia Nelson Pages Vilas, had graced the launch of the Socialist Party in Zambia where he said the Cuban government wished the newly established opposition Socialist Party in Zambia, ‘all the best’. This prompted the government to expel Ambassador Pages-Vilas on grounds that his actions were partisan and a breach of diplomatic ethics, practice and standards (Lusakatimes.com, 2018).

The government acted in order based on the 1961 Vienna Convention which stresses that missions must respect local laws and not interfere in the host nation's internal affairs.

The action was also in accordance with Article 9 of the convention which gives powers to the receiving state to without having to explain its decision, notify the sending State that the head of the mission or any member of the diplomatic staff of the mission is not appreciated or wanted and can no longer be allowed to stay in that particular state (persona non grata). In any such case, the sending State shall, as appropriate, either recall the person concerned or terminate his functions with the mission.

And it so happened that the Cuban Government appointed another diplomat to Zambia,  Angel Villa, as acting charge d’affaires at its embassy in Zambia (Zambia Daily Mail, 2018).

The standoff between Britain and Ecuador in 2012 raised the prospect of a major diplomatic incident if British police forced an entry into the embassy. Ecuadorian officials stated that any such decision would be an outrageous breach of international law. British officials insisted that if they did so, it would be within British law (The Guardian, 2012).

Under international law as well as within the confines of the VCDR, security forces globally are not permitted to cross the gates of an embassy unless with express consent of the ambassador despite the embassy being in the territory of the host nation. The VCDR codified the rule of inviolability, which all state parties must observe because their own diplomatic missions may otherwise be at risk elsewhere. Article 22 of the VCDR endorses the inviolability of mission premises the premises of the mission shall be inviolable. The agents of the receiving State may not enter them, except with the consent of the head of the mission. This implies barring any right of entry by law enforcement officers of the receiving State and imposing on the receiving State a special duty to protect the premises against intrusion, damage, disturbance of the peace or infringement of dignity. Even in cases of response to abuse of this provision or emergency, the premises may not be entered without the consent of the head of mission (United Nations, 1961).

Ture (2019) noted that the principle of inviolability of diplomatic premises had long been a contested issue. For instance, in 1991, two Turkish citizens were killed outside the Iraqi mission in Istanbul by the Iraqi security personnel firing from inside the building. Turkish police, after obtaining a court warrant, entered the building and apprehended the shooter. The police were obliged by the VDCR to keep out of the archive room and offices and they did.

This was done in accordance with article 24, of the VCDR ensured the inviolability of mission archives and documents within and even outside mission premises. This was to stop the hosting state from seizing or inspecting the documents or having permission to the documents in court cases. Article 27 guaranteed free communication between a mission and its sending State by all appropriate means, and ensured that the diplomatic bag carrying such communications were not opened or detained even on suspicion of abuse. Given the purposes of diplomatic missions, secured communication for information and instructions was probably the most essential of all immunities (United Nations, 1961).

Further, Article 29 provided inviolability for the person of diplomats and article 31 established their immunity from civil and criminal jurisdiction. This was with precise exceptions to immunity from civil jurisdiction where previous State practice had varied. Immunity from jurisdiction like other immunities and privileges may be waived by the sending State, and article 32 specifies the rules on waiver (Ture, 2019).

These three provisions in most countries significantly reduced the numbers of those people who were more likely to bring into disrepute the system of privileges and immunities and were fully in accordance with the basic justification applicable throughout the Convention of limiting immunities to what was essential to ensure the efficient performance of the functions of diplomatic missions as representing States.

However, Denza (2016) noted that host states seemed not to be desperate against diplomats who had committed crime. The host countries usually asked the sending state for the removal of its diplomat’s immunity in case of misconduct. If it the request was turned down or ignored, the criminal diplomat may be expelled from the country by being declared persona-non grata. The phrase is the diplomatic expression that the host country no longer acknowledges the person as the legitimate representative of the sending state.

This came during the 1980s from those alarmed at the opportunities it provided for abuse as demonstrated in particular when following the murder of a policewoman by shooting from the premises of the Libyan diplomatic mission in London the United Kingdom broke diplomatic relations and all those within the mission left England under the shield of immunity. More recently attacks have been discussed by scholars concerned with the conflict between immunity and the human right of access to justice, or at immunity for violators of international criminal law and in particular torturers. But in practice there has been remarkably little erosion of the immunities of diplomats as it has been widely accepted that the VCDR limit immunities to what is essential for the functioning of diplomacy.

The focus of public concern has instead shifted to the vulnerability of diplomats to terrorist attacks. These might take the form of kidnapping diplomats with demands for ransom or release of prisoners – a serious problem in the 1970s until brought somewhat under control by collective determination by Governments that taking “all appropriate measures” to protect diplomats did not mean capitulating to blackmail. Alternatively terrorism might involve besieging or bombing embassies – most horrifically the United States Embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998 (Wikipedia Foundation Inc, 2019).

For the most part, parties to the Convention are in no way complicit in these attacks and have done their best to provide protection – sometimes helped by wealthier sending States. The striking exception was the detention for over a year of the hostages in the United States Embassy in Tehran with the acquiescence of the relatively new revolutionary Government of Iran. The United States brought proceedings against Iran before the International Court of Justice basing itself mostly on the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations including the Optional Protocol on the Settlement of Disputes to which both States were parties. Iran did not make serious efforts to justify its conduct in legal terms before the Court and the Court’s Judgment in the United States Diplomatic and Consular Staff in Tehran case (International Court of Justice, 1980) contains important analysis of many of the principles in the Convention and greatly assisted the United States in retaining the support of the international community and securing eventual release – brokered by Algeria – of the hostages. More recently, the International Court of Justice in 2005 upheld a counter-claim by Uganda in the Case concerning Armed Activities on the Territory of the Congo (Democratic Republic of the Congo v. Uganda) that Congolese soldiers had occupied the Ugandan diplomatic mission in Kinshasa and violated article 29 of the Convention by threatening and maltreating staff on the premises.

In national courts there have been hundreds of cases where the Vienna Convention has been applied, since many of its most frequently invoked provisions concern whether a national court may assume jurisdiction over civil or criminal proceedings and what evidence may be admissible in national proceedings. Most of these cases concern ambiguities in the text on such questions as the true meaning of the exceptions to immunity from civil jurisdiction, the construction of the term “permanent resident”, the protection of an embassy’s bank account from enforcement proceedings, or the balance to be struck between protecting the dignity of embassy premises and permitting effective exercise of human rights to demonstrate and to speak freely. Unlike the cases described in the previous paragraph, they did not involve fundamental breaches of the Convention.

The Convention has also been extensively drawn on by later treaties regulating immunities and privileges. Its provisions were used as a starting point in drawing up the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (VCCR) and the 1969 New York Convention on Special Missions – in the latter case with unfortunate results in that insufficient account was taken of the differences between permanent missions and most special missions so that the Convention has attracted only limited support. It is used as a point of reference for determining the treatment to be accorded to the premises, archives and senior officers of a substantial number of international organizations. Sometimes it is used on a similar basis for agreements with the host State regulating the status of military forces or civilian missions despatched either by international organizations or by States providing military or civilian assistance. The 2004 United Nations Convention on Jurisdictional Immunities of States and Their Property contains references to its provisions, since in the nature of things the rules on state immunity and on diplomatic immunity, though different in their origins and justification, are closely intertwined. As for the treatment given to heads of State, heads of Government and foreign ministers in their personal capacity – though practice is somewhat varied – it is accepted that the rules in the VCDR form a guide and perhaps a minimum standard (Denza, 2009).

The first international instrument to codify any aspect of diplomatic law was the Regulation adopted by the Congress of Vienna in 1815 which simplified the complex rules on the classes of heads of diplomatic missions and laid down that precedence among heads of missions should be determined by date of arrival at post. Until then precedence – which guaranteed direct access to the receiving sovereign as well as ceremonial honours – had caused numerous and bitter disputes. Codification among States of immunities and privileges of diplomatic agents did not begin until the Havana Convention of 1928 drawn up among the States of the Pan-American Union – but this did not well reflect current practice either in its terminology or its rules. More influential was the Draft Convention drawn up in 1932 by the Harvard Research in International Law (ibid).

The establishment within the United Nations framework of the International Law Commission opened the way to comprehensive codification to confirm what were accepted as well-established – if not universally respected – rules of international law. There remained areas on which State practice was divergent – in particular the privileges and immunities of junior staff, the position of a diplomat who was a national of the host State and the extent of exceptions to the immunity from jurisdiction of a diplomat – so that any convention would contain an element of “progressive development” as well as codification of the law.

In a communication received on 16 October 1985, the Government of Zambia specified that upon succession, it had not wished to maintain the objections made by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland with respect to articles 11 (1), 27 (3) and 37 (2).

Conclusion

According to Ratner (2018), the VCDR has established itself as a cornerstone of modern international relations. This is despite the need for implementing national legislation in a number of State parties, it came into force following 22 ratifications only three years from its adoption and almost all States in the world are now parties. The regime it sets out for the conduct of diplomatic relations has become remarkably uniform as reservations made by ratifying States on a few points which had been controversial during the negotiations have in many cases been withdrawn or simply never applied. The Convention has proved resilient to attack on its fundamental principles.

References

Barker, J.C. (2006). The Protection of Diplomatic Personnel. Aldershot: Ashgate.

Boulgaris, J, M.  Hecht, A. Jazairy, I. (2015) .Practices of Diplomatic Protocol in Geneva. Geneva: United Nations Institute for Training and Research.

Brown, J. (1988). Diplomatic Immunity: State Practice under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations” Journal of International and Comparative Law, vol. 37, 1988, p. 53. Accessed on November 15, 2019, https://www.cambridge.org/

Denza, E. (2009). Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. United Nations Audio-visual Library of International Law. United Nations.

Denza, E. (2016). Diplomatic Law: Commentary on the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (4th Edition).

Department of Protocol, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand (2014) Guidelines on Protocol Practice.

Foreign Service Institute- U.S Department of State 2011, Protocol of the Modern Diplomat, Foreign Service Institute- U.S Department of State, Accessed on November 20, 2019, < https://2009-2017.state.gov/>

Global Affairs Canada: Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Accessed on November 19, 2019, <https://www.international.gc.ca/>

Lusaka times (2018, April 1), Zambia expels Cuban Ambassador for attending and addressing an Opposition Party meeting,  Accessed on November 20, 2019, <https://www.lusakatimes.com/>

Ministry of Legal Affairs (1965). Government of the Republic of Zambia: Diplomatic Immunities and Privileges Act. Lusaka: Ministry of Legal Affairs.

Oxford University Press, 2019, Protocol, Oxford University Press, Accessed 19 November 2019, < https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/>

Ratner, S. (2018). The Khashoggi Murder: How Mohammed Bin Salman Underestimated

International Law. Accessed on November 20, 2019, <https://www.lawfareblog.com/ >

The Guardian (2012). Can police enter an embassy? A guide. Accessed on November 20, 2019, <https://www.theguardian.com/>

Ture, C. (2019). After Khashoggi: how diplomatic space became a crime scene. Accessed 21 November, 2019, <https://www.opendemocracy.net/>

United Nations (1961). Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Vienna: United Nations.

Veljić, Z. (2012). Diplomatic Protocol. Accessed on November 16, 2019, <http://www.mfa.gov.rs/en/embassies/dipl-protocol>

Wikipedia Foundation Inc, 20199, The 1998 United States Embassy bombings, Wikipedia Foundation Inc, Accessed 19 November 2019, <https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki>

YOUR PLATFORM SCHOOL SAFETY ZONES 20 11 2018

NEWS IN DEPTH NATIONAL ADDRESSING 25 10 2018. In This Documentary, I discuss the importance of National Addressing and Postcode system in service delivery.

ZAMBIAN BREWERIES, DEC STRIKES DEAL...as both parties aim at ending drug and alcohol abuse

Zambian Breweries and the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) have signed a memorandum of understanding to curb alcohol and drug abuse.

Zambian Breweries Country Director Jose Moran and DEC Deputy Commissioner Kelvin Silwimba shake hands on a memorandum of understanding to curb alcohol and drug abuse.

The agreement was signed at the Zambian Breweries Mungwi Road plant last week by Country Director Jose Moran and DEC Deputy Commissioner Kelvin Silwimba.

Speaking at the event, Mr Moran said the cooperation between Zambian Breweries and the DEC presented opportunities to combine the strengths of both parties through their footprint and outreach into smallholders markets, and cement a solid commercial and regulatory relationship.

He said the MOU was in line with Zambian Breweries’ Responsible Alcohol Policy on alcohol abuse and prohibition of underage drinking. He noted that the MOU would also help reduce the sale of potent and harmful tujilijili and junta sold at prices as low as K5, especially to underage youth.

“Alcohol abuse and underage drinking remain prominent in our communities. Here at Zambian Breweries, we believe in bringing people together for better communities. This is why I’m happy we have created a partnership with the Commission to fight alcohol abuse especially among the youth,” he said.

He also appealed to the media to join Zambian Breweries in relaying the message of responsible alcohol consumption.

Corporate affairs director Ezekiel Sekele said the MOU would see the company develop strategies to promote responsible consumption of alcoholic beverages, youth sensitisation and discouraging youths from underage drinking.

It underlined Zambian Breweries’ support of the National Alcohol Policy and its responsibility as a brewer, he added.

“Zambian Breweries highly values partnerships and strategies aimed at lessening the harmful use of alcohol, especially among the youth. We will continue educating and sensitising the youths on the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse,” he said.

The DEC Commissioner Alita Mbahwe, in a speech read on her behalf by the DEC Deputy Commissioner, said she was delighted that Zambian Breweries was committed to curbing illicit alcohol abuse and agreed the MOU was a step in the right direction.

She further noted that the interaction was in line with the model in the Seventh National Development Plan (7NDP) to move away from a standalone thematic approach to addressing national issues towards an integrated multi-sectoral approach.

DEC will support initiatives and partnerships aimed at curbing the vice and that other corporate entities must join Zambian Breweries’ noble cause.

She also said signing the MOU came at an opportune time, as there had been an increase in cases of mental health issues between the ages of 12 and 35 years attributed to alcohol abuse.

“As a Commission, we will partner with Zambian Breweries in creating strategies aimed at reducing illicit drug abuse and underage drinking,” she said.

“It is clear that the problem of drugs, substance and alcohol abuse is on the rise in Zambia. The Commission noted an increase in the number of persons seeking counselling services from 607 in 2016 to 704 clients in 2017,”

“I am delighted we will work hand-in-hand with Zambian Breweries in creating awareness and sensitization programmes, knowledge management and reporting purposes as well as feedback arising from monitoring and evaluation of field activities,” she added.

Witnessing the event, Lusaka City Council director of public health Edgar Mulwanda expressed positivity about the partnership between ZB and DEC and said the MOU will yield positive results.

He said there is also need to increase sensitisation among consumers, as they are key in bringing alcohol and substance abuse to a halt through self-regulation.

NEWS IN DEPTH SUSTAINABLE LAND MANAGEMENT 20 09 18

Zambia mobilising resources and consensus to combat Climate Change, a modern-day challenge to development

By MacPherson Mukuka

Climate Change has continued to top the list of priorities among many Governments across the World.

This probably due to its adverse effects it is likely to pose on the development agendas of most Nations.

However,  most countries have intensified their programmes for climate change resilience.

Zambia is not an exception.

And Government says climate change is a developmental challenge and the country is taking all necessary actions to minimise further environmental degradations and ramifications on the economy and national development.

Ministry of National Development Planning Permanent Secretary (Development Planning and Administration) Mr. Chola Chabala was speaking when he officially opened the national consultative stakeholder meeting on setting up the National Climate Change Fund (NCCF) in Livingstone on Monday 18 June,  2018.

He emphasised the Government's commitment to mobilise resources to help combat Climate Change and its impact on the economy.

"Zambia has in the past experienced adverse impacts of climate change including climate variability, extreme weather events and other systematic climate changes over the last several decades," he said. "Droughts and floods have increased in frequency and intensity over the last two decades and this has adversely impacted on food and water security, energy availability and general livelihoods of our communities."

The Permanent Secretary said one of the key measures the Government has taken was the formulation of the National Policy on Climate Change of 2016, which provides a framework for coordination and implementation of climate change measures.

He called for consented efforts and innovation to mobilise sufficient resources for climate change mitigation and adaptation, in order to effectively implement programmes on climate change contained in the Seventh National Development Plan (7NDP).

"In 2017, Government took the necessary step to establish a catalytic National Climate Change Fund (NCCF). The main objective of the NCCF is to  raise revenue from both public and domestic sources at national and international level to fund climate change programmes and projects," Mr. Chabala explained. "Amongst other objectives, the Fund is to enable Zambia: Tap into new and innovative sources of finance for mitigation and adaptation projects; build national capacity to utilize opportunities presented by international financial mechanisms; increase access to finance for green projects in the country; facilitate appropriate technology transfers into the country for accelerated economic growth and development while achieving a sustainable low carbon development path; accelerate energy access through sustainable renewable energy technologies and solutions; and generate employment opportunities created by implementation of new economic activities through green projects."

The Permanent Secretary called for consensus on the establishment of a national climate fund.

And Zambia National Designated Authority (NDA) for the Green Climate Fund National Co-ordinator Mr. Mainga Luwabelwa said Climate Change impact was multi-dimensional as it affects all sectors of national and human development.

Mr. Luwabelwa explained that the GCF funds projects that promote paradigm shift towards low emission and climate resilient development pathways.