Allow Church Members to participate in Politics- ZEC

By MacPherson Mukuka

macphersonmukuka.blogspot.comThe Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) has called on the Church to allow its members to participate in the political process but should not provide a blue print for them as to which political party or candidate they must support.

ZEC Secretary General Cleophas Lungu said the Church should teach principles of a good candidate and leave the choices to the individual faithful.

He charged that the habit by some men and women of God of inviting candidates for church service and providing them with a platform to campaign under the guise of greeting the congregants is unacceptable.

He said Churches must strive to be apolitical. 

Father Lungu said this during the launch of the Christian Churches Monitoring Group, an association comprising 4 faith based organisations entrusted with the mandate of   managing of election results.

Meanwhile Father Lungu has also called on the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to undertake a sound preparation for the forthcoming January 20^th 2015 presidential election.

He said delays in planning may only lead to uncertainties among stakeholders and loss of confidence in the process.

The Catholic Clergy emphasised that ECZ must give election monitors genuine space for effectively monitoring the elections.

He said Monitors are partners in ensuring electoral transparency and that prohibitive cost of access to materials like voter registers and complicated monitor registration and accreditation process can only work to impede the genuine cause of monitoring the elections.

The newly launched organisation in composed of the Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ), Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ), The Zambia Episcopal Conference(ZEC) and The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR).

CSPR Launches Walk the Talk: End Poverty Campaign

By MacPherson Mukuka

The Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR) says poverty levels in Zambia have remained pervasive in the country with the overall incidence of suffering at about 60 percent while extreme poverty has remained stubbornly high at 42.3 percent.

CSPR Board Chairperson John Lijimu says Western and Luapula provinces have the highest rating at 81 percent in extreme poverty.

Mr. Lijimu has further indicated that the possibilities of Zambia to meet the targets stated under the Millennium Development Goals number one of halving extreme poverty by 2015 are no longer slim but impossible.

Mr. Lijimu has alleged that Government has failed to provide sufficient opportunities for citizens to meaningfully engage in national development process.

He said inadequate budget information and restrictions on public participation make it difficult for citizens to engage in exacting accountability form the leaders and representatives.

Mr. Lijimu adds that this has created a situation where citizens are cut off from meaningful decision making process that could be critical in realising the development agenda in Zambia and setting priorities for eradicating extreme poverty.

Meanwhile, Mr. Lijimu has disclosed that his organisation has launched a campaign dubbed WALK THE TALK: END POVERTY, with the aim of bringing to light the views and the voice of people living in poverty on issues that Government should take in alleviating their poverty situation through efficiency in budget execution and improved service delivery, especially in the agricultural sector.

UK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TO OPEN IN ZAMBIA

By MacPherson Mukuka

Zambia’s commerce and trade Industry is unquestionably headed for massive growth in the next years if all the local and foreign companies succeed in setting up their investment in various parts of the country.

The United Kingdom has is already putting up plans to bring its business men and women into the country to set base of their respective companies.

British High Commissioner to Zambia James Thornton says Zambia is among the many ideal business destinations for the UK because of its favorable economic and political environment…

Mr. Thornton said this during the 2^nd UK trade Mission business meeting held on Thursday 13^th November, 2014 in Lusaka.

Meanwhile, Government has welcomed the plans by the British Government to set up the British Chamber of commerce in Zambia.

Commerce, trade and Industry Minister Robert Sichinga say there is need for more foreign business houses to set base in Zambia.

Mr. Sichinga was however quick to mention that Government is putting much emphasis on value addition as it is a critical component for employment creation.

Mr. Sichinga further indicated that Zambia has enough land that requires to be invested on by way of setting up huge industries such as the Multi facility economic zones.

Meanwhile UK trade and Investment Director of Investment projects Ajay Desai said Zambia has proved to be a stable nation for investment by UK companies.

The commerce industry in Zambia has steadily grown over the years; however, one particular component that has been more of a hindrance to an excessive growth is the exportation of raw materials.

It is probably the reason why government is insisting in value addition as a way of improving the revenue base for the country.