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EU, ILO sign Skills development program in Zambia

The European Union (EU) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) have signed a 6-point 5 million Euros partnership agreement to implement a four-year Skills Development for Increased Employability Program (SDEP) in Zambia. In a statement issued in by ILO Program Officer Gerald Tembo, the EU funded project is expected to contribute towards improving employability of both women and men, especially youths. EU Ambassador to Zambia, Jacek Jankowski said the EU is keen to support human capital development among youths in order to empower and contribute to national development. Mr Jankowski said the project will establish strong linkages with the EU Green Deal and the EU Africa strategy that emphasize on increasing access to quality education, skills, research and enhance social rights. The project is expected to facilitate the upgrading and maintenance of training facilities and curriculum development of tertiary institutions under the country’s Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training (TEVET) system. And ILO Country Office Director for Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique George Okutho said skills development is a key component of the decent work agenda and is central to improving the overall quality of life. Visiting EU Commissioner for Agriculture, Janusz Wojciechowski, who is attending the ongoing EU Zambia Economic Forum, witnessed the signing ceremony in the company of Technology and Science Minister Felix Mutati, Education Minister Douglas Syakalima and Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister Elias Mubanga. Read the full article

Eintracht Frankfurt triumph over Rangers in Europa

Rangers suffered an agonising penalty shootout defeat in their fifth European final as Eintracht Frankfurt triumphed in an absorbing Europa League decider. Rafael Borre crashed in the decisive spot kick after Aaron Ramsey was denied just moments earlier in front of a colossal Rangers support in the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium. Those fans had been euphoric when the Scots took the lead through Joe Aribo's ice-cool second-half finish in the sweltering cauldron in Seville. However, Borre detonated raucous scenes in a jam-packed Eintracht end 12 minutes later as he steered in a soft equaliser to send this energy-sapping contest to extra time and penalties. And Rangers' players crumpled to their feet as the 11th-placed side in the Bundesliga prevailed in the shootout, executing five composed penalties to claim their second European trophy and a place in next season's Champions League group stages. Read the full article

Ukraine Invasion Could Cause Global Food Crisis, UN Warns

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine could soon cause a global food crisis that may last for years, the UN has warned. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the war had worsened food insecurity in poorer nations due to rising prices. Some countries could face long-term famines if Ukraine’s exports are not restored to pre-war levels, he added. The conflict has cut-off supplies from Ukraine’s ports, which once exported vast amounts of cooking oil as well as cereals such as maize and wheat. This has reduced the global supply and caused the price of alternatives to soar. Global food prices are almost 30% higher than the same time last year, according to the UN. Speaking in New York on Wednesday, Mr Guterres said the conflict – combined with the effects of climate change and the pandemic – “threatens to tip tens of millions of people over the edge into food insecurity followed by malnutrition, mass hunger and famine”. “There is enough food in our world now if we act together. But unless we solve this problem today, we face the spectre of global food shortage in the coming months,” he added. He warned that the only effective solution to the crisis was reintegrating Ukraine’s food production, as well as fertiliser produced by both Russia and Belarus, back into the global market. Mr Guterres also said he was in “intense contact” with Russia and Ukraine, as well as the US and the EU, in an effort to restore food exports to normal levels. “The complex security, economic and financial implications require goodwill on all sides,” he said. His comments came on the same day the World Bank announced extra funding worth $12bn (£9.7bn) for projects addressing food insecurity. The move will bring the total amount available for such projects to more than £30bn over the next 15 months. Russia and Ukraine produce 30% of the world’s wheat supply and – prior to the war – Ukraine was seen as the world’s bread basket, exporting 4.5 million tonnes of agricultural produce per month through its ports. But since Russia launched its invasion in February, exports have collapsed and prices have skyrocketed. They climbed even further after India banned wheat exports on Saturday. The UN says around 20 million tonnes of grain are currently stuck in Ukraine from the previous harvest which, if released, could ease pressure on global markets. BBC Read the full article

Govt urged to scrap off HELSB interest rates

By MAIMBO MWEEMBA Higher Education Loans and Scholarships Board Bursary Loans Restructure Campaign Coordinator David Chishimba says the HELSB interest rates to back the loans are too high. He said that those that got loans as education assistance desire to pay back but the problem is that they have to pay back twice the money given. Mr Chishimba has since called on government to scrape off the interest on the loans, to suspend the loan deductions until the economy stabilizes and to reduce the loan deductions to 2.5% of an individual's basic salary. He said that paying back twice the loan which they got from the government as education assistance is unfair, stating that most of the beneficiaries do not get paid more than K5, 000 as monthly pay. “We appreciate the assistance offered by government in terms of Bursary loans given through the Higher Education Loans and Scholarships Board (HELSB). We also have desire to pay back the loans so that other people can benefit from it in the same vain that is why we made a lone protest from Kafue roundabout to Ministry of Education to file in our position paper concerning the campaign.” He said. Mr Chishimba said that when President Hichilema was in opposition, he sympathized with the beneficiaries and promised to restructure the loan polices. “We would like to entertain the thought that his position hasn't changed over our issue. We would like to appeal to the president to restructure the bursary loans policies according to the following campaign promises,” he said. Read the full article

Kitwe man jailed for stealing tyres

By Staff Writer The Kitwe Magistrate's Court has sentenced a 34 year old man of Buchi Township to two years and six months simple imprisonment for stealing 19 tyres from a Chinese company. Patrick Bwalya who appeared before Resident Magistrate Dansen Muchaba, pleaded guilty to the offense of breaking into a building and committing a felony therein. Particulars of the offense where that on April 20,2021 in Kitwe jointly and while acting together with other persons unknown, Bwalya broke into a building namely Jan Japan Zambia and stole 19 tyres,one cell phone and K4400 cash together valued at K31400 the property of Jan Japan Zambia. In mitigation, Bwalya pleaded with the court to exercise leniency as he had learnt his lesson. "I thought what i was doing by breaking into a building was a good thing but that unfortunately had led me into being apprehended," he said Bwalya also told the court that life at the correctional facility was hard and scary for him adding that there are a lot of diseases. But magistrate Muchaba said any man who is of the age 30 years old is aware of the fact that stealing in a community is a bad and serious offence. Magistrate Muchaba said such offense in Zambia are regarded as serious and carry stiff punishments of upto five years imprisonment. In delivering his sentence, Magistrate Muchaba considered the fact that Muchaba was a first offender who did not worst the courts time but readily admitted to the charge. He said Bwalya has a right to appeal within 14 days if he was not happy with the sentence. Read the full article

Chipolopolo kickoff AFCON preps

By Mercy Chewe The Zambia National Soccer Team has commenced primary preparations for the June back-to-back 2023 Africa Cup qualifiers. Zambia will face Ivory Coast on June 3 in their opening AFCON qualifier before hosting Comoros four days later at National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka. Chipolopolo coach Aljosa Asanovic led the team of local players in the first training in Lusaka on Wednesday morning. Speaking to journalists after training, Asanovic said he was excited to link up with the squad of local players. "Yes it is the first day for the local camp. I am very happy to see again our players. Really we are enjoying the time. We are trying to refresh our players after the Zambian championship. I am so happy about that," he said. "These players deserve to be in camp with us as part of the AFCON team. I saw so many quality players before this camp and we will continue working together and see what happens. Always we look for quality, speed, skill, the character and don't worry in that 22 players we have the quality," Asanovic said. He told journalists and soccer fans to believe in the national team ahead of the AFCON qualifiers. "We have everything. Be positive about everything. Please again be positive because we need positivity. I am sure with you (media) because you are the most important people also in Zambia give these guys (players) good notes, positive notes for everybody. I am so optimistic about my boys," Asanovic said. "I am optimistic because for me and also for you (media) it's enough to be a loser and I want us to be winners. Come on Zambia believe us. I believe so much in my team. You should also believe in the team. Believe the Patson, believe the Enock, believe the Kelvin, believe the people who are working with these guys. Please trust this team because this team deserve the support from you especially you (media)," the Croatian emphasised. Zambia will also face the Comoros in this AFCON qualifying campaign. Read the full article

27 retires from Chingola Council paid

By ALICE NACHILEMBE Chingola Municipal Council has paid off 27 retirees owed from 2013 to 2021 their benefits. Speaking at a media briefing Chingola Mayor Johnson Kang’ombe said the Council has paid a total of K2, 723,000, 27 retirees from 2013-2021. He said the New Dawn administration is keeping to its promises that arrears for retirees will be paid off in full. “We are here to serve the people of Zambia and will continue working towards this goal,” he said. Mr Kang’ombe said this day clearly defines an addition to the achieved milestones currently being undertaken by the government. The highest-paid retiree received benefits amounting to K564, 150. Read the full article

Moxico Resources to start operations next month, with investment of $100 million

By ALICE NACHILEMBE Moxico Resources Mining firm says it is an employer of choice as starts it operations in Chingola next month. Moxico Resources is a British Firm which has partnered with Mimbula Mineral resources a local Mining firm has so far employed 659 employees. Speaking when Copperbelt Minister Elisha Matambo and Copperbelt permanent secretary Augustine Kasongo toured the mine Moxico Resources Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Alan Davies said that about 100 million dollars has been injected into mining explorations. Mr Davies said that once the mine starts operations it will inject more than 2-hundred million dollars of investment. He said that the mine will process the copper to cathode just within the mine. And, Mr Davies said the company is organized to pay maximum taxes to the government and it has no funny structure of dealings. “We believe the taxes should remain in the host country and not transferred, we will be paying full tax without the transferring process around the world,” he said. He said the company is trying to impact the local people by training them and setting up businesses and so far 20 businesses have been set up. Mr Davies also said the mine is going to building a clinic to be accessed by both the community and employees and their families. He said the mine is focused on making a difference to Chingola as the mine intends to start with 50 thousand tonnes of copper production annually ramping up production to about 1-hundred thousand tonnes of Copper production annually. And Copperbelt Minister praised Mimbula Mineral resources for the investment, and assured the mine that their investment is safe. Mr Matambo said it was pleasing that the mine was partnering with the locals and training them on how to go about it. He said that condition of service for the employees is important and the work force will yield better results. Read the full article

POLITICAL PERSEVERANCE

This is a power key to success in politics. The ability to keeping on, even when your efforts are met with disappointment or failure. Or should I say not giving up, to keep on keeping on. It is persistence and tenacity, the effort required to do something and keep doing it till the end, even if its hard. Perseverance is the total commitment and determination to follow through with your plans even in the face of defeat or criticism. You must believe that you are gifted for something and that this must be attained. The message is, "good things come to those who believe, better things come to those who are patient and the best things come to those who don't give up, those who persevere." Never give up! When life batters you with a hard knocks and you want to give up, remember that life is full of ups and downs, and without the downs, the ups would mean nothing. Every test in our life makes us bitter or better, every problem comes to break us or make us. The choice is yours whether you become victims or victors. Only he who gives up is defeated. Everyone else is victorious. Paul F. Meyer puts it this way," Ninety percent of all those who fail are not actually defeated. They simply quit." You cannot defeat a man who is not willing to give up. It takes the wise to interpret wisdom. #efyofyabafye Read the full article

N/Western Minister calls for strong ties with Angola

By CLOZZEN BIKALE North-Western Province Minister, Robert Lihefu says the new dawn administration is in hurry to open up borders with neighboring countries which have been idle for a long time. The Provincial Minister Robert Lihefu has called for strong economic ties between Zambia and Angola. Mr Lihefu said Zambia has been enjoying the cordial relationship with the republic of Angola for a long time. Speaking in Solwezi today when receiving a new Angolan Consulate for the Solwezi office, Agostinho Dos Santos, Mr Lihefu said to foster development between the two countries there is need to open up the Mozambique and Lubito corridors. He said the border from Mozambique to and Lobito as well to which is more than 1,000 Km have remained, forcing Zambia to start importing even small things from European countries. "For us to foster development we should not work in Isolation but together", Mr Lihefu said. He said there is a need to open up Jimbe-Solwezi roads from Mwinilunga through Ikelenge district in order to promote trade. Mr. Lihefu said the programme of opening roads is not only being done with Angolan but also with the Democratic Republic of Congo. He the development of these international connectivity roads will be done through Private Public Partnership (PPP). Meanwhile, Dos Santos has pledged his country's commitment to opening up the Lobito corridor. Mr. Dos Santos said he is going to work on strengthening cooperation between the two countries. "We need to develop actions to open up Lobito corridor Zambia is suffering by using long routes from here to Dar es Salam in Tanzania when there is Lobito which is near '', he said. Mr Dos Santos said he will work hard to convince his government to consider opening up Lobito route. "We are going to help our government to find a quick solution to open up Lobito border We are going to double our efforts if we find any challenge and we will come to knock on your door", he said. Read the full article

2 nabbed for impersonating as public officers

By ALICE NACHILEMBE Two criminals in Lusaka have jointly been charged and arrested while two are on the run for allegedly impersonating as Public Officers from the Ministry of Education. Police Spokesperson Rae Hamoonga said that Vincent Mwape 57, of Lusaka the Sole proprietor of Crown Academy School reported that four unknown criminals claiming and purporting to be Chief Inspectors from the Ministry of General Education went to his school with several different identity cards from different Ministries. Mr Hamonga said the complainant became suspicious after he recognized one of the criminals who ran away in May, 2021 as he was going there for the second time. He then called for help from the neighborhood where youths managed to apprehend two suspects whilst the other two sped off using unknown type of motor vehicle which was parked outside the school premises. Mr Hamoonga has identified the criminals as Peter Mulenga 36, and Brighton Chola 38, both of Lusaka for the offence of Impersonation of Public officers which occurred on May 18, 2022 in Lusaka around 15:00 hours. He said the Identity cards have since been confiscated from them and the suspects have been detained in Police custody and will appear in court soon. Read the full article

C/belt PS directs on CDF

Copperbelt Permanent Secretary Augustine Kasongo has directed heads of government departments in the province to ensure all bottlenecks to communities accessing Constituency Development Funds (CDF) are resolved. Mr Kasongo said this is the only way of ensuring that the people benefit from the community development money under the new dawn administration. speaking in Kitwe today when he officially opened the USAID Sun TA Training of Trainers workshop in financial literacy, Mr Kasongo expressed concern that 35 percent of children under the age of five on the Copperbelt are stunted. Mr Kasongo said government is keen to promote business solutions to poverty reduction efforts, in conjunction with cooperating partners such as Sun TA and USAID. “Government realises that the poverty in most homes is due to lack of finances and the lack of understanding the importance of entrepreneurship, this is why the government has targeted District Government officials as trainer of trainers so that they can in turn work with communities to increase financial management in their business entrepreneurship,” he said. Read the full article

Senegal Leader Backs PSG’s Gueye

Senegalese President Macky Sall has expressed support to Paris Saint-Germain and Senegalese player Idrissa Gueye amid reports the footballer refused to wear a rainbow-coloured number on the back of his jersey. Players in France last weekend wore the shirts with rainbow-coloured numbers to show support to the LGBTQ movement, French state-owned broadcaster France 24 reports. It quotes PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino as citing “personal reasons” for the player’s absence on the field. The reports have sparked criticism against Gueye who is a devout Muslim. He has not reacted to the reports. But in a tweet, Senegalese President Sall said the player’s “religious convictions must be respected”. The case has seen Valerie Pecresse, a candidate at the French presidential election last month, call for sanctions against the player. “A refusal by Idrissa Gana Gueye to join the fight against homophobia could not remain without sanction!” she tweeted. Many Senegalese people are deeply religious, and those in same-sex relationships are often forced to hide their sexuality. Homosexual acts are banned in the West African country. It is punishable by up to five years in prison and fines of up to $2,500 (£1,500). BBC Read the full article

Chitotela freed

By MAIMBO MWEEMBA The Economic and Financial Crimes Court has freed Former minister of tourism Ronald Chitotela in the matter where he was charged with two counts of possessing property suspected to be proceeds of crime. Lusaka Magistrate Jennifer Bwalya discharged Mr Chitotela because he entered into a settlement agreement with the Anti-Corruption Commission for the institution not to commence criminal proceedings against him. She said Mr Chitotela was charged with the same charges in a matter where a settlement agreement was entered into with the Commission. Magistrate Bwalya said the immunity given to Mr Chitotela by ACC is still in force hence her decision to discharge him."I therefore agree and find that proceeding with the matter while the said settlement undertaking remained in force would be subjecting the accused to the evils of some form of double jeopardy which the laws of Zambia frown upon, and i order that Ronald Chitotela be and hereby discharged with the charges herein and forthwith," she said. Magistrate Bwalya also said that the said settlement agreement which was produced by the Defence had a signature stamp of the Director General of the ACC and signature stamp of the Lusaka Chief Resident Magistrate. She said in the settlement agreement, ACC undertook a stance not to conduct criminal proceedings against Chitotela. Magistrate Bwalya said the undertaking read that Mr Chitotela satisfied the requirement of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act and that the commission will not undertake any criminal proceedings in relation to the two counts. She said the ACC did not dispute the content of the settlement agreement. Magistrate Bwalya said there is no evidence before her to show that the said abiding settlement agreement was set aside through any judicial process or that it was subject to any review of the superior court. She said based on this, she found the charges against Mr Chitotela incompetent. Read the full article

Lowered inflation to reduce cost of living-JCTR

By MAIMBO MWEEMBA The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) says lowering the country’s annual inflation rate will result in further reduction in the cost of living. JCTR Executive Director Alex Muyebe said the latest inflation rate which has slowed down to 11.5 percent will benefit consumers as the rate at which prices of good are being increased is much slower He said the Bank of Zambia has made progress towards reducing the country’s annual inflation rate to a single digit to attain the target of between 6 and 8 percent by the end of the fourth quarter of 2022. Fr Muyebe said the reduction in the Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket recorded in April 2022 is due to an increase in supply of the products on the market. He said the reduction by 85 Kwacha 13 ngwee in both food and non food items will not have much impact on the consumers as yet as it is minimal. “With the country going into the harvest season, there could be a further reduction in food prices,” he said. And Consumer Unit and Trust Society –(CUTS) International Programs Officer Lubuto Mundende said the reduction in the prices for some selected food items is step in the right direction. He has called on Government to stabilize the cost of fuel prices by putting in place a quarterly pricing mechanism Read the full article

Address desk shortage Govt urged

By Staff Writer National Action for Quality Education in Zambia ( NAQEZ) says that government is expected to quickly address the shortage of desks in schools due overwhelming enrollments of learners to free education. NAQEZ Executive Director said the introduction of free education in public schools has caused the critical shortages of desks in schools across the Country. Mr Chansa said the situation is forcing a lot of learners to sit on the floor giving the education sector a very bad image. He said an estimation of over 1.5 million desks is need for the Ministry of Education to cure the academic disease. Mr Chansa said that even the CDF which could have helped is too slow to enable schools purchase desks. "While the nation commends the New Dawn Government for introducing free Primary and Secondary education, it has come to our attention that some schools, especially in North Western, have never received operational grants this year. This is an assault on efforts for quality education. Equally, most primary schools in urban areas have been receiving inadequate funding. “We fear that this scenario will only succeed at promoting quantity education in the Country. It is not enough for an urban Primary School to receive less than K20,000 per term. If this continues, most Head teachers will constantly be under severe stress and panic moods. He has also called on the Secretary to the Treasury to disclose how much was released for school operations in the second quarter. Read the full article

Govt calls for protection of over 160,000 mobile money agent

By Staff Writer Technology and Science Minister Felix Mutati has disclosed that the Ministry is closely collaborating with security wings, financial institutions and other key sectors to ensure the protection of the over 160,000 mobile money agents. The Minister disclosed this yesterday at a joint briefing with AYO, a subsidiary of MTN Zambia, offering insurance products to Zambians using mobile money platforms. Mr Mutati said in addition to the awareness campaign that government will continuously undertake, the insurance component will answer to some of the challenges of cyber security affecting mobile money agents. He has implored mobile telecommunication providers to assure the mobile money agents across the country that their monies are protected through insurance as a solution that addresses the country’s digital transformation strategy. “We have over 156,000 mobile money agents. We need them to feel comfortable when they go to work that their money and earnings are protected so that whatever happens, somebody will be able to cover them. Let’s look after our mobile money agents, they need to be protected” he said. And Mr Mutati observed that the low insurance penetration in Zambia which is currently at around 5 percent is attributed to challenges around affordability, access and availability, thereby having majority of the nation not insured. He said while the acquisition and ownership of mobile phones amongst the people has increased, there is still a lot of work that has to be done in the aspect of financial inclusion which requires solutions and products that will create customer happiness. Mr Mutati said even as the country embarks on the development of a digital strategy which should encompass insurance as a component, there will be need to address affordability, availability and access of services. He also called on all players in the insurance industry to emulate AYO on their strategy especially that majority of their market segment is focused on the ordinary Zambians, enabling them access insurance products on mobile phones. Speaking at the same meeting, AYO Group Chief Executive Officer Marius Botha said Zambia has a lot of opportunities for economic growth. Mr Botha said about 80 percent of the customer base on their platform that are able to access insurance cover using the mobile money platforms are from low income households such as marketeers among others. Read the full article

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