Favourite K. Chisi

In a heartfelt plea, children in Zambia have petitioned President Hakainde Hichilema, Traditional Leaders, the United Nations, and Parliament to urgently address the pressing issues of hunger and malnutrition affecting millions of children in the country. Seventeen-year-old Esther Mambo presented the petition on behalf of her peers at the launch of the ENOUGH Campaign by World Vision Zambia which aims to address child hunger and malnutrition. The campaign seeks to make vulnerable children more visible, amplify their voices in policy and funding decisions, and ensure they are better fed, nourished, and resilient. "Hunger is the worst enemy facing children both at home and school," she emphasized. "We know that good nutrition in schools and at home is essential for our growth and development." Esther highlighted the dire consequences of hunger and malnutrition, including limited school meals, dropout rates, early pregnancies, and child marriages. "We want to be h...

With child hunger and malnutrition rising to alarming levels, World Vision Zambia  has officially launched its three-year ENOUGH Campaign , a bold initiative aimed at addressing these urgent issues and ensuring every Zambian child is visible, heard, and well-nourished. The campaign was launched at a high-profile event in Lusaka, attended by Reuben Mtolo Phiri , Minister of Agriculture, who praised the initiative and underscored the dire need to prioritize child nutrition in the country. Speaking when he officiated at the Launch, Mr. Phiri said Zambia is  not immune to these critical issues that threaten the future of our most vulnerable population  the  children . “Moreover, the recent El Niño phenomenon  has aggravated our nutritional challenges, creating an unprecedented crisis.” He said. The Minister has  cited several barriers that families face, including limited access to nutritious food, poor dietary diversity, and inadequate nutrition education. Mr ...

In a heartwarming conclusion to a harrowing ordeal, one-year-eight-month-old Zebedia Banda has been safely returned to Zambia after being allegedly trafficked to Mozambique at just seven months old. Zebedia's mother, Beatrice Mambo, recounted the traumatic experience, explaining how her husband had introduced a woman named Precious Chikamba as his cousin, who later kidnapped the baby. Beatrice reported the incident to the Lundazi Police Post, sparking a lengthy investigation that ultimately led to Zebedia's rescue. Chief Inspector Idah Munalula revealed that the police had been tracking the case since October 2023 and had finally located the kidnapper in Mozambique's Tete town. Although the woman escaped, Zebedia was safely retrieved and returned to Zambia on November 20, 2024. Ministry of Community Development and Social Services  Permanent Secretary  Angela Kawandami emphasized the government's commitment to protecting children and promoting stable family environ...

In a groundbreaking move, the National Water Supply and Sanitation Council (NWASCO) and Bremen Overseas Research and Development Association (BORDA) Zambia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to revolutionize water supply, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) standards across Zambia. NWASCO Director Kelvin Chitumbo has emphasized that this partnership is built on shared goals, mutual dedication, and a vision for healthier, resilient communities and schools.  He says the collaboration will focus on several key initiatives, including, Establishing and strengthening School WASH Clubs to nurture a new generation of leaders who understand the importance of sustainable water use and sanitation. Mr. Chitumbo says the collaboration will also focus on Collaborating on initiatives like the Battle of the Brains School Competition, World Water Day, World Toilet Day, and Global Handwashing Day to raise awareness on critical WASH issues. He says there is also a need to Supporting c...

Economic Development Advocate Henry Muleya has criticized the Bank of Zambia's recent decision to increase the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) by 50 basis points to 14%, citing concerns that it may not effectively manage inflation. Mr. Muleya has argue d that empirical evidence from the Bank of Zambia's own data shows that MPR adjustments have not led to reduced inflation. He has point ed out that the two previous MPR adjustments made by the Bank of Zambia in 2024 resulted in higher inflation increments than when the rate was maintained. Mr. Muleya has explained that when the MPR was adjusted by 150 and 100 basis points in quarters one and two, inflation rates rose by 1% and 0.8%, respectively, compared to a 0.2% increase in the third quarter when no adjustment was made. He has emphasize d that Zambia's economy, characterized by a large informal sector with limited access to formal financial services, cannot be effectively managed using traditional economic models. ...

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) region faces significant challenges in ensuring consistent rice supply, quality, and affordability, despite the staple food's growing demand. With the population projected to increase substantially in the coming decades, addressing these challenges is critical. Rice consumption in SADC has consistently grown, while production remains largely static, resulting in a significant deficit. The region's average rice imports stand at over 3.2 metric tons per annum, with a 7% annual growth rate between 2010 and 2021. To address this deficit, A pivotal workshop convened in Zambia, to validate the SADC Regional Rice Development Strategy (RRDS), organized by the Coalition for Rice Development (CARD) Secretariat and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) funded the project. JICA Zambia Senior Representative Keira Izumi emphasized the need for a unified strategy to address the rice deficit, particularly in the face...

The Medical for Quality Healthcare in Zambia (MQHZ) has sounded the alarm on the critical need for sign language interpreters in healthcare facilities, highlighting the devastating consequences of communication barriers for the deaf community. A recent case of misdiagnosis resulting in the loss of a deaf patient's life has underscored the urgency of addressing this issue. Organization Director General Dr. Quince Mwabu has emphasized that timely recruitment and training of sign language interpreters can prevent such tragedies. And Dr. Mwabu has called on the government to prioritize, recruitment and training sign language interpreters in hospitals at all levels, incorporate sign language into medical education and provide compulsory sign language training for healthcare professionals. Dr. Mwabu says by implementing these measures, Zambia can ensure equal access to quality healthcare for its deaf community, preventing unnecessary suffering and loss of life. "The time to act...

Kelvin Mugala, a strong advocate for constitutional democracy, has expressed deep concern over allegations that the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) government may be engaging in unconstitutional practices. Rev. Mugala says these allegations include the issuance of new National Registration Cards (NRCs) using a specific register from Kawambwa and UPND officials possessing Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) voter registration card machines. Rev. Mugala has emphasized that the issuance of NRCs and voter registration must adhere to constitutional principles, and any targeted issuance for political advantage not only violates the law but also erodes public trust in national governance. He has also notes that the reported resignation of the Chief Registrar over non-compliance with irregular directives signals troubling levels of political interference in institutions meant to operate independently. Rev. Mugala has also recommended a comprehensive investigation into...

The ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) is slated for August 20-22, 2025, in Yokohama, Japan. This prestigious conference, led by Japan, brings together stakeholders from African countries, cooperating partners, and the private sector to discuss Africa's development. Since its inception in 1993, TICAD has been held every five years until 2013, then shifted to a three-year cycle, with TICAD VI being the first to take place in Africa, specifically Nairobi, Kenya, in 2016. According to JICA Zambia Senior Representative Keira Izumi, food security will be a top priority at TICAD9. Mr. Izumi says the conference aims to "co-create innovative solutions with Africa," and JICA is poised to collaborate with stakeholders to unlock the potential of the rice value chain. He says TICAD9 provides a unique opportunity for African countries, Japan, and international partners to foster cooperation, share knowledge, and address pressing challenges. Mr. ...