The true spirit of Christmas! Christmas time is about thanks giving.27 December 2011

Zambia’s state of Democracy - what is the state of democracy in Zambia today? 20 December 2011

Should human rights be Internationalised? - ….what do you think are the major international human rights that need, by law and morals, to be respected, promoted, and protected by all nations of the world? 15 December 2011

Zero Infections: Can we get there? - Thus, this year’s World AIDS Day is different from our last 20 commemorations because the most courageous advocate we have had is not with us. 06 December 2011

Poverty: persistent reality in rural communities -  although there has been a reduction in rural poverty, a large part of the population still continues to encounter widespread social and economic hardships.29 November 2011

An Option for the Poor? - ... one of our cooperating partners remarked that this was a pro-poor budget. 15 November 2011

Allergic to Corruption? - Kadya ndi kena, mbili ndi ya khoswe. 08November 2011

The Economics of Elections - Opportunistic incumbents, therefore, tend to use good economic performance and expansionary fiscal policy, before elections, to increase the probability of re-election. 01 November 2011

Independence from and for what! - From whom are we independent and for what purposes are we independent? 25 November 2011

A Vision for 2011-2016 - The President laid out a plan intended to respond to the calls for change that ushered in his party in government. 18 October 2011

From transition to transformation - Zambia witnessed yet another relatively peaceful change of government. 11 October 2011

Authentic leaders - Any leader exists only when there are people willing to be led. 04 October 2011

Vote wisely today - How do you think we can ensure that elected persons truly serve us citizens? 20 September 2011

2011 Elections and Gender Imbalance- Out of the 158 parliamentarians in the last parliament, only 22 were women. 06 September 2011

Five best practices in Zambia - What is missing in these analyses is looking at best practices from which the country can learn from and looking at things other countries can learn from us. 30 August 2011

Bumper harvest and food security in Zambia - With the recorded bumper harvest and economic gains with the recent reclassification of Zambia as a lower middle income economy, one would get the impression that food insecurity would not be an issue during this period and that the majority of Zambians are food secure. 23 August 2011

Wanted: visionary and heroic leaders! - Heroic leaders lead by example.16 August 2011

Way forward on the constitution making process in Zambia - Although Government plans to bring back the failed Constitution of Zambia Amendment Bill to Parliament, more constructive discussions need to take place. 09 August 2011

2011 general elections: the die is cast! - Today’s Column reflects on a couple of very significant events that occurred last week in Zambia. 02 August 2011

Amendment of loan contraction laws a must for Zambia - There is need for transparency and participation of citizens in the way loans are contracted.  The powers of the Minister of Finance should be curtailed. 26 July 2011

Next steps on the APRM  - Zambia is now so close to completing the first review which will see the AU Heads of States who are part of the APRM, review their peer, the Head of State of Zambia on behalf of Zambia. 19 July 2011

Elections, peace and religion in Africa - Most elections are marked by various malpractices, allegations of rigging and sometimes outright vote cheating. 12 July 2011

Values and development - ....development should be about ensuring that the dignity of persons is respected at all times. 05 July 2011

Challenges in accessing free basic education - ... the biggest concern in relation to the policy of free education is the quality of the education being provided. 28 June 2011

Towards a world without refugees - A world without refugees indeed would be the best world. 21 June 2011

Human Centred Economics - Does the current understanding of economics benefit in any significant way the majority of citizens of this country? 14 June 2011

Realising full benefits of AGOA - Even though the AGOA legislation offers enormous export opportunities to the US market, Zambia has not taken full advantage of these opportunities. 07 June 2011

Good governance and elections - Does good governance come to a halt in an election year? 30 May 2011

The role of the media in a democracy- the manner in which public (state-owned) and private media mostly operate suggests an inadequate and flawed understanding of their function in society, especially in as far as the promotion of truth and democracy in general is concerned. 24 May 2011

The challenge of climate change for Zambia - The deep injustice of climate change is that those with the least responsibility stand to suffer most from its predicted consequences. 17 May 2011

Taking stock of Zambia’s Democracy -we have a dominant ruling party and most opposition parties are weak with limited capacity to mobilise nationwide support especially in remote areas. 10 May 2011

Effective Tax Revenue Mobilisation for Poverty Reduction - why poverty has remained high in the face of a growing economy. 03 May 2011

IMF/WORLD Bank CSO forum: lessons for Zambia - The idea of these events was to familiarise the invited CSO representatives with the work of both the IMF and the World Bank. 26 April 2011

Elections and fight against corruption - does good governance halt in the face of elections? 19 April 2011

Employment creation should be top of the Political Agenda - ....employment creation is particularly important because of insufficient social protection for poor families and their struggles to fulfil their basic needs. 12 April 2011

Let’s be truthful about the constitution! - let me point to apparent lack of truthfulness shown in Government statements. 05 April 2011

Do we need opposition parties in Zambia? - Maybe we don’t. 22 March 2011

Freedom of information and governance - Freedom of information benefits both the Government and the people. 15 March 2011

Reflecting on the international Women’s Day -  I invite my fellow women to learn more about issues confronting women today and to act accordingly. 08 March 2011

The need for a new constitution in Zambia - A Constitution that will be widely accepted by Zambians should take into account recommendtions of the Mungomba Draft Constitution and NCC.......01 March 2011

Brief analysis of the 2009 Auditor-General’s Report - How do you think the Auditor-General’s Report can improve the management of public resources so that they benefit the intended persons, especially the poor? 22 February 2011

African Peer Review Mechanism in Zambia - …the APRM can and will contribute to sustainable economic development, peace and stability, accessible basic needs for citizens, and governance that is responsive to the needs of its citizens. 15 February 2011

The Education Bill and quality education in Zambia  - Will the Education Bill, 2010, if enacted into Law really ensure quality and accessible education in Zambia?" 08 February 2011

Politics and servant  leadership - The way politics are practiced in Zambia where it really is a muddy fight and the winners are the most strategic and fittest, has made politics to be looked at in a negative way.01 February 2011

Economic growth and human development - How are Zambians benefitting from this economic growth? And if they are not, what are some of the factors that contribute to them not benefiting from economic growth? 25 January 2011

What is the future direction of Zambia in 2011? - “What is the economic, social, political, and even religious direction of Zambia in this new year, 2011?” 18 January 2011

Will Zambia experience Violence in 2011 - “What should we do about a rising culture of violence in Zambia?”  11 January 2011

Questions to ask about 2010 - What are some of these big challenges for 2011?  04 January 2011

New Years resolutions for 2010 -This coming year is certainly going to be a crucial year in Zambia’s history. Tightly contested Tripartite elections. Actions to change the current Republican Constitution. Growing prices for copper, with increasing production. New investors coming into the country. Corruption investigations on-going... 28 December 2010

The Politics of Christmass - do we remember why we are celebrating? 21 December 2010

NGO Act: What purpose and what effect? - the Act that will require registration (on grounds of yet unspecified “public interest”), by a regulatory body dominated by governmental officials (appointed by the Government itself), with demand for open accountability (something not practiced by very many of the government offices themselves).  14 December 2010

Human rights are not negotiable! - These very strong words came last Saturday during the celebrations for Zambia’s new Cardinal, the former Archbishop of Lusaka, His Eminence Medardo Mazombwe.07 December 2010

Zambia New constitution: Are we going wrong again? - Why have piecemeal amendments to the Constitution when it is not even clear that a referendum will take place? What are the piecemeal amendments being proposed? 30 November 2010

“Cardinal” Mazombwe – what does that mean? -  It is a recognition for the Catholic Church for its pastoral concern for the people of Zambia. 23 November 2010

Is Zambia really “developing”? - So many different views, so many different stories, so many different projections for the future.16 November 2010

Questions about abuse of office clause - why is it unfair to ask a public officer who spends beyond the designated public salary how she or he could acquire properties? 09 November 2010

Faith, religion, church and politics-    ....a basic theological tenet of Christian Churches is to promote advocacy for the needs of the poor, the disadvantaged, the marginalised.  recall the instruction of Proverbs 31: 8-9:  “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” 02 November 2010

A prophetic independence day voice -  Will the Mpulungu and Chilanga elections be peaceful, free and fair?  26 October 2010

Celebrating Civil society day and independence - this annual civil society day brings before the public rich variety of activities being done by local groups working to improve the lives of Zambians across the land. 19 0ctober 2010

Is it really a “People’s budget?” - ….who exactly are the “people?” A “People’s Budget” certainly should address delivery of adequate social services of health and education.  12 October 2010

Values and elections - How different are democratic elections to simply the rule of the stronger (or the richer!)? Who really chooses candidates themselves in an election – is it “the people”?  Why are there always claims of “rigging” in most elections? What attributes do citizens use to vote for a candidate? 05 October 2010

What about elections in Zambia? - Just when the tripartite elections will be held next year here in Zambia is surely still a “state secret.”  28 September 2010

Church Social Teaching and the National Budget - What does the Church have to say about current politics in Zambia? 21 September 2010

Will it say “we the people”?  - We the People….”?  That is, will a new Constitution – if and when it ever gets adopted and enacted – truly be a product of the people of Zambia?  14 September 2010

Lessons from muslim-christian dialogue  - Things are really warming up these days in Zambia.07 September 2010

Credibility gap for government - … the credibility of Government depends on service of the people first and foremost, with the absence of corrupt and irresponsible individuals in significant positions.  31 August 2010

Which way now for london high court ruling? - Let there be no deception, no oversight of the clear facts of the matter, no call to ignore the past and move on, no pious “forgiveness,” no celebration of “victory” for those legally pronounced guilty of theft.  24 August 2010

Good questions about mobile hospitals - Why all the fuss about Zambia’s getting a USD 53 million loan from China to acquire mobile hospitals? 17 August 2010

Who owns and controls ZNBC-TV? - .. our national television station is not owned and operated as a service to the public at large but as a commandeered support unit for the Ruling Party and its Government.  10 August 2010

Shining faces of Zambia - Yes, it was good this past weekend to be with people with shining faces – people filled with hopes for a relevant Church and a country of sustainable development
03 August  2010

Challenging things about Zambia - ... rich as Zambia may be, we have one of the poorest populations in the world.  We rank 166 out of 177 on the United Nations Development Programme “Human Development Index” (HDI). The UNDP Index (that’s UNDP, not UPND!!) tells us a lot about life expectancy, literacy, meeting basic requirements for a decent livelihood, etc. 27 July 2010

Cracks in the pact – So what? - Is the future of the “Pact” really the most important news item in Zambia today?   20 July 2010

Will we get a popular constitution? That’s a question that the elected leaders of this country, especially the highest officials of the current Ruling Party, should now take very seriously and answer very quickly and honestly to the people of this nation.13 July 2010

New constitution and by-election campaigns - The release two weeks ago of the Draft of the new Zambian Constitution can make a great contribution to the up-coming bi-elections in Luena and Chifubu.   06 July 2010

Draft Constitution: Process and Content Questions - Surely watching the World Cup is much more entertaining than sifting through the 301 pages of the Draft and the 795 pages of the Initial Report, both documents released last week as the product of three years work by the National Constitutional Conference.  29 June 2010

Political history of lessons and questions -  Don’t worry, he said, “deep mining technology [in the Konkola mine] will see Zambia produce copper for next 400 years.” Wow, 400 years! That’s either a bad misprint, a silly mistake, or a gross misunderstanding!   22 June 2010

What are our priorities? - “Yes, 45% of Zambian children are stunted!  And yes, Zambia is among the ten most malnourished countries in the world!   But how is that possible in a country that is experiencing a bumper harvest this year?”15 June 2010

The Threat to Free Media in Zambia - ….it seems that the action against the editor has followed what has been reported to be the strong desire of the highest Government and Ruling Party official to punish the editor and suppress the newspaper.    08 June 2010

Lessons from convictions of prominent people - Are we dealing here with double standards on the part of the Government?  01 June 2010

Fewer personal insults, more intelligent policies.  - Can Zambian voters, old and young, expect our politicians of the Ruling Party and the Opposition Parties, to speak about what is really important, to engage in the politics of policies and not the politics of personalities?  25 May 10

Should Zambia accept GMO? - .....when the late President Mwanawasa, R.I.P., banned the entry into Zambia of any Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) maize, the issue of the GMO has remained a controversial topic. 18 May 2010

Who are these cadres? And more questions! -  Is it unreasonable to ask the leaders of the major political parties to explain who their cadres are, what rules they are expected to follow, and how they will be disciplined when causing such distress as experienced by the residents of Mufumbwe?  11 May 2010

Necessary lessons from recent elections - Whether or not the MMD chooses to petition the Mufumbwe elections – indeed, to take up the Pact’s dare to do so! – something must deeper is at stake.   04 May 2010

Labour Day: Celebration and Advocacy - What Is There To Celebrate On Labour Day?  27 April 2010  

Shameful Constitutional Conference Debates - What is one to say about the NCC Commissioners who laugh at proposals to improve social conditions in this country, while refusing to engage in intelligent debate over the proposals?  Surely the quickest response is simply to say:  “Shame!  Shame! 20 April 2010

We want fewer regrets and more arrests!- … When ZNBC-TV reported last week that a Government official “regretted“ massive misuse of funds in his Ministry, as revealed by the recent Auditor General’s Report.  I shuddered because “regrets” seem to be the order of the day, rather than “arrests” for the theft of public monies meant to improve the lives of Zambian citizens.  13 April 2010

Prayers, Monitoring and Red Cards - Let us pray for those who serve us in public office,” the congregants were urged, “that God may guide their minds and hearts, so that all people may live in true peace and freedom.”  “God, in your goodness, watch over those in authority..06 April 2010

Snapshot of Zambia, ending of poverty - …There are many nice stories coming out about high growth rates and new investments.  But to be honest, how many Zambians on the ground are enjoying those mystical mathematical figures?    30 March 2010

Red cards, Corruption and Pro-Poor Politics - “Arrest those red card trouble-makers!  They are inciting to violence by demanding a change in our elected Government!”  23 March 2010

Priest in Prison, People in poverty - Rather than pursue this case as a way of threatening challenges, would it not be better for key Government and Ruling Party officials to investigate who unwisely ordered the widely publicised arrest and isolated imprisonment over the weekend?  16 March 2010

Will poverty ever end in Zambia? - In Zambia, we have heard again and again that 65% of our people are poor, and almost 80% of those living in rural areas.  And in terms of inequality, we have one of the highest inequality ratios in the region.  09 March 2010

Hard questions for Zambia’s Print Media - what purpose these newspapers are serving with the strong headlines and weak stories that appear day after day?  Certainly the owners of the newspapers want to sell their products and want to compete in promotion of circulation.  But do they have to do that at the cost of actually insulting their readers? 02 March 2010

Another challenge from the Church - Another Church voice was heard speaking about the very serious issues currently facing Zambian society.  This time it was not a pastoral letter from the Catholic bishops or a critical call from a Catholic priest.  Rather it was a Pastoral Letter from the country’s major Mother Body of Protestant Churches, the Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ). 23 February 2010

Is Economic Growth meaningful for Zambians? - There is often a myth and a dangerous one in economics that economic growth is a pre-condition to development and poverty eradication.  Whilst it may be true that economic growth can make it easier to eradicate poverty, it does not guarantee that growth will lead to less poverty.16 February 2010

The NCC and “demotivated” servants of the people -Now that the Lusaka-based MPs are scheduled to receive a total of K5 billion extra for their NCC hard work, it is once again clear that in Zambia, “the main problem is not resources but priorities!”  09 February 2010

NCC’s Constitution:  Good or bad? - These are fair enough questions, I believe.  And I believe that an attempt to give fair enough answers might clarify some crucial points around this whole issue of Constitutional review.02 February 2010

“That was the week that was!” -.....what more could possibly happen during the past week to make the week any more interesting, confusing, surprising, disappointing, heartening, unbelievable. 26 January 2010

Is it “a” Church or “the” Church? - …. The” Church makes it appear that the entire Christian community has spoken out, all the churches together endorsing or cautioning, commending or condemning.  But to say “a” Church would refer more precisely to one specific body or congregation issuing a particular and private point of view.  19 January 2010

Will we have a new constitution in 2010? - This question is important because the process of getting a new Constitution has been long, controversial and expensive, and we still don’t have a calendared roadmap..... 12 January 2010

Is reconciliation possible in Zambia? - Government officials refuse to talk to persons who challenge them and appear to order Government media not to cover Opposition views and activities.   05 January 2010

What does “Media Regulation” mean? - From the side of Government, you would hear of the need to promote media responsibility and conscientiousness. 29 December 2009

Celebrating Christmas in a Christian Nation- As Christmas once again comes to us as a time of deep spiritual reflection as well as joyful material festivity, it’s a good time to ask what this really means for Zambia today. 22 December 2009

No more insults, please!! -....when we are going to move beyond childish conversations about which political figure is uglier than the other, about who is lazier than the other, about who is a bigger liar than the other, etc, etc.  08 December 2009

Is there “Good News” about Our Economy- “Zambia’s economy is good and it’s getting gooder every day!”  At least that is what we are being told now in the many reports, workshops, speeches, TV news, airport interviews, etc., etc. as we come to the end of 2009.   01 December 2009

Where is our Zambian economy headed?  All economic life should be shaped by moral principles, so that economic choices and institutions must be judged on how they protect or undermine the life and dignity of the human person, support the family and serve the common good - 24 November 2009

Contradictions about Elections and Road Safety - For the first ten or more minutes, we viewers are treated to a steady diet of news coverage of the activities of the Ruling Party and its supporters regarding the up-coming by-election in Solwezi.  Little or nothing – usually nothing – is said about the activities of the opposition parties who are also contesting the elections. 17 November 2009

Zambia needs NGOS and Media - The State owned and Government controlled media – print and electronic – often seem to present a different version of the same stories that might be reported in the independent media and Government is threatening stringent regulation of the media. 10 November 2009