R​As Zambia celebrates 58 years of independence, it is a cause of celebration for every advocate of democracy in this great nation. Over the past 58 years, the nation has made some strides in realizing the true potential of democracy through a democratic system of government in which supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodic free elections. Some of the characteristics of a good democracy which successive governments have been entrenching to varying degrees include respect for basic human rights, a multi-party political system paired with political tolerance, a democratic voting system, respect for the rule of law, democratic governance, and the citizen participation. One outstanding issue in Zambia’s democratic architecture is the on-going process of refining the Constitution of the Republic. Zambia has had the constitutional reforms of 1972 and 1991 under President Kaunda, the reforms of 1996 under President Chiluba, and the reforms of 2016 under President Lungu. All these attempts to refine the constitution have struggled to give Zambia a solid legal foundation which expresses the hopes and dreams of the people. Unfortunately constitutional reform agenda has many a times been driven by a party in government with a motive to entrench itself in power. Read more

On Friday 30th September 2022, the Minister of Finance and National Planning Hon. Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane presented the proposed 2023 national budget to Parliament under the theme “Stimulating economic growth for improved livelihoods”. Government proposes to spend K167.3 billion or 31.4 percent of GDP. In order to support this expenditure, K111.6 billion or 20.9 percent of GDP will be raised as domestic revenue; K1.7 billion or 0.3 percent of GDP as grants from Cooperating Partners and K54.0 billion or 10.2 percent of GDP as financing. Accounting for amortization of K13.1 billion or 2.5 percent of GDP, financing translates into a fiscal deficit of K40.9 billion or 7.7 percent of GDP. The Minister made a number of pronouncements in this budget that, if well implemented, will result in improved livelihood and welfare for the Zambian people.
The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR), as an organization whose work is to enhance justice and equality for all, and particularly for the poor and vulnerable, has analysed the 2023 national budget with a focus on the social sector as this has a direct bearing on the livelihoods of the citizens.
The 2023 budget provides an excellent opportunity for growth and development through a people-centered strategy. Government’s Economic Transformation Programme will focus on job creation, value addition in key sectors such as mining, agriculture and manufacturing. The budget has also demonstrated increased efforts to reduce developmental inequalities by increasing the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) from K25.7 million to K28 million per constituency, which entails directing more resources to the grassroots, which should be applauded. Read more>>>