Connect with:
Thursday / June 12.
logo
mobile-logo
HomeStandard Blog Whole Post (Page 227)
Lifestyle

The Copperbelt’s Bwana Mkubwa Constituency lawmaker Dr. Jonas Chanda has called for increased funding to the education which he said would lead to production of high quality human capital which is the most important source of competitive advantage for a nation to achieve economic growth and development.

Dr. Chanda, a medical doctor by profession said this when he was speaking in parliament as he advocated for increase budget allocation to the education sector in the 2019 budget. He stated that Zambia had lagged behind in school infrastructure as the population grew, leading to demand for school places outstripping supply, a situation which has created a “funnel-shaped” education system.

Dr. Chanda further stated that “this funnel shaped system had led to a situation were about 500,000 children start school in grade 1 but only 100,000 (which is 20%) completing grade 12, representing an 80% drop out rate”.

“While international conventions recommend spending 20 to 26% of the national budget on education, in Zambia, only ZMW13.3 billion (about USD1.1 billion) which is 15.3% of the budget is allocated to education for both Ministries of General Education and Higher Education” the lawmaker stated.

The first ever global Human Capital Index (maker HCI) published by the World Bank in Bali, Indonesia this year urges countries to prioritize investment in people by simultaneously investing more financial resources in education, health and economic development.

Zambia, with 82% of the population below the age of 35, must invest more in its young people. Results of HCI shows the highest scoring countries are all East Asian – Singapore, South Korea, Japan and Hong Kong, while Britain is at number 22 and the USA is at number 24, but African countries are at the bottom of the list,” he said.

The Lawmaker further said any good education system consists of quantitative expansion, qualitative expansion and equity. “The Patriotic Front – PF government has embarked on quantitative expansion of school infrastructure by constructing hundreds of primary and secondary schools, colleges and universities to close the “infrastructure gap” which was created over so many years due to previous governments low investment in school infrastructure.

Consequently, Zambia lagged behind in school infrastructure as the populationRuling Patriotic Front (PF) Member of Parliament for Bwana Mkubwa Constituency Dr. Jonas Chanda has said increased funding for education leads to production of high quality human capital which is the most important source of competitive advantage for a nation to achieve economic growth and development.

He reiterated that the quality of education in a nation determines the quality of human capital produced, which drives economic development. He has commended government for removing all 743 Teachers with forged certificates from the education system but says they must be prosecuted, and no teachers with forged certificates must be employed. He also thanked government for acting against rampant examination leakages which compromise the quality of education.

Meanwhile on need for equity in an education system, Dr Chanda said education is a universal human right for all, and universal education must be for all with no pupil left behind. He thanked government for increasing school enrollment for both boys and girls. He says more needs to be done for children living with disabilities in public schools, including recruitment of specialized teachers for children with special needs like blindness, deafness and mental impairment.

Dr. Chanda further urged government to ensure that the 2-Tier Educational System in secondary schools which offers academic and vocational options to pupils, is more industry-based so that pupils can acquire “industrial skills,” than the current situation where it is confined to learning institutions.

He has also called for increased government support to community schools which emerged as the 4th-Tier of the Education System in the 1990s due to “infrastructure gaps” in the public school system.

1 Comment
0 likes

The Copperbelt's Bwana Mkubwa Constituency lawmaker Dr.

Lifestyle

AB InBev local unit, Zambian Breweries, has applauded the Zambian Revenue Authority – ZRA for its recent action to thwart smuggling of almost ZMW1 million worth of alcoholic beverages at border posts.

The company’s Country Director Jose Moran said, it is commending ZRA in its continued effort to curb the rising trend in smuggling of alcoholic beverages at border posts.

We were pleased to learn of the recent action by the ZRA in confiscating smuggled alcohol worth almost K1 million.
“This is a step in the right direction in curbing the colossal sums of evaded tax and ensuring a level playing field for businesses and consumers. This commendable action by ZRA confirms the existence of smuggling being rampant in our border posts and boundaries. Concerted efforts by all stakeholders are cardinal in curbing this scourge.”

In October Zambian Breweries launched the 2018 Euro monitor market analysis of illicit alcohol in Zambia, which catalogued an appalling fiscal loss of US$103.7 million compared with US$38 million in 2014 through the smuggling of ethanol and finished alcoholic beverage products into Zambia.

According to the report, smuggled alcoholic goods range from premium spirits, sparkling wine, cider and clear beer brands usually sold cheaply at wholesale markets and also distributed directly by smugglers through trade channels.

“Throughout the ages, wherever there are borders and taxes, there has been smuggling, as unscrupulous traders attempt to dodge duties and procedures in favour of a quick profit. It’s a simple formula: if you can avoid paying customs duties and taxes then you can undercut the market price of goods at the market price and pocket the difference,” said Moran.

And according to the recent 2018 Euro monitor report it explains the different categories of organised smugglers including small traders who bypass border checkpoints completely and represent the majority of smuggled alcohol volume originating mainly from Namibia, Tanzania, Malawi and South Africa.

The large-volume smugglers mainly cross from Namibia at the Katima Mulilo border. The large illicit traders are said to falsely declare their merchandise at Customs and may proceed into Zambia using cartels that organise them, according to industry sources cited by the report.

The report names townships such as Matero, Mandevu and Chilenje in Lusaka as competing with COMESA Market in distributing smuggled alcohol and other illicit products. The cholera clean-up conducted by the authorities from September 2017 to January 2018 resulted in many open stalls around COMESA Market, the largest wholesaler market, being removed.

Unfortunately, large amounts of smuggled alcoholic beverages are substituted or refilled and some of Zambian Breweries’ regional and global brands have been affected on the pretext of importation.

In a statement availed to the Zambian Business Times – ZBT, Moran further added that as a responsible brewer, Zambian Breweries has backed the National Alcohol Policy, which calls for targeted action in solving alcohol issues.

The brewing company pledged support by encouraging licit business along the value chain and partnerships with its stakeholders in providing well-researched and informed pragmatic recommendations to the authorities to ensure the complete removal of smuggling.

“ZRA’s action is a step in the right direction but more needs to be done to ensure a change in the public’s mind-set about smuggling and smugglers. We recommend deregistration of businesses involved in smuggling as the tax evaded has the potential to derail the nation’s development. There is an emphatic need for the stakeholders such as ZRA, the Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS), security wings, representatives of the private sector and other partners to formulate a taskforce to curb smuggling,” he said.

Moran also emphasised the need for private and public partnerships to help solve the problem, under which government and industry can pool resources, expertise and intelligence to develop workable solutions. Public and private partnerships can be leveraged to address other issues, such as collating robust data on smuggling, he explained.

 

0 Comments
0 likes

AB InBev local unit, Zambian Breweries, has

Agribusiness

The European Union – EU, through the Southern African Development Community – SADC Trade Related Facility – TRF Project, has given Zambia a grant of € 800,000 to implement trade related interventions in the Gold Mining and Agro-base local communities.

“Preceding this, the government received an initial grant of €420, 000 which was used in setting up the project management unit and implementing start up interventions on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standards (SPS), Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), Trade Facilitation and Promotion among others,” Commerce Trade and Industry Permanent Secretary Kayula Siame said this in a statement availed to the Zambian Business Times – ZBT.

She therefore disclosed that € 800,000 funding will build on the specific activities which have been embarked on the aforementioned intervention areas.

“Among the specific activities implemented include formalising twelve Mining Cooperatives in Rufunsa and Petauke districts, an exercise which was undertaken in partnership with Ministry of Mines, Procurement of Gold Panning and Mining Equipment for the Mining Cooperatives. The equipment includes four Gold detectors; one Microscope, Two Shaking Tables.”

“And the procured equipment is expected to be officially handed over within this month. The equipment which is yet to be procured include four Sluice Boxes and twelve Panning dishes. The contracted Supplier who was engaged to supply this equipment failed to deliver and the contract was, therefore, cancelled. The Ministry is expected to relaunch the tender, she explained.

Siame highlighted other interventions made hinged on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT). “The University of Zambia (UNZA) School of Veterinary Medicine and Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS) working in collaboration with other Associations in the aforesaid agro-based target sectors were engaged to build food safety management systems based on industry needs.

I can confirm that the Needs Assessments were undertaken in the sectors and thirty two module have been developed for the sectors. Given the funding received, therefore, UNZA and ZABS are expected to finalise the modules and provide training and mentorship sessions to selected farmers and processors. Once the trainings and mentorships sessions are conducted, the selected farmers and processors will be certified in Hazard Critical Control Point (HACCP) and Good Agriculture Practices (GAP),” she noted.

The ministry is optimistic that these and other interventions earmarked in the project will make meaningful impact and considerably compliment results ensuing from interventions of other projects, the permanent secretary added.

The SADC Trade Related Facility (TRT) project for Zambia is being implemented with the aim to assist Zambia implement commitments made under the SADC protocol on Trade. It has been funded by the European Union (EU) though SADC at cost of €1,400, 000.

With the main objective of attaining higher level of compliance and implementation of commitments made thereby contributing towards sustainable growth and trade development in the country.

0 Comments
0 likes

The European Union - EU, through the

Agribusiness

The role that Zambian Breweries plc is playing in adding value to local agricultural products has impressed the Zambian Chamber of Commerce and Industry – ZACCI who toured the company’s Lusaka plant this week.

The company’s contribution in job creation, local agro-processing and manufacturing through production of its iconic Mosi and Castle clear beer and affordable Eagle Lager was key in supporting local enterprises through sourcing its main ingredients such as barley, cassava, sorghum and maize from local producers.

“What you see in a beer bottle is much more value addition to the economy,” said ZACCI executive committee president Michael Nyirenda after touring the Mungwi Road plant.

“Zambian Breweries’ value addition draws government’s effort in creating a Zambian owned economy where we use our raw materials from locally produced crops such as cassava, maize, barley, and sorghum to produce products for the local market as well as for export. This is a huge investment to Zambia,” said Mr Nyirenda.

ZACCI, along with colleagues from the Zambia Association of Manufactures – ZAM were thrilled with the value addition, mechanisation, safety and quality of production that the brewing company has put in place at its plants. The tour gave the visitors an insight into the value addition the brewing company adds to the Zambian economy.

And Zambian Breweries corporate affairs director Ezekiel Sekele said, “The brewing company through its Agro-processing is supporting small to large-scale enterprises through sourcing of its main beer ingredients, such as barley, cassava, sorghum and maize locally.”

“We are grateful to all our key stakeholders, the government of Zambia, ZACCI and ZAM for the commitment in supporting ventures that grow and develop the lives of Zambians,” he added. As an agro-processor, Zambian Breweries is boosting agricultural production, enhancing productivity and increasing earnings for the local farmers.

Through its wide sourcing of agricultural raw materials, the brewer makes agriculture a sustainable business venture even for small-scale farmers with its cassava and maize purchases.

In 2018, Zambian Breweries bought 7 million kilograms of cassava, worth about K10 million, from local farmers. Further, this has added value to the entire value chain, impacting positively on small and medium sized enterprises.

Photo below is Zambian breweries malting plant in Lusaka South Multi-facility economic Zone

1 Comment
0 likes

The role that Zambian Breweries plc is

Agribusiness

Zambia is considered a big country, especially when you look at the population in relation to the available land. If you also consider that the country is projected to have 17.9 million people by 2020, and a population growth rate of 2.9% and land of over 750,000 square kilometers.

But the country in terms of economic activity is just concentrated in about four regions. Today, we know that Lusaka province, because of its political capital status has attracted a huge population and government resources.

The province also has all foreign diplomats and other multilateral organizations offices and residences. This in itself gives the province an assured level economic activities. As a result, Lusaka has the higher regional population of about 3.1 million people, contributing about 26.9% of Zambia’s GDP by 2016.

The Copperbelt province is the countries mining and industrial hub, the home of the first copper mines to be opened in Zambia is even the highest GDP contributor with 29.3%. The red mental and emerald rich region has a population of about 2.5 million people.

For this region, what may be the missing link is some kind of regulatory support for the participation of local businesses in the mining value chain, there has been a talk of 20% subcontracting to local businesses but there is no obligation on the mining companies to give a specific share to locals. This can be sorted out by an SI and the local economy can get back to business.

Southern Province ranks third with GDP contribution of 11.1%. The region is home to most large scale commercial farms such as Nakambala sugar estates, major hydro power generation facilities at Kariba and Victoria falls which also is a major tourist attraction.

The region has population of 2.1 million people. Due to its heavy reliance on Agro and livestock activities, opening up of export opportunities for farmers to cash in oh higher margins as well as getting the minimum wage for farm labour can be some of the quick wins to shore up the incomes.

North Western province comes in as the fourth most economically active region. Since this region is equally endowed with rich copper deposits and boasts of new large scale mines such as Kalumbila, Kansanshi, Lumwana and others that are currently under exploration and development.

This region is poised to contribute well over 10% to GDP. By the CSO 2016 data, the region was already contributing 8.2% and by now, its expected that its over 10%. It has a low population of 902,000 people but the jobs that have been created is bound to push this number up to to job seeking migration.

This now leaves us with six (6) regions that need urgent development and core business activity set up. These regions in no particular order include Eastern, Luapula, Western, Muchinga, Northern and Central provinces. These regions are all under performing as they are contributing under 10% to the country’s GDP.

All these regions have provincial ministers, who are ideally expected to ensure they land large deals of foreign direct investments that can then spur these regions other side industries. As we stand today, they have some industries which are not significant. As a result, even the quality of infrastructure, housing, education and other social-economic amenities lag behind.

When you check the history books, you will see and appreciate that first republican President, Dr. Kaunda attempted to solve this economic inequity problem. He tried with banana plantations, cashew nut production, mass Cotton and groundnut industries, fish farming ventures etc.

Of course the results were not that successful or maybe it was the privatization that cut their lifespan short? We are sure there are more questions than answers. We have noted that there are genuine attempts to hold provincial investment expositions. These are welcome and should be targeted at these regions were economic pulse is almost non existent.

Of course the times are now different, the first attempt to have tangible economic activities in each region may not have been highly successful, but this time can prove to be the right time. Building a public university in each region was a good start, but the program seem to have been derailed.

We have a society we’re being born in certain regions offers more economic opportunities than in others, which need to be corrected to have a more equitable society. Though an ideal, it’s one that the country can continuously aspire for.

They say education is the greatest equalizer, so maybe, just maybe, build or distribute an equitable number of schools, colleges and universities and pro-rata the number of teachers allocated to each of the ten regions of Zambia based on population needs to even out the chances of economic success for every child.

0 Comments
0 likes

Zambia is considered a big country, especially

Agribusiness

A total of 31 Civil Society Organizations – CSOs under the Zambia Alliance for Agro-ecology and Biodiversity – ZAAB and the Influential Zambia National Farmers Union – ZNFU have joined hands to block the attempts by the National Biosafety Authority – NBA to legitimize the introduction of foods containing Genetically Modified Organism – GMOs to the Zambian public.

The CSOs have repeated their calls and further escalated their concerns on the safety and impact on local agricultural system and socio-economic well-being of farmers on the Genetically Modified Organisms – GMOs intended to be re-introduced in Zambia after it was comprehensively banned.

The CSOs say they will not accept maneuvers to introduce or sneak in Genetically Modified Crops in the country at any cost. This follows the granting of licenses to importers to bring in foods containing GMOs into Zambia.

In a joint letter to government which was also availed to the Zambian Business Times – ZBT in Lusaka today, the 31 CSOs under ZAAB have rejected in totality the introduction of GMOs in Zambia saying the risks of the GMOs overweighs the benefits.

Community Technology Development Trust Project Manager Juliet Nangamba who is also ZAAB Executive Committee Member said all the CSOs in agriculture Sector strongly object to the recent maneuvers by the National Biosafety Authority – NBA to radically change the national position on genetically engineering in the food and agricultural sector.

They have since demanded that the NBA consult the people of Zambia if indeed they want the national position of no-GMOs revoked before continuing to forge ahead with proposed new policy and regulations that are not consistent with current national opinion.

And the Zambia National Farmers Union – ZNFU notes that Zambia stands to lose out on the investment that have been put into the agricultural sector and the market it has established for being a non GMO country over the years if GMO products are allowed in the country.

ZNFU Media and Public Relations Manager, Calvin Kaleyi said Zambia is known for producing non GMO crops that has high demand on the international market which he said should be guarded and maintained.

Kalayi said ZNFU will engage government at a high level to make the position known that GMO products have been rejected.

Speaking at the same briefing, a small holder farmer Robert Chimambo stated that GMO foods are mostly responsible for many health problems that include cancer and also highly contributes to the water and air pollution hence the need for all stakeholders to reject the move to introduce or re-introduce GMOs in the country.

Despite the country being a notable maize (corn) producer in the sub-Saharan region, Zambia has no local corn flakes manufacturing plants and relied on imports mostly from South Africa. It is this corn flakes product among others that contain GMOs and requires approval from the NBA for it to be imported into Zambia.

Below is an imported cornflakes brand that is said to contain some GMOs

 

0 Comments
0 likes

A total of 31 Civil Society Organizations

Team

Fr. Joe is a diocesan priest trained through the diocesan minor Seminary at Franciscan centre in Ndola, then Mpima and St. Dominic’s major seminary for Philosophical and Theological studies. He has also worked as Chaplain at the workers Pastoral centre in Kitwe, and as Director of the Zambia Episcopal Conference at the Catholic Secretariat in Lusaka. He still serves as Director of the catholic Centre for Justice Development and Peace. He is renowned to have run a widely followed column with then Zambia’s leading private newspaper, the Post, from 1999 to 2004. Fr. Joe holds a BA degree in Theology (Urbaniana), an MA degree in Sociology (Louvain). He is currently the Secretary General of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM)

1 Comment
0 likes

Fr. Joe is a diocesan priest trained

Team

Malcolm’s specialities are Venture Capital, Private Equity, selling strategy and negotiation skills. He has a degree in Applied Physics, and is member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. He spent 25 years in the food sector, covering flour milling, feed milling, milk, cheese, fresh chicken and prepared foods. His role for the last 12 years in this sector was that of CEO of large, international enterprises. Recently, He has become involved with the Venture Capital sector, and has acted as CEO, Chairman and most recently Non Exec Directorship roles in the internet space. Malcolm also serves as a visiting professor & fellow of the Manchester Business School

0 Comments
0 likes

Malcolm’s specialities are Venture Capital, Private Equity,

Team

Donald is a banker with over 10 year’s experience. He has been Head of Digital Banking & Alternative Distribution Channels, General Manager for Personal Banking Segment and currently the Director of Sales. He has worked in a professional services firm providing audit & assurance services to firms in financial services, technology and manufacturing sectors as Associate and Senior Associate. He has also worked in a telecoms and mobile money firm as Head of Banking and Head of Finance with Board level responsibilities and experience. He has a Bachelor of Accountancy (BAcc) degree from the Copperbelt University, a fellow & qualified chartered accountant (FCCA) and holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Manchester Business school. He has undertaken international assignments and work experience in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Congo DR, UAE, India and Ghana.

0 Comments
0 likes

Donald is a banker with over 10