African freedom day a time for reflection for African leaders

Most African countries have celebrated over 50 years of independence and if we take a deep reflection of what has been able to be achieved so far, we discover that political independence was achieved but there has been a challenge of translating the economic achievements of the continent so far. CLRI is aware that from each of the seven continents of the world, Africa has a diverse natural resource and has richest concentration of natural resources.

Despite this great opportunity that lies within African Continent unfortunately most Africa countries have not translated this opportunity to built strong economics and uplift the lives of the poor.  The has been a lot of progress so far in many Africa countries but we are of the view that a lot more should have been done differently and we would have been a different level by now. There is need to develop an environment that would ensure that the natural resources of the continent translate into the economic virtues for the people of Africa and also build strong trade linkages around the World.

The challenge of Africa going forward is to imagine, what kind of an Africa do we envisage to build in the next 50 years from now, the only way Africa can change is not doing things in the usual way, there has to be an unusual way of doing things and sound leaderships is at the centre of the liberating the lost economic and political virtues of the continent. Africa has had some great leaders in some regions but there has been a mismatch in bringing a balanced organised group of support leaders that can interpret the vision of top leader and in the long ran the vision has been lost and earth moving changes have failed to actually take place.

Our view is therefore that Africa needs to actually work on its leadership according to rank and file in sorting out it’s challenges and not just focus on the top leader as this has proved that you can have good leader at the top but if systems are responding everything fails.  A strong and competent workforce is what is needed apart from strong leaders who bring political will to turn around the political and economic doldrums of many African countries.

Mundia Paul Hakoola

Executive Director

CLRI executive director Mundia Hakoola said the Institute had taken time to assess the mining sector in Zambia in general and the small and medium scale mining in particular.

Hakoola said the new dawn government should put in place measures to ensure that the small and medium scale miners’ potential was turned into profitable ventures.

“Government should ensure that there is policy review in the mining sector that will create incentives for small and medium scale miners to be competitive in the sector. Government should ensure that it is easy for the licensing for small and medium scale miners,” he said. “Government should ensure that market linkages or a platform for small and medium scale miners are provided who mostly don’t have a proper market and end up selling their products to middle men and mostly these make more profit than the actual miners.”

Hakoola said the government should help formalise mining sites without proper documentation and not close or block the locals from mining.

“Create cooperatives in the six dumpsites that will benefit the youth…. The government should resolve the long standing challenge concerning the black mountain and work towards benefiting the youth,” he said.

Hakoola said Zambia had a lot mineral wealth and with the right policies and an enabling environment for small and medium scale miners, the country could boost the economy.

“CLRI calls on the Minister of Mines to quickly start working towards making policies that create an enabling environment for small and medium scale miners,” said Hakoola.

The Minister of Information, The acting Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S. Embassy Zambia, the Executive Director Media Institute of Southern Africa, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of the Continental Leadership Research Institute; I’m delighted to welcome you to this launch of the capacity building workshop for journalists training in media reporting on human rights. And thank you for your great support and enthusiasm for the training.

The project will promote and protect the human rights of youths and women in rural communities through community sensitization programs in 8 districts create rural support group meetings and also create a platform for human rights issues to be discussed at rural community level through community radio programs. We take this opportunity to thank the US Embassy for this support as it goes a long way to shape our democracy, the US has being a strong partner of democracy across the world.

Today, we send a resounding message that media freedom is not only a national but also a universal value. Free media protects both society from human rights abuse and helps citizens release their full potential.

The institution has noticed there are challenges that call for definitive actions to protect human rights violations and the media plays a pivotal role in combating these violations. The most affected are women and children who have become vulnerable to abuse, neglect, exploitation and poverty due to lack of adequate access to economic rights.

It is Imperative that our society today takes extreme necessity to take decisive action by giving importance to journalists as a crucial component of the protection of human rights violations. This calls for media to be vigilant and also intensify efforts to investigate violation of rights and offer offenders to be prosecuted regardless of the offender.

The media needs to improve efforts for a comprehensive approach in handling cases of abuse, exploitation and discrimination through a strengthened partnership and clarification roles and seamless coordination among agencies.

The institute today urges the Minister of Information and media to ensure that the Access to Information Bill is enacted because it gives the public a general right of access to official documents and make provisions for incidental and connected purposes. The bill is critical because it enables citizens’ exercise their voice to effectively monitor and hold government to account and enter into informed dialogue about decisions that affect their lives.

The bill also aims to address challenges affecting media freedom of expression, the institute advocates for media freedom if they are work around issues of human rights abuses and bring culprits to book.

In closing, the maturity of a society is measured by how well human rights violation issues are addressed. Looking at the number of abusive and discriminatory cases that go unpunished and unreported – sexual, physical, economic or otherwise, it is plain to see that we have a long way to go in creating an environment fit for all.

We, therefore, extend our hand to partner with you the Ministry of Information and media, Media Institute for southern Africa and all Media houses and together, let us work for a habitable environment safe from human rights abuses.

I thank you!