The Presidential Speech Recently Delivered Did Not Inspire Hope
Abstract
On Friday, 13th September, 2019, Republican President Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu addressed the National Assembly under the theme “Accelerating Sustainable Development for a Better Zambia in the Midst of Climate Change”. He highlighted that economic growth has been falling, that increased load shedding has adversely affected many sectors of our economy, malnutrition was a serious issue and that climate change was serious. The President reiterated that Government is committed to ensuring that the private sector thrives in our country’s economy and that one area of initiative Government will continue to encourage is the promotion of multi-economic facility zones. However, an honest answer is required on how effective this initiative has been over the years and there was no clear direction provided on how these programmes will be sustained in the light of limited public resources due to increasing public debt.
Description
A President is expected to provide leadership and direction. This statement includes the issues of concern that were raised in a speech delivered by the Republican President on Friday, 13th September, 2019. It includes JCTR's recognition of the President's failure to appreciate crop marketing challenges and the need to provide measures that Government is taking to rid out corruption.