President Hakainde Hichilema Highlights Progress and Challenges in National Address
President Hakainde Hichilema has addressed the third session of the thirteenth National Assembly highlighting the significant progress made by the Zambian government in various sectors while acknowledging the challenges that lie ahead.
President Hichilema emphasized the importance of upholding national values and principles as enshrined in the constitution, stating that efforts to promote morality, human dignity, and good governance are yielding dividends.
He stressed the crucial role of these values in shaping the character of the nation and guiding state policy.
Addressing concerns such as social vices including early child marriage, teenage pregnancies, and gender-based violence, President Hichilema called for enhanced efforts from the Church and traditional leaders in providing marriage counseling and promoting strong family structures.
Furthermore, the President expressed satisfaction with Zambia’s ranking among the top three most democratizing countries globally, according to V-Dem.
He also hailed the impact of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) in fostering community-driven local development, particularly in rural areas.
On the issue of corruption, President Hichilema highlighted the government’s commitment to fighting corruption, citing the establishment of the asset recovery inter-agency coordination framework and the enactment of the Access to Information Act in 2023 as significant steps towards promoting transparency and accountability.
Regarding sustainable development, the President called upon citizens to responsibly utilize resources and manage the environment to address challenges such as pollution, climate change, and overexploitation of natural resources.
While acknowledging the progress made, President Hichilema emphasized the need for continuous efforts to address remaining challenges and urged all citizens to fulfill their duty in upholding national values and principles for the betterment of Zambia.
