Zambia rubbishes 2010 human development report
Zambia says the 2010 Global Human Development Report by the UN was compiled by people with no knowledge on Zambia. The report which was released Thursday in USA names Zambia as one of the three African countries that have retrogressed in the past twenty years.
The other two are its neighbors Zimbabwe and Congo Kinshasa. But vice president of Zambia George Kunda has dismissed the report saying it is misleading. He was speaking in the country’s parliament on Friday.
Kunda said there was enough evidence to show that Zambia was developing.
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I would hope that th VP would comment on the news item of today >> Canada suspends health aid to Zambia
GEOFFREY YORK
JOHANNESBURG — From Saturday’s Globe and Mail
Published Friday, Nov. 05, 2010 6:44PM EDT
>> Canada has suspended a $14.5-million aid program to Zambia’s Health Ministry after learning that embezzlers have stolen millions of dollars from foreign donors, including the Canadian government.
Several other donors, including Sweden and the Netherlands, have also suspended aid to Zambia as a result of the corruption scandal, which began last year when a whistle-blower revealed that Zambian officials were stealing aid money. Auditors confirmed that about $7-million was stolen, mostly from foreign donors.
Canada’s aid agency, the Canadian International Development Agency, lost about $880,000 as a result of the embezzlement, The Globe and Mail has learned. The Canadian aid agency spent more than $30-million on programs in Zambia last year.
Zambia’s president, Rupiah Banda, has accused the donors of “blackmail” and “interference” for their decision to suspend their aid payments.
More than half of Zambia’s health budget is provided by foreign donors, and the suspension of aid payments has badly hurt its AIDS and malaria patients, reports say. Many patients in remote areas are no longer receiving AIDS medicine because of the suspended aid, according to Zambian reports.
The British medical journal, The Lancet, has estimated that foreign donors have postponed or cancelled $273-million (U.S.) in aid to Zambia because of corruption allegations over the past 18 months. This does not include the Canadian suspension.
Canada’s four-year aid program to the Zambian Health Ministry was intended to help in training and recruiting more staff for its hospitals and health programs.
A spokesman for CIDA said the Zambian government has reimbursed most of the embezzled money by putting an equivalent amount into the health programs that Canada was assisting. But 18 months after the embezzlement was discovered and the suspension began, CIDA has still not resumed its aid to the health ministry.
“CIDA took swift action once allegations surfaced about the improper use of Canadian funds,” spokesman Scott Cantin said.
“This cessation of aid continues until CIDA sees further progress on internal reforms agreed to under the Zambia Ministry of Health’s Governance Action Plan,” he said.
The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria – the biggest donor for HIV/AIDS programs in Africa – has suspended more than $100-million in aid to Zambia because of further evidence of fraud and irregularities at the same ministry. Canada is a major contributor to the Global Fund, and about $280,000 in CIDA’s losses in Zambia were due to fraud at the Global Fund.
Sweden’s minister of international development co-operation, Gunilla Carlsson, described the Zambian corruption case as “a major scandal.” At least nine officials in the Health Ministry were charged with fraudulent use of donor funds.
In a public statement last year, Ms. Carlsson promised “continuous checks” to prevent further corruption in Zambia. “There are indications that irregularities have existed since the early 2000s,” she said. “I cannot help but ask the question: How long would it have taken before we, as donors, noticed something was awry if it hadn’t been for the whistle-blower?”
The Zambian government has promised to introduce tighter accounting measures at the Health Ministry to prevent such fraud in the future.
After the Global Fund announced its aid suspension and the European Union halted aid for road construction because of further corruption allegations this year, there was a furious reaction from Zambia’s president, Mr. Banda.
“We must not allow donors to feel they can interfere in the internal affairs of this country, because it is a sovereign and independent state,” he said.
“We did not ask anyone to fund the road sector or the health sector, so they must not use that as blackmail…. We are very grateful for whatever help they give us, but we will not be turned into their puppets >> Didn’t I hear similar arguments from a neighbour ?? Frederick
Frederick - November 6, 2010
18:00
Had a quick overview of the HDR 2010- The point of disagreement of the Vice President seams to be the text in the lead >> “Almost all countries have benefited from
this progress. Of 135 countries in our sample
for 1970–2010, with 92 percent of the world’s
people, only 3—the Democratic Republic of
the Congo, Zambia and Zimbabwe—
have a
lower HDI today than in 1970.* This fact is explained very well in the following text extract >> * Zambia experienced declines in life expectancy, gross enrolment
and income—for many reasons. The collapse of copper prices in 1980
sparked a protracted depression that shrank the economy by a third. Incomes
have yet to return to previous levels. It also suffered from waves
of refugees fleeing civil wars in neighbouring Angola and Mozambique
and from the HIV epidemic, which gave the country the fifth highest
HIV prevalence in the world. The lack of resources and the HIV epidemic
hurt the provision of public services. Chapter 4 shows that 63 percent
of Zambians suffer poverty in multiple dimensions, similar to the share
living below $1.25 a day.* I would suggest that the H.E the Vice President reads the report and finds ways to learn from it how (and where) to improve the capacity to govern of the Banda Administration. Best wishes for Zambia Frederick
Frederick Steinemann - November 6, 2010
17:42
I wonder if H.E the Vice President has read the UN Human Development Report at all. The easiest thing to do is to condemn what you don’t like. I am downloading the report at >> http://hdr.undp.org/en/mediacentre/ and will post an appreciation when I have read it. Best greetings to Zambia >> Frederick (missing my Family in Roma)
Frederick Steinemann - November 6, 2010
17:06
I guess Kunda never even looked at the report. The report is actually showing some improvement from preceeding years. However, the improvements are too small to make any meaningfull difference. What the report aactually highlighted is the fact that Zambia’s HDI in the 1970s was very high. But unlike the general trend where countries have been improving, Zambia’s is today lower than it was in the 70s. I dont think anyone can argue with that because an average household then never considered Kapenta decent food, but today, well ni diamond.!!!!!
Kibakimani - November 6, 2010
15:49
Its unfortunate that the Zambian Government can just rubbishes 2010 Human Development Report without fully analysis its content and deduce why it says so and seek for remedial measures. The Human Development Index in Zambia are surely deteriorating as the elite are the ones becoming richer every day while we the poor wallow in poverty. Ve just downloaded the copy of the 2010 HD report and a quick browse offer some truth of the happenings in my beloved country and government can not rubbish such a report. Government must listen and consult and that the norm in a democratic environment. A lot of claim about an improved economy has been said by both local and international institutions but does it meet pipo’s welfare, nope, as human development cuts across all citizens . Alistoto, long time and you better vote cause your vote count if change is inevitable.
Volcanologist - November 6, 2010
11:40
George Kunda is a big let down. Is this one of the graduates that KK produced at UNZA using tax payers money who can fail to read and understand and compare results with Central statistics Office? This chap could have been bright but because of brain damage, his thinking is deteriorating at a fast rate. Zambia should be worried that it haboures half sane leaders, who unfortunately are responsible over our resources.
If MMD wins in 2011, where through rigging or whatever, I will never ever gonna vote again in my life, and I will never stay or visit Zambia again.
Alistoto - November 6, 2010
09:12
Kunda does not show any kind of maturity by defending his droppings with his boma. Those guys studied for so many years to release that report they are not like his windblow kanteba governing. Learn to say you are failures you guys. constucting white elephants is not human development, there must be efficience and inovertiveness in your governance of your hospitals and schools.
kaka' - November 5, 2010
23:47
manda hill is expanding! is this what kunda means by development! What an effin idiot we have as a vice pres.
Bufi!time for change, Yako 2011
Yako Mboro - November 5, 2010
21:34
For the first time in my life, I agree with Mpombo, “Kunda is most stupid veep the country has ever had”. How can someone with two eyes and a fully functional brain fail to see that Zambia has gotten from bad to worse? I never saw street kids 20 yrs ago, now they are everywhere, Lusaka, Kitwe, Ndola, name it. The schools are in a sorry state, the hospitals have gone to the dogs, many things have gone backwards. We need to think deeply and not politic on everything. This veep is a shame and only thinks about himself. He’s worse than my pet in his pattern of thinking.
The Chosen One - November 5, 2010
20:00
It does not (either gvt or un agencies)need an expert to tell us the grassroots that our quality of health, education and food security. As for visit a least two gvt clinics both in urban and rural. Do we have enough medicine, facilities ,staff and infrastructure? Education- how many secondary/college/universities have bn built;acessible to the poor,teacher recruitment and motivation, examination leakages compromising the quality education . Poverty and food security- how many of our people are affording three decent meals a day? Has the level income generation at household level increased? We ALL know that the un report on human develoment is a true and fair statement of affairs in zed. Let the leadership of RB swallow their pride and pick up lessons from the report.
Zambezi goal - November 5, 2010
19:34
Is Mr. Kunda saying the copperbelt today is the same as in the 1990s in terms of infrastructure? Each time i visit Kitwe, Chingola, Mufulira, Luanshya i feel tears in my eyes. The infrastracture is as if Zambia is recovering from a civil war. What is more painful is that countries that have been in civil war for ages are doing much much better that Zambia. As indicated in the the UNDP- HDI report, “it only shows how much economic mismanagement and institutional incompentency can do to a country”
Dawa1 - November 5, 2010
19:30
You Mr George Kunda, just look at yourself if you don’t understant what this report is talking about. It all starts with you sir, you are under developed!!!!
Zeko - November 5, 2010
19:20
SIAKALIMA correctly said it. Now the UN has just confirmed Siakalima’s assessment.
Munthu - November 5, 2010
19:09
George Kunda is sick and his mind has been compromised by his disease! How many times has this man spoken nonsense just from his daydreams? The reality is very true: Zambia has a poor way of running its business. We are going down and down in almost every sector of life. Only those with relatives in government have a sure and steady way of income. If you’ve been out of the country recently to any progressive country even here in Africa, you’ll agree with that Zambia is a village…
Zedian - November 5, 2010
18:50
the report is contradicting with the real situation on the ground. Zambia is now attaining some significate developments in all sectors of the economy.
jere andrew - November 5, 2010
17:55
UNDP is one of the most trusted source of such data the world over. Most international organisations consult UNDP database (& World Bank) for facts on a given country. If I was the VP I would say we’ll study the report first. Our leaders should also learn to use our own experts in these organisations for regular briefings.
Papa Wemba - November 5, 2010
17:11
So when the UN praises Zambia on Ease of Doing Busines, they are experts and when they say otherwise, they are rubush, how hypocritical can pipo get? Human Developemnt Index is the sumation of all the things you boast of eg, low inflation, high GDP, ease of doing business, mortality rates, access to basics of life etc. When a report comes out, it would be important to look at our failings and try to adress the issues in our next course of actions. Dont burry your heads in sand, sir? Your govt can do better than it is doing now!!!!!!!!
Kibakimani - November 5, 2010
16:49
The World Bank has released a report which shows that Zambia is in the top 10 African countries that have improved their business environment. That report has been well received and praised by the government. If the World Bank had said Zambia is not fighting corruption, they would have been villified. So its simple: praise what’s in your favour and denounce what condemns you. Epela.
Chikonde - November 5, 2010
16:39
Ba George you dont know your country?………….
Bwalya - November 5, 2010
16:24
Kaduba,
Are you trying to know what development is or because of the word human added to it?
limpo - November 5, 2010
16:21
Human development? What development?
kaduba - November 5, 2010
16:16
I am quite tickled that a report on some ludicrously vague instigation of an improvement in Zambia’s business environment got so much attention from the authorities. Now that there is another report with a new dimension (human development) there is the usual hyperventilating and denial. If you take the facets that make up our society you will note that those that have to do with a macro picture seem to be doing very well (thanks to the Chinese investments, perception from those who only visit urban areas, etc.); alas the micro picture is not good at all, at all – and unfortunately it is in the micro context that the churches, civil society organisations as well as the UN actually engage…
So I would not dismiss this report as lightly as the Hon. VP has.
Kalok - November 5, 2010
16:07
Kamwendo munjila@ i think you need some panel beating in your head you and george
Milar Bj - November 5, 2010
16:04
Always when we are told our part as zambians our leaders often get offended and come up with a shell to shield and object the situation. Can the UN just dream of picking up Zambia above all African countries for nothing? How can real development come with this kind of leadership around? When anything is mentioned concerning why this country is not developing they consider it a threat in losing votes as mmd instead of finding out ways of how best we can work hard in such situations.Personally am fed up with the politicians in Zambia. The wolrd is moving and developing everyday whereas Zambia is retrogressing each day.
limpo - November 5, 2010
15:41
sURELY THE REPORT IS rUBBISH
Kamwendo munjila - November 5, 2010
15:14
what lies are u gonna fabricate this time around george..?you are deteriorating..
Blackmuntu - November 5, 2010
14:45
Mr VP can not say the UN do not know this country because the presence of UN agencies is evident in many if not all parts of our country.Hence its not right for mr GK to rubbish the report,instead he should state how his govt intends to improve our country.
Richie - November 5, 2010
14:21
George Kunda can you show as the evidence that you have i think even people in muchinga can say alebosenshi uyu pumbwe. come on ba veep you have eyes but you cant see noe people are feeding on amasuku say something that has sense. as if you are not a lawyer i even wonder which law you did. shame on you george
Milar Bj - November 5, 2010
14:17
He has turned a blind eye on that one.
mwapevans - November 5, 2010
13:48
Will Jere issue a statement to say that Zambia has been condemned like he did when RB was “praised”?
Village Boys - November 5, 2010
13:37