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Mwomboshi Dam Game-Changer

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 Mwomboshi Dam Game-Changer By Linda Mupemo     The Mwomboshi dam was funded by The            World               Bank Chileleko Choolwe had not spared his sweat cultivating maize this farming season. It was never obvious that the lack of adequate rains would be his worst enemy.  It is now March and clouds of gloom surround Mr. Choolwe; drying and dying crops. He stands by his maize field staring at his near lifeless crops. As he touches their crispy leaves, thoughts of a poor harvest race restlessly through his mind. “My crops are stunted and drying up; I am worried about my harvest. Moreover, I do not have money to buy more farming inputs for replanting,” he laments. Mr. Choolwe is one of the farmers practicing rain-fed agriculture in Chisamba District in Central Province who are grappling with crop failure owing to the poor rainfall pattern.  Since the onset of the 2023/2024 rainy season, the climatic condition of the area has been punctuated with dry spells, signifying adverse eff
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Media Exchange Programme Cements China-Africa Relations

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By Linda Mupemo, Beijing  2024 CIPCC Fellows  As the 2030 agenda for sustainable development deadline draws near, United Nations (UN) member states are intensifying their efforts aimed at achieving the 17 goals. The People's Republic of China is one of the few countries that have achieved Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number one which focuses on eliminating extreme poverty.     China Anti- Poverty Research Institute Professor Wang Sangui states that the Chinese Government succeeded in lifting over 800 million people out of poverty by 2020, ten years ahead of the UN schedule.  The Asian country has equally made headways with the provision of clean and affordable energy, promoting industrialisation,  innovation and quality education among other goals.  Having realised the vital role international cooperation plays in advancing development and global impact, China is strengthening partnerships with various sectors of the international community with a view to building a  shared f
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Wang Yi Extols China-Africa Cooperation

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By Linda Mupemo China's Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi -Picture by  Xinhua News China has implored African countries to explore developmental plans suited for their national conditions.  China's Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi said African countries need to keep their destiny firmly in their own hands. ZANIS reports that Mr. Yi said this during a press conference for the 14th session of the National People's Congress (NPC) which was held in Beijing.  Mr. Yi also reaffirmed China's commitment to a shared developmental future with Africa.  He said China will assist Africa in building capacity for self-driven development and modernisation.  "Africa should not be marginalised. China stands ready for trilateral and multilateral cooperation on the basis of respecting the will of Africa. China will continue to stand firmly with African brothers and support an Africa that is truly independent in thinking and ideas," Mr. Yi said.  He  noted that the global sou
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100 Foreign Journalists Undergo Training in China

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By Linda Mupemo 2024 CIPCC Fellows during the opening ceremony  More than 100 Journalists from 90 developing countries across the globe have commenced their training in development communication and diplomacy in Beijing China.  The four-month training is being conducted by the China International Press Communication Centre (CIPCC) and has attracted Journalists from Latin America, Asia and Africa including Zambia among other parts of the world.  CIPCC Director Yu Lei said the training is expected to improve cooperation between China and countries from participating media organisations.  Mr. Lei said the CIPCC will hold lecturers on China's social economic development, diplomacy, culture, science and technology.  CIPCC Director Yu Lei  " As participants of this media programme, you will be trained in latest media trends and you will be later attached to Chinese media organisations. Additionally, we will organise symposiums with relevant departments, enterprises, think tanks and
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Chipembi Girls Champion Climate Smart Agriculture

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By Linda Mupemo In the heart of Chisamba District in Central Province is Chipembi Girls’ Secondary School, a learning institution well known for being the first ever Girls’ Secondary School in Zambia. The school which was founded in 1926 is run by the United Church of Zambia (UCZ). It is located 28 kilometers away from Chisamba Central Business District. Apart from being the pioneer of girl child education in the country, the school has farmed its way to stardom through its agricultural activities. On 16th October, 2023, Chipembi Girls’ School became the first secondary school in the country to host the World Food Day commemoration which was graced by heads of international organisations among them Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Country Representative Suze Filippini and the United Nations Resident Coordinator Beatrice Mutali. This added to the long list of the school’s many firsts. But that is not all! During the 2023 Agriculture and Commercial Show held in Lusaka, R
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Her Future, Her Choice : Strengthening SRHR

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By Linda Mupemo L- R Oxfam Zambia Country Representative Yvonne Chibiya, Canada's Minister of International Development Ahmed Hussen, Chisamba District Administrative Officer Isaac Simwanza and Chisamba District Adolescent Health Focal Point Person Veronica Moonga   In conservative Zambia , it is a challenge for most parents or guardians to discuss matters of sexuality with their children. Considered a taboo in many circles, the topic is off limits for many, resulting in an information gap with regards to sexual health for many adolescents.  Little wonder most vulnerable populations such as adolescents, women and persons with disabilities have had scanty knowledge on their Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR). This has,  in turn,  led to rampant teen and unplanned pregnancies, poor reproductive health seeking behaviour and sexual violence among other vices.   Martha Phiri, an Adolescent Health Peer Educator at Liteta District Hospital in Chisamba District shares her experie
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Milenge Remembers KK

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By Linda Mupemo Former Milenge District Commissioner Kunda Chibilo The late former Republican President Kenneth Kaunda may be gone but his legacy lives on across Zambia and globally.      Two years after his demise at 97 years old, residents of Milenge District in Luapula Province still have fond memories of the first president of the nation.    For Chief Sokontwe of the Ushi people in Milenge District, Dr. Kaunda's style of leadership which saw the 72 tribes united is one of the things he remembers him for.      Chief Sokontwe recalls that the late Dr. Kaunda ruled the country for 27 years without segregating any citizen on tribal or regional lines.      The Traditional Leader says unity is one of the virtues he has adopted in his leadership and accommodates everyone in his chiefdom.      "I ascended to the Sokontwe royal throne in 2020 and for the first time in the history of Milenge, I appointed a Tonga last year to head a village in my chiefdom
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