Zambia has today Commemorated the 2024 African Freedom Day, under the local theme “Educate and Skill Africa for the 21st Century: Building Resilient Education Systems for Increased Access to Inclusive, Lifelong, Quality and Relevant Learning in Africa”.
President Hakainde Hichilema has led dignitaries and senior government officials in laying of wreaths at the Freedom Statue in Lusaka today, ahead of the actual Africa Freedom Day which falls tomorrow, Saturday 25th May 24, 2024.
And in his homily, Zambia Police Service Head of Chaplaincy Bishop Kondwani Sakala said this year’s theme is a clarion call for all to get the necessary skills that will be key to success and to equip leaners with abilities such as problem solving, collaboration and communication.
“Education is a powerful tool that can change many livelihoods, turn around communities and create employment opportunities”, said Bishop Sakala.
Bishop Sakala has also called on Parliamentarians and civic leaders to avail more education provisions for skills development under the Constituency Development Fund, CDF to improve more livelihoods.
He has further encouraged youths to utilize the provision of CDF and acquire skills that can turnaround their lives.
Meanwhile, President Hichilema says government is implementing measures to promote increase access to inclusive, lifelong, quality and relevant learning.
In his message last evening to mark the 2024 African Freedom Day commemorations, President Hichilema said this year’s theme resonates with the country’s policy direction of ensuring inclusive quality learning for all citizens.
The President further said government will this year recruit 4, 200 trained teachers to contribute to the improvement of quality of education in the country.
And Speaking in an interview with RCV News today, Opposition United Kwacha Alliance, UKA Communications Chairperson Jackson Silavwe, said the opposition political parties have no reason to celebrate the African Freedom day because they are not enjoying their rightful freedoms.
“From the time the UPND government came into power, no opposition political party has been able to have a political rally to freely interact with the masses”, said Mr. Silavwe.
Mr. Silavwe, who is also Golden Party of Zambia President, accused the ruling United Party for National Development government of having taken the country backwards by using what he called colonial tactics that he said are disadvantaging opposition political parties.
By Margaret Mwanza
