Maravi

Swedish aid to depend on corruption fight

Swedish aid to depend on corruption fight
By Masuzyo Chakwe
Saturday June 07, 2008 [04:00]

SWEDISH Ambassador to Zambia Lars Ronnas yesterday said donor assistance from his country will partly depend on the success in fighting corruption. During Sweden’s national day, Ambassador Ronnas said Sweden’s support to Zambia would also depend on how well the government would utilise money realised from the mining sector as well as getting a sound public administration in place to ensure that basic social services were available to all, rich and poor. He said Zambia was in many ways a richly-endowed country.

“What policies are put in place will ultimately determine whether poor Zambians will continue to live in poverty, or rise to a better standard of living,” he said.
Ambassador Ronnas said development assistance could not be a substitute for how a country chose to create and distribute its own wealth.

“The question is being asked why Swedes should contribute to health, clinics and agriculture extension services in Zambia. There are some very good answers to that question. But whether those answers will be taken as credible will indeed all depend on the success in fighting corruption, on getting a fair share out of the mines for public use, on getting a sound public administration in place to ensure that basic social services are available to all, rich and poor,” he said.

He said there were positive changes taking place in the recent year and there was also a sense of self-esteem around.

He said Zambia was a prime example illustrating the emergence of a new modern Africa, a country of stability, of an elected democratic government with ambitious development plans.

Labels: CORRUPTION, DONORS, LARS RONNAS

posted by MrK @ 3:45 PM