Rupiah likens State House to a prison

Rupiah likens State House to a prison
Written by Patson Chilemba
Sunday, November 30, 2008 3:22:57 PM

PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda on Friday night jokingly said he was happy to be given a chance to leave the 'prison' that Zambians had placed him in and enjoy himself at the Cathedral Corporate Partnership Ball.

And Bank of Zambia (BoZ) Governor Dr Caleb Fundanga said some meagre resources the country was trying to save to meet some development challenges would now be channelled towards stemming the economic crisis.

During the Cathedral Corporate Partnership Ball, which was held at Hotel Intercontinental, President Banda, who was in a jovial mood, said he was privileged to be invited to participate in the fundraising venture for a truly noble cause.

"Myself and my wife are really, really happy that you gave us the chance to come out from that 'prison' which you voted me into," President Banda said, as he pointed towards State House and in the process attracted laughter from the audience over his statement. "To have a chance to see all the friends here and enjoy what we are enjoying tonight. I'm very happy we are doing so in the presence of all our church leaders not only from Zambia but from all over Africa and from United States of America. We are really happy to be able to participate in this project."

President Banda pledged to contribute some money towards the project although he could not mention the figure, saying it was small.

However, President Banda said he would use the little influence he had been given to help raise funds so that the church could be refurbished quickly.

He said the problems the country had faced so far ended up being solved at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross.

President Banda said Zambians were truly fortunate people and that the Church had contributed a lot to the peace the country enjoyed.

"I want to tell you the way I felt the day before yesterday when I flew from Lusaka to Lagos. In there, there is something like a TV on the plane, which shows you the route that you are taking country by country. All the countries on your left or on your right or ahead of you. And what came very clearly in my mind and the colleagues we talked about it, was that this is a unique country," President Banda said.

"Most of the countries that we saw as we flew to Nigeria have had either wars or are having wars right now.

Lack of peace and misery for the population of those countries was very evident as we crossed over them. And I said to myself, we in Zambia are truly a fortunate people and I think this institution of church has a lot to do with the peace that we enjoy in our country."

And Dr Fundanga, who was represented by BoZ deputy governor Dr Denny Kalyalya, said Zambia's economy continues to face numerous challenges.

Dr Fundanga said the current global financial turmoil could not have come at a worse time for the country.

He said just when the nation was gathering itself to continue where late president Levy Mwanawasa left, entered the financial crisis.

"The meagre resources we were trying to save to meet some of our development challenges will now have to be channelled towards stemming the crisis," Dr Fundanga said. "Under these circumstances it is almost a given that government and our citizens will look to the church to assist in ameliorating the economic hardships of our people."

Dr Fundanga said the true significance of the Cathedral lied in the fact that it represented values and attributes which the nation and individuals should cherish and seek to emulate.

"These attributes include: integrity, honesty, transparency, accountability, hard work, community service and above all spiritual transformation. If we followed these tenets, this country would be a lot better in most areas of human endeavours," he said.

Dr Fundanga said he was informed that the Cathedral oversees other important social and community programmes throughout the country.

"Therefore, part of your valued contributions will go not only to the refurbishment of the Cathedral, but also to render support to some of these worthy community programmes," said Dr Fundanga.

BoZ donated K10 million towards the project.

Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Lusaka David Njovu said the Cathedral played an important role for the country during difficult times.

The fundraising ball was attended by President Banda and his Thandiwe, former first lady Maureen Mwanawasa, United States Ambassador to Zambia Caroline Davidson and the clergy.

The event was also characterised by performances by renowned gospel artists Mathew Ngosa and the Xploits. President Banda, Thandiwe and Maureen took to the dance floor as they could not resist the performance by the musicians.