Maravi

There’s selfishness in some foreign missions – Rupiah

There’s selfishness in some foreign missions – Rupiah
Written by Patson Chilemba
Saturday, March 28, 2009 5:51:43 AM

PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda yesterday said there is selfishness in some foreign missions where ambassadors and their wives want everything to themselves. And President Banda said some ambassadors had been recalled because they were not wanted in the countries where they served.

During a swearing-in ceremony for ambassadors and high commissioners among other government officials at State House, President Banda said there was no selfishness when he served in the foreign service.

He told the newly sworn-in ambassadors and high commissioners that no matter how far they would be, the nation was aware of their activities because walls had ears.

President Banda asked the diplomats to be disciplined, saying some had been re-called because they enjoyed themselves and abandoned their families.

He said he was appointed to serve in the foreign-service when he was young and that could have been the time to play around but he survived.

President Banda said ambassadors should put the interests of others above their own because that was what leadership entailed.

"People come to me with some of them expecting that the President will show concern. The same to you," he said.

President Banda said he expected the envoys to handle public money and property properly and be the envy of other embassies from other countries.

He said those using government facilities to play politics back home would find themselves in problems.

President Banda said the envoys had been chosen deliberately because he knew they were up to the task and that they could withstand any kind of problem and defend the interests of Zambia.

He told the ambassadors and high commissioners that they were not going on holiday but to work and that each one would be judged by their performance in terms of things like investment and scholarships offered to Zambia.

President Banda said some ambassadors and high commissioners had been recalled because the countries where they served had demanded so.

"It's happening where we have ambassadors who are not wanted by the countries where they are," President Banda said. "We hope this won't happen to you."

Those sworn in were former Republican vice-president and Victory Ministries founding pastor Nevers Mumba [High Commissioner to Canada], Dr Wamundila Mbikusita Lewanika [Ambassador to Japan], Cecil Holmes [High Commissioner to Ghana], Darius Bubala [High Commissioner to Tanzania], Ephraim Mateyo [Ambassador to Germany] and Sipula Kabanje [High Commissioner to Zimbabwe].

President Banda also swore-in Allan Mbewe [deputy minister energy], Lubinda Imasiku [deputy minister science and technology] and Francis Kabonde [Inspector General of Police].

On Kabonde, President Banda said the police chief had served in the Police Service all his life.

He said both Kabonde and Mateyo were proof that even in the police, people could rise to the top and serve other people.

President Banda said he had no doubt that Kabonde would perform.

On the deputy ministers, President Banda said Mbewe and Imasiku knew what led to their appointment.

He said the duo had to be truly loyal to the country and to the President who appointed them.

President Banda said he had picked them because of their loyalty to the party and government.

And in an interview after being sworn in, pastor Mumba said he was humbled over his appointment by President Banda.

He said Canada was a good country to do business with especially with the current global economic downturn.

Pastor Mumba said Canada's support had no strings attached and his job was to cement relations with that country.

He said he would push for Zambia to be one of Canada's priorities for aid.

Pastor Mumba also revealed that he had been accredited to Cuba, Bahamas, Jamaica and other countries in the West Indies.

He said he would try to exploit mutual interests with these countries.

Asked if he had given up his presidential ambitions now that he had been appointed to serve in the civil service, pastor Mumba responded: "I am a civil servant and on my way to Canada." Pastor Mumba supported and vigorously campaigned for President Banda in the October 30, 2008 elections.

Labels: AMBASSADOR, RUPIAH BANDA

posted by MrK @ 5:51 AM