Maravi

(LUSAKATIMES) Govt to implement public welfare assistance scheme – RB

Govt to implement public welfare assistance scheme – RB
Sunday, August 16, 2009, 8:30

President Rupiah Banda says government through the Ministry of community Development and Social Services will implement the public welfare assistant scheme throughout the country. Mr. Banda says this will be in form of educational support, food and shelter to incapacitated individuals and households.

The President said this in a speech read on his behalf by Vice President George Kunda during this year’s Lunda Lubanza traditional ceremony of the Lunda people of Zambezi district today.

And President Banda has said government will continue supporting and respecting traditional ceremonies because of their importance in the preservation of culture which he said was an important cornerstone in building a strong foundation in communities.

Mr. Banda said traditional ceremonies also provide a platform for government and other stakeholders to explain development strategies and programmes taking place in the country.

Meanwhile, President Banda has said government has put in place suitable policies to assist vulnerable households headed by orphans, widows and the disabled.

He named some of the programmes as the food security pack under the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services and the Fertilizer Support programme under the Ministry of Finance.

And Mr. Banda has called upon traditional leaders to discourage risky traditional practices such as wife inheritance and sexual cleansing because they increase the prevalence of the HIV/AIDS.

He said the traditional leaders should instead encourage girl child education and condemn the practice of early marriages.

And Senior Chief Ishindi of the Lunda people in Zambezi district said the Lunda Lubanza Traditional ceremony was a unifying factor for Lunda speaking people in Congo DR, Angola and Zambia.

Chief Ishindi said the presence of the Emperor Mwata Yamvu from Congo was A clear testimony of the unity that existed among the Lunda.

He said this in a speech read on his behalf by Lunda Lubanza Cultural Association Chairman BENSON MAHAFU.

The Chief called upon government to establish and construct a skills farming centre in the district.

The ceremony was also attended by the Emperor Mwata Yamvu and ten other chiefs from the Democrtic Republic of Congo.

ZANIS

Labels: CHIEF ISHINDI, GEORGE KUNDA, RUPIAH BANDA, SOCIAL CONTRACT, SOCIAL SECURITY, WELFARE

posted by MrK @ 9:37 PM