Storella advises government to think about the long-term over constitution

Storella advises government to think about the long-term over constitution
By Gift Chanda
Fri 25 Nov. 2011, 13:30 CAT

US Ambassador to Zambia Mark Storella has advised the government against coming up with a constitution that will serve short-term goals.

Commenting on the composition of the technical team appointed to work on the constitution, Ambassador Storella said it was important to own the process of coming up with the constitution rather than focusing on the membership of the committee.

"It is important to be inclusive. It is important to seriously think beyond the present in changing the constitution. You really want to think about something that is adorable," he said.

"I think the United States' constitution has been around for 200 years with only a few minor modification just because it was done right in the first place."

Ambassador Storella said it was important to recognise that a good constitution was the fundamental basis for good governance for every country.

"I would urge all the people who are involved in the constitution-making process right now to look at the work that has already been done. A lot of very good work has been done by previous committees and commissions in the past. Engage the stakeholders, hear what they have to say and then work very seriously without any specific goals in the near term," he said.

"Think about the long-term. Think about a document that can stand the test of time."

And Ambassador Storella reiterated the need to strengthen institutions that fight corruption in the country.

He said such institutions should be well funded.

"The fight against corruption really needs to be an institutional kind of fight...other than focusing on any specific case or person. I think that it is very important to build up the institutions. Make the Anti-Corruption Commission stronger, make sure that very important institutions like the Auditor General are adequately funded and that is really the right way to go," said Ambassador Storella.

"Really, you should target crimes and not people; that is the way to make Zambia a much more attractive environment for investment for the future."