Avoid taking problems to outsiders, Meyke advises opposition
By Kabanda Chulu and Mukosha Funga
Thu 14 June 2012, 13:24 CAT
GERMAN Ambassador to Zambia Frank Meyke yesterday urged opposition parties to avoid taking the country's problems to 'outsiders' because the differences can be resolved internally by Zambians.
And finance minister Alexander Chikwanda has said the strong macroeconomic fundamentals being experienced in the country will not benefit people unless government ministries stop endless meetings that lead nowhere.
And the German government has committed to give Zambia a K550 billion grant over a three year period aimed at poverty reduction, budget support, water resource, monitoring, strengthening good governance, promoting decentralisation and the fight against HIV/AIDS.
When asked about the Zambian case of opposition parties preferring to engage the international community on internal matters instead of dialogue with the government, Ambassador Meyke said there was need for effective governance with effective and vibrant opposition as good partners in order to attain success and prosperity.
"Extra effort is needed from all stakeholders, nobody can solve Zambia's problems but Zambians. But let us look at practices everywhere, with our problems in the euro zone we are confident that we shall sort them out and nobody could resolve them but ourselves. Of course we look around for best examples, trying to learn and trying to be united even when we have differences," Ambassador Meyke said.
"Right now there is big domestic topic in Germany relating to the fiscal compact with the EU which Chancellor Merkel is promoting and there is domestic opposition but this deal will result for the good of Europe so the opposition have put some arguments and would like to use this campaign issue since they would want people to see them offering constructive and effective debates...so even here in Zambia we wish the opposition and government to work together as partners in development."
During the signing ceremony for the financial and technical agreement, Ambassador Meyke said Germany was interested in supporting objectives of the Zambian government in improving the living conditions in the country such as poverty reduction, pro-poor growth and strengthening democracy and fighting corruption.
And Chikwanda, who is acting as President, said Zambia had managed its macroeconomic fundamentals despite facing challenges in employment creation and poverty reduction strategies.
"We should not rest, we should not be complacent, we need more vigorous action by government to double the pace of economic development even in the midst of difficulties in global economy as can be seen in the decline in our major exports like copper, sugar, coffee, this is a reflection of what is happening in the world," Chikwanda said.
"Also the EU crisis, there is no way Europe can catch a cold without us coughing so we need to brace ourselves for challenges coming but these are surmountable and Zambia cannot be insulated against global volatility so every Zambian should participate and we need ministries to move fast and stop endless meetings that lead nowhere."
He said the gesture by Germany bonded well with the government's development agenda which had prioritised agriculture; education and skills development, health services and decentralisation of local governance and housing as the cornerstone for the prosperity.
"The increase in grants to councils in 2012 budget is one first step taken towards decentralisation and we intend to upscale funding from 2013 and beyond," said Chikwanda.
"Furthermore, government remains committed to upholding good governance and the fight against corruption. Corruption is a cancer that distorts allocation of resources and rewards the lazy and dishonesty at the expense of hardworking people."
Labels: ALEXANDER CHIKWANDA, FRANK MEYKE, OPPOSITION
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COMMENT - And corrupt investors 'scare' everyone.
Corrupt judges scare investors - Meyke
By Henry Sinyangwe
Wed 23 May 2012, 13:40 CAT
A country that has judges perceived to be corruptible scares away genuine investors, says German Ambassador to Zambia Frank Meyke. Commenting on the current calls for judicial reforms in the country, Ambassador Meyke said there is need to restore confidence in the country's Judiciary.
He said the outcome of the tribunal set up to probe the conduct of suspended Supreme Court judge Phillip Musonda and high court judges Nigel Mutuna and Charles Kajimanga, was important for the country's image concerning the Judiciary, both within and outside the country.
"The recent case of the suspension of the three judges shows that the context of the case is a chance for Zambia to gain more confidence with foreign investors regarding independence of the Judiciary, incorruptible judges and due process of the law," Ambassador Meyke said.
He said it was important to remind each other that the fight against corruption would only be successful if the due process of the law was upheld.
Ambassador Meyke said it is important that judges avoid, in their conduct, any matter that could give a wrong impression to the outside world.
"The visit by the ICJ mission reminds us that such issues that you are addressing are of international concern. Incorruptible judges, due process of the law, independent Judiciary is of course an essential element of confidence of foreign investors. It is a criterion for confidence," he said.
And Ambassador Meyke said the meeting the opposition political party leaders had with the European Union was natural in improving checks and balances.
"In a way, the meeting with the foreign ambassadors with representatives of opposition political parties is natural in all our countries. We are supporting things to be set right in all sectors of governance," he said.
Ambassador Meyke also said the Euro Zone economic crisis would not affect Zambia's programmes being supported by his government.
Labels: AMBASSADOR, CORRUPTION, FDI, FRANK MEYKE, JUDICIARY
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Investment must benefit Zambians – Germany Ambassador
Wednesday, December 29, 2010, 16:02
Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Li Qiangmin shows a plaque to President Banda after commissioning the CCS plant.
Germany Ambassador to Zambia Frank Meyke says foreign direct investment must begin to benefit ordinary people.
Mr Meyke says although the country has recorded an increase in foreign investment, there is urgent need to translate the gains into benefits for Zambia.
But Meyke says his government is impressed with the level of investment inflows into Zambia.
More Business exploits
And Mr Meyke says more German business delegations are expected to visit the country during 2011, to explore investment and trade opportunities.
He says the first delegation will be in the country in April while several others will follow in the course of next year.
[ZNBC]
Labels: FDI, FRANK MEYKE, NEOLIBERALISM
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Citizens expect journalists to bring transparency - Ambassador Meyke
By Henry Sinyangwe
Wed 24 Feb. 2010, 04:00 CAT
Citizens in democratic countries expect journalists to bring about transparency in financial, economic and political matters because this is the way to successfully combat corruption, German Ambassador to Zambia Frank Meyke has said.
In an interview, ambassador Meyke said reporting on such ensured sustainable democracy and helped to improve the living standards and the quality of life of those millions of people living in poverty and under inhuman conditions.
Ambassador Meyke said free and independent media were an indispensable prerequisite for democracy. He said the Freedom of Information Act would also be an important political measure of attracting foreign investment.
Ambassador Meyke said Germany welcomed the approach and efforts by the government, civil society, media and the Media Liaison Committee aimed at arriving at self-regulatory guidelines agreed upon and drafted by the media for the media.
“The Freedom of Information Act would also be an important political measure attracting foreign investment,” he said.
Ambassador Meyke said Zambia needed to attract more private sector development by providing a political and economic environment conducive for such investment.
“The right kind of foreign direct investment is needed. Sustainable investment which is creating long-term employment for Zambians also brings about infrastructure improvemen,” ambassador Meyke said.
He also said free and fair elections, a strong and independent electoral commission, an effective and independent Anti Corruption Commission as well as structural reforms bringing about accountability of party finances and ensuring intra-party democracy were particularly strong and positive signals for potential Germany and other European investors.
Labels: ACC, CORRUPTION, FRANK MEYKE, JOURNALISM
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