Metro

‘Your internal crisis self-inflicted,’ Zambian Presidency replies PF

Published

3 months ago

July 5, 2024

The Zambian Presidency has responded to the country’s main opposition party, the Patriotic Front (PF), over its allegations that President Hakainde Hichilema had a hand in its internal crisis using the parliament.

While reacting to the accusations, State House Chief Communications Specialist, Clayson Hamasaka, urged the PF to stop dragging Hichilema into their internal wrangling, stating that the crisis was self-inflicted as the president had no involvement in their affairs.

In a statement issued in Lusaka on Thursday, Hamasaka said the president was currently “occupied with resolving significant national issues created by the same people currently engaged in internal conflicts.”

The presidential aide emphasized that it had never been Hichilema’s intention to interfere in how other political parties conduct their business.

“We have seen insinuations and attempts to drag the Republican President, Hakainde Hichilema, into the ongoing PF leadership wrangles, especially following the expulsion of nine of their Members of Parliament,” the statement said.

Hamasaka added that one of the President’s strongest pillars is his commitment to order and the rule of law in the country, and his views on by-elections were well known.

“The President has repeatedly called on stakeholders to provide recommendations on how to address this issue to avoid by-elections and save resources.

“The PF exercised its legal and constitutional rights to expel their members from Parliament according to the provisions of their party constitution,” Hamasaka said.

He recalled that the party later took matters to the courts, resulting in the expulsion of their nine Members of Parliament.

Hamasaka stated that when a decision such as this results from the PF’s self-inflicted wrangles, the President’s hands are tied despite his personal views against by-elections.

“There is no way the President can interfere with the independent arms of government, such as Parliament and the Judiciary,” he insisted.

He also noted that if the President attempted to interfere with the provisions of the Constitution, the same accusers would turn around and accuse him again.

“The President had demonstrated a willingness to push for legislative reforms, including the defamation of the President and abolishing the death penalty, which did not require constitutional amendments.”

Hamasaka also remarked that the internal wrangles between the PF factional presidents have been ongoing since the demise of the late President Michael Sata.

“Whether they fight, reconcile, fight again and then turn to the courts for arbitration, President Hichilema has no business with that. They should resolve their issues and leave the Republican President out of it,” Hamasaka stated.

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Metro

Nigeria: President Tinubu identifies ways to address hunger

Published

23 hours ago

October 4, 2024

Isaac Dachen

President Bola Tinubu believes that the localisation of production processes and cost reduction are critical factors in addressing hunger and high cost of living in Nigeria.

Tinubu, who made the assertion at the 2024 National MSME Conference held in Abuja on Thursday, emphasised that the country’s economic challenges, especially food insecurity, stems from a reliance on imported goods and inefficient local production.

The president, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, noted that Nigerians experienced hunger because the country has not fully localised production processes that will help in reducing costs effectively.

“I also realise the importance of innovation and digitalisation to this purpose. There is no justice in creating an economy that is not sustainable for the coming generations,” the President said.

“Our constitution frowns upon it, I frown upon it, and morality frowns upon it. As a country, we are still suffering the effects of trying to shift from a crude-based economy which has left us debt-ridden.

“Thus, stating the role of MSMEs, said they were the engines of rural industrialisation, poverty alleviation, and sustainable development.

He further reiterated the government’s commitment to fostering a sustainable and innovation-driven economy while calling for collective efforts to enhance local production capabilities, stating that by reducing production costs, the government could improve access to essential goods and alleviate hunger.

Metro

Ghana reports ‘unclear variation’ of Mpox case

Published

24 hours ago

October 4, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

According to a statement, Ghana’s health agency has reported the first incidence of Mpox in the nation this year, however, it did not specify which strain was reported.

Testing is being conducted to ascertain whether the Mpox virus, which is causing alarm worldwide due to its rapid spread and lack of knowledge about its strain, is the clade Ib type.

In Ghana, Mpox cases were previously reported in 2022 and 2023.

The patient was identified as a young man with body aches, a rash, and a fever in the statement. It stated that 25 contacts have been found and are under observation.

After the virus spread to neighbouring countries in August, the World Health Organisation declared a worldwide public health emergency for the second time in two years due to an outbreak of Mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The clade I variety of Mpox, which is endemic in some regions of West and Central Africa, and the recently emerged clade Ib, which is more contagious through close contact, including sexual contact, are the two strains that are spreading.

Mpox is a virus that can be transmitted from person to person through personal contact, as well as from place to person by objects and surfaces touched by a person infected with mpox.