Country On Right Track, Says Report

from All Africa

The Times of Zambia (Ndola)

ZAMBIA has made tremendous economic strides especially in boosting its construction industry and improving health care delivery, a Boston University African Presidential Archives and Research Centre (APARC) official has said.

Launching the African Leaders State of Africa report 2007 in Lusaka yesterday, APARC director, Charles Stith said Zambia was on the right economic path and was poised to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

The report highlights the vision and strategies of contemporary African Heads of State from countries with a demonstrated commitment to democracy and free market reforms.

For Zambia, it features President Levy Mwanawasa's speech to the 62nd session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York last September.

Mr Stith, who is a former U.S. ambassador to Tanzania, said Zambia was on a right track economically and was likely to achieve some MDGs like in the health sector.

Mr Stith said it was gratifying to see Zambia under the leadership of President Mwanawasa improving its economy last year by 6.2 per cent where health care had improved and more buildings had been built.

He noted that a vibrant private sector would house many Zambians and at the same time help revamp other industries which produce construction raw materials.

He reminded the nation that despite the country facing some challenges, Zambia had produced an asset for itself in the name of Dr Kenneth Kaunda, who is Zambia's First Republican President.

Mr Stith said Zambia and Africa should use leaders like Dr Kaunda who had helped the American recovery from September 11 shock.

He said although there were reports of misuse of public resources, Zambia was heading in the right direction and all citizens should support the economic growth.

Mr Stith said countries in the report were picked on merit and demonstration that they were promoting democracy where their citizens, among other things, enjoyed health care services.

This year's report highlights economic and educational advancements made in 15 African countries, which are Zambia, Malawi, Kenya, Mali, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Benin, Botswana, Ghana and Cape Verde.

Commenting on the report at the same function, Dr Kaunda said he was grateful to Boston University for giving him a chance to be the first African leader to be accommodated at the university for 15 months with a sole aim of explaining Africa's achievements.

Earlier, American ambassador to Zambia Carmen Martinez called on Zambians to hold accountable their leaders to ensure the public benefits from their rich resources.