President Hakainde Hichilema says he has stayed away from the United Nations General Assembly for the third consecutive year, citing the need to cut the size of official delegations, shorten their stay and ensure prudent use of public resources.
But beyond his decision to remain in Zambia, President Hichilema has used the occasion to challenge what he describes as attempts to portray the country as being in crisis following the election.
He says Zambia is peaceful, stable and open for business, questioning why anyone who claims to love the country would deliberately create a negative picture of it or engage in actions that could scare away investors.
President Hichilema has urged Zambians, including those living outside the country, to act responsibly and protect the country’s image, peace and economic progress.
He has also pointed to falling inflation and second-quarter economic growth of 7.2 percent as indicators that the country is moving in the direction of growth, urging citizens to focus on the Grow Zambia agenda rather than actions that could undermine it.
By Victoria Kayeye Yambani
