By Sunday Chilufya Chanda
The visit of Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, KCVO, ADC (P) to the Republic of Zambia has been of great mutual import in many respects to both Zambia and Britain.
Apart from being a member of the British Royal Family and a grandson of Queen Elizabeth II and the fact that he is sixth in the line of succession to the British throne; He is also Commonwealth Youth Ambassador as well as President of African Parks.
Wildlife Conservation and Tourism
Prince Harry has a long history supporting conservation and humanitarian efforts across Africa and as earlier mentioned, he is also President of African Parks- a Wild life Conservation Group.
During closed-door talks with His Excellency President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, he informed the Head of State that African Parks will help move between 500 and 1,000 elephants from Botswana into Zambia’s Kafue National Park.
This will no doubt boost the tourism sector and eventually contribute to Zambia’s economic growth.
Zambia-United Kingdom Relations
The relationship between Zambia and the United Kingdom has evolved over decades and as Prince Harry has pointed out:
"Britain is Zambia's oldest relationship. It is one that has thrived over the past 54 years, and it continues to evolve - from the UK's development assistance, to growing mutually beneficial trade and investment”.
“The British Chamber of Commerce is exemplary of that. The chamber, working together with the British High Commission, has launched an effort to contribute to Zambia's economic development - making it easier to do business in Zambia, and encouraging more British companies to trade and invest here (Zambia)."
That Prince Harry has highlighted growing economic ties between the two nations at a time when cynics and naysayers have maliciously been peddling falsehoods that British-Zambia relations have soured, is extremely noteworthy.
The British royal’s statement unravels the pleasant realities of the status of Zambia/ UK relations just as it exposes the malevolence of purveyors of false news and misinformation.
It should now be clear to all that more British investment is coming into Zambia as our robust relationship with the United Kingdom continues to grow from strength to strength under the astute leadership of President Edgar Chagwa Lungu and Patriotic Front Government.
Win-Win opportunities for Zambia and Post Brexit Britain
Brexit is looming and according to British Conservative Politician Sir Richard Ottaway, if the UK is to place itself in a position of economic strength post Brexit, then its success will be reliant upon making its geopolitical world bigger, not smaller.
Key to this will be strengthening ties with emerging markets in the commonwealth.
The former Member of Parliament for Croydon South Sir Richard Ottaway like many other politicians and stake holders in the UK feel that the Prince’s visit highlights the fact that countries like Zambia are rapidly developing hubs of start-ups, tech programmes, and innovation, which are driven by a young and growing population.
They observe that commonwealth nations such as Zambia are exactly what Britain should be looking for as the next spike in consumers, investors, and trade.This potentially presents a win-win situation for Zambia.
The peace and security that we enjoy in Zambia is an added plus that is attracting more investment from the UK and we need to guard it jealously.
The fake news and xenophobic sentiments could put spanners in the works.
While some detractors are preoccupied with occupying State House by painting our country black with false news and mis-information, our nation remains a resilient success story under the leadership of President Edgar Chagwa Lungu and the Patriotic Front Government.
It is against this background that our distinguished visitor has come to Zambia.
As succinctly put by Sir Richard Ottaway in his recent on-line article entitled:
The Commonwealth is key to Britain’s post Brexit global strategy:
“It is therefore no coincidence that H.R.H. Prince Harry visited Zambia this week. A vibrant, democratically stable, environmentally aware nation and one of the main success stories of post colonialism”...
“Zambia is a country rich in resources, which provides a business-friendly environment, where governments and global companies are welcoming the opportunities provided by its market access across Southern Africa”.
https://reaction.life/countries-like-zambia-key-britains-post-brexit-global-strategy/
Zambia and the Commonwealth
The Duke of Sussex Zambian itinerary has been as demanding as it has been versatile.
His diary has been filled with varied engagements ranging from meeting our Head of State, to visiting war veterans and finally interacting with various youth.
As Commonwealth Youth Ambassador, we note with a great sense of appreciation that Prince Harry has spent considerable time interacting with our young people.
Zambia included, the Commonwealth’s 53 member countries have a combined population of more than 2 billion, of which more than 60% are under 30 years of age.
Prince Harry’s affinity for the youth strikes a vital chord with President Edgar Chagwa Lungu and the Patriotic Front Government. It is common ground.
With approximately 74% of its total population being under the age of 30, our nation is one of the many youthful African countries.
Like the Commonwealth, the Patriotic Front Government recognises the positive and active role and contributions of young people in promoting development, and promoting other common values, such as tolerance and understanding, including respect for other cultures.
(It is in this regard that in conformity with the Commonwealths principle of respecting other peoples and cultures, the PF Government abhors evils such as tribalism and xenophobia.)
As outlined in its Manifesto, the PF believes that the future success of Zambia in every area of development rests with the continued involvement of its young people and their contributions in promoting and sustaining noble values and principles. (The same can be said of the futures of Britain and the Commonwealth).
To this end, the PF Government of His Excellency President Edgar Chagwa Lungu is committed to investing in and promoting Youth Development, particularly through the creation of opportunities for youth employment and entrepreneurship; this is being done in accordance with the aspirations of the 7NDP and Vision 2030.
As Prince Harry-the Commonwealth Youth Ambassador continues his noble work to develop young people globally; the Patriotic Font will intensify its countrywide youth development locally as we continue to develop our nation in all respects.
Key to this, our relationship with our international partners including Britain and the Commonwealth continues to be strengthened under the stewardship of the Patriotic Front Government of President Edgar Chagwa Lungu even as Brexit draws near.
Ends…//…
Comments
Post a Comment