1 September 2008
editorial
WE agree with the sentiments of Bread of Life Church overseer, Joe Imakando and President of the Bishops Council of the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AMEC) Paul Kawimbe on President Mwanawasa's leadership.
Prior to the President's election Zambia's image was seriously dented as the nation emerged from a failed attempt to arbitrarily change the constitution to extend the Presidential term of office to three five year terms.
Reports of rampant corruption in the public service had become common fare and the government then seemed not to take any significant steps to deal with the problem. By the time Dr Mwanawasa took over, corruption had become endemic.
Because the reports of corruption had been circulated widely, even in the international community, Zambia's image had been dealt a severe dent. The nation became the butt of corruption jokes and ranked very high on the Transparency International Corruption Index.
Coming on the ruling party ticket, many people thought things would become worse as the former leadership of the Government would control Dr Mwanawasa from behind the scene.
It was felt by many that since the party candidature was handed to him on a silver platter, Dr Mwanawasa would be beholden to the interests that sponsored him.
Additionally, there was a petition of the presidential election results in 2001, where the major grounds also centred on alleged corrupt practices by the Government then.
And there were some findings regarding the same, and the court pointed to some culpable people.
But he set to the task of fighting corruption with vigour. He took some unprecedented actions which were, no doubt bold and necessary to take the fight against corruption to the top of the agenda for his Government.
The international community took notice and came to the Government's aid with massive support to the Task Force on Corruption which Dr Mwanawasa formed.
Because of his tenacity in ensuring the Task Force performed, Zambians and the international community acknowledged that this time the Government was serious about fighting corruption.
Even if some of the cases being handled by the Task Force have taken long to be concluded, there is no doubt that Dr Mwanawasa meant business.
This is what led to the restoration of Zambia's dignity in the international community that Bishop Imakando is alluding to.
Whoever takes over as president should ensure that Zambia's very strong standing in the international community, which was based strongly on President Mwanawasa's ceaseless crusade against corruption and sound corporate governance is maintained.
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