"Say no to Corruption" Urges President Banda

LUSAKA, Zambia, December 9, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- His Excellency, Mr. Rupiah Banda, President of the Republic of Zambia, has today marked International Anti-corruption Day, pledging his commitment to instill integrity and good governance in Zambia.

Since December 9th 2005, when the United Nations' convention against corruption became international law, the Zambian Government has placed the fight against corruption at the top of the national development agenda.

President Banda said of the occasion: "Corruption weakens democratic institutions, perverts the rule of law, discourages investment and aid, undercuts public confidence, feeds inequality and disenfranchises large segments of the population. It is a severe obstacle to development and should be "nipped in the bud" with the aggressiveness it deserves."

Demonstrating his commitment, the President launched the "National Anti-corruption Policy" in August 2009, followed by an implementation plan in March this year. The policy and its implementation plan, both a Zambian first, provide a framework for developing and implementing anti-corruption measures at three levels; legal, institutional and social.

This is evident through initiatives such as the 'Integrity Committee Initiative', designed to prevent corruption in government agencies and the private sector. The initiative is being rolled out by the Anti-Corruption Commission and so far has been established in 17 government ministries, departments and agencies.

President Banda has committed resources to delivering educational programmes, which take the core message about anti-corruption across government and business. His goal is clear: to ensure robust and reliable foundations for building tomorrow's Zambia.

Calling on all people to work together in this crusade, President Banda said: "My Government is determined to rid this country of corruption. But we cannot do it alone. We need the involvement of the private sector, civil society organizations, religious organizations and the ordinary citizen if we are to truly make a difference at the heart of our great country".

    Issued by:

                                  Dickson Jere
                           Special Assistant to the President
                               Press and public Relations

SOURCE Statehouse, Lusaka, Zambia