Inept ministers hindering country’s development

Dear Editor,

I WRITE to explain about the detriment of having some cabinet ministers who are complacent and lack abilities to explain Government policies.

It is a well-known fact that cabinet ministers are politicians who have the agenda of monitoring the vision and agenda of the political party in power.

However, the Permanent Secretary is put as head of the ministry and sit at the helm of making policies. When it comes to explaining, interacting, mingling, articulating and implementing the policies of the government, ministers always come in the lime light.

Unfortunately, in our country we are faced with a challenge of having cabinet ministers who are not conversant with the policies made by Government ministries. Not only are they behind with some salient policies and issues, but also lack abilities and skills to articulate fully to the people.

Not long ago, we witnessed a very good bill flopping before parliament due to failure on the part of some law makers and selected ministers explaining to others the contents of the Bill.

The Patriotic Front government has accomplished a lot in their last 10 years in office since 2011 when they ascended to power. They have scored massively eas.

Similarly, the government is struggling with numerous challenges and the situation unfortunately is causing panic in our nation. The role of ministers is to explain to the people about measures the government is undertaking to ease their sufferings.

In football, a goal keeper is always vulnerable when the defence is not playing its role. Similarly the President becomes vulnerable and defenceless once he surrounds himself with ministers who are unable to represent him effectively.

I wish to reiterate the need for our ministers to embrace a sense of urgency and become more proactive. We need to see ministers engaging people on various issues.

We do not want to be missing the calibre of some former leaders like late President Michael Sata who left a legacy of industriousness.

Ministers must not just be enjoying the comfort of their air-conditioned offices. Ministers must be brave and aggressive in carrying out the mandate given to them.

We need to see more of the ministers like Dr Jonas Chanda, Mr Stephen Kampyongo and Mr Mutotwe Kafwaya. Our ministers must be action oriented and should be known as people's voices.

JOSECK KUNDA. in different ar