Ministry pledges to fight moraldecay

Fri, 24 Mar 2017 13:17:58 +0000

By AARON CHIYANZO

THE Ministry of National Guidance and Religious Affairs will champion and intensify the fight against drug, alcohol and internet abuse among the youth to save the nation from moral decay, says Godfridah Sumaili.

And Ms Sumaili, the National Guidance and Religious Affairs minister, said that there was need to raise moral standards in the country especially among leaders.

She said that the rate at which Zambians were abusing drugs and alcohol was worrisome and that her ministry would work with line ministries such as the Ministry of Health to curb the vices.

Ms Sumaili told journalists shortly after presenting her ministerial report to President Edgar Lungu at State House yesterday that the Head of State was worried at the escalating levels of drug and alcohol abuse in the country, especially among the youth.

She said her ministry would also intensify the fight against internet abuse among children and work with other ministries in protecting them.

Ms Sumaili stressed the need for mechanisms to monitor and evaluate morals among different sections of society across the country.

“We are focusing on improving our staff especially at director level. We have already put our implementation plan for 2017 in place. We have to address drug and alcohol abuse, also children abusing the internet. Moral values need to be raised in Zambia especially among leaders,” she said.

And Ms Sumaili said that the civil service in Zambia needed to embrace a culture of honesty and transparency as they executed their duties.

She said that work ethics should be observed and respected at all times by workers to ensure sustainable development of the country.

Meanwhile, Ms Sumaili reiterated the need for Zambians to understand all national emblems, including the national anthem.

She said that national emblems should be well understood so that their significance could be passed on to future generations.