By MAIMBO MWEEMBA
The council of churches in Zambia (CCZ) yesterday joined the rest of Africa in celebrating African freedom day.
CCZ General Secretary Emmanuel Chikoya said the timely consideration of building the Africa that is wanted cannot not be done in the absence of culture, arts and heritage as it gives the sense of uniqueness and originality.
“I therefore call on all Zambians to uphold and cherish the culture and acknowledging that the world is changing with influx of the foreign culture which seemingly is diluting our culture,” he said
Mr Chikoya said the emergency of new conflicts on the continent has resulted in the failure by some African countries to achieve everlasting freedom and meaningful development of the people.
He said that the Genesis of conflicts in most cases is linked to political, natural resources, ethnicity, social and economic challenges.
“There is need to reflect on issues such as the high mobility of Zambian/African people, both within and outside the continent and its consequences in terms of citizenship rights and its impact on gender relations,” he said
Mr Chikoya said that building the Zambian and Africa everyone wants can only be possible if there is a conversion of hearts and minds, leading to a reconciled and peaceful Zambia and Africa.
“An environment where all citizens freely participate in governance that promotes a social economic environment is what all Africans should strive to have,” he said.
