Vice President Inonge Wina has launched the National policy on Honours and Awards that will ensure a well administered national honours and awards system in Zambia.
Mrs Wina said the policy will improve transparency and accountability in the administration of honours and awards and enhance stakeholder participation and involvement.
The Vice President said the national policy will also enhance the coordination of the national awards system in the country.
Mrs Wina explained that the new document will simplify the nomination procedures and guideline for honours and awards to enable the general public appreciate and participate in the honours and award systems.
She disclosed that a comprehensive legislation to guide the administration of national honours and awards will soon be enacted because the current law only focusses on the prevention of abuse of honours and decoration, leaving out other important issues relating to the administration of such awards.
She hoped that the administration of honours and awards will be more credible, transparent and would promote equity, patriotism and hard work with a culture of excellence once the policy is implemented.
And Minister in the office of the Vice President Silvia Chalikosa said the national honours and awards play an important role in promoting innovativeness and excellence in all sectors of society.
Ms Chilikosa noted that a well administered honours and awards system will contribute to economic and social development as it helps define, encourage and reinforce national aspirations, ideals and standards.
Zambia has been administering honours and awards for over 5 decades without a national policy on honours and award which pose a challenge and limit the appreciation of the honours by members of the general public.
The honours and awards are conferred on individuals by the Republican President at the investiture ceremony during the Africa Freedom Day and Independence Day/ZANIS.
