ZAFOD chief call for an inclusive government

…Mbewe wants to see an immediate end to what he termed systematic exclusion of persons with dis, abilities in development agendas

By Francis Maingaila

Lusaka (25-08-2021) Zambia Federation of Disability Organisation (ZAFOD) has called for an all-inclusive government to accommodate persons with disabilities in the national development agenda.
ZAFOD president Paul Mbewe told journalists at a media briefing that the speech by president Hakainde Hichilema at the inauguration his government will be inclusive was inspiring.
He wants an immediate end to what he termed systematic exclusion of persons with disabilities in development agendas
He hopes the speech which he said was inspiring will be actualised by the new government.
He said the government does not have an option but to fulfil the provision of the constitution that provides for the persons with disabilities in the government.
He said many people qualify to hold various activities associated with national development.
He said the previous government had made similar pronouncements but nothing has happened.
Only hope that the UPND government will comply with the regional and International protocols on issues of disabilities.
He also wants to see the government include the person with disabilities in the national development including appointing persons with disabilities as MPs so that they can represent the interests of persons with disabilities in parliament.
He also wants to see persons with disabilities in various positions.
He asked the president to also tamper with the constitution to allow representations of persons with disabilities in various positions.
He said the persons with disabilities want to see an inclusive electoral process to allow the adoption of persons with special needs in the electoral processes.
He said the persons with disabilities embraced national development.
He reminded the government that all person is capable of becoming disabled hence the need to embrace the person with disabilities in national agendas.
He is happy that of the 12 persons that took part in the just-ended elections five won the elections.
He said those that won elections competed with the able-bodied person who frequently stigmatised them.
Despite the stigma, the five carried the day after successfully put up a spirited fight.