Mr Nixon M. Banda

The appointment of a Chairperson to the Board of Commissioners in the Anti-Corruption Commission is a very welcome move indeed. This ends the 2-year spell of the Commission running without a Chairperson, though salutation goes to Vice Chairperson Mrs. Christine Mulundika and two other Commissioners Dr. Webby Kalikiti and Mrs. Elizabeth Lupeta who ensured that operations ran smoothly. Coupled with the appointment of Justice Chileshe, was the President’s appointment of Mr. Akashambatwa-Mbikusita Lewanika as Commissioner, bringing the ACC’s Board of Commissioners to full capacity at five (5) members. With the various efforts being made in collaboration with other stakeholders and relentless donor support in fighting corruption, the establishment of a full Board of Commissioners brings more confidence in the ACC’s goal towards a significant reduction in the levels of corruption in Zambia.

The 2004—2008 Strategy whose emphasis is on Prevention is now being fully implemented. Progress is also being made in efforts to institutionalize corruption prevention as is notable in the pilot project in 8 Ministries, Departments & Agencies (MDAs), who have commenced the launching of their Codes of Ethics. This means that the Integrity Committees established to fight corruption and maladministration in MDAs are making positive strides in instilling integrity and accountability in their staff. It is imperative that a sense of ownership in the fight is worked on for success to be achieved.