UNZA HISTORIAN SAYS PRESIDENT HICHILEMA SHOULD HAVE APPOINTED FULL CABINET BEFORE OPENING PARLIAMENT
By Elesani Phiri
University of Zambia Historian Professor Bizeck Phiri says President Hakainde Hichilema should have first appointed ministers to all ministries before officially opening parliament.
Professor Phiri has warned that absence of a full cabinet could weaken government coordination and oversight despite constitutional provisions allowing the head of state to govern without a complete ministerial team.
He has told Phoenix News that although government operations can continue through Permanent Secretaries and other administrative structures, ministers are critical in providing political leadership and overseeing affairs of their respective ministries.
Professor Phiri says operating without a full cabinet could create gaps in management of government affairs and negatively affect reporting procedures and coordination among civil servants.
He adds that a fully constituted cabinet is important to ensuring the grow Zambia agenda is effectively implemented, with ministers providing oversight and accountability across different sectors.
PHOENIX NEWS
Is there a constitutional guideline in this matter?
If there isn’t, mere historical repetition does not count.
And if the bearer hasn’t violated the constitution he swore to uphold, has this affected overall government performance negatively? Or positively?
So far we are on the right trajectory. No deadweight to pull us behind. I am sure HH consults those who have read the constitution many more times than he has.
Judge the performance. This is the gold standard.
Don’t think always in terms of whether you or someone close to you is eating.