APPRECIATION OF KWACHA

  The recent trend of the appreciation of the Kwacha comes with various view points - some see it as a long awaited and long time planned for reality.  It’s pointed to be resulting from progress on Zambia’s part to reach the HIPC completion point. It’s also pointed out as resulting from  good sales of copper that have recently been experienced. Some critics point to this year’s tripartite elections and wonder if the Kwacha’s appreciation is  a politically manipulated situation.

But for the common Zambian on the streets, a teacher, a nurse, a police officer, any civil servant or businessman and woman the question is that of “how much effect does the appreciation of the kwacha have on the market?”   Is the current situation of the kwacha’s appreciation as a result of our leaders choosing wisely the course of events that have led to good economic gains in our economy?

 For some years we have  been groomed to a reality of checking our wealth financially based on the US dollar power or other major European currencies. We have preferred to keep the US dollar and not our own Kwacha currency as an indication of our financial wealth.  We have been brought so low as to cherish what is not our own.

Should we now suddenly change attitudes and trust our Kwacha and its strength? Or is the US dollar or other European currencies still our frame of reference in the market world?

 Real appreciation of the Kwacha  is still a long way for us. It comes with good governance and good economic gains, not only promises on good governance and possible economic gains to come.

The Kwacha has to prove to the common Zambian that it can provide for good healthcare, good education, employment and better housing opportunities, and food before it can be considered a blessing in its appreciation to the US dollar or other major currencies.

God gives us the capacity to choose a blessing. Zambians can choose a path that leads to good economic blessings. Do our movers of political and economic power make that possible? Do they choose for good political and economic leadership that is well planned, directed and possible for implementation, to benefit all Zambians, not for the few privileged but all who desire and work for a good life, not so much for riches, but for food, medicine, shelter, education and employment.   

The strength of the Kwacha should be seen in creation of jobs, housing, food, medical and the basic needs of human beings. This is still an area in which the government needs to come up with measures that will prove that the Kwacha has appreciated.

By Fr Kennedy Sampa Omi

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