Jesuit Scholars in Zambia Laud Government’s “interventions” Toward Sustainability of Debt

"Sustained reduction in fuel prices, for example, must be pursued at all costs," JCTR officials say, adding, "This is true even in the face of the rationalization of subsidies that will form one of the conditionalities of the IMF programme.”

As the country’s attention shifts to the 2023 National Budget, officials of the Jesuit Centre call on the government to address the high cost of living, which they say is causing suffering to poor Zambians.

"The Centre urges the government to continue to create opportunities and to provide an enabling and supportive environment aimed at narrowing the gap between the cost of living and salaries (incomes) for the majority of Zambians," the Jesuit scholars say in their September 8 statement shared with ACI Africa.

They add, “A similar call is extended to other stakeholders, such as the private sector, who also have a role to play to sustain the recent gains that the country is experiencing."

“Every effort must be made for families to receive a wage which is large enough to meet ordinary needs adequately,” JCTR officials further say in their appeal to the Zambian government.

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Magdalene Kahiu is a Kenyan journalist with passion in Church communication. She holds a Degree in Social Communications from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA). Currently, she works as a journalist for ACI Africa.