Jesuit Scholars “concerned about” High Maize Flour Prices in Zambia, Urge State to Act

They call on the government to “prioritize action to address the high mealie meal prices while continuing to present efforts to reduce the high cost of living.”

They also urge consumers to go for different foods such as roller meal – maize flour, which is not finely ground – while the government addresses the high price of the mealie meal.

JCTR officials urge the Hakainde Hichilema-led government to ensure food security for citizens by controlling the illegal exportation of mealie meal.

They add that government needs to hold a stakeholder consultation forum to find a “long-term and inclusive solution to the commodity’s high prices.”

JCTR officials also urge the Zambian government to commit resources to support the agricultural sector.

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They further call on the government “to complete the development (and ultimate roll out) of the comprehensive agricultural program to enable capacities of small scale farmers to accommodate alternatives to mealie meal.”

Meanwhile, Catholic Bishops in Zambia met with the President at the State House in the capital, Lusaka, and raised concerns about the high cost of living.

In a statement issued after a meeting with members of the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB), President Hichilema said he acknowledges the Church leaders’ concern about the high cost of living and how it is affecting the poor and vulnerable.

“We explained that our campaign was anchored on the ideals of reconstructing an economy that had broken down irretrievably as a result of mismanagement, reckless borrowing, and unbridled corruption,” President Hichilema said after the Thursday, February 9 meeting. 

The Head of State added that he informed ZCCB members “that Government had however put measures to ameliorate these negative effects, in order that the economy is brought to the level where ordinary citizens will benefit.”

President Hichilema also hailed the Catholic Bishops for their “unequivocal stand on social justice, promotion of human rights and equality, and their desire for universal education and health care, and most importantly, the Church's unflinching efforts in the furtherance of the Gospel of our Lord to the uttermost parts of our Republic.”

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.