. Wina

By JAMES KUNDA –
VICE-PRESIDENT Inonge Wina has encouraged the Anglican Church to continue working with the Government in improving the livelihood of Zambians.
Ms Wina said other than the evangelistic work associated with the religious grouping, the Anglican Church is renowned for aiding people, worldwide, access social services such as health and education.
“I am aware that the Anglican Church has played a leading role in poverty reduction, conflict resolution, good governance, corruption eradication and gender and ethnic inequality.
“Let us, therefore, continue to join hands to improve the standards of life for our people and in the provision of economic solutions to our populations, let us promote love and peace throughout the world,” Ms Wina said.
The Vice-President was speaking at the Government Complex in Lusaka on Saturday during a welcome dinner hosted by the Anglican Church for delegates attending the ongoing Anglican Consultative Council (ACC-16).
The dinner was hosted by Archbishop Albert Chama, overseer of the Church’s Central Province, which comprised four countries, which were, Zambia, Malawi, Botswana and Zimbabwe.
Among the local and foreign delegates attending the 10-day ACC-16 under the theme ‘international discipleship in a world of differences’, in Lusaka is the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby.
Ms Wina said Government recognised the important role that religious groupings played in national development and regarded the involvement of the Church in national affairs as a critical partnership.
Ms Wina cited the recently held inter-party dialogue between political parties and the three Church mother bodies as an indication that Government valued the participation of the religious bodies in national affairs.
“Government has continued to look up to the Church to provide spiritual guidance in State affairs, which contributes to the harmonisation of the relationship between Government and other governance institutions.
“The Church has thus been a key factor in promoting peace and prosperity on our nation,” she said.
She extended the gratitude of Government to the Anglican Church for the Christian body’s contribution to the social and economic success of Zambia.
At the same occasion, Archbishop Welby said his Church was praying for Zambia to remain a beacon of peace before, during and after the forthcoming general elections.
Archbishop Welby said humanity should endeavour to remain united as peace was a hallmark of the teachings of Jesus Christ.
“Zambia is a shining example of peace on the continent and let me assure you, that we are praying for this country that the elections will be peaceful and the outcome will be seen as fair for the good of all Zambians,” Archbishop Welby said.