ALLIANCE Against Corruption (AAC) Executive Director Noel Chisebe says corruption remains the greatest obstacle to Zambia’s national development agenda. In an interview with the newsroom, Dr Chisebe cautioned that Zambia’s aspiration for growth through the “Grow Zambia Agenda” will be unattainable unless far-reaching anti-corruption measures are implemented. Dr Chisebe emphasised the urgent need for the government […]

ALLIANCE Against Corruption (AAC) Executive Director Noel Chisebe says corruption remains the greatest obstacle to Zambia’s national development agenda.

In an interview with the newsroom, Dr Chisebe cautioned that Zambia’s aspiration for growth through the “Grow Zambia Agenda” will be unattainable unless far-reaching anti-corruption measures are implemented.

Dr Chisebe emphasised the urgent need for the government to provide real-time, adequate, and predictable funding to key oversight institutions among them the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC).

He stressed that such funding should be ring-fenced for critical operations, including forensics, asset tracing, and the establishment of decentralized offices in all provinces and districts.

“We have noted with concern the funding status of oversight institutions. The Anti-Corruption Commission and the Drug Enforcement Commission, among others, need real-time funding,” Dr Chisebe said.

He further called for the restoration of funding for corruption prevention and public education initiatives, highlighting that these are more cost-effective than prosecution in combating graft.

“We need to treat the fight against corruption just like we treat economic infrastructure because every kwacha leaked from Constituency Development Fund (CDF), Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP), mining royalties, and health procurement undermines the Grow Zambia Agenda,” Dr Chisebe observed.