–The following is an extract from the Bank of Zambia Governor Denny Kalyalya’s comments on the amendment of the constitution of Zambia (amendment) bill no. 10 of 2019
A stable political order can only be achieved by establishing a constitutional order that is legitimate, credible, and enduring as well as that is readily accessible to the people without compromising the integrity and effectiveness of the process of governance.
The stark lessons learned from various constitutional processes that have taken place all over the world is that the process of adopting the Constitution is as important as its substance, and the process must be legitimate for it to be acceptable to all stakeholders. In order for the process to be legitimate, it must be inclusive. No party, whatsoever, should control it.
A constitution should be the product of the integration of ideas from ALL stakeholders in the country, including political parties, both within and outside Parliament, civil society, and individuals in society. We firmly believe the Constitution should be a long-term document for successive governments. It should therefore create strong institutions. The non-resolution of creating a lasting constitution has constrained the country’s focus on the urgent and much needed economic development.
It is our sincere hope that with these amendments the supreme law of the land will be clearer and devoid of contradictions and inconsistencies. We note that clarity in the supreme law of the land is critical for the advancement of the rule of law, which is the bedrock for economic development.