Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Inonge Wina
Government has launched the first ever national policy on honors and awards aimed at improving transparency and administration of honors and awards in the country.
Speaking during the launch of the policy in Lusaka, Republican Vice President Inonge Wina explained that it was discovered by the inter ministerial committee on honors and awards that some awards given out during public holidays were not well defined in terms of eligibility criteria.
She says the absence of a comprehensive national policy on honors and awards resulted in inconsistencies and gaps leading to situations where some individuals received different awards for the same contributions.
Ms Wina adds that the system further allowed same categories of recipients to continue receiving more honors and awards at the expense of others.
She says the policy document will therefore help define, encourage and reinforce national aspirations, ideals and standards by identifying role models.
The vice president has further disclosed that recipients of honors and awards, who are vulnerable, will now have an opportunity to receive assistance from existing government programs through the ministry of community development and social welfare.
Ms. Wina has since implored stakeholders to effectively play their part in the implementation of the policy in order for it to realize its objectives.