Re-created Presidential Affairs Ministry: some ruminations

Recently Parliament unanimously approved the creation of new ministries in line with President Edgar Lungu's proposal to re-align and reconstitute some portfolios to enhance service delivery and economic development. The newly-created ministries include Housing and Infrastructure Development, Water Development and Sanitation, National Guidance and Religious Affairs and the Ministry of Presidential Affairs.

There is no doubt however, that the move to create and realign some ministries has attracted a number of mixed reactions from among many stakeholders. For those against the decision, the issue of running a cost effective administration by cutting down expenditure has emerged prominent, while for those in favor, aligning such institutions and the creation of new ministries of government is intended to focus on the strategic areas of economic efforts and improve service delivery for the country.

In Zambia, it is not the first time the Ministry of Presidential Affairs has been established. This ministry had existed under the previous MMD government of President Fredrick Chiluba.  Prominent lawyer Mr Eric Silwamba was once the Minister for Presidential Affairs Minister in the Chiluba government. Mr Silwamba was however, widely criticized by some section of the Zambian private press as merely ‘meddling unnecessarily’ with the presidency. A case in point was in August 1997 when President Chiluba visited Singapore and Indonesia was conducted incredibly without the Foreign Affairs Minister but with the ‘ever-present’ Minister for Presidential Affairs, Eric Silwamba. In any case however, the criterion for accompanying the President on local and international trips has hitherto purely remained the preserve of the President. This throws out the argument as to who becomes part of the presidential entourage on foreign trips. However, Silwamba was also known to be Chiluba’s personal old friend from Ndola before the latter became President. Thus for many, it was widely, perceived that the position of Minister of Presidential Affairs was for the purpose of political grandiose to the President’s political allies.  As such, the role of the Presidential Affairs had remained publicly undefined throughout this period.

Depending on the structure and organization of government set-up, there are countries in the region that have institutionalized the Presidential Affairs Ministry. In Namibia for instance, the Presidential Affairs Minister is responsible for assisting the President, both technically and administratively, to effectively exercise his/her roles and responsibilities as Head of State and Government among the other defined roles. Similarly, in Botswana, the Ministry of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration is equivalent to the same position. In Tanzania, the Presidential Affairs Act collectively provides for the functions and offices of the President, Vice-President and the Prime Minister.

In Zambia, the reestablishment of the Presidential Affairs Ministry by President Lungu should be viewed as a right move only if its intended objective is meant to strengthen the capacity of the intended ministry to bring efficiency and effectiveness by reducing bureaucracy in the administrating of the Executive duties and functions of the president by promoting initiatives such as the integration of science, technology and innovation in all aspects of running government. There is also need to define the role and functions of this Ministry through the necessary institutional capacity to avoid duplication of government functions.

The intended ministry can also be a useful link between the President and the ordinary citizen. This is because in nearly all systems of government, such political capital to transform the lives of citizens and drive the economy is vested in the chief executive of a country who in Zambia is the President of the Republic according to the constitutional order.