A Zambian Economist and Scholar, Kelvin Kamayoyo has observed that the Economics Association of Zambia (EAZ)’s profile is dwindling at an exponential rate and its undesirable silence on national economic policy and other related issues is too loud. He noted that the Association is also undergoing reorganisation and has embarked on an aggressive membership mobilisation campaign but all this would yield nothing if transparency and accountability is slaughtered.
Mr. Kamayoyo urged the Association to immediately hold an Elective General Meeting (EGM) so that the eligible general members through a democratic process can elect leaders of their outright choice. It is so sad that one year along the transitional trajectory, EAZ is still failing to put into office legitimately elected leaders but continue to be led by officials who are operating on an interim basis and exist without a membership approved strategic plan.
The vividly absence of the EAZ voice on economic issues is worrisome and even institutions that have co-opted members of EAZ to sit on their respective Boards or Technical Working Groups ought to be concerned. The Association ought to revise the criteria for nominating representatives to sit on other institutional Boards so that meritorious becomes a fundamental guiding principle.
Further, Kamayoyo emphasised that there was need for EAZ to develop a financial sustainability strategy so that the Association did not experience avoidable cyclical institutional challenges and render its voice silent for seemingly undetermined timeframe. He observed that Associations like EAZ should count itself fortunate because its field of operations has a wide-range of research and consultancy opportunities that can be undertaken to substantially help the institution earn income. Mr. Kamayoyo said the EAZ should do more work pursuant to its mandate so that in the year 2023, the Association could start recording positive strides and redeem itself from the dwindling organisation profile.
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