Simon Ateba is Chief White House Correspondent for Today News Africa covering President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, U.S. government, UN, IMF, World Bank and other financial and international institutions in Washington and New York.
United States aid chief Samantha Power met on Monday with President Hakainde Hichilema to discuss the initiative for Global Vaccine Access (Global VAX), the fight against corruption and democratic governance in Zambia, the U.S. Agency for International Development said in a statement.
Announced in December 2021, Global VAX is a whole-of-government effort to turn vaccines in vials into vaccinations in arms around the world.
“During their meeting, Administrator Power shared USAID’s ongoing efforts to support vaccine delivery and uptake across sub-Saharan Africa and highlighted how Global VAX could support the Zambian government to expand and accelerate their vaccination efforts,” said spokesperson Rebecca Chalif. “She commended the focus and political leadership demonstrated in Zambia’s vaccines delivery and emphasized that Global VAX support would align with Zambia’s national COVID-19 vaccination plan and existing health platforms.”
Chalif added that President Hichilema “provided his perspective on Zambia’s COVID-19 vaccination progress and challenges, and indicated that Zambia is well-positioned to partner with the U.S. to accelerate its COVID-19 vaccination efforts.”
She said Administrator Power and President Hichilema also discussed Zambia’s commitment to responsive democratic governance, and the United States’ continued partnership in fighting corruption, strengthening the rule of law, and supporting a free and independent press.
