By STEVEN ZANDE –
GOVERNMENT has reassured the international community of continued peace during campaigns for the August 11 general elections.
Ministry of Tourism and Arts Permanent Secretary Stephen Mwansa said the recent violence reported would not degenerate into a crisis because the Zambian people were peaceful.
Mr Mwansa said some media houses were in a habit of exaggerating minor cases of violence, thereby causing unnecessary alarm on the international community.
He was responding to concerns of increased cases of political violence which were raised by German Ambassador to Zambia Bernard Finke in Lusaka on Thursday.
This was during a panel discussion on wildlife and tourism which was held at the American Embassy.
“The media should help us grow our tourism industry by being logical in their reporting. Careless and misdirected reporting will only serve to damage the country’s economic prospects,” Mr Mwansa said.
Mr Mwansa said his ministry was implementing several interventions aimed at creating a thriving wildlife sector which could accrue economic and environmental benefits to the people.
Mr Finke urged political parties to conduct peaceful campaigns ahead of the elections because violence would scare away tourists and investors.
He said his government had been concerned with recent reports of political violence which had reached Germany through the social media platforms.
Mr Finke promised continued support to Zambia’s tourism sector by encouraging German visits and marketing the country’s rich tourism attractions in Europe.
American Ambassador to Zambia Eric Shultz said his government was keen to help Zambia expand its tourism potential because the sector had the potential to alleviate poverty.
“Wildlife is a natural and renewable resource that could create jobs and earn Government foreign exchange which is critical to Zambia’s economic diversification,” Mr Shultz said.