Yvonne Chaka Chaka says Africa can stand on its own

United Nations Goodwill Ambassador for malaria and tuberculosis advocacy, Yvonne Chaka Chaka says Africa has leaders who are capable of developing the continent to greater heights.

Ms. Chaka Chaka said Africa was not a dark continent as it was perceived but has potential leaders that can change the status quo and stop begging from other countries.

She said it was time that African countries should do things for themselves instead of always depending on other countries for support.

She said this during a policy dialogue meeting on increased domestic funding for health where various political parties were invited to deliberate on how they will increase domestic funding in the health sector once elected into office during the January 20, 2015 presidential
elections.

Ms. Chaka Chaka urged leaders to be accountable to people who usher them into office by ensuring that they deliver according to public expectations and their campaign promises.

And Churches Health Association of Zambia (CHAZ) Advocacy Manager Yoram Siame called for increased domestic funding in the health sector to ensure an improved health delivery system in the country.

Three political parties namely National Restoration Party (NAREP), United Party for National Development (UPND) and Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) attended the policy dialogue meeting which was organised by Network of Zambian People Living with HIV/AIDS.

The former ruling party, the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) and the Patriotic Front (PF) were not in attendance.