Democratic Union President Ackim Antony Njobvu has today used World Creativity and Innovation Day_ to call for a shift in how Zambia tackles unemployment, low productivity and poor service delivery, saying the country “will not be solved by doing the same things we have done for the last 60 years.”
In a statement issued to mark the day, the DU leader said innovation must start with leadership and urged reforms in education, governance and enterprise.
“We must create a Zambia where our schools teach problem-solving, not just memorization; our government rewards initiative, not just loyalty; and our entrepreneurs are supported, not suffocated by red tape,” Njobvu said.
Njobvu pledged to champion policies that invest in research, protect intellectual property, and open doors for Zambian inventors, farmers, artists, and tech innovators to compete globally.
He said creativity is not a luxury for rich nations, but is the most affordable tool a developing country has.
“With it, we can turn our youth bulge into a dividend, our challenges into markets, and our culture into exports,” he added.
The United Nations designated 21 April as World Creativity and Innovation Day in 2017 through Resolution A/RES/71/284. The day is meant to raise awareness of the role of creativity and innovation in all aspects of human development, and to encourage problem-solving at individual, organizational and national levels.
It is also seen as part of the build-up to World Intellectual Property Day on 26 April, highlighting the link between new ideas and economic growth.
The UN ties the observance directly to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, including decent work, industry innovation, and reduced inequalities.
This year’s commemoration in Zambia comes amid calls from artists, farmers and business leaders for government to cut bureaucracy and fund local solutions.
Francis Chipalo
