The term of office for the United States of America (USA) Ambassador to Zimbabwe comes to an end this year. Ambassador Charles Ray took some time to reflect on his three-year term of office in Zimbabwe at a US Public Section function organized by DefZee yesterday. Ambassador Ray began his term of office in 2009 when he presented his credentials to President Robert Mugabe.  Prior to his current Zimbabwe mission Ambassador Ray served in the US army and retired with rank of Major. He held several key positions including serving as US Ambassador to Cambodia from 2002 to 2005 and Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Freetown, Sierra Leon.

In a brief speech Ambassador Ray challenged Zimbabwean youths not to restrict their learning to classrooms and textbooks but by reading widely. He also encouraged the youth not to fear failure. In his sentiments the Ambassador said taking initiatives to address some of the challenges affecting people in the community and not to wait for the government or other people to do it for them could create a better community in Zimbabwe.

In his three-year term in Zimbabwe the Ambassador highlighted how divisions have contributed to the challenges affecting the development of the country. Chief among them, the divisions in the society along tribal lines and those who view themselves as superior because they took part in the liberation war against those who didn’t, and the “born frees” against the older generation. Ambassador Ray said the best way for young people to participate in politics is by building better economic securities and this will enable youths not to be politicians but to be the power behind politicians. Responding to a question from the public on foreign trade the Ambassador concurred that every country goes into a business relationship with another for its self-benefit so there is need to exercise extreme caution in how a country does its business transactions. On how the Black community in America view President Obama, Ambassador Charles Ray said the once a president is elected into office in America he is guided by the constitution and he will be serving the American people not a particular section of the people in the country.

Commenting on the relationship between USA and Zimbabwe, Ambassador Ray pointed out that room for dialogue has been created and the two countries can now engage in discussions on how to find ways of making life better for average Zimbabweans.

PROGRAMME ANALYST: UNDP
Deadline: 29 June 2012

The UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security. Placing women’s rights at the center of all its efforts, the UN Women will lead and coordinate United Nations system efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender mainstreaming translate into action throughout the world. It will provide strong and coherent leadership in support of Member States’ priorities and efforts, building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors.

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Country Representative, the Programme Analyst is responsible for management of the Gender Support Project (GSP). She/he provides technical competence on gender and governance issues with a holistic approach to development. The Programme Analyst analyzes political, social and economic trends and leads formulation, management and evaluation of project activities within his/her portfolio and provides policy advisory services. Through the Country Representative, the Programme Analyst provides analysis for formulation of strategies and briefings to senior management.  The Programme Analyst represents UN Women in his/her area of expertise as requested by the Country Representative.

The Programme Analyst works in close collaboration with the UN Women programme and operations teams, programme staff in other UN agencies, Sub-Regional Office staff and Government officials, technical advisers and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society ensuring successful delivery of the GSP.

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Dangerous Minds

Sometimes getting people to laugh is the most political thing you can do. – Jools Topp

The Guardian

The drying up of donor funds to provide free blood is a major set back to pregnant women in Zimbabwe. Pregnant mothers will now have to pay more to get blood in the event that they encounter complications during delivery. According to the Herald, a pint of blood costs US$65 in Government institutions and US$50 in mission hospitals. This will automatically see an increase in maternal costs on pregnant mothers who have been struggling to pay maternity fees. Of note are very interesting points from the article where the National Blood Transfusion was quoted saying, “the cost of collecting and processing a pint of blood is about US$129 yet it is being sold to mission and Government hospitals at US$50 and US$65 respectively”. So one wonders whether if this is true since the organization gets free donations of blood from the public. The donor-funded progamme is coming to an end this month and government has not come up with a backup plan to avert a shortage of blood in public hospitals and clinics.