Reported by: The Agency Media.
Date: 5th April, 2025.
Lusaka, Zambia.
In a compelling call to action during the Baden-Powell Commemoration Ceremony at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Lusaka, President Hakainde Hichilema and First Lady Mutinta Hichilema, Represented by Dr Douty Chibamba the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment, underscored the critical role of Zambia’s youth in tackling the escalating climate crisis.
The event, held under the theme “Together We Can Reverse Climate Change Effects,” brought together over 500 Scouts and Girl Guides from across the nation, alongside senior government officials, diplomats, and community leaders. The gathering paid tribute to the legacy of Lord Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the Scouting movement, and his wife Olave Soames, the inaugural Chief Guide.
President Hichilema, who serves as Patron of the Scouts and Guides movement in Zambia, praised the dedication of the young participants and highlighted the enduring relevance of Baden-Powell’s ethos of preparedness and community service. “We commend your unwavering commitment to community improvement and environmental stewardship,” the President stated, urging the youth to emulate Baden-Powell’s philosophy of leaving the world better than they found it.
Reflecting on Zambia’s environmental challenges, President Hichilema delivered a sobering reminder: the country is losing an estimated 172,000 hectares of forest annually. He stressed that reversing this trend requires a united, nationwide effort. “The fight against climate change cannot be left to the government alone. It is a collective responsibility,” he declared.
The President lauded the Scouts and Guides for spearheading initiatives such as tree planting drives across Zambia’s provinces, campaigns against early child marriage and drug abuse, and education programmes targeting informal communities. These efforts, he noted, align with Zambia’s obligations under the Paris Agreement, which seeks to limit global temperature rise to well below 2°C, with aspirations of keeping it to 1.5°C.
First Lady Mutinta Hichilema also expressed heartfelt appreciation for the contributions of the Scouts and Guides, encouraging continued activism. “You are the driver of change. Continue with this spirit, and know that the government stands firmly behind you,” she said.
The President further emphasized the broader significance of grassroots climate action, pointing to the power shortages and agricultural disruptions Zambia currently faces as tangible evidence of climate change impacts. He advocated for simple but effective behavioural changes—such as reducing deforestation, avoiding burning of forest land, and embracing sustainable farming practices—to curb greenhouse gas emissions and restore ecological balance.
“We must all ask ourselves: what is our contribution?” President Hichilema challenged the audience. “By making conscious choices every day, from walking instead of driving to curbing indiscriminate tree cutting, we collectively move toward a greener, safer Zambia.”
As the ceremony concluded, the Scouts and Guides reaffirmed their commitment to environmental action, symbolized by the planting of approximately 500 trees nationwide—a small but meaningful step in a broader environmental recovery agenda.
The Baden-Powell Commemoration not only honoured the founders of the movement but also served as a rallying point for Zambia’s youth and citizens alike, reinforcing the message that the path to climate resilience begins with local action and unwavering civic duty.
The Agency