The remarks recently made by Archbishop George Lungu in a widely circulated video have ignited national conversation, not because they were controversial, but because they touched on a subject that often becomes a casualty of political competition: the ability to objectively acknowledge progress.
In an era where public discourse is increasingly defined by partisan loyalties, the Archbishop’s message was refreshingly straightforward.
His argument was that citizens should be willing to recognise positive developments when they occur, regardless of their political preferences. 
It was a reminder that national development should not be viewed through the narrow lens of party affiliation but through its impact on the lives of ordinary people.
Over the last several years, Zambia has witnessed the implementation of programmes that have had a visible presence in communities across the country.
The expansion of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) has placed unprecedented resources at the local level, allowing communities to identify and address their own development priorities.
New schools, health facilities, roads, markets, and water projects have emerged in districts that, for years, struggled to attract meaningful investment.
Equally significant has been the introduction of free education, a policy that has enabled thousands of children to remain in school and pursue their dreams regardless of their family’s financial circumstances.
For many households, the removal of school fees has represented not just economic relief but renewed hope for the future.
These are not abstract achievements. They are developments that can be seen, touched, and experienced by citizens in both urban and rural areas. They are the kinds of interventions that directly affect livelihoods and opportunities.
What makes Archbishop Lungu’s comments noteworthy is that they come from a respected religious leader whose primary concern is not electoral politics but the welfare of the people.
His observations therefore carry a degree of moral authority that transcends partisan debate. They challenge citizens to judge leaders not solely on rhetoric but on measurable outcomes.
It is also difficult to ignore the political significance of Archbishop Lungu’s intervention. While he did not explicitly campaign for any candidate, his acknowledgement of the government’s achievements amounts to a tacit endorsement of President Hakainde Hichilema’s leadership ahead of the August 13 elections.
In democratic societies, incumbents are ultimately judged by their record in office. When influential voices highlight tangible achievements and encourage citizens to recognise them, the political implications are self-evident.
Archbishop Lungu’s message should not be interpreted as a call for blind loyalty or unquestioning support. Democracy thrives when citizens remain vigilant, demand accountability, and expect continuous improvement from those entrusted with public office.
However, accountability must also include fairness. If failures deserve criticism, successes deserve recognition.
As the country moves closer to the polls, voters will have the opportunity to assess competing visions for Zambia’s future.
In making that choice, they should weigh promises against performance, rhetoric against results, and political slogans against realities on the ground.
Archbishop Lungu’s intervention serves as a timely reminder that national progress should never be ignored simply because it is politically inconvenient.
Where development is visible, where opportunities have expanded, and where lives have improved, honesty requires that such achievements be acknowledged.
Ultimately, the electorate will decide whether that record merits another mandate, but the conversation must begin with an objective assessment of what has been accomplished.
