The Editor Zambia
The claim by Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) leader Antonio Mwanza that government is not willing to listen to opposition is misleading and does not reflect how governance works in practice.
Mwanza’s claims that government is not willing to listen to checks and balances from opposition parties, and only listens to foreign investors are mischievous whose agenda is politick. 
Checks and balances are not about government agreeing with every statement made by the opposition, but about institutions functioning, debating, and policies being tested through evidence.
Government has consistently engaged political stakeholders, civil society, the private sector and cooperating partners, including Zambian stakeholders, on major economic reforms.
It is also incorrect to suggest that listening to foreign investors means ignoring Zambians.
Investors, both local and foreign, create jobs, pay taxes and bring capital that the country needs to grow.
When government creates a predictable policy environment, it is not favouring foreigners over citizens, it is protecting Zambian jobs and Zambian businesses that depend on a stable economy.
To frame investment engagement as betrayal of citizens is populist, not patriotic.
What government cannot do is adopt opposition positions simply because they are loud. As UPND Alliance Chairperson Charles Milupi has rightly observed, opposition parties are doing a disservice to the country by failing to offer credible alternative policies.
Criticism without alternatives is not oversight, it is noise. If the DPP believes the current economic path is wrong, it should publish a costed alternative on debt, mining, agriculture, energy and social protection, and allow Zambians to judge it.
True checks and balances require substance. It is not enough to hold press briefings and declare that government is not listening.
The opposition has platforms including engaging ministers, make state house appointment to present alternative policy and social media long statements.
The question Zambians should ask is: how many of those platforms has the opposition used to table serious policy proposals, private member’s bills, or detailed shadow budgets?
The reality is that government has listened and adjusted where evidence demanded it.
Policies have been reviewed, implementation timelines have been changed, and social protection programmes have been expanded after feedback from citizens and stakeholders. That is proof of a listening government, not a closed one.
Listening does not mean surrendering economic discipline to satisfy political pressure.
In conclusion, Mr Mwanza’s statement confuses disagreement with deafness. Government will continue to listen to all Zambians, including the opposition, but it will be guided by facts, national interest and workable solutions.
The opposition will strengthen democracy more by offering credible alternatives than by claiming it is being ignored while refusing to do the hard work of policymaking.
