The United States Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Pamela Tremont, has condemned corruption in the country, describing it as a cancer that is robbing Zimbabweans of their vital resources.
Speaking at the 249th U.S. Independence Day celebrations in Harare last week, Tremont said the scourge of corruption is not only draining national wealth but also undermining trade and investment.
She warned that unless addressed, it will continue to hinder Zimbabwe’s economic progress and development. Said Tremont:
A strong stance against corruption is also imperative, as it is corrosive to an investment climate. I strongly encourage efforts to fight this cancer in Zimbabwe’s economy that robs the Zimbabwean people of the benefit of their precious resources and raises exponentially the cost of doing business in Zimbabwe…
A healthy, vibrant investment climate would create a culture of opportunity – an opportunity for what our founders 249 years ago called ‘life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.’ That is what we celebrate today.
Speaking at the same event, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Amon Murwira, said:
We wish, therefore, to invite all potential United States investors to come and invest in Zimbabwe. As you are aware, the government of Zimbabwe is enhancing the investment climate with a view to safeguarding investors’ interests and guaranteeing the protection of investments. In 45 years, we have learned a lot. We are still learning a lot. We are not 249 years.
Zimbabwe’s ranking in the latest Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) indicates a deterioration in public sector integrity, according to Transparency International (TI).
The country now stands at 158th out of 180 nations, reflecting a worsening trend in corruption levels.
This marks a significant decline from 2023, when Zimbabwe was ranked 149th, showing a nine-place drop in global standing.
More: NewZimbabwe.com
This is such a lovely and inspiring message. Wishing you all the best!