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Former Zambia’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Emmanuel Mwamba, has called for the establishment of a formal code of conduct for Presidential Advisors to ensure their roles are clearly defined and non-intrusive in the operations of government institutions.
His remarks come in the wake of recent statements from State House criticising bureaucratic inertia and administrative resistance among some public officials, which it said was threatening President Hakainde Hichilema’s ability to deliver on development promises.
State House Chief Communications Specialist, Clayson Hamasaka, defended the role of Presidential Advisors, stating they were mandated to engage government institutions and private sector players to accelerate the implementation of national development programmes.
However, Mwamba told Zambia Monitor in an interview that while the input of advisors was important, they should not interfere with the work of professionals and civil servants in a manner that could give the impression of corruption or institutional overreach.
“In my view, Presidential Advisors must stick to their lane—advise the usually wayward President—who already has tools, skills, and institutional support through Cabinet, the Secretary to the Cabinet, and other constitutional officers,” Mwamba said.
He also criticised the Presidential Delivery Unit, describing it as disruptive and duplicative of already established institutional mandates.
Mwamba advised President Hichilema to strengthen existing institutions by enhancing monitoring and evaluation frameworks across ministries, provinces, districts, and state agencies, rather than relying on parallel structures.
“They say a President is only as good as his advisors. This highlights the crucial role that advisors play in either the success or failure of a leader,” he said.
Mwamba cautioned that some advisors often abandon their advisory role and pursue personal interests, overriding public institutions under the guise of pushing the President’s agenda.
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“Government is run through a bureaucratic system—characterized by a hierarchy, clear roles, and adherence to rules and procedures. It ensures service delivery, consistency, and accountability,” he said.
Mwamba warned that when misunderstood or misused, bureaucracy is often seen as a monster blocking development, yet it can be a safeguard against corruption and mismanagement.
“Bureaucratic processes, though often criticised for inefficiencies, play a vital role in establishing compliance, accountability, and transparency,” he said.
Mwamba stressed the need to balance service delivery with streamlined processes that still respect institutional frameworks, ensuring that development efforts were both efficient and accountable.
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