Out going Child Care and Adoption Society President, Reverend Moses Banda, has disclosed that the child adoption procedure has been grossly abused.
And Mr. Banda has said that Zambia will not be used as a front for child trafficking and other vices that violate the rights of children.
The organization has since called for strengthening of the law against child traffickers and those that abused the Adoption Act.
Mr. Banda said adoption had been grossly abused and his organization was determined to make amends and improve the handling of adoptions.
He called on Zambians not to leave adoptions to foreigners but to take a leading role in adopting the Zambian children.
Mr Banda said this at a press briefing held in Livingstone today.
“Adoption is free for all and there are a lot of children in transit homes who need to be adopted. Zambians should adopt the children and avoid minding the long legal process,” Mr Banda said.
He bemoaned the influx of orphanages and transit homes that just thrived on sending children out of the country.
“We need to ensure that children are adopted for decent things other than abuse,” he said.
He said there is need for government to improve the standards of transit homes and childcare homes.
Earlier, the society elected new office bearers who included Richard Chella as the national president.
Edwin Mbulo will deputize Chella while the national treasurer is Mwembe Kaona.
Committee members are Mwape Mushili from Livingstone, Peter Chishimba (Mpika), Agatha Litebele(Lukulu), Bethwell Chikota(Kabwe) and Gilbert Mubanga from Ndola.
Others are Mary Phiri, Vivian Njovu, Robert Munkombwe, Jocelyn Sinkolongo, Macdonald Chillepa and Freda Mukonka from Lusaka.