CCAP ‘too broke’ for General Assembly
THE Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) General Assembly says its elections in December hang in limbo because it has not yet secured funding (about K11.4 million) for its annual general assembly.
The assembly is scheduled to hold its annual general assembly in Harare, Zimbabwe and all five synods of Blantyre, Nkhoma, Livingstonia, Lusaka and the hosts Harare send delegates to the meeting.
CCAP General Assembly’s General Secretary Reverend Collin Mbawa told The Sunday Times on Monday that the money is used for transport expenses, food and other logistical needs.
He said his office wrote all synods about the budget, including international partners but no funds have been collected. “The success of holding elections will depend on availability of funds for the assembly; otherwise the synods are aware of how much they are supposed to give for the general assembly meeting.
“We rely on partners for support. But they come in if they see that we have done something. So, if we will fail to secure the needed funding, there will be no annual general assembly. This means there will be no elections and the current office bearers will continue acting in their positions until funds are available,” Mbawa said.
However, Nkhoma Synod General Secretary Reverend Vasco Kachipapa said failing to meet the budget cannot be a valid reason for the failure to hold the annual general assembly. “We have an interest in the general assembly because of the elections. We also want the assembly to endorse the new constitution on synods borders. Therefore, we cannot accept the failure of the assembly because the synods use their own funds for
“We rely on partners for support. But they come in if they see that we have done something. So, if we will fail to secure the needed funding, there will be no annual general assembly.
This means there will be no elections and the current office bearers will continue acting in their positions until funds are available,” Mbawa said.
However, Nkhoma Synod General Secretary Reverend Vasco Kachipapa said failing to meet the budget cannot be a valid reason for the failure to hold the annual general assembly.
“We have an interest in the general assembly because of the elections. We also want the assembly to endorse the new constitution on synods borders. Therefore, we cannot accept the failure of the assembly because the synods use their own funds for travelling expenses and others,” Kachipapa said.
In a separate interview, Blantyre Synod General Secretary Reverend Alex Maulana said the synod remains committed to the meeting its share of budget before the meeting.
Maulana said the synod is prepared for the elections; hence it cannot fail to submit its contribution. Livingstonia Synod General Secretary Reverend Levi Nyondo refused to comment on the matter.
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