Luanda – The head of the Episcopal Conference of Angola and Sao Tome (CEAST), Dom José Manuel Imbamba, defended Friday in Luanda a "bolder, incisive and strong" reform in the State apparatus, with the aim to achieve the intended results.
Invited to a meeting promoted by MPLA's Citizenship and Civil Society Office, where the party's governance programme and electoral manifesto were presented. The religious leader said that strengthening reforms is the best measure that can be taken to "cure all the ills still registered in several areas”.
"The reform has to be courageous, incisive and strong, so that we can obtain the effects we desire", said José Imbamba, who is also archbishop of Saurimo, Lunda Sul Province.
The bishop added that those reforms should count on the ethical commitment of the people, reflected in a good performance of the public administration.
The Catholic leader pointed out changes in attitudes and political culture of the society, stressing that it could be good in the implementation of the governance programme presented by MPLA.
In addition to the reforms, the religious leader urged MPLA, should it win the elections, to create more spaces for dialogue with churches and civil society, as, in his opinion, this can help good governance.
José Imbamba also defended greater funding and use of studies and scientific research from various academies in the country.
The secretary general of CEAST, Celestino Epalanga, on his turn, called on the MPLA not only to recover the assets of the State abroad and at home, but also to start creating teaching contents that promote a culture against corruption.
Still on the fight against corruption carried out by the MPLA, the representative of ADPP/Angola, Francisco Sapy, stressed that the theme is part of the teaching system for the education of children.
The representative of the Association of the Disabled Persons of Angola (ANDA), Inoque Bernado, also called for greater supervision in institutions, especially those of the State, for a better fight against corruption.
The asymmetries, fight against drought and the improvement of education were some of the topics discussed during the meeting, which brought together religious leaders and representatives of the civil society.
At least eight political forces are running for election, namely: MPLA, UNITA, PRS, FNLA, APN, PHA and P-NJANGO parties and the CASA-CE coalition.
Roughly 14.3 voters are expected to cast ballots on August 24 with 22,560 from abroad to choose the President of the Republic, the Vice President and the 220 deputies that constitute the National Assembly.
