Government Government of Zambia President Zambia
Description of Work:
Mr. Levy Patrick Mwanawasa was born in Mufulira, the second of 10 children. He holds a law degree from the University of Zambia, and worked in private law firms from 1974 until 1978 when he formed his own firm Mwanawasa & Company. He left the practice upon being appointed as vice president by President Frederick Chiluba in 1991. He retired from the position however in 1994, citing corruption as the reason.

In August 2000 the National Executive Committee of MMD elected Mwanawasa as its presidential candidate for the 2001 election. He began his first term after a narrow election win in 2001. Though initially seen by some as a handpicked puppet of his predecessor Frederick Chiluba, he was quick to remove Mr Chiluba's aides from the government.

He has made the fight against corruption a centrepiece of his presidency, giving the green light to investigations into alleged graft during the Chiluba era. He pressed for the former president's immunity from prosecution to be lifted.

Western donors have praised him for boosting economic growth to above 5% and attracting foreign investments, helped by his anti-graft campaign.The International Monetary Fund, World Bank and Western donors have rewarded Mr Mwanawasa by cutting Zambia's foreign debt to $502 million from an estimated $7.2 billion in June 2005.

President Levy Mwanawasa won a second term in September 2006, having campaigned on his economic record. Mr Mwanawasa took 43% of the vote compared with the 29% of his main rival, Michael Sata, who alleged that he had been cheated of victory. Some unrest followed the vote.

The president's health is an issue, especially for his opponents. He was involved in a near-fatal road accident in 1992 which left him with slurred speech. In April 2006 he suffered a minor stroke. Supporters and detractors alike agree that he displays a high level of integrity in his public life. He is married with six children.



(Information found at bbc.co.uk and wikipedia.com)