The opening ceremony was colourful as usual and had a command performance by the Zambian Police Band. Top Zambian government officials across the Ministries and from the State House attended in addition to the large number of delegates and participants, members of the diplomatic corps based in Zambia and the general Zambian public. The opening ceremony was declared open by the Vice President of Zambia, Her Excellency, Mutale Nalumango, on behalf of the President of Zambia. The President received the AFTRA Medal of Honour, which is AFTRA’s highest honour reserved for Presidents and Heads of State in Africa who have made distinguished contributions to development of the teaching profession in their countries and Africa.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Vice President of Zambia, who is also a teacher, lauded the effort of the continent to come under one umbrella [AFTRA] to pursue the professionalisation of teaching. She stated the country’s belief in teachers as the pivot of the education system and announced that the President accorded teachers highest priority in the country. She reiterated that Zambia would remain committed to the ideals of AFTRA and will always meet its obligations to the body. She called on all Ministries of Education in Africa and teacher-related organisations to see AFTRA as the gateway to teacher mobility in Africa and a spring board for global competitiveness for the African teachers.