In a significant move towards transparency and accountability, the Access to Information Act officially came into effect in Zambia on June 25. The commencement order was signed by Information and Media Minister Cornelius Mweetwa.

The Access to Information Act, assented to by President Hakainde Hichilema in December, last year, gives citizens, the media, and civil society organizations (CSOs) the right to access information held by public authorities. This legislation aims to enhance public participation, promote good governance, and combat corruption by ensuring that government operations are conducted openly.

The implementation of this law is a landmark step in Zambia’s democratic journey, as it empowers the public to hold authorities accountable and fosters a culture of transparency. With this new law, Zambians can now request and obtain information about government activities, decisions, and policies, thus enabling informed public discourse and scrutiny.

As the Access to Information Act takes effect, it presents an opportunity for Zambians to engage more actively in the democratic process. The media and CSOs, in particular, will play a crucial role in testing and utilizing the provisions of the new law to ensure that it fulfills its intended purpose.

The Access to Information Act of 2023 can be downloaded here.