Human Rights Commission – Zambia (HRC-Z) conducted training for information holders and media houses to enhance implementation of the Access to Information Act No. 24 of 2023.
The training, held on 10th August 2026 at Sandy’s Creation Resort in Chilanga District, was part of the ongoing provincial outreach activities being implemented by the Commission to build the capacity of information holders and the media in ensuring effective implementation of the access to information (ATI) law.
Speaking during the official opening of the engagement meeting, HRC-Z Director General, Ms. Mbololwa Wamunyima said the effective implementation of the ATI law was essential to ensuring that people can meaningfully exercise and enjoy their rights.
Ms. Wamunyima called upon information holders to comply fully with the law, emphasising that access to information is a fundamental human right and an important pillar of accountable and democratic governance.
She said that the Commission is mandate to promote and protect human rights includes ensuring that people can access information needed to participate in decisions that affect their lives.
Ms. Wamunyima explained that, under the Access to Information Act, the Commission is the independent oversight body responsible for promoting, monitoring and enforcing the effective implementation of the law.
“This mandate includes raising awareness of the right of access to information, monitoring compliance with the Act, building the capacity of Information Holders, advising Information Holders on their obligations and hearing and determining appeals against their decisions,” she said.
Ms. Wamunyima stressed that access to information should not be treated merely as an administrative procedure, but as a right that enables people to participate in public affairs, hold institutions accountable and contribute to democratic governance.
She reminded Information Holders that the progressive compliance period under the Act ended on 25th June 2026, and institutions were therefore expected to comply with the Act, the Access to Information (General) Regulations, 2025 and the Access to Information Guidelines, 2025.
Ms. Wamunyima said the success of the law would ultimately depend on how effectively it is implemented and how easily members of the public can obtain information to which they are entitled.
With support from the European Union through the GIZ, the Commission conducted the training which was attended by 36 representatives of various public institutions, private bodies and media houses in Lusaka Province.
