"The GOAT Media Centre"

Warns practice may contravene Children’s Code Act as group urges political parties to keep minors away from rallies By Francis Maingaila ♥️  Lusaka, Zambia24 -- (June 26, 2026) — The Christian Churches Monitoring Group (CCMG) has warned against parading children at political campaign events, saying the practice may contravene Zambia’s Children’s Code Act No. 12 of 2022, which prohibits exposing children to situations that risk their safety, dignity and welfare. CCMG Programme Manager Peter Mwanangombe told Zambia24 that involving children in political campaigns is not advisable because such environments are often emotionally charged and can expose minors to intimidation, manipulation and potential harm, undermining their protection and wellbeing. Mwanangombe said the increasing presence of children at rallies and campaign events, including appearances on stage with political leaders, raises serious child protection concerns. Mwanangombe stressed that any involvement of children in...

Reforms to modernise benefits, expand coverage and improve portability By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia 24 -- (24-06-2026) — The Government has introduced a new pension law aimed at improving retirement benefits and strengthening the management of pensions for public service workers. Public Service Pensions Fund (PSPF) Director General Francis Pindani Nyirenda announced the development in Lusaka on Thursday during a media briefing on the Public Service Pensions Act No. 73 of 2026. Nyirenda said the new law, signed by President Hakainde Hichilema on June 4, replaces the 1996 legislation and introduces a modern framework designed to improve governance, fairness and the long-term sustainability of pensions. He said the reforms are also intended to extend coverage to workers who were excluded from the pension system after 2000 and to ensure equal treatment across the public service. Under the Act, PSPF will now manage two schemes — the existing Public Service Pensions Scheme ...

Government, regulators, industry and development partners push coordinated action to reduce foodborne diseases in Zambia By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24  --- (24-06-2026) --- Food safety is a shared, urgent national priority that requires coordinated action across the entire food system—from production to consumption—to reduce preventable foodborne diseases and improve public health and development outcomes in Zambia. Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary for Technical Services, Dr. Kennedy Lishimpi, underscored this position during the World Food Safety Day 2026 commemoration held in Lusaka, saying food safety is a critical public health and development issue that requires sustained, multi-sectoral collaboration. He said strengthening food safety systems is essential to reducing the burden of foodborne diseases, which continue to affect health outcomes and strain national resources. Dr. Lishimpi said foodborne diseases remain a major global concern, with World Health O...

Production jumps from 30 million kg to over 100 million kg as sector pushes for productivity, investment and value addition By Francis Maingaila ♥️  Lusaka, Zambia24 --- (25-06-2026) --The tobacco industry remains important to Zambia’s economy, but its future growth depends on making farming and the industry more productive, profitable, sustainable and competitive. Speaking during the 61st Annual Congress of the in Lusaka, Ministry of Agriculture Director for Agriculture Mdashe Kapalu said the sector remains one of Zambia’s most commercially viable agricultural industries, contributing significantly to export earnings, employment creation and rural development. He said sustaining recent growth requires continued investment in productivity improvement, quality enhancement, climate resilience and stronger market competitiveness. Mr Kapalu said tobacco production had risen from about 30 million kilogrammes in 2022 to more than 100 million kilogrammes in 2025, describing the increase as a ...

Transport sector embraces structured dialogue as government, unions and employers seal recognition agreement By Francis Maingaila ♥️  Lusaka, Zambia24  -- (24-06-2026) -- Zambia’s transport sector is entering a new phase of structured industrial relations based on social dialogue, collective bargaining, and formal recognition of both unions and employer associations. Special Assistant to the President responsible for finance, investment, and broader economic and development affairs,  Jito Kayumba has said government will continue to play a neutral and facilitative role in labour relations, ensuring balance between employers and workers in the transport sector. He said the transport industry remains central to the economy and depends on cooperation among all stakeholders, including drivers, employers, unions and government. Kayumba said the recognition agreement reflects a shared commitment to reduce industrial conflict and strengthen structured engagement in the sector. He acknowl...

Competing visions for Zambia’s future ahead of the 2026 elections By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24 --- (24-06-2026) ---People’s Pact presidential candidate has unveiled his party’s manifesto, describing it as a people-centred document aimed at restoring Zambia’s sovereignty, rebuilding public services and returning national decision-making power to citizens. Launching the manifesto, M’membe said it was shaped by the lived experiences, aspirations and daily struggles of ordinary Zambians, offering what he called an alternative path for the country’s future. “This manifesto is about reclaiming our country back. It is about our sovereignty, our liberation and recovery from an economic and social system that has stolen our future,” he said. He argued that Zambia’s development agenda should not be dictated by external institutions, insisting that government must retain full control over key budgetary decisions in education, health, agriculture and infrastructure. “When you hav...