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Farmers urge Government to open FRA to indigenous crops as drought fears, declining traditional varieties and weak market links threaten food security and rural livelihoods. By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24 — 9 October 2026 — Farmers growing indigenous crops have called on the Government to open up the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) market to traditional foods, saying the lack of reliable buyers is discouraging production and threatening the survival of local crop varieties. Speaking during the food fair and exhibition organised by the Zambia Governance Forum (ZGF) at Government Complex in Lusaka, farmers said limited market access was forcing many indigenous crop growers to produce only enough for household consumption. “We need better access to traditional seeds and reliable markets to encourage increased production, preserve local crop varieties and strengthen Zambia’s food security,” the farmers said. The farmers’ concern is that producing a crop without knowing where to s...
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ZASAA SEEKS K1.6 MILLION FOR CHAINAMA WARDS

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Mwamba appeals for government and private sector support as organisation adopts two mental health wards for refurbishment. By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24 — 9 October 2026 — The Zambia Safety Awards for Excellence (ZASAA) is seeking between K1.5 million and K1.6 million to refurbish two mental health wards at Chainama Hills College Hospital, with its founder and chief executive officer, Hellen Mwamba, appealing to the government and private sector to support the initiative. Ms Mwamba said the organisation had adopted the two wards and was mobilising resources through its World Mental Health Day charity golf tournament held at Chainama Golf Club in Lusaka on Friday. She said ZASAA had identified workplace stress and mental health as issues requiring greater attention, adding that proceeds from the organisation's inaugural safety awards held in March had also contributed to the project. Ms Mwamba said the refurbishment was intended to provide patients receiving mental ...
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BEFORE YOU SIGN, SHOW US THE DEAL

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AIPAC urges government to publish revised US health MoU, saying citizens deserve to know the terms of a billion-dollar agreement before Zambia commits itself By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24 — 8-10-2026 — The Acton Institute for Policy Analysis Centre (AIPAC) has challenged government to make public the proposed billion-dollar health Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United States before signing the agreement. AIPAC Executive Director Solomon Ngoma says the call follows government’s renewed intention to reconsider the agreement months after it had rejected the earlier proposal over conditions that raised serious concerns. Mr. Ngoma told Zambia24 in an exclusive statement that government should explain what has changed between the original agreement and the version now being reconsidered, particularly on provisions that could have implications for Zambia’s sovereignty, natural resources and citizens’ privacy. He said AIPAC was concerned about conditions previousl...
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NGOCC WANTS GENDER EQUALITY AT HEART OF GROW ZAMBIA AGENDA

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Gender lobby wants President Hichilema to address women’s economic opportunities, GBV, education and energy security when he opens new Parliament By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24 — 7 October 2026 — The Non-governmental Gender Organisations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC) wants President Hakainde Hichilema to place women and girls at the centre of the Government’s development priorities when he opens the First Session of the Fourteenth National Assembly on Friday. NGOCC Chairperson Beauty Katebe said the organisation expects the President to explain how women and girls will benefit from the 10-10-5-3-3-1-1-1 Grow Zambia Agenda. Ms Katebe said economic growth would only have meaning if its benefits reached all citizens. “Growth only means something if all citizens, especially women and girls, share in it both in intent and practice,” she said. NGOCC said women produce much of Zambia’s food but continue to face challenges in accessing land, finance, irrigation and markets. The organ...
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STOP THE SPLITS, PROTECT WORKERS

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Labour leaders call for stronger union unity, better protection for young and informal workers as Government pushes for decent jobs and social dialogue By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24 — 7-10-2026 — The Government and labour movement have called for stronger protection of workers and greater unity within trade unions, warning that fragmented representation could weaken workers’ bargaining power and leave young and informal workers more vulnerable to exploitation. Speaking in Lusaka during the commemoration of the 2026 World Day for Decent Work, held under the theme “Young Workers Organize for the Future,” Labour Commissioner Given Muntengwa, representing Ministry of Labour and Social Security Permanent Secretary Zechariah Luhanga, said Zambia’s drive to create employment must go beyond increasing the number of jobs to ensuring that the jobs created are sustainable, productive and protect workers’ rights. Mr Muntengwa said this meant linking employment creation to skills d...
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UPND TOLD TO TAKE GROW ZAMBIA TO THE PEOPLE

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HH MPAKA 2031 People’s Alliance wants party structures to explain how the President’s 10-10-5-3-3-1-1-1 agenda will benefit ordinary households By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24 — 6 October 2026 — The HH Mpaka 2031 People’s Alliance has urged UPND structures to go into communities and explain how President Hakainde Hichilema’s Grow Zambia 10-10-5-3-3-1-1-1 agenda will translate into jobs, businesses and higher household incomes. Alliance chairman Fabian C. Mutale says the economic targets risk remaining largely a political message if ordinary Zambians are not shown how they can participate and benefit from them. Mr Mutale says UPND members, party officials, MPs, councillors and mobilisation teams should begin holding ward-level meetings to explain the opportunities linked to the targets. He says the message should be taken beyond Lusaka and into communities such as Masaiti, Mkushi, Petauke, Choma and Mwinilunga. “The question being asked however is: ‘How do I benefit?’” ...
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VERIFY, REPORT, DON’T TAKE SIDES

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Kawana urges journalists to remain impartial as Communications and Information Centre deploys 54 media professionals for nationwide by-election coverage By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24 — 6 October 2026 — The Communications and Information Centre (CIC) has deployed 54 journalists and media professionals to different parts of the country to bring voters and the wider public first-hand coverage of the by-elections, from the campaign trail to the counting and announcement of results. Speaking during the dispatch of the journalists, Ministry of Information and Media Permanent Secretary Thabo Kawana reminded the media that elections can be tense and that journalists must not allow themselves to become part of the political contest. Mr Kawana urged journalists to remain impartial, check facts before publishing and remember that their job was to tell the public what was happening rather than take sides. He said journalists should be the eyes and ears of society, giving citizens...
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