"The GOAT Media Centre"

... Government Urges PR Professionals to Leverage Technology for Innovation and Ethical Engagement By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24 - March 19, 2025 — The Zambian government has called on public relations (PR) professionals to embrace artificial intelligence (AI) while ensuring that ethical standards and credibility remain at the forefront of their work. Speaking on behalf of President Hakainde Hichilema, Minister of Information and Media, Hon. Cornelius Mweetwa, delivered the opening address at the 14th Zambia Institute of Public Relations and Communication (ZIPRC) Annual Conference in Livingstone. Mweetwa highlighted the growing role of AI in reshaping communication strategies and emphasized the critical need for PR professionals to maintain accuracy and integrity in their messaging. “Your role is more vital than ever. As AI and digital platforms change the way we communicate, the information you share must remain truthful and ethical,” Mweetwa said. The conference, ...

...  Musanu: A New Vision for Investment, Innovation, and Harnessing Global Resources for Local Impact By Francis Maingaila (Zambia) and Francis John, Editor & Publisher, TipsNews Kansas City  Lusaka, Zambia – March 17, 2025 – The Zambia Diaspora Chamber of Commerce (ZDCC), in collaboration with key government ministries and the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA), successfully hosted the inaugural International Business Exchange (IBEx) Hybrid Conference at the Taj Pamodzi Hotel in Lusaka . Held under the theme “Redefining Diaspora: Connecting Businesses & Unlocking Zambia’s Economic Potential,” the two-day event brought together government officials, local business leaders, diaspora investors, and industry experts to discuss how the Zambian diaspora can serve as a driver of economic transformation. With a focus on strategic partnerships, innovative business models, and policy reforms, the conference underscored the immense financial, intellectual, and entrepreneurial poten...

CSOs insist on transparency, inclusivity, and stakeholder engagement in constitutional reforms. By Francis Maingaila LUSAKA – Civil society organizations (CSOs) have urged the government to ensure that the ongoing constitutional reform process is transparent, inclusive, and reflective of the aspirations of all Zambians. Speaking on behalf of several CSOs, governance activist Isaac Mwanza emphasized that while the President has historically played a leading role in initiating constitutional reforms, the process must not be exclusive. “There is no dispute that the President has the responsibility to initiate constitutional amendments, as seen in previous reforms in 1968, 1973, 1991, 1996, 2003, and recently during the National Dialogue Forum,” Mwanza said. “However, democratic governance requires broad consultation, ensuring that all stakeholders—including civil society, political parties, and the general public—are adequately informed and meaningfully engaged.” Conflicting Stat...

... Muapa Wood Initiative Partners with LVTC to Boost Vocational Skills Training and employ deserving carpentry graduates By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka , Zambia – March 14, 2024 – Mupapa Wood has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Lusaka Vocational and Technical College (LVTC) to equip carpentry and joinery graduates with industry-relevant skills, create employment opportunities, foster entrepreneurship, and promote sustainable forestry practices. The initiative, which follows a successful pilot phase, aims to bridge the gap between academic learning and practical industry demands by providing graduates with hands-on training, business development skills, and exposure to sustainable resource management . Bridging the Gap Between Training and Industry Needs Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mupapa Wood Initiative’s Head of Human Resource (HR) and Administration, Susie Ironside, said the collaboration was designed to help graduates transition smoothly into the workf...

... Will Government Match Its Commitment to Economic Transformation? By Francis Maingaila (Zambia) and Francis John, Editor & Publisher, TipsNews Kansas City Lusaka, Zambia – (14-03-2023) - The Zambia Diaspora Chamber of Commerce (ZDCC) has positioned itself as a key player in Zambia’s economic transformation, submitting a landmark communiqué from the 2025 International Business Exchange (IBEx) Hybrid Conference to key government ministries. This move signals the diaspora’s readiness to contribute to national development, but the real question remains: will the Zambian government fully embrace and implement these proposals, or will they become another set of policy recommendations lost in bureaucratic inertia? The communiqué, officially received by the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises, and the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA), outlines a bold vision for leveraging diaspora investments, enhancing trade partnerships, and driv...

"Consumers Drive Change by Empowering Zambians to Demand Higher Quality, Standard Products that are Environmentally Sustainable." By Francis Maingaila Lusaka, Zambia - (13-03-2025) – Zambia marked World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) 2025 with a strong call for environmental protection and consumer rights , aligning with the global theme, "A Just Transition to Sustainable Lifestyles." The event aimed to raise awareness about consumer rights, promote sustainable consumption, and advocate for policies that ensure a fair transition to environmentally friendly practices. CALL FOR A JUST TRANSITION Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce, Trade, and Industry, Mrs. Lillian S. Bwalya, said this today in a speech read for her by Director – Coordination and Delivery at the Ministry, Simmy Chapula. Bwalya stressed that achieving sustainable development requires shifting toward environmentally friendly economies while ensuring fairness and social equity. "A just...

...14 CSOs reject Rushed Constitutional Amendments, Demand Transparent and Inclusive Constitutional Reform Process After 2026 Elections By Francis Maingaila LUSAKA – A coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) has strongly opposed the proposed amendments to the Constitution of Zambia, describing them as rushed and lacking public consultation. The CSOs are calling on the government to halt the process and instead commit to an inclusive, transparent constitutional review after the 2026 general elections, raising concerns over the government’s approach to constitutional reforms and questioning the urgency and transparency of the process. Speaking at a recent forum, representatives from various organizations emphasized the need for a comprehensive review that prioritizes national interest over political expediency. Speaking at a press briefing in Lusaka, Zambia Council for Social Development (ZCSD) Executive Director Leah Mitaba, on behalf of the CSO coalition, expressed deep c...