"The GOAT Media Centre"

FAO and Government call for stronger food safety, nutrition, climate resilience and traceability to unlock markets By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24 — 22-09-2026 — Zambia has launched a two-year, US$500,000 project to transform the country’s food systems, with Government stressing the need for better coordination, safer food, improved nutrition, climate resilience and stronger traceability if farmers are to access bigger markets. The project, known as the Catalyzing Transformative and Sustainable Food Systems in Zambia (CATRAS-FS) , was launched in Lusaka yesterday with Government saying the initiative must go beyond meetings and reports and deliver changes that ordinary families and farmers can see. Permanent Secretary for Administration in the Office of the Vice President, Mrs Lillian M. Kapusana , said the project comes at a time when Zambia is still grappling with poor dietary diversity, climate shocks, food safety risks and limited market access. Mrs Kapusana said Za...

Fr. Mapulanga calls for inclusive talks as civil society proposes 45-day roadmap to address concerns over governance and constitutional order Lusaka, Zambia24 — 21-09-2026 — A coalition of civil society organisations has challenged Government to move beyond public exchanges and urgently convene an inclusive dialogue to address what it describes as growing concerns over the rule of law and constitutional governance in Zambia. Caritas Zambia Executive Director Fr. Gabriel Mapulanga says the country needs a structured dialogue involving Government, political parties, civil society, faith-based organisations, professional bodies and other key institutions. Fr. Mapulanga, speaking on behalf of the Joint Civil Society Organisations, says the proposed engagement should provide a genuine opportunity for stakeholders to discuss the concerns affecting the country and agree on practical steps forward. He says the CSOs are responding to the statement issued by the Office of the Attorney-Gene...

Government challenges industry to take affordable insurance to farmers, informal workers and small businesses as uptake rises from 6.3% to 10.4% By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24 — 21 September 2026 — Government has challenged the insurance industry to move beyond its traditional customer base and take affordable, relevant and easy-to-understand insurance products to millions of Zambians who remain outside formal insurance protection. Permanent Secretary for Economic Management and Finance Mulele Mulele said the rise in insurance uptake from 6.3 percent in 2020 to 10.4 percent in 2025 was encouraging, but also showed that a large part of the population remained without adequate insurance protection. Mr Mulele said the figures should therefore not only be viewed as evidence of growth in the sector, but also as a reminder that the industry still had a large population to reach, particularly people whose livelihoods depended on small-scale farming, informal businesses and dai...

NGOCC says gains in female parliamentary representation remain insufficient as women occupy 22.4 percent of National Assembly seats By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24 — 20 September 2026 — Zambia has recorded an increase in the number of women in the National Assembly following the validation of 40 Proportional Representation (PR) seats, but women’s representation remains far below the 50-50 gender parity target. The Non-governmental Gender Organisations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC) says 26 of the 40 PR seats validated by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) have gone to women, raising the total number of female Members of Parliament to 63 out of 281 seats. In a statement signed by NGOCC Executive Director Anamela Mbewe Njekwa, the organisation said the figure includes 34 elected female MPs, the Vice President, Speaker and Deputy Speaker. NGOCC said this translates into 22.4 percent representation of women in the National Assembly. The organisation said the figure is an impr...

Digital marketplace to sponsor October birthday celebration for children, widows and vulnerable people at Umoyo Centre By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24 — September 20, 2026 — Lubaud Digital Mart is coming in to support HOPe Africa USA’s October birthday celebration for children, widows and other vulnerable people at Umoyo Widows and Orphanage Centre (UWAOC) in Lusaka. The sponsorship follows HOPe Africa USA’s launch in September of its Zambia–USA Monthly Inclusive Donations and Birthday Celebration Initiative, which seeks to bring some joy to people who may otherwise have little or no one to celebrate their birthdays with. HOPe Africa USA, working with its Zambia representative Delphine Lengwe, is preparing for the October event, which is expected to bring together Lubaud representatives from the United States, local partners, volunteers, community members and other well-wishers. The October celebration will bring together children, widows and other eligible members of t...

Kamanga memorial reignites calls to preserve freedom fighters’ sacrifices, values and history for future generations By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24 — 19-09-2026 — Zambia’s independence generation has challenged the country to preserve the history of those who fought for freedom and pass their values of sacrifice, patriotism, unity, integrity and public service to future generations. Green Economy and Environment Minister Gilbert Siame said the call was particularly urgent as the number of surviving freedom fighters continued to decline, with many now advanced in age. Speaking at a memorial gathering for Zambia’s first Vice-President, the late Right Honourable Reuben Chitandika Kamanga, Mr Siame said the occasion was not only about remembering the former Vice-President but also reflecting on the generation that laid the foundations of the Republic. Mr Siame, who delivered a message on behalf of President Hakainde Hichilema and Government, said Zambia’s independence was ...

Kufanga calls for stronger mental-health support, protection from abuse and tighter controls on poisonous substances By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24 — 19 September 2026 — Zambia must stop treating suicide as an individual or private problem and instead strengthen mental-health support, address abuse and other pressures, make it easier for people to seek help, and restrict access to highly lethal poisons that can be used in suicide. Swala Pilu Chief Executive Officer and Founder Mary Kufanga said the reported rise in suicide cases should be treated as a national concern requiring action from Government, families, churches, schools, communities and civil society organisations. Kufanga said people facing depression, relationship problems, financial difficulties, abuse, family conflicts and other forms of emotional pain should not suffer in silence. She said people going through difficult times should be encouraged to talk to trusted relatives, friends, neighbours, church l...