Gabriel Pollen, PhD.

07/10/2026

MEDIA ALERT

SPECIAL INTERVIEW | Diamond TV Online

Tune in tonight for a special interview on:

“Understanding the President’s Grow Zambia Agenda”

Guest: Dr. Gabriel Pollen, PhD.
Permanent Secretary – Administration, Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development

Tonight, 7 October 2026
21:15 HRS
Diamond TV

Don’t miss it.

05/10/2026

We accompanied His Excellency President Hakainde Hichilema to Monze District for the Samu Lya Moomba Traditional Ceremony under Chief Choongo.

Samu Lya Moomba is more than a celebration of culture and tradition. The grounds on which the ceremony is held are recognised as a national monument because of their important place in Zambia’s liberation history. It was here that freedom fighters and nationalist leaders from different parts of the country gathered to organise, coordinate and advance the struggle for Zambia’s independence from colonial rule.

Our traditional ceremonies remind us that our cultures and identities existed long before the modern Zambian state was born. Yet, at independence, those diverse traditions and communities were woven together into something bigger: one Republic, one people, under the enduring spirit of One Zambia, One Nation.

We celebrate our diversity, we honour those who came before us, and we preserve the heritage that continues to shape who we are.

Long may our heritage live. 🇿🇲

03/10/2026

Pleasure receiving the delegation from the Executive and Professional Administrators Association of Zambia (EPAAZ), led by Acting President Dr. Stephen Chanda.

Our engagement provided an opportunity to exchange views and explore areas of mutual interest, particularly around strengthening professional administration, institutional effectiveness and public service delivery.

I look forward to continued engagement and collaboration.

03/10/2026

30/09/2026

interview done.

We underscored the fact that CDF — the Constituency Development Fund — is money that the Government sets aside for each constituency so that communities can address their own local development needs. Rather than every project being planned and funded centrally from Lusaka, CDF brings public resources closer to the people and allows communities, through their local structures and councils, to identify priorities.

CDF is increasingly translating public resources into visible development at community level. From 2022 to July 2026, 15,874 community projects were initiated, 177,733 learners supported through secondary-school bursaries, 235,175 people through skills-development bursaries, 72,226 beneficiaries through grants, and 22,083 enterprises through empowerment loans. These are big numbers!

The bigger story is not just the money allocated, but the lives touched: improved access to education and skills, stronger local businesses, more community infrastructure and greater economic opportunity closer to where people live.

That is what local development should ultimately mean: better services, more opportunity and improved living standards in our communities.

29/09/2026

Tune in tomorrow morning as we talk CDF, socioeconomic development, and how it all connects to President Hakainde Hichilema’s Grow Zambia Agenda. See you on Diamond Breakfast!

27/09/2026

Smashed it

Getting the body physically and mentally primed up and productive for the week ahead.

24/09/2026

GROW ZAMBIA AGENDA

The Grow Zambia Agenda is a call to all of us to think bigger about Zambia’s future — and about our own place in it.

As the country expands agriculture, mining, energy, tourism, livestock and the industries connected to them, new opportunities will emerge for farmers, entrepreneurs, investors, professionals and young people.

Learn the agenda. Identify the opportunities. Position yourself early.

Zambia’s growth will be strongest when more Zambians are encouraged, enabled, supported and eventually get involved and become ready to participate, create value and build prosperity.

Let me know what your ideas and thoughts are!

23/09/2026

ZAMBIA-CHINA RELATIONS

Honoured to attend the celebration last evening marking the 77th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China, at the kind invitation of H.E. Ambassador Han Jing.

The occasion provided an important opportunity to reflect on the enduring and mutually beneficial relations between Zambia and China, built and strengthened over decades of friendship, cooperation and shared development aspirations. It was also a timely reminder of the importance of diplomacy in fostering understanding among nations, and in creating space for the exchange of culture, ideas, technology and development experiences for the benefit of our peoples.

One of the highlights of the evening was the fashion show, which beautifully symbolised this spirit of cultural exchange and mutual appreciation. It was a vivid expression of how diplomacy goes beyond formal engagement, serving also as a bridge that connects people, traditions and perspectives.

As Zambia continues to pursue its development agenda, such engagements remain valuable in strengthening international partnerships and deepening the bonds of friendship that support progress, innovation and shared prosperity.

21/09/2026

STRENGTHENING HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT FOR THE GROW ZAMBIA AGENDA

I was pleased to receive representatives of the Zambia Institute of Human Resource Management (ZIHRM) during a courtesy call at our Ministry, where we discussed the Institute’s role in regulating and strengthening the human resource management profession through professional licensing, training, continuous development, conferences and other platforms for addressing emerging HR issues.

Human resource is arguably the most important resource in any institution. Infrastructure, technology and financial resources can only deliver results when they are managed by competent, ethical, productive and motivated people. This makes the proper regulation and continued professional development of our human resource practitioners particularly important, including within Local Authorities across the country.

President Hakainde Hichilema’s Grow Zambia Agenda places strong emphasis on moving Zambia from economic stabilisation towards accelerated growth, increased production, wealth creation and expanded economic opportunities. Delivering these ambitions will ultimately depend on the quality, productivity and effectiveness of the people working across our public institutions and the wider economy.

For the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, we therefore see considerable value in strengthening collaboration with ZIHRM. A properly regulated, professionally competent and motivated workforce in our Local Authorities will contribute to stronger institutions, improved productivity, greater accountability and better service delivery — all of which are important enablers of the Grow Zambia Agenda.

We look forward to deepening this partnership and identifying practical areas of cooperation that strengthen human capital and institutional capacity across Local Government.

Dr. Gabriel Pollen
Permanent Secretary (Administration)
Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development