Ministry of Information and Media - Zambia

Today, the Ministry of Information and Media conferred awards upon a number of selected officers in recognition of outstanding performance, dedication, and commitment to duty during the 2026 Labour Day Awards Giving Ceremony held at the Cinema Hall, Mass Media Complex, Lusaka.

The ceremony was officiated by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Media, Mr. Thabo Kawana.

Here are the highlights:

✅️Reaffirmed Government’s commitment to advancing workers’ welfare through landmark pension reforms recently assented to by President Hakainde Hichilema.

✅️Noted that the reforms will deliver increased pension benefits and stronger management of pension savings, thereby securing livelihoods for serving workers and retirees.

✅️Cited key milestones during the year under review, including the enactment of the Access to Information Act No. 24 of 2023, procurement of motor vehicles to improve service delivery, the successful launch of ZANIS TV, and ongoing legislative reforms to the IBA Act and ZNBC Act.

✅️Emphasised that, as the front office of Government communication, the Ministry must uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, discipline and commitment to duty.

✅️Attributed the Ministry’s progress to the dedication of members of staff who have continued to execute the mandate despite limited resources, rising public expectations, and rapid technological change.

✅️Urged all members of staff to sustain hard work, teamwork, discipline and innovation in strengthening Government communication and advancing national development objectives.

✅️Commended award recipients for exemplary service and encouraged other employees to maintain excellence, assuring them that their contributions to the Public Service are valued.

✅️Stated that the awards recognise exceptional performance and celebrate the critical role workers play in advancing the Ministry’s mandate and supporting national development.

✅This year’s Labour Day theme, “Securing Zambia’s Future of Work: Protecting Jobs, Skills and Pensions for Decent Work for All.

NEW K1.6 MILLION VETERINARY LABORATORY TO STRENGTHEN LIVESTOCK HEALTH AND BOOST BEEF EXPORTS IN SERENJE

Highlights from a site visit to the ongoing development of the new K1.6 million Veterinary Laboratory in Serenje District by Information and Media Principal Public Relations Officer, Shamwinda Tembo:

✅ Described the project as a vital investment in safeguarding livestock and strengthening the agricultural sector.

✅ The veterinary laboratory, which is being funded through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), underscores the Government’s commitment to channeling resources directly to communities for impactful development.

✅ Once completed, the laboratory will provide advanced testing capabilities, enabling the rapid detection and management of animal diseases.

✅ The project will also boost beef production, thereby expanding export opportunities.

✅ Furthermore, the facility will enhance the country's capacity to detect and respond to animal health threats, allowing farmers to receive faster test results and take timely action to protect livestock, reduce disease outbreaks, and increase productivity.

✅ The project comprises 13 offices, a conference room, a laboratory, a mini clinic, and sanitation facilities.

✅ The building will be equipped with modern diagnostic and sample-processing systems to strengthen animal disease detection and response efforts in Serenje District.

School Feeding Programme Transforming Education in Central Province

Today, Information and Media Principal Public Relations Officer, Shamwinda Tembo, undertook a monitoring visit to Makululu STEM School in Kabwe District, Central Province, to evaluate the implementation of the School Feeding Programme and obtain stakeholder feedback from school administrators, teachers and learners on the effectiveness of the Government initiative.

Here are the highlights:

✅Government has allocated K443 million to the School Feeding Programme for 2026 to ensure that no child learns on an empty stomach, demonstrating Government’s commitment to child health and equitable access to education.

✅As a result of this investment, the Programme now reaches approximately 8,000 schools in 116 Districts countrywide, enabling more than 5 million learners to receive a nutritious meal every school day.

✅In Central Province alone, approximately 89,000 pupils are beneficiaries of the School Feeding Programme, and owing to the meals provided, the Province has recorded improved school attendance, reduced dropout rates and enhanced academic performance.

✅Complemented by the Free Education Policy, the School Feeding Programme has contributed to the reduction of pupil absenteeism across the country.

✅Kabwe District Education Board Secretary, Dr. Inonge Mulemwa, stated that Government’s interventions are yielding positive results, with Central Province continuing to record excellent performance at Grade 9 and Grade 12 levels due to programmes of this nature.

✅To safeguard these achievements, strict accountability measures have been instituted to prevent misuse and ensure that all food supplies reach the intended learners.

✅ Looking ahead, the Programme will be expanded further, with milk to be introduced for Early Childhood Education learners by mid-2026 through a phased rollout commencing in four districts in each province to benefit 70,000 ECE learners nationwide.

✅In Kabwe District specifically, the School Feeding Programme supports 109 schools, covering Early Childhood Education, Primary and Secondary school learners.

✅To enhance local economic benefits, districts have been directed to procure food supplies from local farmers and suppliers in order to support local enterprises and promote community participation in the Programme.

✅To ensure long-term sustainability, the District Education Board Secretary’s office is encouraging schools to revamp and establish production units that will enable schools to produce their own food and provide learners with nutritious meals throughout the year.

We have transformed the education sector from a social sector into an economic sector- President Hichilema

President Hakainde Hichilema has declared Tuesday, 9th June, 2026, a day of national mourning to be observed from 06:00 Hrs to 18:00 Hrs, in honour of the Late Ingwenyama Inkosi Yamakhosi.

President Hakainde Hichilema has assented to the National Pension Scheme Bill, 2026 thereby signing it into law

President Hakainde Hichilema has assented to the Education (Amendment) Bill, thereby signing it into law