MINISTRY of Information and Media Permanent Secretary Thabo Kawana says government is nearing the completion of the process to fully implement the Access to Information framework.

Kawana says the Access to Information rules are awaiting finalisation by the Ministry of Justice before approval by the Chief Justice.

Speaking at a capacity building for heads of government departments in Ndola, Friday, Kawana said the law compelled public institutions to routinely make information accessible to the public.

“The act officially came into force on 25th June, 2025, following the signing of the commencement order by the Minister of Information and Media. To support its implementation, the government subsequently developed subsidiary legal instruments. The Access to Information Regulations, 2025, contained in Statutory Instrument No. 56 of 2025, were signed on 29th August, 2025. This was followed by the publication of the Access to Information Guidelines on December 5, 2025, through Gazette Notice No. 1624 of 2025. And I am pleased to inform you that the final stage of operationalizing the framework is underway, with the Access to Information rules currently being finalised by the Ministry of Justice before being signed by the Chief Justice,” he said.

“At the heart of this law is a simple but powerful principle: public information must be made available to the public. The act places a legal obligation on public institutions to proactively disclose information generated in the course of their operations. In other words, the public should not always have to request information that is clearly in the public interest. The law identifies categories of information that must be published as soon as they become available. These include information relating to government contracts, beneficiaries of empowerment programmes, budgets, expenditure, development projects and other matters that affect citizens’ lives”.

Kawana noted that ensuring the law achieved its intended objectives required public servants to be fully aware of their responsibilities.

“The successful implementation of this law requires a well-informed and prepared public service. It is for this reason that the Ministry of Information and Media has embarked on a nationwide sensitisation programme on the Access to Information guidelines, which were published on 5th December, 2025, through gazette notice No. 1624 of 2025,” Kawana stated.

Kawana said civil servants had a responsibility not only to respond to requests for information but also to take deliberate measures to ensure that it was readily accessible to the public.

He added that the success of the ATI Act would depend on the commitment and preparedness of public institutions to promote a culture of openness, transparency and accountability.

“As civil servants, we therefore have a responsibility not only to respond to requests for information but also to take deliberate steps to make information readily accessible to the public. Citizens should not have to search for information on how much fertiliser has been distributed, how Constituency Development Fund resources have been utilised, how many schools, health facilities or boreholes have been constructed or how public resources are being managed. Such information should be proactively disseminated through appropriate channels. The effectiveness of the Access to Information Act will depend largely on the willingness and readiness of public institutions to embrace a culture of openness, transparency and responsiveness,” said Kawana.

Meanwhile, Ndola Town Clerk George Mulenga said the sensitisation programme on the Access to Information Act was timely, as it comes at a time when the country is engaged in electoral activities.