• MISA Zambia continues to call for a speedy enactment of ATI bill.
• It will amplify the current effort being made by the new dawn leadership of being transparent.
• When citizens are free to interact with their leaders, there is openness and transparency.

MISA Zambia has reaffirmed calls for government to expedite the enactment of Access to Information Bill.
Institute Interim Chairperson Fr. Barnabas Simatende said once enacted into law, the document will enhance the current effort being made by government of being transparent to the electorates.
“Access to information is the only true way that citizens will be able to genuinely hold their leaders accountable to the people they have pledged to serve,” Fr. Simatende said.
Meanwhile, Father Simatende commended President Hakainde Hichilema’s commitment to interact with various media platforms as a way of being present to the people he and his government pledged to serve.
He pointed out that the initiative will advantage both the new regime and citizens as it will keep government in touch with reality on the ground while providing citizens a platform to continue to be heard.
“Availing themselves to answer questions from citizens pertaining to governance issues will help to steer government efforts in the right direction, making the government relevant to its people. Similarly, citizens are equally granted an opportunity to continue to interact with their leaders.”
“MISA Zambia, therefore, commends this commitment and wish to see this trend continue through and beyond the new dawn government. Where leaders mean well, we see this to be sustainable,” he stated.
He further said when citizens are free to interact with their leaders, openness and transparency are guaranteed.
On Wednesday, President Hakainde Hichilema featured on a radio program where he interacted with citizens on different issues affecting the country.