Zambia has been commended for becoming a member of the Open Government Partnership, a global platform aimed at promoting transparency, accountability, citizen participation, and anti-corruption reforms.
Speaking during recent stakeholders’ engagement meeting, Kgothatso Semela said Zambia’s membership reflects the country’s commitment to contributing to a global movement that continues to evolve in response to governance challenges in a changing world.
Ms. Semela noted that Zambia now has an opportunity to help shape what open government means in practice, not merely as a procedural exercise, but as a mechanism for building trust, strengthening democratic resilience, and improving relations between citizens and the state.
She explained that over the last fifteen years, the Open Government Partnership has grown into a global platform driving reforms in transparency, accountability, participation, anti-corruption, and public trust across more than seventy countries.
“The partnership works best when civil society is not just consulted, but organized, proactive, coordinated, and genuinely co-owning the process,” Ms. Semela said.
She further observed that as Zambia moves closer towards elections, political contestations are likely to intensify, while spaces for dialogue may shrink during politically sensitive moments.
Ms. Semela warned that during such periods, trust often becomes fragile and polarization increases, making inclusive engagement more important than ever.
“We can help to open a democratic space for engagement, dialogue, transparency, and problem-solving, even during periods of political tension. At its best, we are creating something extremely valuable a structured space where reform can continue despite political differences,” she said.
The Open Government Partnership helps governments and citizens work together to build more open, resilient, and prosperous societies through empowerment, collaboration, and accountability.
Stakeholders at the engagement meeting emphasized the need for strong cooperation between government institutions, civil society organizations, and citizens to ensure Zambia fully benefits from its membership in the partnership.
In Zambia nearly 20 civil society organizations' are members of the Open Government Partnership.
By Samuel Mbewe
.jpg)
0 Comments