The Alliance for Accountability Advocates Zambia (AAAZ)
commends the Government of the Republic of Zambia, through the Ministry of Justice, for the launch of key
governance policy documents in Lusaka last week. These policy documents speak directly to the everyday
experiences of citizens. As an organization that works closely with communities, young people, civil society
actors, and public institutions, we welcome the launch of the Service Delivery Charter, the Whistleblower
Policy, and the Conflict-of-Interest Policy. These policies respond to long-standing challenges faced by citizens when accessing public services and when seeking to speak out against corruption and poor services.
Over the years, AAAZ has engaged government on issues of accountability, transparency, ethical leadership, public service delivery, corruption, and the responsible use of public resources. Through our advocacy work,
policy engagement, and simplified civic education materials, AAAZ has consistently called for clear service
standards, protection for whistleblowers, and stronger safeguards against conflicts of interest. The launch of
these policies reflects meaningful progress in responding to these concerns.
For the ordinary citizen, the Service Delivery Charter provides clarity on how specific services under the
Ministry of Justice are provided. It outlines what services to expect, the timelines for delivery, and the steps to
take when standards are not met. This represents an important step toward rebuilding confidence between
citizens and public institutions. The Whistleblower Policy is particularly significant. Many individuals with
information on corruption or abuse of office remain silent due to fear of retaliation. By providing protection and
clear reporting mechanisms, this policy empowers citizens, public officers, and civil society actors to speak out
in the public interest. The Conflict-of-Interest Policy sends a strong message that public office must be
exercised with integrity. Clear rules on disclosure and ethical conduct help ensure that public decisions are
made in the interest of citizens rather than for personal gain.
For civil society organizations, these policies strengthen the accountability and transparency ecosystem by
enabling more effective engagement with public institutions, improved monitoring of service delivery, and
stronger support for citizens demanding transparency and accountability. AAAZ further calls on the
Government, through the Ministry of Justice, to ensure that these policy documents are widely accessible to the
ordinary citizen.
Access to information is a cornerstone of accountability, and policies can only be effective if
citizens are aware of their rights and understand how to use them. We therefore encourage the development of
simplified, citizen-friendly versions of the Service Delivery Charter, the Whistleblower Policy, and the
Conflict-of-Interest Policy, including translations into local languages and dissemination through both digital
and community-based platforms. This will ensure that no citizen is left behind in benefiting from these
important governance reforms.
Supporting Citizen, Youth and Community Led Accountability
AAAZ emphasizes that policies have the greatest impact when they are well understood and effectively
implemented. We therefore encourage sustained public awareness, strong enforcement mechanisms, and
continued collaboration between government, civil society, and citizens to ensure these policies deliver real and
lasting change. AAAZ remains committed to supporting this process through advocacy, civic education,
monitoring, and citizen engagement in pursuit of transparency, accountability, and good governance.
Read By,
Melbourne Mushitu
Communications Officer
Alliance for Accountability Advocates Zambia (AAAZ)
Issued By,
AAAZ Communications
+260957090515
Supporting Citizen, Youth and Community Led Accountability
