The Connect for Culture Africa (CfCA) implementing partner in Zambia, the People’s Action for Accountability and Good Governance in Zambia (PAAGZ), has called on the government to prioritize marginalized communities and significantly increase funding to the arts sector.

As Zambia prepares for the opening of Parliament on Friday, September 13, and the presentation of the 2025 national budget on September 27, 2024, PAAGZ is urging the government to address these critical issues. Mr. Khazike Sakala, Executive Director of PAAGZ, outlined the organization’s expectations for the upcoming budget and reaffirmed its commitment to fostering inclusive and equitable development in Zambia.

Mr. Sakala emphasized PAAGZ’s recently launched Strategic Plan for 2024-2027, which focuses on empowering marginalized communities, particularly women and youth. Through its “Marginalized Youth and Women Demand Accountability from Duty Holders” project in Lusaka and Ndola, PAAGZ aims to equip these groups with the tools to hold public officials accountable and advocate for responsive public service delivery to realize fundamental human rights.

He highlighted the crucial role of the arts and creative expression in simplifying and conveying complex issues of human interest, governance, and accountability. “PAAGZ remains steadfast in its commitment to amplifying the voices of marginalized communities and ensuring their meaningful participation in decision-making processes,” Mr. Sakala stated. “Our strategic plan is designed to achieve this goal by advocating for their inclusion in key policy discussions at the grassroots level.”

A significant increase in the budget allocated to the arts sector is a primary focus for PAAGZ. Through the Connect for Culture Africa (CfCA) Zambia project, supported by SELAM Sweden, PAAGZ has been collaborating with the Ministry of Youth, Sport, and Art to advocate for greater recognition and public funding for the arts. Recent research commissioned under the CfCA revealed that only 0.03% of previous budgets in Zambia were allocated to the arts sector, which falls short of the African Union Commission’s (AUC) target of 1% by 2030.

“The arts and cultural sector are vital for preserving Zambia’s heritage and driving economic development,” Mr. Sakala noted. “By increasing budgetary allocations, we can empower the National Arts Council to operate more effectively and create opportunities for young creatives to thrive. PAAGZ urges the government to prioritize the arts sector and allocate sufficient resources to support its growth. We are optimistic that this budget will make notable progress towards achieving the 1% allocation.”

While commending the government’s recent progress, such as the launch of the National Arts Policy, Mr. Sakala stressed the importance of adequate program funding for effective implementation. He expressed hope that the government would positively respond to calls for a budget increase as previously advocated.

“These steps are crucial for fostering a creative economy, preserving our cultural heritage, and ensuring social justice for all Zambians, especially those most vulnerable,” he said. In addition to advocating for the arts, Mr. Sakala emphasized the importance of maintaining or increasing the current 5.4% budget allocation for social protection. Given Zambia’s socio-economic challenges; including climate change, energy crises, and high inflation; social protection remains essential.

“Social protection is a key component of the national budget. It ensures that marginalized communities receive the support they need to navigate economic hardships. We strongly urge the government to maintain or increase this allocation to maximize support for those who rely on social welfare programs,” he added.

Mr. Sakala concluded by urging the government, stakeholders, and all Zambians to advocate for a fair and equitable budget: “Our collective voice can shape the future of our cultural and creative industries and secure a more inclusive Zambia.” He reaffirmed PAAGZ’s commitment to working with the government on policy issues to promote accountability, safeguard human rights, and ensure good governance.

“PAAGZ will continue to support efforts to build an inclusive and equitable Zambia where every citizen’s rights are respected and protected. Our collective voice can shape the future of our creative industries and secure a more inclusive Zambia,” Mr. Sakala concluded.

The highly anticipated national budget presentation for 2025 will reveal the government’s priorities for the coming year. Stakeholders, including PAAGZ, are eager to see how the budget aligns with the aspirations of the average citizen and addresses pressing national challenges.