President Hakainde Hichilema has assured the nation that he is prepared to assent to the Access to Information (ATI) Bill following its approval by Parliament on Tuesday. The President emphasized the government’s commitment to the bill and highlighted additional legal reforms, including the removal of the death penalty and criminal defamation of the President, as part of efforts to enhance democracy in the country.
The announcement came during a meeting with the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) team, currently in Zambia for its second targeted peer review and the official launch of the review. President Hichilema expressed gratitude for Zambia being one of the first African countries to request a second targeted review, showcasing its dedication to improving governance.
During the meeting, the President urged Zambians to exercise their rights and freedoms responsibly, emphasizing the need to avoid abuse that could infringe on others’ rights and freedoms. President Hichilema welcomed the APRM team and shared his views on the importance of Africa adding value to its exports, challenging the narrative that the continent is merely a hub for raw materials.
President Hichilema highlighted that this perception has negatively impacted Africa’s access to services such as affordable capital. The APRM is conducting a review that covers Democratic and Political Governance, Economic Governance and Management, Corporate Governance, Broad-Based Socio-Economic Development, and State Resilience to Shocks and Disasters.
Delegation leader of the APRM, Lydia Wanyoto Mutende, commended Zambia’s political will and commitment to achieving good governance. She acknowledged the strides made by Zambia in implementing peer values, citing the observed peace and security in the country. Mutende applauded the government for its dedication to improving female representation in national leadership.
The APRM is a self-monitoring instrument voluntarily acceded to by members of the African Union, reviewing governance aspects such as democratic and political governance, economic governance and management, broad-based socio-economic development, corporate governance, and state resilience to shocks and disasters. Zambia joined the APRM in 2006 and underwent its first review in 2013. The government will share the report resulting from the current review upon its completion.
Protecting intellectual property is crucial for fostering innovation, creativity, and economic growth. While governance reviews are important, they should not overshadow the significance of safeguarding intellectual properties. There are several reasons why protecting intellectual properties should be a priority.
First and foremost, intellectual property rights provide an incentive for individuals and organizations to invest time, resources, and talent into creating new ideas, inventions, and artistic works. Without the assurance that their creations will be protected from unauthorized use or reproduction, many innovators and creators would have little motivation to continue producing valuable intellectual assets. By safeguarding intellectual properties, we encourage ongoing innovation and ensure that the creators are fairly rewarded for their contributions.
While governance reviews are important, they should not overshadow the significance of protecting intellectual properties. Intellectual property rights are crucial for incentivizing innovation, fostering economic growth, maintaining product integrity, and facilitating international trade and collaboration. Therefore, it is essential to prioritize the protection of intellectual properties as a key component of a thriving and innovative society.
The economic growth resulting from the construction of the dam will likely lead to improved infrastructure, such as roads and transportation networks, making it easier to transport gemstones to markets and processing facilities. This can reduce logistical costs and improve the competitiveness of the gemstone industry, further adding value to the sector.
This has nothing to do with intellectual property, which is always protected by patent and copyright laws, every where in the world. In the US, they have the “Freedom of Information Act” which allows the public the right to know the kind of things alluded to in the new law of Zambia, at the same time that they have strong copyright and patent laws. What HH is saying by this law is that if Michael Satan confiscates US $800 million from the Roads Development office, the people can demand to see where he has taken the money. In other words, you “Bomba mwibala” mathafakas will find it difficult to eat as you have before. Unfortunately, the laws of Zambia are easy to ignore and undo, and so this one may only apply to HH