Government has underscored the critical role of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) in enhancing transparency, accountability, and service delivery, as senior provincial heads undergo capacity-building training in Masvingo.
The workshop, which commenced yesterday at the Flamboyant Hotel, is being facilitated by the Zimbabwe Media Commission and is targeted at equipping senior Government and local authority officials with knowledge on the provisions and implementation of FOIA.
Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Hon. Ezra Chadzamira, who officially opened the training, said improved access to information would empower citizens to participate meaningfully in governance and ensure greater public trust in institutions.
“The right to access information is enshrined in Section 62 of the Constitution. It is a tool for development, not a weapon of criticism. Provincial heads must act as custodians of this right by managing information with professionalism and integrity,” he said.
Hon. Chadzamira said the training came at a strategic time as Government intensifies efforts under the Second Republic to entrench a culture of transparency in line with Vision 2030 and the devolution agenda.
The three-day workshop covers key areas such as handling information requests, records management, and striking a balance between transparency and the protection of sensitive information.
According to officials from the Zimbabwe Media Commission, the training seeks to correct longstanding gaps in institutional information handling, particularly around delays in responding to public enquiries and poor documentation systems.
Participants commended the initiative, saying it would enhance internal efficiency and promote proactive disclosure of public information.
The training, according to a senior official, revealed institutional shortcomings that the government will now prioritise for reform.
Hon. Chadzamira urged departments to institutionalise the principles of FOIA beyond the training room, noting that public confidence in Government hinges on openness, access to accurate data, and timely communication.
“As we pursue inclusive development under devolution, no citizen or community should be left behind due to lack of information,” he said.
The FOIA, which replaced the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA), is part of ongoing legislative reforms aimed at promoting democratic participation and aligning public institutions with international standards of governance.
