PAAGZ Urges Greater Funding for Arts and Social Protection in 2025 Budget

By Francis Maingaila

Lusaka, Zambia — The People’s Action for Accountability and Good Governance in Zambia (PAAGZ) has called on the government to increase funding for the arts and social protection in the 2025 national budget, ahead of the presentation set for September 27, 2024, according to a statement by PAAGZ Executive Director Khazike Sakala.

Sakala pointed out that the arts sector has received an average of only 0.03% in previous budgets, far below the African Union’s 1% target by 2030, which Zambia has committed to.

“The arts are essential for preserving our cultural identity and driving economic progress,” Sakala said. “We urge the government to boost the budget allocation significantly to meet this goal.”

Through its Connect for Culture Africa (CfCA) Zambia project, PAAGZ has been advocating for improved arts funding in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth, Sport, and Art. Sakala emphasized that without adequate financial support, the recently launched National Arts Policy would be difficult to implement effectively.

PAAGZ also stressed the importance of maintaining or increasing the 5.4% budget for social protection, especially given Zambia’s challenges, such as inflation and climate change, which heighten the need for robust safety nets.

“Social protection is crucial for supporting marginalized communities during economic difficulties,” Sakala added.

This call is part of PAAGZ’s broader Strategic Plan for 2024-2027, which focuses on empowering marginalized groups, particularly women and youth, to hold public officials accountable and advocate for better services.