On 13 December 2019, the interim Executive Committee of the newly established Zambian National Chapter of APNODE held its inaugural meeting in Lusaka, Zambia. The meeting was chaired by Hon. (Mr.) Stanley Kakubo, Interim Chairperson of the Zambian National Chapter of APNODE. Others in attendance included Hon. (Mrs.) Attracta Chisangano, Hon. (Mrs.) Emerine Kabanshi (former Minister for Community Development and Social Services), Hon. (Mr.) Alfred Mandumbwa, Mrs. Saraphina Banda, Principal Clerk (M&E), National Assembly of Zambia, and Ms. Patricia Mumbi, Deputy Principal Clerk (M&E), National Assembly of Zambia. The announcement of the Speaker of Parliament’s approval to set up an APNODE National Chapter in Zambia whipped up a lot of interest and enthusiasm from members of parliament. The interim Executive Committee firstly deliberated on the suggestion that APNODE Zambia should serve as a caucus for evidence in Parliament. Other key points discussed included a suggestion to pay courtesy calls to key stakeholders such as the Ministry of National Development Planning (responsible for coordinating the government-wide M&E) and potential cooperating partners; defining the strategic focus and developing the 2020 APNODE Zambia Annual Work Plan; resource mobilization; stakeholder mapping and engagement; active participation in continental and regional events organized by APNODE; and official launch of APNODE Zambia.
The meeting agreed on the following next steps:
- plan for the official launch of APNODE Zambia in 2020;
- develop an Annual Work Plan;
- domesticate the constitution; and,
- undertake some sensitization ands advocacy events.