A Trainer of Trainers (ToT) programme is currently underway at Chalimbana Local Government Training Institute in preparation for the upcoming orientation of newly elected Civic Leaders following the recently held General Elections.
The programme is being driven by Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, through Chalimbana Local Government Training Institute, and is aimed at preparing facilitators for the nationwide rollout of the Councillors and Officers Orientation Programme.
Following the August 2026 General Elections, the newly elected civic leaders are required to undergo mandatory and structured orientation to equip them with a clear understanding of the local government systems and their roles and responsibilities as elected representatives. The orientation will cover key areas of local governance, including governance and administration, human resource management, financial management and budgeting, planning, as well as cross-cutting and emerging issues affecting local authorities.
The Training of Trainers was officially opened by Director of Local Government Administration Mr. Ackson Habaanji. Speaking on behalf of the Permanent Secretary of Administration during the official opening, Mr. Habaanji highlighted that the orientation programme will be implemented through Five (05) training hubs established across the country. The hubs will be located in Livingstone, Kitwe, Ndola, Mpika and Chongwe-Chalimbana.
The ToT programme is, therefore, designed to ensure that facilitators are adequately prepared to deliver the orientation programme in a consistent and effective manner across all five hubs. The training involves practical simulations, group exercises and demonstrations using standardised materials drawn from the Validated 2026 ‘Councillors and Officers Orientation Manual’.
The use of standardised training materials is intended to promote uniformity in content and delivery while ensuring that newly elected civic leaders across the country receive a consistent orientation on the local government system.
A total of Sixty (60) facilitators are participating in the Trainer of Trainers programme in readiness for the national rollout of the Councillors and Officers Orientation Programme, which is scheduled to run from 12th to 30th October 2026.
The programme represents an important step towards strengthening the capacity of newly elected civic leaders and supporting effective collaboration between councillors and local authority management in the delivery of local government functions and services.