With AFS, Access Control Lists (ACLs) are used to set access rights on directories (not files). (ACL ref: http://www.angelfire.com/hi/plutonic/afs-faq.html#sub2.04 )
First, display the ACL on the directory: fs la $directory
For example:
tweety@toontown $ fs listacl . Access list for . is Normal rights: fac:coords rlidwka system:anyuser rl
Second, look at the ACL and confirm that your AFS-ID is either in the ACL or is a member of any group in the ACL. You can check group membership with: pts mem $afs_group_name
Third, examine the AFS access rights (ref: http://www.angelfire.com/hi/plutonic/afs-faq.html#sub2.04 ) and confirm you have the access rights needed.
To administer an ACL, you only need the "a" access right. However, in practice, it's easier to have all rights: "rwlidka".
Fourth, confirm you have authenticated into your AFS cell and have an active token:
For example:
elmer@toontown $ tokens Tokens held by the Cache Manager: User's (AFS ID 9997) tokens for afs@ny.acme.com [Expires Sep 15 06:50] User's (AFS ID 5391) tokens for afs@sf.acme.com [Expires Sep 15 06:48] --End of list--
It is possible in AFS to authenticate into more than one cell.