The State President of the Republic of Malawi, Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera has said there is need for a more accountable NGO sector to hold those in public offices accountable. He made the remarks on Thursday, 14 December, 2023 during the commemoration of the NGO Day in Lilongwe.
Chakwera said an accountable NGO sector is good for the creation of a more accountable government.
“As head of government, I need NGOs that are credible and strong to hold those of us in public office accountable, but how can public officers be held accountable by organisations that are not themselves accountable,” he said.
Chakwera added that government is failing to properly account for foreign currency received through NGOs and directed the Ministries of Finance and Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare to engage NGORA and the Reserve Bank of Malawi to ensure that the forex in the NGO sector comes through regulated systems.
“We must have the rule of law as our modus operandi if we are going to make any progress on our development goals as a nation, and I want to thank all of you who are exemplary in this regard you are the NGOs Malawi need to prosper together,” he added.
Making her remarks Minister of Gender Community Development and Social Welfare Jean Sendeza urged government departments and agencies to work with NGOs that are registered and compliant.
“The NGO Act requires all NGOs to register with NGORA before operating in Malawi, unfortunately over 199 unregistered NGOs are operating across the country, working with district councils, ministries and other government agencies, and ad such flouting the law,” she said.
The NGO day was celebrated under the theme “A strong and Vibrant NGO Sector Towards Accelerated Implementation of SDGs and Malawi 2063.