Lilongwe based NGOs have teamed up to challenge the policy formulation process which NGO Board of Malawi is undertaking.
Some of the NGOs and their Executive Directors appearing on the list of signatories include; Timothy Mtambo who is Executive Director of CHRR, Gift Trapence of CEDEP, Amon Lukhele of OSF, Peter John of SYAMA, Rev MacDonald Sembereka, and Richard Yohane of RISE.
NGO Board is consulting NGOs in ten districts to seek their input on the NGO Policy.
However, there has been a lot of resistance from various stake holders who feel that the process is political, undemocratic and staged.
However in a letter dated 26 May, 2016 which we have seen demand that the policy formulation process be halted to pave way for thorough consultation.
“As such we demand that the process be halted forthwith to pave way for a fair, open and balanced consultative process led by the NGOs themselves with CONGOMA’s Coordination,” reads the letter in part.
According to the letter, the NGOs have threatened that unspecified affirmative action will be undertaken to halt the process by force.
“In view of the foregoing context, we have lost the confidence in the process and demand that the NGO Policy development process be reviewed,”
Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Gender, Child, Disability and Social Welfare who is also Chairperson of the Steering committee on the NGO Policy Dr Mary Shaba says NGO Board of Malawi which was established under the NGO Board 2001 act will have an act which will be guiding activities of NGOs in Malawi.
“Yes we are indeed doing consultation process on the policy as you are aware NGOs have been operating without policy, that caused a lot of confusion and some dishonest people have been taking advantage of the loophole to start stealing from Malawians in the name of operating NGOs in Malawi, this will not be the case now.” Said Dr Shaba.
Shaba gave example of what was found during the NGO mapping where it was revealed that there has been inconsistent information on the number of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) as recorded by the Registrar General, Council of non-governmental organisation in Malawi (CONGOMA), District Social Welfare offices at district council level and NGO Board of Malawi.
Shawa say all the loopholes will be sealed once this law is in place .
NGO Board Chair Abgail Dzimadzi has since assured Malawians that NGO Policy formulation process is being done in free, fair and transparent manner.
Dzimadzi said the policy will improve transparency and accountability.