PRESIDENT CHAKWERA GRACES NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION’S DAY
At the Non-Governmental Organizations Day 2024 event held at Sanjika Palace in Blantyre on Wednesday, exhibitors showcased their commitment to active citizenship and enhancing the capacity of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) as catalysts for good governance.
Notably, some pavilions featured discussions on the ‘Shifting the Power Programme’ and the ‘Strengthening Food and Nutrition Programming Projects,’ both aimed at bolstering the capacity of CSOs in Malawi.
Presenting the 2024 NGO sector report based on reports from 62 NGOs, the Non-Governmental Organization Regulatory Authority (Ngora) chief executive officer Edward Chileka Banda says the sector revenue has increased from K589 billion in 2023 to K734 billion in 2024.
“The significant portion of this revenue has been reported in the health sector with K219 billion, education sector with K50 billion and disaster risk management with K45 billion,” says Chileka Banda
On registration of NGOs, he said 148 new NGOs have been registered this year compared to 78 last year while 604 NGOs have complied with laws by renewing their operating licences in 2024.
In his speech, President Lazarus Chakwera emphasized that collaboration for Malawi’s future marked a significant occasion hence leading the nation in commemorating the 2024 Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Day.
“This year’s event, themed ‘Strengthening Partnerships and Capacity in the NGO Sector: Panacea in Achieving Malawi 2063 Agenda’ serves as a platform for stakeholders to explore ways to improve the standards of living,” said Chakwera.
The Human Rights Accountability and Democracy Campaign Africa (HRADCA) joined 115 other NGOs in the celebrations organized by the Council of Civil Society Organizations in Malawi (CONGOMA).
In an earlier interview, HRADCA interim Executive Director Patrick Ulemu Nkhoma praised the event, saying it offers a unique opportunity to connect with stakeholders and discuss ways to enhance collaboration and capacity within the NGO sector.
“On a broader perspective, we joined other NGOs’ calls for closer collaboration, contributing to the achievement of the Malawi 2063 Agenda and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which aim at leaving no one behind,” reads part of his statement.
During the 2023/24 financial year, the NGO sector managed to mobilize financial interventions amounting to K734 billion towards various programs.
The meeting drew participants from diverse sectors, including clergy, government officials, private sector representatives, traditional leaders, and the general public. It was celebrated under the theme: “Strengthening Partnerships and Capacity in the NGO Sector: Panacea in Achieving Malawi 2063 Agenda.”
