CSOs urged to advocate for issues affecting people

Presidential adviser on non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and civil society organisations (CSOs) Martha Kwataine has asked CSOs and NGOs in Mchinji to advocate for the welfare of communities in the district.

She made the call in Mchinji on Tuesday when she met members of the Mchinji District Civil Society Network to appreciate their roles in the district.

Sain Kwataine:“Civil society organisations and government are partners in development; hence, the need for them to advocate for the welfare of the locals.

“Let the ordinary man and woman at the community level know there is something they can gain from them not just monetary but mindset change.”

She said CSOs and NGOs exist to complement and provide checks and balances to government‘s efforts.

Kwataine also called for sanity in CSOs, saying money received from donors should be channelled to the intended purpose of improving the welfare of Malawians.

She said the reforms government is championing emphasise intergrity, value for money and the CSOs are not spared.

Mchinji District Civil Society Network chairperson Mereena John described the meeting with the presidential adviser as important, saying it provided a platform to discuss issues affecting CSOs in the district.

“The meeting was important as it helped us CSOs to tackle issues we face as we implement activities in different areas,” she said.