200 NGOs risk being closed
The Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) Board has revealed that about 200 NGOs-both international and local-are operating in the country illegally after failing to comply with laws that require them to be registered by the board.
The NGO Board has since given the affected NGOs up to June 30 2013 to get registered or face punitive measures which include closure of the organisation or being fined through the courts.
In an interview yesterday, NGO Board chairperson Emily Banda said that since the board was appointed in November last year, it has registered close to 100 organisations putting the number of active registered NGOs to almost 200 across the country.
However, she said that the country has almost 400 NGOs.
She said: “This is according to Council for Non-Governmental Organisation of Malawi (Congoma) membership because for one to register with us you have to become a member of Congoma.”
In a warning to all international and local NGOs as well as development partners, the donor community, government departments and local district councils, the board said it is illegal to operate an NGO without being registered.
The Act, among others, gives the board powers to register the NGOs and ensure due compliance while at the same time withhold, suspend or cancel registration of NGOs in the event of failure or refusal to comply with the law.
“NGO Board of Malawi wishes to remind all NGOs that have not yet filed their applications but continue operating in the country that it has set 30th June, 2013 as deadline for all existing NGOs operating in the country to register after which Section 18 and subsequent sections shall apply to non compliant NGOs,” reads the statement.
The board also warned all donor agencies, development partners, government departments and local district councils to ensure that all NGOs being partnered with are in compliance with NGO Act to avoid inconveniences.
Banda said that since the campaign for registration started the board has seen an overwhelming response from the NGOs. She said even large NGOs as well as human rights organisations have since come forward to register.
She said that after June 30, the board will assess the situation and discuss with individual NGOs and if need be write them to see their responses before taking action.
However, she warned that if some will still fail to comply then they will risk being dragged to court.
