Centre for Social Transparency and Accountability (Csat) has trained civil society organisations (CSOs) in Mangochi District on social accountability.
The three-day training introduced participants to key social accountability tools, including social audits, community scorecards, facility audits, citizen report cards and public hearings.
Speaking on Tuesday during the training, Csat project field officer Jacob Phiri said they conducted the training to empower CSOs to address social accountability issues in their day-to-day work.
I Ayamba Kandodo
He said: “The training seeks to unpack the concept of social accountability, particularly the tools that are relevant in the context of Mangochi District.
“It also seeks to enhance CSOs’ capacity to demand improved service delivery and greater transparency. This will enable them to engage stakeholders more effectively and advocate for meaningful policy changes.”
Phiri noted that while many non-State actors conduct similar trainings, a major challenge was poor implementation and enforcement.
He, therefore, urged participants to apply the knowledge and skills to strengthen accountability efforts at grassroots level.
One of the participants, Prudence Chavula, who works with Go Fund a Girl Child, described the training as timely.
“The skills will enable CSOs to effectively monitor government’s programmes implemented in the district,” she said.
Csat is implementing the Right to Food in Africa: From Policy to Plate Project in Mangochi with support from the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development through Welthungerhilfe.
