Karonga District Council has stressed the importance of collaboration among stakeholders including civil society organisations (CSOs) to serve people of the lakeshore district efficiently.
The council’s principal gender and development officer Ireen Mwenilupembe said this on Wednesday during the orientation of CSOs in the district.
She said while unity and collaboration remain key, there is a need for CSOs to responsibly safeguard their civic space when discharging their oversight roles.
| Jordan simeon-phiri
“While you are providing checks and balances on governance matters, do not forget to be responsible. Let us remain united to achieve our common objective,” said Mwenilupembe.
Foundation for Women and Girls Empowerment executive director Christobel Munthali said the orientation came at the right time when CSOs from Chitipa, Karonga and Rumphi are implementing a strategy advocacy to lobby government to rehabilitate the Chiweta-Karonga section of the M1.
Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) of Karonga Diocese desk officer Obert Mkandawire, whose organisation conducted the orientation, said the training sought to empower CSOs to monitor projects running in the district.
“We want the CSO players to hone monitoring skills and appreciate freedoms of expression, association and assembly to execute their duties effectively,” he said.
With funding from Hivos, CCJP is implementing Connect, Defend, Act project in Karonga and Chitipa districts.
