Youth and Society (YAS) in conjunction with the Anti-Corruption Bureau, Office of the Ombudsman and Mchinji CSO Network has engaged community members in traditional authorities (T/As) Kawere, Mduwa, Kapondo and Kazyozyo on good governance.
Speaking on Friday during a meeting at Kawere, YAS programme associate for anti-corruption and rule of law Jayne Chibisa said they want to encourage citizens to demand accountability and transparency from duty-bearers.
“The idea is to encourage citizens to be as open as they can to report their grievances to relevant offices on the challenges they face,” she said.
Chibisa said YAS has been conducting mobile clinics in the district to bolster citizen engagement under action integrity initiative.
“We thought it wise to convene the meetings to give community members a platform to express themselves as many do not know where to report their grievances and are often scared of the consequences,” she added.
Office of the Ombudsman principal civic education officer Jameson Chauluka said they receive over 3 000 complaints through mainstream investigations every year and that in 2023, they also received over 9 000 complaints through Hospital Ombudsman Mechanism alone.
Kawere Area Development Committee chairperson Davie Ziyalula said there is growing discontent among citizens towards duty-bearers who prioritise personal engagements while neglecting their call.
During the meeting, it was observed that health facilities do not open on time while in the education sector, teachers spend more time on their phones, neglecting their classes.
YAS said it will call for a meeting with district authorities to discuss grievances community members lodged to see how best they can be resolved.
YAS is running the integrity action initiative with funding from United Nations Development Programme
Chibisa: Citizens should be open. | Chrispine Msiska
