The Minister of Gender Community Development and Social Welfare, Jean Sendeza says government is committed in ensuring that the NGO landscape thrives. She made the remarks at the Annual General Meeting of the Council for NGOs in Malawi (CONGOMA) in Lilongwe.
Sendeza said the government recognises the impact of the NGO sector on several aspects of the society, including social and economic development.
“NGOs have supported government in health, agriculture, good governance and during crises just to mention a few, therefore let us work together to ensure that NGOs have a conducive work environment and develop a culture of accountability and good governance,” she said.
She added that NGOs should be affiliated to CONGOMA as the designated coordinator of NGOs, despite the changes that the amendment of the NGO Act brought.
Speaking during the meeting, Vice Board Chairperson for the NGO Regulatory Authority (NGORA) Nina Ghambi, called upon incoming CONGOMA office bearers to continue the good relationship that is there between NGORA and CONGOMA, to ensure that NGO works impacts the people that it is meant to serve.
She also requested NGOs to ensure that their NGOs are compliant to create a positive image of the NGO sector.
The meeting witnessed the election of new office bearers for CONGOMA and validation of regulations of the amended Act.