Vice President Inonge Wina who launched the Policy yesterday morning is hopeful that the Policy will provide guidance to the NGO sector and as well as provide an environment which will enhance government and NGO partnership in order to enable the NGO sector maximise its potential.
In a speech read for her by Community Development and Social Welfare Minister Olipa Phiri during the official opening of the Second National Congress of the Non Governmental Organisations and Launch of the National NGO Policy, Mrs. Wina said the Policy which was developed in a consultative process with stakeholders was approved by cabinet in the first quarter of this year.
“Am delighted to see that both government and NGOs agreed to dialogue and generate resolutions that are mutually accepted by both parties. As a result of this, a clear roadmap was drawn of which the compatibility study of the NGO Act number 16 of 2009 with other existing laws was successfully completed by an Independent Consultant leading to the development of the Policy”. She said.
Mrs. Wina said the Act will promote transparency, accountability, mutual respect and trust among partners and has appealed to all partners to support the process of repealing and replacing the NGO Act of 2009.
“This congress therefore, provides the opportunity for NGO’s to identify quality leadership to propel effective coordination and NGO participation in the repealing and replacement of the Act number 16 of 2009”. Mrs. Wina added.
The last NGO congress was held in 2012.
