By Memory Chatonda

Blantyre, February 7, Mana: Blantyre District Commissioner Alex Mdooko has advised non-governmental organizations (NGOs) implementing projects in the district to align their interventions towards the fulfillment of the Malawi 2063 Agenda.

He was speaking on Thursday in Blantyre when the Malawi Red Cross Society, Ntchito Mbambande by CARE, Umunthu Foundation and Nyale Institute signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the council during the District Executive Committee (DEC) meeting.

Mdooko said the development would ensure that the country becomes an inclusive, wealthy and self-reliant nation by 2063.

“NGOs and civil society organisations (CSOs) should ensure that their programmes contribute to the pillars and enablers of the Malawi 2063. Focus on economic transformation, sustainability and inclusivity,” he said.

Mdooko, therefore, called on the organizations to collaborate strongly with the government and communities to ensure long-term success and contribution to the Malawi 2063 Vision of becoming a wealthy and self-reliant nation.

Speaking earlier, Director of Planning and Development for Blantyre District Council, Melayi Mhone described the ceremony as crucial in ensuring that the council knows what is being implemented by organizations in the district to benefit the rural masses and also to be able to make follow-ups on the activities.

“This is a requirement by the Ministry of Local Government that the councils should be signing MoUs with their partners because it helps the council to hold the partners accountable if they fail to implement what is constituted in their project concept note.

“Blantyre has over 50 NGOs and, so far, we have signed MoUs with 40 NGOs,” she said.

Speaking on behalf of the organizations that signed MoUs, MRCS Blantyre District Coordinator, Innocent Chikuni said the exercise gives players a way to track progress and impact as the organizations provide their services to the people.

“Moreover, it fosters transparency and accountability during project implementation,” Chikuni said.

Meanwhile, the DEC has approved two projects – Chonde Fertiliser by Rutrand Farmers and Adolescent Girls and Young Women for Prevention of Alcohol, Drugs and Substance by Norwegian Church Aid – to be implemented in Blantyre.