By George Mponda

Mzuzu, March 19, Mana: The Evangelical Association of Malawi (EAM) has drilled Area Development Committee (ADC) members in Karonga on anti-corruption and social accountability in a bid to promote transparency and accountability in local governance.

The training, which was conducted on Tuesday, was done in conjunction with the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).

According to EAM Advocacy Officer for Karonga, Fumbanani Mwale, the training was aimed at equipping ADC members with knowledge and skills to prevent and combat corruption in their respective areas.

He said participants have been taken through various topics, including the definition and forms of corruption, consequences of corruption, and the role of ADC members in preventing corruption.

The training also covered procedures for reporting corruption cases to ACB.

"ADC members play a critical role in ensuring that development projects are implemented in a transparent and accountable manner. They are the eyes and ears of communities and they have the responsibility to ensure that resources meant for development projects are used for their intended purpose," he said.

ACB Principal Public Education Officer, Edward Kamvabingu, noted that corruption is a major obstacle to development in Malawi.

He said corruption undermines the delivery of public services, increases inequality, and erodes trust in public institutions.

"It is always important that people should have knowledge on how to deal with corruption which is crucial in social accountability. This is important because they will be able to track projects which government is implementing through their structures," he said.

Kamvabingu, therefore, advised ADC members to closely monitor projects for them to be able to know where things are not going well and make timely collective measures.

Chairperson for Mbande ADC, Chancy Mlelemba, hailed the training saying it has equipped them with knowledge on how to hold duty bearers responsible.

"The training will also promote a culture of transparency and accountability among ADC members which is essential for promoting good governance and development in Malawi," said Mlelemba.