The Ministry of Local Government has commended the Centre for Social Accountability Transformation (CSAT) for its efforts to strengthen citizen governance in Malawi through community empowerment.
The commendation comes as CSAT continues to make significant strides under its “Strengthening Governance Accountability through Citizen Oversight” project.
Since 2022, the initiative has empowered communities in Dowa, Machinga, and Mangochi districts, resulting in the prevention of unprocedural procurements of school desks, the halting of substandard public infrastructure projects, such as bridges and schools, and enabling community members to audit unfit contractors.
In addition to these achievements, CSAT has been operating a toll-free hotline, 3056, which provides Malawians with a platform to report leaders, organisations, and companies that are mishandling public duties in their communities.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting in Lilongwe, Deputy Director of Local Government, Sylvester Gawamadzi, lauded CSAT for its efforts and urged other civil society organisations (CSOs) to collaborate with district councils to further empower community members to hold their leaders accountable.
Moffat Phiri, CSAT’s Citizen Engagement Manager, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to improving governance and announced plans to expand the project to other communities.
By Yamikani Makanga
