Gesellschaft für Organisation, Planung und Ausbildung (GOPA) Worldwide has described the Boma Lathu Governance Programme as a key initiative in ensuring that citizens have access to accurate information, enabling them to participate meaningfully in public life and to hold duty bearers accountable through lawful and peaceful means.
Anil Naidoo, Team Leader for GOPA Worldwide Consultants to the Boma Lathu Programme, said the initiative, which is being supported by the European Union, is strengthening democratic governance in Malawi by building an informed and engaged citizenry.
“This helps citizens access accurate information, understand their rights and responsibilities and engage through clear, lawful pathways in public life.” Said Naidoo.
He added that the Directorate of Civic Education, through this work, is reaching communities directly—especially through Civic Education Hubs—where civic education moves beyond awareness to dialogue, problem-solving, and participation.
“Our role as Technical Assistance is to help strengthen systems, establish national standards, and support delivery platforms that make this possible, ensuring civic education is consistent, professional, and accessible across the country,” he said.
Principal Civic Education Officer, Patrick Ndawala, said the Department of Civic Education is responsible for leading and coordinating civic education in Malawi by strengthening how civic education is planned, delivered, monitored, and sustained nationwide.
“A key part of this work is the establishment and strengthening of Civic Education Hubs,” Ndawala said.
Cathie Matura, Communication and Visibility Expert for GOPA Worldwide Consultants, Technical Assistance to the Department of Civic Education under the EU-funded Boma Lathu, said one of the key innovations under the Boma Lathu Governance Programme is the Community Media Training.
“We are training 80 content creators including women and those with disabilities in the 4 hubs on a pilot phase. Youth are trained alongside community radio practitioners, civic education hub facilitators, Directorate of Civic Education officers, and mentors from the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation,” Matura said.
Chairperson for Mankhambira Civic Education Hub in Nkhatabay District, Robert Mkolongo, has since hailed the Boma Lathu training programmes as vital in developing and promoting mindset change messages.
By Mwai Mtumodzi
