Group Photo at the AGM
Council for NGOs in Malawi (CONGOMA) held its Annual General Meeting on 31st August 2023 where among other things, the NGOs adopted the NGO Law Regulations following the amendment of the NGO Law in February 2022. The NGO Regulations that were adopted are;
- Complaints handling Mechanism Regulation
- Coordination Regulation
- NGO Registration Regulation; and
- Operations of INGO Regulation
The General Assembly also adopted some policy directions which included the speedy revision of the NGO Policy 2019, need for NGO adherence to the coordination Mandates of CONGOMA, NGO village Land in which they agreed to lobby Ministry of Lands for a speedy allocation of land for the NGO Village. On CONGOMA Revenue, NGOs agreed to raise the subscription fees as follows.
INGO fees: from MK290,000 to MK402,500 representing 39%
Local emerging NGOs fees: from MK87,000.00 to MK120,750 representing 39% increase; and
MK241,500 for established NGOs from MK174,000.00 representing 39% increase.
The NGOs also filled some vacancies which existed in some of the governing committees. The committees that saw some of their vacancies filled were Governing Council, Board of Trustees and Finance and administration Committee.
The Committees then elected a new Chairperson who replaced Mr. Kossam Munthali and Vice Chairperson who replaced Mr. Dalitso Kubalasa. The new Chairperson elected is Mr. Adil Chilungo of African Muslim Schools Association and his vice is Mr. George Jobe of Malawi Health Equity Network. These new office bearers started work same day of 31st of August 2023.
Speaking at the meeting, the outgoing chairperson, Mr. Kossam Munthali encouraged the NGOs to commit to subscription of CONGOMA membership according to Section 24, 25 and 23 of the Amended NGO Law. Mr. Munthali also pointed out that it is important that NGO Regulatory Authority as a regulator should revise its registration requirements to provide referral to CONGOMA all NGOs it registers for coordination purposes and compliance with the law.
On the issue of CONGOMA revenue, it was noted that the subscriptions cover almost 80% of the basic administration operations of CONGOMA which leaves the 20% deficit and therefore NGOs need to subscribe.
The Assembly which was themed; “Self-Reliant Nation Through localization and NGO Regulation” was graced by The Minister of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, Honorable Jean Sendeza as the guest of honor.
Honorable Jean Sendeza
Speaking at the meeting, Honorable Sendeza pointed out that the International NGOs should make sure that they partner with local NGOs in the implementation of their projects to ensure continuation and sustainability of the developmental projects in the country. She also noted that strong governance structures should be followed in the NGOs and that following of the NGO Code of conduct is vital. The honorable Minister also pointed out that CONGOMA as a coordinator must strengthen its mandate in order to bring its house to order. “The issues raised at the meeting by CONGOMA are pertinent, including the gazeting of the regulations and government will see to it that these issues are sorted out in time in order to bring more sanity in the NGO sector.” The Honorable Minister was quoted as saying. Accountability issue among the NGOs operating in the country is also a concern raised by government to the NGOs. Honorable Sendeza noted that there are other NGOs operating in the country that are abusing the donor resources meant for Malawians, and CONGOMA should expedite the review of NGO Code of Conduct in order to deal with these NGOs according to the law. Finally, Honorable Sendeza urged NGOs to make sure that they are coordinated by CONGOMA as designated by the NGO Law.
NGO Regulatory Authority Vice Chairperson, Nina Ghambi, pleaded with the government to gazette the adopted regulations for bringing sanity in the NGO sector.
The AGM was made possible by funds from World Vision International and AMG Global among others.