CONGOMA HOLDS REGIONAL MEETINGS IN THE NORTHERN AND CENTRAL REGIONS

 

 

  Council for NGOs in Malawi (CONGOMA) held regional meetings for the North and Central Regions on 7th and 9th March 2023 respectively.

Among other things the meetings shared updates from the secretariat with the member NGOs and also the Reserve bank shed more on the Pensions Bill 2023.

In the updates from the secretariat, there were issues concerning submission of annual reports by member NGOs to the secretariat. It was noted that most of the member NGOs do not submit annual reports (narrative and audited accounts) as required by the NGO Act (2001) and NGO (Amendment) Act 2022. Hence, NGOs which have not yet submitted the reports were encouraged to do so to fulfill the requirement.

The Secretariat also communicated that consultations on the NGO Regulations which focused on registration, complaints handling, coordination and operations of INGOs have been concluded. Vetting of the regulations will be done at the AGM of CONGOMA (specific dates to be announced in due course).

The meetings which were organised in conjunction with the Reserve Bank of Malawi shared with the NGOs more about the Pensions Act 2023.  A lot was shared but among others there was; development of pension policies in Malawi, objectives of the Pension Act – 2023, institutional framework of the National Pension Scheme – 2023, benefits of complying with the Pension Act – 2023 and consequences of late payment of contributions.

Another activity which took place at the meetings was elections of the regional committees in both regions. The outcomes of the elections were as follows;

Central Region Committee Members

  1. Habitat For Humanity
  2. White Ribbon Alliance
  3. WUSC
  4. Citizen Alliance
  5. NABWI
  6. Foundation for Rural Development

White Ribbon was voted the Regional Chair for the Central region and WUSC the vice.

Northern Region Committee Members

  1. Centre for Youth Development
  2. Social Action for Development
  3. Biodiversity Conservationn Initiative
  4. Chesney Trust
  5. Temwa Community Project
  6. Lusubilo Community Care

Center for youth Development emerged the Chair for the Northern Region and Chesney Trust was voted the Vice chair for the committee.

Matters arising from the previous meetings were also shared to NGOs by the secretariat.

The meetings were patronized by 128 NGOs in the Center and 80 North.

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