Govt Funded CSO's On SDG's Caravan Parade

Luther Mambala reading Statement

Human Rights Activists who organised 'Sustainable Development Goals (SDG's) Caravan Parade', admit receiving of funding from Office of the Presidential Adviser on Non-Governmental Organisation's (NGO's).

Jappie Mhango

However, Minister of Information Jappie Mhango has expressed ignorance of the source of funding by the group.

People in Lilongwe on Tuesday afternoon witnessed a group of activists presenting a Statement to Government asking for proper alignment of resources for the implementation of SDG's and were lead by Luther Mambala a workers activists, Philip Kamangira and Fryson Chodzi.

Although the budget for the parade is not yet known, it is estimated that Millions of money's were used amid tough economic time the country is going through.

Mghango receiving the statement

Bamusi receiving the statement

The group of activists calling themselves 'Civil Society and Citizens' has admitted that they got funding from the Presidential office to hold the parade which followed presentation of statement to President Peter Mutharika through Minister of Information Jappie Mhango and the head of the office which has funded the parade, Mr Mabvuto Bamusi.

Luther Mambala

However, the leader of the Group, Luther Mambala a workers activists says see's nothing wrong that they got funding for their parade from such an office

"No! I don't think it is right to say we were sponsored by Government but I think the Office for the Presidential Advisor on NGO's is actually the one that funded the parade" said Mambala when asked to disclose from which pocket financed the Parade

Luther said the parade was meant to sensitize Malawians on the newly adopted Sustainable Development Goals (SGs) and not to counter demonstrations lead by Billy Mayaya one of the Malawi Human Rights Activist who had earlier presented the petition at the same Civic Offices.

"This was an optune time to sensitize Malawians to know SDG's. Malawians have to know what is happening and what is required of them in terms of contributions because they have got a role to play on these SDGs" said Mambala a former president of Malawi Congress of Trade Union

In the statement titled 'SDG's Hope for millions of Malawians; Let Us Unite To Implement Them' is calling all Malawians and Civil Society Organisations to rally behind the SDG's and be involved in implementation and monitoring of SDGs for the country to register remarkable progress towards achieving the SDG's and end poverty.

It further calls NGO's to re-align their programmes to SDG's and timely support from the Development Partners.

"We are optimistic that Government will prioritize the investment in critical and productive sectors such as Agriculture, education, health and trade. The implementation of SDGs must help to create jobs by expanding the skills development programme among the youth such as current Community Technical Colleges." Reads the statement

The petition also noted that women and youth empowerment is key in achieving the SDG's and that Government should create more space for citizen and civil society engagement around the SDG's.