Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Times News
Published on 2024-04-15 06:17:31
The Non-Governmental Organisations Regulatory Authority (Ngora) has raised concerns over the increasing number of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) operating without valid licenses in the country. Ngora Chief Executive Officer Edward Chileka Banda expressed worries about the potential consequences of unauthorized NGOs engaging in illegal activities and duplicating efforts. He attributed this trend to a lack of transparency among NGOs, as the issuance of a license is dependent on the submission of reports for the previous fiscal year and payment of annual subscription fees in line with the 2021 Fees Regulations.
Chileka Banda revealed that currently, only 463 NGOs have obtained licenses for the year 2024, marking a significant increase from the 199 NGOs that had done so by the same time last year. Despite this increase, there remains a substantial number of NGOs operating without licenses, prompting the authority to urge all NGOs yet to renew their licenses for 2024 to do so promptly. Ngora plans to collaborate with various service providers, including the Financial Intelligence Authority (FIA), Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA), Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services, banks, district councils, and the donor community to exclusively serve NGOs with valid licenses for the current year.
Chileka Banda also issued a warning to non-compliant NGOs, stating that sanctions outlined in the NGO Act would be enforced. Additionally, Gender, Community Development, and Social Welfare Minister Jean Sendeza emphasized the importance of NGOs registering with the authority. Sendeza highlighted that the registration process provided government officials with essential information about the legal NGOs operating in the country and their contributions to national development agendas.
Between January and December 2023, Ngora registered a total of 94 NGOs, with 83 being local NGOs and 11 international organizations. In the first three months of 2024 alone, the authority registered 33 NGOs, surpassing the 19 NGOs registered during the same period in the previous year.
The efforts to regulate NGOs and ensure compliance with licensing requirements are crucial for maintaining transparency and accountability within the sector. Operating without a valid license not only violates Malawi’s laws but also undermines the credibility and effectiveness of NGOs in delivering on their mandates. By enforcing licensing regulations and collaborating with relevant stakeholders, Ngora aims to streamline the operations of NGOs and enhance their impact on national development initiatives.
In conclusion, the growing number of NGOs operating without valid licenses in Malawi highlights the urgent need for regulatory oversight and enforcement mechanisms. Through increased registration and compliance efforts, Ngora seeks to promote transparency, accountability, and credibility within the NGO sector, ultimately maximizing their contributions to the country’s development goals. Compliance with licensing requirements is essential for NGOs to uphold their credibility, legitimacy, and effectiveness in driving positive change in communities across Malawi.
Read the original article on The Times
