Corruption and Awareness Gaps Hamper Progress Towards SDGs in Malawi
The observations were made during the launch of a report on SDGs at Mid-point 2023, held in Lilongwe on Tuesday.
LILONGWE, Malawi- Civil Society Organizations in Malawi have raised concerns over the impediments posed by corruption and a lack of adequate awareness in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, writes Judgement Katika.
The observations were made during the launch of a report on SDGs at Mid-point 2023, held in Lilongwe on Tuesday.
Sayimon Sauzande, Programme Officer for the Council for Non-Governmental Organizations in Malawi (CONGOMA), underlined the persistent challenges of corruption and insufficient efforts that have hindered Malawi's progress toward the 17 SDGs.
"SDGs represent global commitments undertaken by the Malawi Government to eradicate poverty by 2030. It is disheartening that the country is yet to make substantial strides in this regard. Achieving these goals requires collaborative efforts, and tackling corruption is a fundamental aspect of that mission," Sauzande stressed.
Pennia Mavedzenge, Acting Country Director for World Vision, echoed Sauzande's sentiments and underscored the critical role of collaboration in addressing the multifaceted challenges that impede the achievement of SDGs.
"While Malawi has made progress toward SDGs, there remains significant work to be done. The need for additional resources underscores the importance of cooperation among various stakeholders," Mavedzenge emphasized.
The stakeholders emphasized the urgency of taking collective and concrete actions to enhance the country's advancement towards SDGs, as the 2030 deadline approaches.
The fight against corruption, coupled with robust awareness and collaborative efforts, is seen as the way forward in the pursuit of these vital global goals.