During a media training on national budget reporting organised by the Parliament of Malawi with support from the National Democratic Institute (NDI), the Ministry of Finance called on the media to unceasingly track the national budget to ensure that money approved in Parliament is used for the intended purpose

The ministry’s assistant budget director Precious Chimbamba explained that the parliamentary budget deliberations are just a beginning process of the budget, so the media must track the budget to ensure that the funds were used for their intended purposes.

The call follows as the Minister of Information, Gospel Kazako has expressed commitment to implement the Access to Information Act, 4 years after it was passed by parliament but was never implemented. Kazako recently outlined that he has appointed September 30 2020 as the day the Act will become operational. Meanwhile, Misa Malawi has applauded the government for operationalising the Act which will enable Malawians to seek, receive and impart information with legal backing and ease.

In a statement signed by Misa Malawi chairperson Teresa Temweka Ndanga, the body said the gazetting of the commencement date cements the positive strides. “Misa Malawi hopes implementation of the ATI Act will guarantee access to relevant public information and help build public trust in government operations.  It entrenches the key values of transparency and accountability, which are pillars of good governance,” reads the statement in part.