THEY IS NEED TO HAVE TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABLITY IN IMPLEMENTING CDF-AAAZ

By Daily News reporter

The Alliance for Accountability Advocates Zambia (AAAZ) in LUSAKA hosted a gathering stakeholders, media and community representatives at the organization headquarters to review and make submissions on Constituency Development Fund (CDF) Act.

AAAZ executive director Luchembe Chilufya,r, said that the citizen engagement emerged is crucial in governance and development, empowering communities, optimizing public resources, fostering transparency, accountability, and collaborative problem-solving, while also promoting social cohesion and civic participation.

He said that they as been challenges in the implementation of the CDF which lacked transparency, accountability, and community involvement in fund allocation and its utilization.

He emphasized opportunities to enhance the CDF’s effectiveness in driving local development by promoting accountability and transparency to meet citizens’ needs and promote sustainable development.

He further reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for transparency and community participation in CDF management.

According to Chilufya, meaningful citizen engagement requires genuine dialogue, access to information, and respect for diverse voices, serving as a cornerstone of democratic governance and sustainable development.

“Through empowering communities to participate in decision-making processes, governments can foster inclusive and equitable progress for all members of society,” he said.

Meanwhile, stakeholders gathered at AAAZ headquarters to deliberate on the CDF Act, shifted to the pivotal role of project governance in propelling community development forward.

Sitting around the table, they engaged in discussions that illuminated the core principles necessary for meaningful progress.

“It all begins with genuine engagement,” remarked one participant, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that projects resonate with the real needs of local communities and instill a sense of ownership among residents.

The group collectively acknowledged the imperative of considering sustainability and long-term consequences in project planning. “Short-sighted decisions can jeopardize the very communities we seek to uplift,” one stakeholder cautioned, underscoring the need for foresight and strategic thinking.

Turning their attention to community empowerment, the stakeholders recognized the transformative potential of education and capacity building initiatives.

“When communities are equipped with knowledge and skills,” remarked a participant, “they become active participants in shaping their own destinies.”

The conversation concluded with a reflection on the importance of flexibility in adapting to evolving circumstances. “Change is constant,” observed one stakeholder, “and our governance structures must be agile enough to accommodate it.”

In the end, the consensus was clear: effective project governance, anchored in consultation, transparency, and accountability, serves as the catalyst for communities to chart their own paths toward a brighter future.