For immediate release: Lilongwe, 16 February 2005
The Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF), Mr Carl Wright, visited Malawi, 14-16 February for discussions with Hon Dr George T Chaponda, MP, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, senior Ministry officials and representatives of the Malawi Local Government Association (MALGA), as well as the chief executives of Blantyre, Lilongwe and Mzuzu. He also met with representatives of international development agencies supporting Malawi’s programme of public sector decentralisation.
Discussions revolved around the forthcoming local government elections, support for local government reforms and the work of MALGA and promotion of international partnerships between Malawi councils and their Commonwealth counterparts, including in the UK and Scotland, as well as the SADC region.
The visit followed the decision by Commonwealth Heads of Government, including HE President Dr Bingu wa Mutharika, at their recent meeting in Malta in November 2005, to formally endorse the CLGF’s Aberdeen Agenda: Commonwealth Principles on Good Practice for Local Democracy and Good Governance as part of the Commonwealth’s fundamental political values.
Before leaving Lilongwe, Mr Wright said:
“It heartening to learn that the Government of Malawi intends to proceed with local government elections later this year. Democratically elected local councillors have a key role to play in development and realising the Millennium Development Goals. They are also critical to the democratic process. Following the elections, the CLGF looks forward to working with its members in Malawi in helping the realisation and promotion of local democracy and good governance.”
Note to editors:
- The Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF), has headquarters in London and project offices in Africa, Asia and the Pacific. It is recognised by the 53 Commonwealth Heads of Government as the Commonwealth organisation for promoting local democracy and good governance.
- In the SADC region, CLGF Board members include the Ministers of Local Government of Lesotho and South Africa and the Mayors of Tshwane, South Africa and Windhoek, Namibia. Its members in Malawi include the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development and the Malawi Local Government Association.
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