Mutharika appoints Voice Mhone as NGO Board CEO : CSOs warns against witch-hunting

Malawi President Peter Mutharika has appointed former Council for Non Governmental Organisations(CONGOMA) board Chair Voice Mhone as its Chief Executive Officer.

In a statement signed by NGO board chair, Emily Banda, the appointment is with immediate effect.

This is in conformity of NGO Law section 5 subsections 19 (1) when it is said that the board shall appoint the Registrar who will be known as its Chief Executive Officer.

Mhone will be the first NGO board CEO since the organization was formed.

All along the Government has been designating or seconding a civil servant as a Registrar of the Board.

Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) Executive Director Timothy Mambo, has congratulated Mhone for the appointment.

Mtambo has since advised Mhone to be independent in his execution of duties.

“Sometimes people dance to the tune of appointing authorities,” said Mtambo.

Mtambo said he is hoping that Mhone’s appointment will improve the relationship amongst government and NGOs.

Centre for Development of people (CEDEP) executive director, Gift Trapence, cautioned against the politicization of the office.

“It is our belief that Mr Voice Mhone will be professional. The challenge that professionals have had is to be non-partisan when appointed into such Government positions. Some quarters may look at the appointment as compensation after PAC rejected his appointment for the position of Ambassador in Germany. It is also important to note that the NGO Board has always been used as a political tool to silence CSOs leaders. That has been part of its history,” said Trapence.

Trapence said  NGO Board was formed to fight CSOs who were against the third term bid of Bakili Muluzi.

“It will be very difficult for Mr Voice Mhone to work against this historical political culture that is entrenched in the NGO Board. No wonder the Chair of the Board herself has demonstrated her political behaviours in running the affairs of the board,” said Trapence.