Make NGO activities more accountable, transparent
Sylhet Divisional Commissioner Dr Zafar Ahmed Khan speaks at a view exchange meeting on 'Problems regarding good governance in NGO sector and its solutions' at Sylhet Zila Parishad auditorium yesterday.Photo: STAR
Speakers at a view exchange meeting yesterday said NGO activities should be made more accountable and transparent.
They said financial accountability and transparency are very much needed for their smooth functioning.
The meeting titled 'Problems regarding good governance in NGO sector and their solutions' was organised by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) in association with NGO Affairs Bureau, Manusher Jonno Foundation, Brac and Oxfam at Sylhet Zila Parishad auditorium with Deputy Commissioner Sazzadul Hasan in the chair.
Divisional Commissioner Dr Zafar Ahmed Khan was the chief guest at the meeting which was also addressed by Editor and Publisher of The Daily Star Mahfuz Anam, also a member of TIB Trustee Board, as guest of honour.
TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman moderated the meeting where Ashfaqul Amin Mukut of NGO Bureau and Sadhan Kumar Das of TIB presented papers.
NGO Affairs Bureau Director General Mushtaque Hasan Md Iftekhar and Brac's Director (Training) Shipa Hafeeza spoke on the theme of the meeting which was attended by over one hundred government officials, TIB office-bearers and NGO leaders from four districts of the division.
The speakers said close coordination between the NGOs and the government is needed to ensure good governance in NGO sector.
They said now a days the NGOs are working as partners of the government in development process.
The speakers said more accountability and more transparency are needed for the growing number of NGOs in the country.
Corruption and irregularities stand in the way of NGO activities, they added.
The speakers stressed the need for wider monitoring of NGO activities and openness of all information for the stakeholders.
There should be specific rules for appointing retired government officials to NGO posts, they opined.
The divisional commissioner said it is not possible for the government alone to carryout all development activities, and as such the NGOs are to work as development partners.
They have developed management skills and local level leadership, but establishment of good governance is a must for their total success, he added.
“Our NGOs have already achieved worldwide appreciation. Brac's non-formal education has been replicated in 43 countries. The micro-credit programme is also a globally accepted programme,” said Mahfuz Anam.
For few NGOs, all cannot be blamed, and they should attain financial accountability and transparency, he said, adding that close understanding between the government and NGOs should be ensured to develop a further workable system.
The deputy commissioner suggested for setting up division level offices of NGO Affairs Bureau to strengthen the monitoring of NGO activities.
Such view exchange meeting will be arranged in five other divisional headquarters, said the organisers.
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