20 Oct 2016

Members of Community Based Organisations (CBOs) in Ngamiland have called for a direct budget for the effective implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Members made the call during a workshop dubbed Localising SDGs - participation of civil societies and other national stakeholders’ on October 18 in Maun.
The participants’ fear was that failure to have a specific budget for SDGs could hinder efforts to successfully achieve them as expected.
 The workshop’s aim was to sensitise participants about the SDGs so that they could have a clear understanding of the goals and their role towards the implementation process.
Responding, speakers at the workshop explained that SDGs were part and parcel of the national framework; hence community organisations should own them and play their part towards their implantation.
 They explained that the framework was not a standalone tool as the government had tried its best to link them with the national aspirations.
An official from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Mr Fitsum Abraha admitted that a specific budget was key, but argued it should come from the CBOs.
He said to fix the current situation an alternative source of income must be identified noting that government alone could not manage.He said it was a matter of changing the mindset, thinking together and planning, rather than look up to the government for funding.
Mr Abraha said as much as the government was responsible, individuals, communities and all stakeholders should play their part.
Another speaker, Mr Patrick Seitiso from the ministry of Finance and Development Planning, noted that the SDGs framework was similar to what had been happening, adding that there was no need for a separate budget.
He explained that SDGS indicators and targets were in line with projects and programmes undertaken by different ministries.
He said what was important was to align the framework with what is on the ground, adding that the adoption of the framework came at the right time when the country was in the process of developing new national development frameworks such as NDP11, DDP8, UDP4 and others.
He called on CBOs to partner with government and other stakeholders towards the implementation noting that the agenda emphasized that no one should be left behind including them.
He said they were recognized as the key stakeholders because they worked with communities at grass root level.
“CBOs are core and they are speaking the same language with the communities they operate within; hence the need for them to partner with government to improve community livelihoods through the agenda,” he added.
Mr Seitiso appreciated the key role played by the civil societies noting that they were involved in various initiatives to complement government efforts.
He also noted that it was crucial to address the gaps inherited from the Millennium Development Goals, adding that all had to come up with innovative solutions to address the challenges.ENDS