By Sam Majamanda
Youth Net and Counselling (YONECO) has encouraged radio listening clubs in Phalombe district to be vigilant in checking and reporting abuse of Social Safety Net (SSN) Programs in the district to relevant authorities.

Complaints and Feedback Mechanism Coordinator for YONECO, Augustine Chikatentha made the call on Tuesday during a four day training for Radio Listening Clubs from Traditional Authorities Chiwalo and Kaduya in the district.

According to Chikatentha the Radio Listening Clubs are expected to raise awareness in their communities to enable people provide complaints and feedback on SSN programs especially those implemented by the World Food Program (WFP).

The WFP contracted YONECO to handle the Complaints and Feedback Mechanism attached to its programs such as the Lean Season Cash Transfers and the Food For Assets (FFA) Programs that is forthcoming.

“By engaging the radio listening clubs we want to go through them in alerting community members to report any ills they notice in the implementation process,” said Chikatentha.

It is expected that involvement of listening clubs will ensure that there is no malpractice in the implementation process and that money meant for deserving Malawians really benefits them.

A member of Tithetse Radio Listening Club, Laston Matopa said he was committed to ensuring that radio listening clubs are effective to hold duty bearers accountable in the implementation of SSN.

“We have learnt a lot on beneficiary identification process and many other processes that are supposed to be followed,” Matopa said, adding that the radio listening clubs in Chiwalo and Kaduya areas will now be  able to stand up and challenge corrupt acts.

Mana/sm/ewc/gjp