CSAT Executive Director, Willy Kambwandira, says the country continues to face issues of corruption because people are not aware of their rights to demand accountability and transparency from responsible authorities.

Kambwandira says Malawi is lagging behind in the fight against corruption which has rooted in local councils due to lack of confidence among local development committees to question how public funds are being used.

He says to address the problem, his organization aims to train area development committees on how to demand accountability and transparency on different projects from authorities in local councils.

"Corruption has not spared local councils and it is where it is deep rooted. This is why we want to train the local people through this project to hold their leaders accountable whenever a project is being undertaken," said Kambwandira.

Kambwandira said this in Machinga on Friday where his organization was presenting a two year project aimed to strengthen governance accountability through citizen engagement for Mangochi and Machinga districts worth over 150 million kwacha.

Deputy Director of Local Government services, Darwin Pangani says the exercise will enhance accountability of project funds for the two districts.

"For us, CSAT is a good partner who is always monitoring how projects and funds are being used. We hope this project for the two districts will promote transparency and accountability of project funds here," said Pangani.

Meanwhile, Director of Planning and Development for Machinga, MacPherson Mwakhwawa has Welcomed the project saying it will address complaints of lack of information provided to local people on developmental projects being undertaken.