The Government has called on development stakeholders, particularly non-governmental organisations (NGOs), to strengthen collaboration with public institutions in order to enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the implementation of development projects across the country.
The call was made by the Acting Assistant Commissioner for External Finance at the Ministry of Finance, John Kuchaka, when opening a one-day workshop that brought together NGO representatives from Mainland Tanzania.
The participants came from Dar es Salaam, Tanga, Lindi, Mwanza, Pwani, Mtwara, Kagera and Arusha regions.
The workshop, held at the Parliamentary Office Hall in Dar es Salaam, aimed at strengthening cooperation between the Government and NGOs in development planning and implementation.
Kuchaka said the Government continues to recognize the important role played by NGOs in complementing public efforts to deliver services to citizens, especially in reaching communities and supporting social and economic development programmes.
He said the workshop is part of ongoing reforms aimed at improving coordination between the Government and development partners to ensure that all stakeholders operate within clear systems, policies, and guidelines that govern development financing and implementation.
He emphasized that a shared understanding of Government procedures, including financial management guidelines, budget processes, and coordination frameworks, is essential in improving efficiency, reducing duplication, and ensuring that development projects are implemented effectively for the benefit of citizens.
“Development can only be sustainable when all stakeholders work together under clear systems that promote accountability, transparency and value for money,” he said, adding that NGOs remain a key partner in achieving inclusive national development goals.
Kuchaka further urged participants to use the workshop as an opportunity to identify gaps and propose practical solutions that can strengthen collaboration between the Government and NGOs, particularly in improving transparency and accountability in project implementation.
He stressed that accountability in the use of public and development resources is a shared responsibility, calling on all actors to ensure that funds are used efficiently and strictly for their intended purposes.
Speaking on behalf of the participants, the Secretary General of the National Council of Non-Governmental Organisations, Francisca Mboya, said the workshop had provided important lessons on how NGOs can better communicate their work and impact to ensure greater recognition at national level.
She noted that NGOs play a significant role in delivering services to communities and implementing development projects, adding that stronger visibility and communication would help improve understanding of their contribution to national development.
Mboya said participants appreciated the open discussions during the workshop, which enabled them to reflect on ways to improve cooperation with the Government and enhance the effectiveness of their interventions.
She further called for such capacity-building engagements to be conducted regularly, saying they are essential in strengthening skills in financial management, compliance, and reporting.
According to her, continuous training will help build stronger partnerships and improve service delivery outcomes for citizens.
Participants expressed their commitment to applying the knowledge gained to improve the implementation of their respective programmes, noting that closer coordination with Government systems will enhance efficiency and ensure that development projects achieve greater impact at community level.
The workshop concluded with a joint commitment from both Government officials and NGO representatives to deepen collaboration, strengthen accountability mechanisms, and ensure that development initiatives continue to deliver tangible and sustainable benefits to citizens across the country.
