The Social Communications and Research Secretary of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM), Fr. Godino Phokoso has commended all partners that came in with their financial and material support towards the Association of Catholic Journalists (ACJ) Annual General Meeting in Salima last week.
Fr. Phokoso said this clearly demonstrate a cordial relationship that exist between Catholic Journalists particularly the Social Communications and Research Commission and various partners within and outside the Church.
“We would like to commend all our partners whom upon approaching them for their financial and material support, they wholeheartedly came in and supported us. We don’t take this for granted and this clearly demonstrate a cordial relationship that exist between us,” said Fr. Phokoso.
Among the Church partners that supported the AGM included; Catholic Development Commission in Malawi (CADECOM) national office, Dedza Diocesan office and Blantyre Archdiocese office; Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) national and Mangochi Diocesan Offices; Karonga Diocese, Catholic Women Organisation (CWO), Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS), ECM Administration and the Social Communications Commission.
Others included Technical Entrepreneurial and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TEVETA) from the Public Sector, Trocaire, Radio Maria Malawi and several individuals.
According to a report by the main organising committee’s Treasure, Felix Washoni, funds amounting to at least 3 Million Kwacha was realised and went towards accommodation, food and transport.
“All the delegates were accommodated for free and they had free meals including drinks, all thanks to our partners who contributed towards the success of this AGM,”said Washoni.
A special mention goes to Fr. Henry Saindi, ECM Secretary General who managed to mobilize some of the partners by approaching them personally.
“I will make sure that this AGM takes place. Let me know how far you go in terms of your resource mobilisation drive. I will be able to come in from there,” Fr. Saindi was quoted during one of the meetings he held with the man organising committee at Catholic Secretariat.
In an interview with Head of Corporate Affairs and Communications at TEVETA, Louis Msasa said his institution values journalists as true partners hence the support to ACJ.
ACJ is a grouping of professional Catholic Journalists working