Budgit, CODE launch COVID-19 fund accountability

Budgit, CODE launch COVID-19 fund accountability

- Plans are underway to track COVID-19 intervention funds across 7 African countries

- BudgIT Foundation and Connected Development (CODE) have commenced a partnership to ensure the initiative sees the light of day

- The initiative is expected to promote accountability and transparency in the handling of the funds

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BudgIT Foundation and Connected Development (CODE), two prominent civic-tech non-governmental organisations in Africa, have launched the COVID-19 Transparency and Accountability Project (CTAP).

Legit.ng gathered that the move is an initiative that seeks to promote accountability and transparency through the tracking of COVID-19 intervention funds across 7 African countries.

To ensure its success, both organisations will be leveraging their Tracka and Follow The Money platforms, as well as international chapters in the other six focus African countries to activate a pan-African tracking system for all COVID-19 funds received and donated to these countries.

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Oluseun Onigbinde, BudgIT’s co-founder said:

“Retrospectively, our experience with tracking COVID-19 funds has shown a deeply rooted systemic profiteering culture, especially in an environment that lacks accountability and civic engagement.”
BUDGIT, CODE LAUNCH PAN-AFRICAN PROGRAM ON COVID-19 FUND ACCOUNTABILITY
Hamzat Lawal of CODE stated that it is important for the funds not to end up in private pockets. Photo credit: @HamzayCODE
Source: Facebook

On his part, CODE’s founder, Hamzat Lawal, said:

“With CTAP, BudgIT and CODE will advocate for accountability, transparency, and open governance while strengthening civic awareness and ensuring that targeted governments use COVID-19 intervention funds effectively.”

Beyond the engagement sessions with a focus on non-profits and frontline leaders, the project will visualise and disseminate the contribution of stakeholders to the COVID-19 Relief Fund and other related programmes.

Both organisations say they will use the opportunity to promote collaboration and learning among local partners so they can be more effective and share lessons about accessing data, mobilising citizens, and engaging governments.

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Meanwhile, a new study has revealed that many COVID-19 survivors are likely to be at greater risk of developing mental illness.

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This was predicted by psychiatrists on Monday, November 9 after a large study found that 20% of those infected with the coronavirus are diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder within 90 days.

The study, published in The Lancet Psychiatry journal, analysed electronic health records of 69 million people.

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Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Jerrywright Ukwu avatar

Jerrywright Ukwu Jerrywright Ukwu is an Abuja-based senior political/defence correspondent. He is a graduate of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos and the International Institute of Journalism in Abuja. He is also a member of the Nigeria Union of Journalists. He spends his leisure-time reading history books. He can be reached via email at jerrywright39@yahoo.com.