MALAWI CATEGORY 2: REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION The following questions were sent to the MLGRD: 1. What are some of the notable achievements the ministry has registered over the last five years? 2. How much money was allocated to the ministry from the 2017/2018 national budget and was this allocation enough? 3. What strategies has the ministry put in place to ensure that the Constituency Development Fund is not abused? 4. How does the ministry involve people at the constituency level in the design and implementation of development projects? 5. What are some of the challenges affecting the implementation of development projects at the grassroots level? n = 20 1. Is there an official designated to take and respond to information requests? Yes • 3. Did the institution respond to the request for information? • • • 6. Does the institution provide written reasons for the refusal of information? Did the institution disclose information about its budgets? Additional Information • 4. Does the authority publish their procedures for dealing with information requests? 7. Partial • 2. Did the institution reply within 21 days? 5. Did the institution provide all of the information requested? No • • 8. Did the authority provide information without questioning the aims and motivations of the applicant? 9. Did the institution acknowledge your request for information within 7 days? • 10. Was the information received clear and understandable? • Total Score: 14/20 8. Mzuzu City Council (MCC) CATEGORY 1: WEBSITE The MCC does not have a website but has a Facebook page which is not up to date. The analysis below is based on the Facebook page. n = 20 1. Does this website contain up-to-date information? Yes No Partial Additional Information • 2. Does the website contain the following: a) A description of its powers, as well as data on the organisational structure, the functions and the responsibilities of the administration? b) A list of laws, Acts etc issued within the scope of its powers? • c) Reports, policies, programmes? • d) Budget and expenditure? • e) Information about procurement procedures and/or signed contracts? • f) Vacancy and employment procedures? • g) The address, telephone numbers and working hours of the institution? h) The contact details of specific public officials? • i) A mechanism to request and receive a response to electronic messages and requests for information? • • The Facebook page has information on the Council’s mandate and functions. • Working hours are not provided. Total Score: 2/20 33