COVID-19: BudgIT, CODE partner to track funds in Africa

Two groups, BudgIT and Connected Development, CODE, have entered into partnership to track COVID-19 intervention funds under the second phase of the COVID-19 Transparency and Accountability Project, CTAP.

The project is expected to run across 10 African countries.

BudgIT’s Global Director, Seun Onigbinde, in a statement released on Wednesday, said partnership seeks to identify issues that have to do with procurement plans and vaccine distribution.

CODE founder, Hamzat Lawal also said both organisations would engage 36 CSOs in mobilising at least 1.7 milliosn Africans to achieve the project.

“We will not only collaborate with governments in focus countries to institute proper and sustainable accountability systems, we will also enhance the COVID-19 Accountability Platform (covidfund.africa) with a digital dashboard that tracks health sector resourcing and accountability approaches,” the statemement quoted Onigbinde.

“We will also facilitate dialogue sessions between 36 CSOs and the government to create opportunities for engagement between both parties on improved funding and health sector accountability,” Lawal said.

“The COVID-19 transparency and accountability project has been instrumental in strengthening COVID-19 fund accountability frameworks and devising strategies that enhance citizen-led advocacy for reforms.

“We believe that this second phase will leverage existing partnerships with relevant stakeholders, the OGP and Global Health Organisations working on fiscal issues related to COVID-19 fund management and health sector accountability,” Lawal also added.