GOVERNMENT has said it is prepared to collaborate with civil society organisations (CSOs) to achieve the United Nations' sustainable development goals.
Addressing delegates during the International Volunteer Day Commemorations in Harare on Thursday, Youth deputy minister Kudakwashe Mupamhanga said there is need for the government and the private sector to work together to achieve the goals.
“We as a government and as a ministry were discussing before coming to this room that we want to foster good working relations between ourselves.
“At the moment, the government is pulling in one way and civil society is pulling in another way. That lack of cohesion makes it difficult for us to measure exactly the impact of what we are doing and makes it difficult to assess progress," he said.
The Zanu PF government has often accused CSOs of working in cahoots with the opposition to effect regime change.
Mupamhanga said: "There is a lot of work that should be done out there. When we work together and when we collaborate, it means that everybody knows what you are doing. The recognition that we need to give you as a Parliament, as a nation for your work, depends first of all on us knowing what you are doing.
“It is important that as an entity of government and as a ministry that we come together with the UN and other volunteer organisations.”
Turning to the issue of drug abuse, Mupanhanga said the scourge had destroyed young people's lives and made it difficult for them to realise their full potential.
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