Angela Kageni, is Senior Programme Officer at Aidspan (www.aidspan.org), an organisation which monitors the activities of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (www.theglobalfund.org). Aidspan, working in many countries where the Global Fund provides grants, has been working as an independent watchdog of the Global Fund since its launch in 2002. In addition to providing constructive criticism of the Fund, and complementing the Fund’s own oversight mechanisms, Aidspan tries to find solutions to the gaps that exist.
"The organisation strives to enhance professionalism, ethical conduct and effectiveness in "watchdogging". Those who've been watchdogs know that this is a highly controversial and difficult job. Yet, as a watchdog, our relationship with the Global Fund has strengthened, and I think it is now one of mutual respect. It has taken time, consistent accuracy in our reporting and analysis and a balanced and objective reporting of findings; focusing more on providing of facts than providing recommendations. The facts provided allow those relevant to make recommendations, push for policy development, or motivate other forms of action...It has been a long and tough journey, but we have been able to achieve a high level of trust in our work, even by the Global Fund itself. They both love and hate us, but I'd like to think they at least have admiration for the work we do.”
(Angela Kageni on being a health Watchdog)
