(SSCO) in Chaghcharan – Ghor Province
 
 

 
Shafqat Social and Cultural Organization (SSCO) was officially inaugurated in a ceremony held in Ghor provincial capital Chaghcharan city – in the Department of Information and Culture’s hall on Tuesday, February 28, 2012.  In this ceremony, dozens of people including Ghor Provincial Governor Dr Abdulla Hewad, Provincial Council (PC) members, Civil Society activists, PRT staff and local media representatives attended and some useful speeches on significance of the civil Society’s responsibilities, duties and tasks were given by some of the speech makers.
The Director of Information and Culture, Mr Sarwar Azaad speaking at the opening ceremony expressed his optimism on the inauguration of SSCO and called the role of civil institutions very important for Afghanistan and Afghans to achieve their national aspirations, improve their economy and revive their spoiled cultural values.  He also pointed out that Afghan Constitution and Civil Law have given this right for all afghan people to open political parties, social and cultural organizations and educational institutions whenever they need.  Mr Azaad while calling the formation of political parties and civil institutions the fundamental right of all Afghans stressed that these civil organizations must be established based on the national interests and public benefits, otherwise they will not only benefit the people but also, will lead to creation of discord and dissention among people. 
Another speech maker, A’lauddin Mohammadi called the role of the youth extremely crucial in the fields of reconstruction, economic growth and bringing peace in the country.
“Though, some of the youth in our province are under political pressure and are facing economic problem, but they can play an effective role in our society provided that they realize their ability and have unity, “he said.  “Our current and future’s destiny relies on the youth, so they should not allow any body to misuse them for achieving their political goals.” 
The Provincial Governor, Dr Abdullah Hewad also stressed on the effective role of the civil institutions in Ghor in the different fields.  He generally, appreciated all civil activists’ efforts for the improvement of the social and economical situations in Ghor since he took the office last year and SSCO founding member in particular.  “Over the last one year, the SSCO founding members have been closely working with the poor people of Ghor, as they had a program named House to House and Assistance,” Governor Hewad said.  “They visiting dozens of poor families could help them as much as they could.”
Mr Governor called on the civil society activists to do their best for helping poor people and have sufficient great eagerness and enthusiasm in their works.  “I believe no effort can lead to success unless there is enthusiasm in the effort,” Governor added.  At the end of his speech, he said that a female secretariat is about to be opened in his administration.
A member of PC, Mohammad Sadiq Yosufi speaking at the ceremony, called the establishment of SSCO an important step for the civil society to act more effectively as a bridge connecting people and government together. 
“Unfortunately now, there is a big gap between Afghanistan and civil and even human values in general and Ghor and these values in particular,” he said.  “As Ghor from economic growth and reconstruction points of view is not comparable with the other provinces of the country, the civil institutions are also more vulnerable and weak in this province in comparison with other parts of the country,” he added.
“We taking into consideration the widespread economic poverty, administrative corruption, judicial problems, breaking laws, lack of information about constitutional law and other laws, domestic violence, violence against women, violence against children, misunderstanding of democracy and democratic values and dozens of other challenges that widely exist in our country now, it is necessary for the civil institutions to exist and work to a wider extend so as to help the ordinary people and tackle these challenges,” he said. 
Mr Yosufi calling the civil institutions voice of the people and reflector of their expectation, demands and desires stressed that supporting civil values, fighting insurgency, fighting narcotics, administrative reforms, growing public awareness, familiarizing people with the laws and other are the most important duties of the civil institutions.
He also pointed out to the challenges that highly affect the civil society in the country.  
“Unfortunately, some of the civil institutions are affected by political factors and are being used as a tool by political elements, so this group not only can help the people, but create a lot of problems for them,” he said.  “Another group has problem with the government while it should be a bridge between people and government and make efforts how to reflect the people’s demands and problems reasonably.”
“Some of the civil institutions are badly dependant on the financial support of national/ international donors and are always seeking for getting fund and implementing projects so as to make money and do business, and as far as they can not receive fund, they stop their activities and do nothing,” he added.
Another speech maker in this ceremony, Mrs Enjila Sharifi also stressed on the important role of civil institutions to deal with the problems of the people. 
The last speech maker deputy director of Ghor Civil Society Forum, Mr Hassan Hakimi said that over the last few years, the civil institutions have done some substantial works to stop breaking of laws, injustice and other social problems in Ghor.  He pointed out to some challenges such as presence of irresponsible armed groups and some elements that are working against the interests of the people and government, insecurity and economic poverty are disturbing the Civil Society’s activities.  The ceremony was closed by singing an Afghan folk song and praying. 
 
 
“The End”
  
Written by:  M. Arif Sharifinijad
 Email Add: arif.sharifinijad@gmail.com
Phone No: 0794886657
 
Chaghcharan, Ghor Province
Tuesday, February 28, 2012