COAST Foundation holds memorial “Not just a departure, But a guiding light” in honor of Dr. Tofail Ahmed

The COAST Foundation organized a memorial event in honor of Dr. Tofail Ahmed, the late Chairman of its Executive Committee and a distinguished expert on local governance and decentralization.

The event, titled “Not Just a Departure, but a Guiding Light: Remembering Dr. Tofail Ahmed,” was held at the Shafiul Kader Auditorium, Dhaka Reporters Unity, Dhaka.

The program was chaired by Mustafa Kamal Ahmed, Treasurer, Executive Committee (EC), COAST Foundation, and moderated by M Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Executive Director, COAST Foundation.

Dr. Tofail Ahmed’s wife, Mrs. Masuda Akter Chowdhury, and their only daughter, Sadia Ahmed, were present at this memorial event.

Speakers recalled Dr. Tofail Ahmed as a visionary and principled reformer whose lifelong dedication profoundly influenced local governance and civic empowerment in Bangladesh.

They described him as a tireless worker, honest, and independent thinker who placed public interest above personal gain.

Among the discussants, Mustafa Kamal Akand, Dr. Sohel Iqbal and Md. Iqbal Uddin from COAST Foundation; A.H.M. Bazlur Rahman, Chief Executive, BNNRC; Rafiqul Alam, Executive Director, Dwip Unnayan Sangastha; Begum Shamsunnahar, Ex-chairman, EC, COAST Foundation; Aminul Rasul Babul, Executive Director, Unnayan Dhara Trust; Mubasharullah Chowdhury, Member, General Council (GC), COAST Foundation; Mr. Mahmudul Hasan, DG, NILG; Mrs. Fauzia Nasrin Sultana, Director, BARD; Dr. Manjurul Alam Chowdhury, Member, GC, COAST Foundation; and Ms. Masuda Khatun, Executive Director, Nari Uddyog Kendro and Member, Local Government Reform Commission were present at the event.

Dr. Tofail Ahmed was a member of the Governing Body of BARD and a faculty member at the University of Chittagong. As Chair of the Local Government Reform Commission, he led the preparation of a reformation report to strengthen accountability, inclusion, and efficiency in local government institutions. Following his suggestions, a Gender Action Plan was also drafted at the Union Parishad level through BARD.

Speakers emphasized his intellectual integrity, discipline, and lifelong commitment to people-centered governance. They noted that his vision and guidance remain a source of inspiration for practitioners and policymakers alike.

The event concluded with a special prayer (doa mahfil) for the eternal peace of Dr. Tofail Ahmed’s soul.