Malawi President denies sliding the country into acute poverty: ‘Malawians have never been rich’
Malawi President Joyce Banda has parried out accusations from her critics that her administration is highly responsible for the challenges which Malawians are currently facing largely because of the government economic policies.
The President Banda’s led government has recently come under attack from economists for sliding the country into the pangs of poverty due to the devaluation and floatation of the Malawi Kwacha which has resulted into an ever skyrocketing of commodity prices on the market.
But speaking during the commemoration of international labour lady held at Kamuzu Upper Stadium in Malawi commercial capital Blantyre, Banda said it makes no sense for people to be accusing her of causing the current economic challenges which Malawians are facing because she inherited already troubled economy from her predecessor.
She also argued that as far as she knows Malawians have never been rich before.
“And I even wonder when some people say Malawians are now poorer that before. I really take this an insult on Malawians. Have Malawians ever been rich before? I know there are many people here from Ndirande Township who are laughing with us now but when they reach home they will find nothing to eat,” she said.
President Banda reiterated that she has no regrets having devalued the kwacha saying that was the only route which her administration would take to address economic challenges which were facing Malawi before she became the president.
“And I have no regrets for devaluing the kwacha because every economic expert who comes into the country from abroad says this was the only way I could do to bring back the economy on track”.
She said she is happy that the kwacha is currently stabilizing a development which she said will help the country move out of the economic mess it is currently sailing through.
President Banda also prided herself for attending the Labour Day function saying former presidents were refusing to attend such gatherings because they were telling her that they feared being lambasted by the workers.
“But I can’t do that because I can’t hear your problems if I chose to stay behind doors.”
She therefore invited members of Malawi Congress of Trade Union for a meeting at the Sanjika State House where they will discuss other pressing issues concerning the welfare of Malawi workers and find possible solutions.
