Analyst raps State House for including districts of origin on presidential appointees
State House has yet again stirred debate for disclosing districts of origin for the people President Lazarus Chakwera has appointed to various portfolios on Saturday.
Chakwera has appointed a number of people to take up salivating positions at the State House.
And in an attempt to demonstrate that the appointments are impartial and beyond regional and ethnic considerations, announcement included districts of origin for the appointees.
But this has not amused some quarters who are questioning the rationale behind the inclusion of such information.
A governance commentator Makhumbo Munthali argues that there was no need to include the districts of origin in the appointments.
“Otherwise, one would be compelled to ask the Tonse government to release the district of origin of all those it has appointed including the Cabinet since they assumed power. I see that, by including districts of origins, they are trying to prove that there is none from Lilongwe and there is equal representation between centre and south and a representation from the North. By doing so, they think they are dismissing allegations that the Chakwera regime is promoting Lilongwelisation,”says Munthali.
The governance expert warns the Tonse government that this may backfire if the bigger picture is brought into equation.
Munthali emphasizes that by including districts of origin on such appointments, Chakwera is indirectly communicating that where one comes from matters a lot in public appointments, which runs counter to his merit and competence based gospel he has all along preached.
“While ensuring that there has to be some fair regional inclusion based primarily on competence and merit, it is not necessary to indicate the district of origins of the appointees.
“This would only manage to ignite tribalistic consciousness amongst an already divided country. Most importantly, when individuals are appointed to public positions they are there not to serve their districts of origin but rather the entire country,” stresses Munthali.
But State House Director of Communication and Executive Assistant to the President, Pastor Sean Kampondeni, has defended the President, saying this demonstrates that the new government is keen to ensuring that every Malawian is given equal opportunity in public appointments without considering their tribe and district of origin.
Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :
Obviously it was in response to all those claiming new appointments are all from the central region. We seem to live in a country where origin matters so no problem with the transparency. Sign of the times.
Mr Chakwera, vilekeke, you can be a listening President but you don’t have to be reactional every time !
I’m 100% for Tonse Alliance but I agree attaching Districts of Origin is totally tacky, if merit is the basis of the appointments then you don’t need that, You can listen but do what makes sense…….let’s start to govern !
This government must desist from being trivial in their dealings. We’re waiting for the fulfillment of all their pledges to Malawians
These institutions have to keep on talking because funding may not come for their salaries plus other benefits . Thus the problem when you rely on donors to operate the organisation and life may turn upside down for most for the management whon for survival have to criticize for anything good or bad.
I think this is another quota system in employment. If people have to be employed on merit does it spare those appointed people from taking job interviews? The President is creating a mini-cabinet at the State House. Politicians behave the same way – what changes is their names.
There is always a turning point.
Muthu wangali pambone
The communications director has made your work easier malawians and you are still complaining? He knows once the names are out you will be checking which region they are from, its sad bcoz Dpp made us start thinking regional wise. Anyways the message in between is, stop the regional talk bcoz this is a mixed appointment. Lets keep marching forward Malawians let’s not waste time on things we know someone is dead right on reading our minds.
@Moya: 101% spot on! Let’s move forwards, please!!!
Why include the districts of origin now, if that is the case, then start from the begining. we already know that the central region especially lilongwe has a lions share in all the appointments
Spot On.
The administrations is overly reactive to criticism.
You can say that again. This inclusion of districts of origin takes us back. Some of these finer details can be left to media house or people to do. State House and Government should just employ Malawians. the criticism in previous appointments should just help them in making these discretionary appointments.