APM appoints new Malawi envoys to Japan, Zambia to replace Ngwenya, Bandawe

President Peter Mutharika has hired new diplomats to head Malawi missions in Japan and neighbouring Zambia,which have seen  director of political affairs in Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Corporation, Warren Gunda  getting a post to Lusaka.

According to a statement issued by Office of President and Cabinet, President Mutharika has hired  former deputy minister Greneger Msulira Banda as Ambassador to Japan to replace Brigadier  Reuben Ngwenya who was recalled.

According to the statement, the President has also appointed civil servant Gunda as High Commissioner to Zambia.

Ganda will replace David Bandawe who ends his diplomatic tour of duty after he was appointed following his tenure as chief elections officer.

The appointments will be subject to approval by parliament.

Malawi has reduced the number of diplomats in embassies from the established positions of 234 to 152 and for the local staff from 217 to 184.

As part of the public sector reform program, government  is taking measurers  to curb excessive expenditure in foreign missions  and  ensure efficiency  thereby downsizing staff by recalling dead wood.

Malawi government has  also rolled out Performance Management system to all diplomats and local staff in foreign missions staff will be assessed on performance..

The first 20 recalled envoys are expected to jet into the country in June.

According to Foreign Affairs minister Francis Kasaira, the second group comes in December and the exercise will continue until next year.

“This exercise will help government save up to K7 billion a year so you can see that it is a cost saving venture,” he said.

Kasaira said those recalled include envoys who have overstayed in duty stations, saying some have been there for 12 years instead of the recommended three years.

He said as a result of overstaying, others neglected their job and were doing personal errands.

Others, Kasaira said, were recalled because their jobs were not required.

The minister said the government will now be recalling its envoys every after three years.

The cash strapped Capital Hill is making radical but important decision to improve the ailing economy.

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