APM tells Cabinet: Malawi facing economic turmoil but let’s deliver DPP promises
President Peter Mutharika has told his new Cabinet that they are hired to serve the nation at a critical time when Malawi is facing “myriad challenges” and “economic woes” that he said require “astute attention.”
Mutharika said Thursday at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe during the swearing of news Ministers who have made it into his 20-member lean cabinet after reshuffle this week.
He said the Ministers are at the pinnacle of the government policy making and strategic decision-making machinery and urged them to focus on ” ways of improving people’s lives.
Mutharika said minister are “constitutionally responsible” for developing the country from poverty to prosperity .
“You are, therefore, expected to individually and collectively provide the required political leadership to develop our nation, both socially and economically”, said Mutharika
He also cautioned that the ministers have been appointed at a time when there are myriad challenges and economic woes that require astute attention.
“ Malawians expect the DPP-led Government to deliver on its promises as outlined in the DPP Manifesto. You have today been given that responsibility to deliver on the promises outlined in the manifesto,” he said.
Mutharika said ministers should be “conscious of the mammoth challenge” to serve the citizens and called on them to be alert, flexible and being accommodating to diverse voices.
“The Malawian society has changed a lot and government has to evolve accordingly,” noted Mutharika.
The Ministers took an Oath of Office and Oath of allegiance.
The President advised the Ministers y to keep the Oaths and walk the talk, appealing to the Cabinet to work as a team to ensure efficient and effective implementation of Government policies and programmes.
Mutharika issued a stern warning against complacency, saying it would be disastrous to the economy.
The President also appealed on the spirit of austerity and to foster transparency and accountability.
“ I appeal to you to desist from engaging in corrupt activities. Corruption is a menace in society and deprives the Government of the limited resources for development programmes.”
He warned that any Minister involved in corruption activities will be prosecuted, and if found guilty, dismissed and jailed.
The new ministers are Jappie Mhango who has replaced Kondwani Nankhumwa at Information promoted from deputy minister of defence, a biggest move in the reshuffle.
Perhaps the perfect tonic of the cabinet appointment is Minister of Health, Dr. Peter Kampalume, M.P.
Another new appointee is Reverende Malison Ndau who is deputy minister of defence.
However, the DPP inner circle remains unchanged, they include Minister of Finance and Economic Development: Goodall Gondwe; Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation: Dr George Chaponda, and Minister of Labour, Youth and Manpower Development: Henry Mussa.
Others are Minister of Gender Patricia Kaliati, Minister of Education Emmanuel Fabiano and Minister of Trade Joseph Mwanamveka.
The cabinet inner circle can be described as a team of old hands who will largely have to tackle old problems.
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