CCJP calls for ‘economic patriotism’ in Malawi
The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP), an arm of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM), has called economic patriotism to develop the impoverished southern African nation which is reeling from donor freeze.
CCJP national secretary Chris Chisoni noted in a statement released on Sunday December 7, 2014 that there is absence of legal framework for investor’s corporate social responsibility in Malawi.
CCJP observed that investors are involved in the works that would have been under corporate responsibility but dealt with like charity work.
“A lot of companies make immoral profits but give back irrelevant Corporate Social Responsibility like sponsoring golf or buying a ticket for one person to go abroad to watch soccer.
“We are encouraging government to come out quickly with a legal and policy framework that is enabling for companies and communities to share resources for the development of all and mandate companies to commit to ploughing back to communities resources they extract from the same,” reads the statement.
It said through properly regulated Corporate Social Responsibility, Malawi government can have its development efforts complimented by investors and in its absence, we are losing a lot.
The watchdog also noted that the spirit of patriotism is “shrinking” amongst citizens in the country.
“We live like we have borrowed this country from elsewhere. With the shrinking spirit of patriotism is the growing spirit of irresponsibility as most Malawian people are no longer responsible. This is visible in physical vandalism (i.e removing road signs, urinating anywhere) and cash gate,” CCJP said in the statement.
“ It does appear to us that most people would love to enjoy their freedoms and rights without attendant responsibilities. Yet for this nation to develop and to improve we need committed people, we need patriots.”
CCJP urged Malawi to “radically change their senses of perception and patriotism.”
Reads the statement in appeal: “We must learn to love our mother land if we must transform Malawi. Without strong spirit of patriotism, we are killing the future of our children and future generations.”
The commission said it has observed with “sadness and a heavy heart,” the emergence of loud mouthed leaders among civil society organisations, faith organisations, traditional and political , “who are just excited with their leadership positions but are confusing the general citizenry with half truths and comments on national issues without substantial and verifiable evidence. “
CCJP said it is asking for “transformative leadership and not transactional leadership in all leadership structures and positions be they in FBOs, CSOs, parliament, judiciary and the executive.”
The commission stated that with no donor support, Malawians should that the status quo as a challenge to develop the nation with economic independence.
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Why is CCJP splitting hairs? What is economic patriotism anyway? Patriotism is patriotism, full stop. One is either patriotic or not. We cant be talking about economic patriotism, religious patriotism, social patriotism and what have you. Who has the time for that?
Akatolika tawerengani bible la yakobo chapter chonse muve zowawa zamasiku omaliza izi zinalembedwa enawa akukwanilisa ali ndi tsoka lalikuru!
BIG PROBLEM STARTS FROM PRESIDENTS WHO ALWAYS GET BRIBES FROM INVESTORS AND THEREAFTER PROTECT THEM FROM LAW ENFORCING AGENTS WHEN NEED BE. WE KNOW MOST INTERNATIONAL OR JUST FOREIGN INVESTORS ARE CORRUPT. CORRUPT OR ILLEGAL BUSINESS PRACTICES ARE ENCOURAGED BY OUR IMMORAL PRESIDENTS OR POLITICIANS LIKE PETER, HIS LATE BROTHER BINGU, JB , B. MULUZI ETC
There is nothing useful CCJP are saying. Instead of pointing out that the Peter Mutharika DPP govt is failing to perform you talk about abstract things such as patriotism. You are against federalism when the Catholic Church practices federalism.
Don’t talk….doing!!!, that’s economic patriotism!
CCJP should first talk to irresponsible leaders who missuse our resources.
We are patriots and that is why we never get tired of paying heavy taxes to our government. It is only sickening tikamamva our leaders going to the US and lodge there with a 70 + strong entourage. Blowing millions dining with journalists, etc. I lose morale in my sense of patriotism as a bad precedence is set from the top in terms of priorities. On the other hand, the lack of patriotism is compounded with the high illiteracy levels in Malawi. Adding to this our curricula has little elements of teaching patriotism unlike in Kamuzu days where the key… Read more »
Well put.
It’s good that someone has noted how companies just enjoy their profits without giving back to the community. Now, this might sound like an intent to turnish the image of some super rich individuals but look, companies like Zagaf that runs the largest Oil transportation company and a brokerage IHB, has a cement factory too. As big as this company is, they have only given the cimmunity a mosque in Machinjiri. I have just used this company as a yard stick to giving back to the community. In most developed countries, companies that seem to be interested in helpingtheir communities… Read more »
Zonadi tangoganizani pp kulemba kalata ku Globle fund kuti asiye kuthandiza ati chifukwa anatuluka boma . Atola nkhani athu kulemba ngati iwo amakhala ku mozambique kuno azangocheza kaya amaona ngati fun kaya samaziwa kuti zomwe akulemba zikubwezela dziko mbuyo sikuti musazuzule ayi koma mukuwonjeza inusimumaziwa kuti mukuika moyo wa amalawi pa chiswe palibe investor angapite komwe angowelenga zoipa zokhazokha , amalawi tonse tilindivuto olo atanena kuti tonse tikakhale ku usa ku newyork pakutha kwa 3months ma school onse akhala opanda magalasi . Zikwangwani zonse kupangila ma kasu kuiwala kuti amzathuamalima ndi ma tractor zimbuzi zogejemula koma kunyela pambali , kulembalemba… Read more »
Nyasatimes is just a tip of the ice berg of what is wrong with this nation. There is no such a thing as to how we can help the youths be responsible in stuff that they do. or how we can be financially literate, or how we can join hands and do joint ventures as Malawians. Its always gossip, gossip, jealousy, hate peddling, Lhomwe trashing on and on and on. so sick and tired of this. We need a new sense of responsibility in this nation and it starts now, nobody is gonna stop this. The whiners let them whine,… Read more »