CSO alleges MERA CEO Kachaje doesn’t have a Masters’ Degree
Forum for National Development (FND) has requested the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to investigate Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA), Henry Kachaje, alleging that Kachaje does not possess the required educational and professional qualifications.
In a letter dated August 25, 2021, and addressed to the ACB Director General Martha Chizuma, FND National Coordinator Fryson Chodzi alleges that the newly appointed MERA chief got might gotten unfair advantage over many other people who could have applied for the job if MERA was honest with its requirement.
Chodzi claims his organization received complaints that Kachaje does not possess a Masters’ Degree and the necessary experience, which are primary requirements for the job.
“We have attached the advert, which MERA issued as a requirement for the position of the CEO. We would like your office to investigate the allegations,” he says in the letter.
“If the assertions are true, how Mr. Kachaje got shortlisted to the interviews, let alone appointed, is a mystery, leaving out other equally qualified people. Madam, you might wish to note that a lot of qualified people holding Bachelors’ Degrees never applied for this job because of the Masters’ Degree requirement,” he alleges.
“We also attach the investigative report titled “Institutional Anarchy”, which the Ombudsman wrote in reference to the previous recruitment at MERA where people without necessary qualification, and this appointment seems to be the continuation of the same. Please make reference to the report. As an institution, we seek your intervention within reasonable time and expect to hear from you on how you will proceed on this matter,” thus ends his letter Chodzi.
Kachaje did not respond to questions when we sought his comment on the matter.
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It seems all academic people people wants the post of CEO in MERA, cause they know that, it’s a good job to look after your pockets. The question is how many companies in malawi are prospering today which holds the positions of CEOs? The CEOs in malawi, we have heard or we read in newspapers, or other social media such like fb, nyasa times, most stories are that CEOs have misappropriated funds, in various companies in malawi. So there is tussle at MERA, no wonder so many applicants are asking the anti corruption bureau to investigate Harry. After all stealing will be their first priority when given the chance to work as CEO in any firm. So most CEOs are drainers of companies. Because its MERA selfish has gone at it again, maybe professors should do the applications to such demanding jobs , and we must stop hearing of masters degrees or Bachelors degrees.
Mulekeni Kachaje! He is not the first CEO or controlling officer without a Masters Degree. Mongokumbusana, ma PS ambiri alibe Masters. Komanso ma Directors ambiri mbomamu alibe Masters Degree.
What has become of Malawi? Is Chodzi taking Kachaje or MERA Board to task? He has gone to the already over-burdened ACB to verify a CEO’s qualifications. Was it not possible to go and meet the Board to inquire on the same using the Access to information law? Did the CEO need to publish his qualifications in a newspaper for the general public to verify them? Suppose that the CEO produces the demanded qualifications, will it not be a case of defamation? I suggest that we should be careful when making certain demands publicly. Not long ago today, a politician wept in court for defaming a fellow politician. What big lesson have we drawn from that case? In my view, qualifications remain confidential and there should be a better way of verifying them; other than going public; since it can be deemed as a means to embarrass someone. Mind you, the CEO has been hired; he has not imposed himself on MERA; as such, he can seek legal redress should he feel injured. Be assured that he has that right intact.
No Masters no job period. Not qualified
Let Henry Kachaje bring out his Masters if he has. Otherwise remove him from that CEO post immediately. We are tired of lawlessness
I guess in a way you agree with Chodzi’s argument. This clearly reveals that the advert was poorly crafted. In normal situations you allow both Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree holders to comptete. The advert must however, state clearly that those with Bachelor’s degree must demonstrate that they have more years, say 15 years of experience than those with Mastere;s degrees in order to blalnce the equation. This happens even in the UN including the World Bank and other reputable international organisations. The peoblem with Malawians is that they put up a job advert to target specific people. You cannot say the applicant must have a a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree – completely wrong. If the target is to have someone with a Master’s degree why not just say applicants must posses a Master’s degree (which is a cut-off point) other than indication both Bachelor’s Mnd Master’s degrees? Some candidates with Bachelors degrees can be more knowledgeable and more competent than those with higher degrees. In the first place Kachaje shouldn’t have been shortlisted. His shortlisting raises eyebrows. This is where the ACB must come in to investigate. The Malawi Government must revisit the way it drafts its job adverts. They should learn from the UN.
Fryson Chonzi za ma Degree ndi Masters umadzidziwira kuti munthu wa Form 4 ngati iwe. Dzisiyeni za anthu za anthu ophunzira izi. Which university did you go. Chonzi is a mere form 4 person. Manyazi azikugwirani za school asiyileni eni ake.
You are a political analyst not a human resources analyst. It’s evidently clear from your argument. The issue under discussion is not about relevance of Masters and PhDs rather human resources recruitment procedure. You are addressing a different matter not one on the table. Chodzi is right. If the allegation is correct, then Kachaje is not qualified for that job. If masters is not important then why including it as one of the requirements in the first place.
He should have done his homework. Kachaje has Msc degree. Propaganda yalephereka
He has the ethical muscle
What have PhDs and Masters degrees contributed to the development of Malawi? What have the professors done in terms of innovation in Malawi? PhDs and Masters don’t mean intelligence. We have CEOs in USA running multinational companies without Masters degrees but here most of these CEOs with degrees have been stealing. Performance matters most. We saw some form form claiming to have masters degrees. MIM degrees.
the issue is not about doubting if he can perform or not, the issue is about the advert requiring people with masters. how then was he shortlisted, interviewed and hired without having the masters? there lies the problem.
Anthu a standard 8 musatinyanse!!!!!!
useless
Not useless my friend remember the same measure you use for others the same shall apply to u. So Chodzi is right by referring to Omboudsman’s report titled “Institutional arnarchy” Therefore it is just simple let Kachaje produce his academic qualifications else let MERA prove that they chose a right candidate on the same by showing to malawians Kachaje’s CV and we close the chapter otherwise malawi as a country is rotten we should never be cheated by politicians. Si izi tawona apongozi a Saulos Chilima appointed as ambassador to zambia and malawi ali chete ati ziri bwino achite zomwezo APM ayi ndi zoipa mpaka kayenda kumsewu. Hhhh God of Israel is watching and will act accordingly shortly
Propaganda. Ichi ndi chicadet.He must substantiate his claims. Kuli access to information act. Apite akafufuze CV ya HK ngati akufuna. HK has a masters degree and has experience that qualifies him for the position. Folks at MERA are not that stupid like this cadet to hire somebody without qualifications.
When Muntharika appointed his Daughter to South Africa to an ambassador u have nothing to say??????
Ayi, achimwemwe what Chodzi is saying is indeed useless. The advertisement by MERA shows a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree. This Kachaje has a Bachelor’s degree in Economics as indicated in the advert. Mind you, Kachaje has been engaged by reputable organizations to conduct consultancy with his first degree. In addtion, with his first degree; Kachaje has been President of Economics Association (a grouping where members include those with Master’s Degrees and PhDs). Therefore, the gentleman is capable to deliver in his current position. Tiyeni tichite phokoso pa zinthu zina, chonde.
Zitsiru ndi a HRDC. I don’t know whose rights they defend.
Kulotatu……APM ndimsodzitu pano ku Mangochi uku ukamuthandize kukoka makhoka kkkkkk.
Koma Bwana Kachaje tulutsani ma Masters’ Degree anthu awone koma ngati mulibe yendani manje tikaloweko ife….
Is there anything wrong with Chilima’s mother-in-law being appointed as an ambassador? Does it mean relatives of politicians cannot hold public office if they have nceccesry qualifications to do so?
for them to complain it means he doesnt poses the character qualifications or is more dependent on his minors or some of his decisions fall out logically so the masters degree is there to guarantee that he somehow has that knowledge that his post recquires