DPP unveils manifesto: Mutharika promises to lead Malawi to prosperity

Former ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) on Sunday unveiled its electoral manifesto with a declaration of commitment to lead Malawi to prosperity after the country’s May 20 tripartite polls.

The party’s president, Prof. Peter Mutharika, speaking at Bingu International Conference Centre in the capital Lilongwe, where he also launched the party’s campaign, said the manifesto was a sacred vow to Malawi.

“The manifesto which we unveil to the country today is not a mere campaign manifesto but a declaration of commitment to lead Malawi to prosperity. It is a sacred vow we make to our beloved country, a people centred agenda,” said Mutharika who was accompanied at the event by his running mate Saulos Chilima.

Peter Mutharika unveiling the DPP manifesto
Peter Mutharika unveiling the DPP manifesto
Peter Mutharika on arrival to launch DPP manifesto
Peter Mutharika on arrival to launch DPP manifesto
DPP patronage during the launch of the manifesto
DPP patronage during the launch of the manifesto
Patricia Kaliati: DPP swag
Patricia Kaliati: DPP swag
DPP front line troops
DPP front line troops
Thoko Banda who failed to run as an independent candidate spoke in praise of DPP electoral promises
Thoko Banda who failed to run as an independent candidate spoke in praise of DPP electoral promises
Mutharika and Chilima launching the DPP manifesto
Mutharika and Chilima launching the DPP manifesto
DPP youth morale
DPP youth morale

“This manifesto is our comprehensive blueprint of policies and programmes of the next government. It is a New Testament we make with the people of Malawi that Malawians must be happy and proud of our country.

“Malawi is the only country we have, and the only country we shall ever have, and the only country God has given us to sustain our existence on earth,” he added.

The DPP leader observed that to every people, God gives three things sufficient to build a civilisation, saying like every developed nation that Malawians admire, God gave Malawi the land and the natural resources, which are the country’s natural capital.

Quoting his late brother, the country’s former president Bingu wa Mutharika, the DPP torch bearer in the forthcoming polls said “as Bingu kept saying, ‘Malawi is not a poor country’, and yet we are poor.”

“God gave you and I, and everyone living this land. This is our human capital. And I am saying this Malawi is made up of hard working people each capable of transforming their lives and developing like any country.

“God gave us a mind in every human that walks. This is our intellectual capital for us to think of how best to exploit our natural capital and human capital. And this country is full of intelligent minds and ideas,” Mutharika said in his address.

In its manifesto, the DPP, which lost power to the reigning People’s Party of the country’s Head of State Joyce Banda who took over after the death of Bingu in April 2012, believes it will reclaim victory.

The party says the manifesto is a reflection of DPP beliefs and values which are grounded on people-centered development approaches, long term infrastructure developments, people-driven economic paradigms, and a culture of respect for human rights and human dignity for all.

“The DPP is back to regain full control of the destiny of the country, and we are the best answer we have waited for. The people of Malawi want a government they can trust, a government that can deliver on its promises, a government that prioritises their needs,” said Mutharika.

The DPP leadership said the party took Malawians on the path to prosperity from 2004 to 2012, claiming the current governing party has within 20 months robed the nation of its dream for prosperity.

Mutharika said poor administration by the current leadership has left Malawi’s economy in shambles, coupled with skyrocketing cost of living, self-glorification and massive corruption, which are the order of the day.

He added: “Pride and confidence of the civil service is fast waning off and the leadership has folded hands and left the country on autopilot. The DPP is back to regain full control of the destination of the country.”

The DPP presidential candidate went on to claim that during the era when DPP formed government, Malawi effectively emerged from food begging to food self-sufficiency and the country had better roads, better schools and better hospitals.

Mutharika also said Malawi successfully implemented policy reforms in the public and private sectors, and some of the reforms led to the cancellation of Malawi’s external debts.

“Malawians were proud in their efforts, Malawians were a confident people, and Malawians knew exactly the developmental future which they were destined to [but now] our country is dragged by its feet and thrown into dungeons of despair.

“We are a sad people, heartbroken, our national pride is wounded, and our collective spirit bruised. Democracy has become a government of thieves, by thieves and for thieves. Only our state protected thieves and their collaborators who want to seek alliances with them thrive in cash-gate illusions of happiness while you and I are being arrested in misery.

“The truth is democracy has become a government of liars, by liars, and for liars. For two years, our history has a long deception to the people. The truth is we are flying backwards instead of making progress. The truth is: the economy is like a bicycle with lost wheels and we are far away from where we want to be,” Mutharika said.

Among others, the DPP manifesto promises food security for every Malawian and farm subsidies for every maize and tobacco farmer.

DPP promises to turn the country into the food basket it was and regain its pride as a nation which could feed itself and neighbouring countries such as Zimbabwe, Swaziland and Kenya.

The party also promises affordable commodity prices for every Malawian.

DPP also pledges cement and iron-sheets subsidies to construct the country and transform Malawi to more than a village.

Once voted back into power, the DPP says it will create new jobs enough for the youth and the people of Malawi, with new salary structures and health care for all public servants.

However, copies of the DPP manifesto were not readily available to the media despite enquiries.

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