Focus on ‘objective appointment’, gender – University of Malawi don advises Mutharika
President Peter Mutharika has been advised by a University of Malawi don, to focus on “objective appointments” when hiring people into public positions but also ensure gender equality.
Happy Kayuni, Associate Professor and head of Political and Administrative studies department at the University of Malawi, Chancellor College observed that political appeasement has been the major driving factor in most appointments.
Kayuni in a published interview in the local press noted that President Mutharika has “to a larger extent” tried to focus on capability or performance in his recent appointments he has made including a cabinet reshuffle.
“But we still have a long way to go before we finally achieve a realistic objective approach which is divorced from political appeasement,” said Kayuni.
“I strongly encourage our president to focus on objective appointments because Malawi has a number of well-qualified people who have never been given an opportunity to fully realise their potential,” he added.
The University academic also urged Mutharika to consider women in his appointment, saying gender equality has now increasingly become one key indicator of good governance.
Mutharika has three female ministers in his 20-member lean cabinet.
The President was also recently criticised by gender and human rights activists when he appointed seven commissioners for the Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC), one female in a team of seven.
“Politically speaking, making gender-balanced appointments not only enhances the government’s image, but also demonstrates that the government is inclusive and responsive,” said Kayuni.
He pointed out that Mutharika’s appointment of six men and one woman at MHRC is “a reflection of the wider socio-political culture in the country which has over the years systematically undermined the contribution of women to development of this country.”
The Prof is giving basic advice because APM, the acclaimed Prof failed to see basic political appeasement. Can’t see that that 3 women out of 20 is 15%. Can’t use his basic knowledge that Central region is bigger than chiradzulu, 3 cabinet ministers in central and 3 in Chiradzulu is a total nepotism. Your Prof. can’t even think that Malawi is practising quota system in educatiom sector and this has influence on every decision made by politicians. education s
Akuphutsitsani pano muli fwefwefwe. Munali andani chipanda iwo mukuwanenawo. Chimene mumadziwa ndiko kuberekana. Mbuzi za anthu. Shame chule iwe.
If we focus on Gender achievement believe me we are going to compromise on performance. This prof is actually contradicting himself. Always wonder when some idiots cry foul when gender balawi hasnt been achieved during elections when that is realistic naturally.
Kkkk, I have realized the discussion has lost direction. Yalowa mbwenumbwenu!Ur sins are forgiven for the nature of comments here in. It appears ur opinion z that once a minister is not from ur region, then that z not merit? Hey, wake up. Z mzuni, not a tumbuka clan and village? Hey! Mwatumbuka imwe, note that all u cry of, is a systematic and societal response to all u hav practiced for years- nepotism atumbuka inu.
No wonder this country won’t develop. Is this guy a professor? What he is telling us is just basic. No need to go to school for this. By the way what’s the purpose of this so called political science course? Please do meaningful research befitting a professor, write books etc rather than commenting on silly political issues.
Tima profesor tapamalawi. Talking what everybody else knows. Shame to Unima!
Bravo prof. ,malawi ndinu anthu angoziwa but you lack actions. Kungofela kuuna muli phee. A prof. Have done an action. This is what we need osat aaaa! akuyakhula zinthu zoti tikuziwa kale. Zachamba basi..what a kind of person are you? Oziwa koma kuma no action buzi.
Ziri chaka chino. Pfumbi kuti kobooooh!
Proffessor,
How about the votes , were they not regionalisitic? You can not be near some one who can bring you down. It is better to give positions to people who will support you instead of giving positions to people who will bring you down. See MCP reshuffle and their nec, so is the AFORD party. That is normal in African society, see Jacb Zuma, Robert Mugabe, Uhuru Kenyatta etc. If you had voted on merit that would make sense, otherwise that is nonsense.
Out of touch mai mai mwakwiya kodi? Yankhanitu kuti Chiradzulu three ministers and whole central region three ministers z it not what the article z saying? Kupusa basi,mxmmm!!
MaiMai l agree with you entirely we have talked too much on women empowerment but seem they don’t want to be assisted now lets talk about merit and boy child empowerment as they have been neglected and the gap between boys and girls is now yoo much in favour of girls