Government clarifies on ‘relatives’ in presidential delegations
Government has issued a statement to explain why President Lazarus Chakwera travelled with his family namely the First Lady, son-in-law, Sean Kampondeni, and daughter Violet Chakwera amidst serious media frenzy and social media gossip regarding the matter.
The statement, which was issued on Wednesday, 28 July 2021 and signed by Government Spokesman and Minister of Information Gospel Kazako reads that the named individuals have travelled with the President because they have important roles to play at the summit.
“For instance, Mr. Kampondeni is the President’s Executive Assistant and Director of Communications, Ms. Violet Chakwera is the Personal Assistant to the First Lady while it is traditional worldwide that the First Lady accompanies the President on his travels,” it reads in part.
However, the statement worsen matters and justifies nepotism by hiring family members on Government payroll. The First Lady is Violet’s mother meaning that the daughter is hired by Government to assist her mother.
The statement also refutes reports published in the British media that President Chakwera travelled to the UK “to attend a virtual summit blaming internet connectivity in the country”.
Government says President Chakwera is attending the Global Education Summit financed by the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) slated for July 28-29, 2021 on the invitation of Co-chairs, President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya and the UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson and that other attendees include Presidents of Ghana, Sierra Leon, Nigeria and Kenya.
“GPE is the largest global multilateral fund dedicated to education in developing countries which aims at strengthening education systems in developing countries to dramatically increase the number of children who are in school and learning. The Global Education Summit will benefit Malawi in leveraging International Education Grants that will support basic education.
“With economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, Malawi’s physical presence at the summit is crucial as the country will be among distinguished players in the global education sector, which offers education financing. As a matter of background, Malawi has been a recipient of GPE funding since 2010 (US$ 90 million Fast Track Initiative Catalytic Fund in 2010-2014; US$ 44.5million 2016-2020, Malawi Education Sector Improvement Project; and US$10million grant, accelerated funding on Covid-19 Response May 2020 to November 2021).
“Malawi is in the process of applying for new funding (US$ 57 million from GPE of which US$ 48.7 million has already been approved by the GPE Board) for the Malawi Education Reform Programme (2021-2025). As such, Malawians should be proud that President Chakwera was invited to attend such an important summit as it is an opportunity to negotiate for funding aimed at improving the education standards in the country,” reads the statement.
The statement further says the Chakwera administration places matters of education as a priority in its development agenda and such meetings are therefore important in achieving the country’s goal in the education sector.
“The Government of Malawi implores all media houses locally and internationally to crosscheck facts with the relevant authorities rather than rushing to publishing inaccurate information that has the potential to damage the reputation of the President and the country,” it reads in conclusion.
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A Minister, apa u have shown that your head is empty and u r just there to lick Chakwera’s shoes. Being quiet would have made more sense than you coming to the media and explaining vey stupid things to Malawi. In UK, these guys are well vest with their profession and its a clear indicator on hope Tonse Alliance is mismanaging the country, we have no leader.
You replaced one crook with another. No difference.
The fact that a white man employed his family members it did not mean that it was the right thing to do for us to copy. A wrong thing remains wrong regadliess of who dioes it and where it is done. So,Trump was wrong and selfish and you saw how he ended. Is this the way you want Chakwera to end too?
Bingu employed his wife Callista and pressure from the public forced him to terminate her contract. That time Chakwera was in the opposition and was among the people exerting pressure on Bingu. One wonders why he is doing the same. Who told him that Malawians love him more than Bingu?
This is a total lie, this means you are just vocal for nothing. Chakwera was not in opposition when Bingu was president, that time he was still at Assemblies of God and was a very good friend of Bingu. Bingu appointed him chairman of Malawi Council of Sports for 5 years of his 1st term in office. Bingu removed Calister on the basis that she had then married her but why did not he remove his brother from his cabinet? No leader here is better than the other.
Chakwera wasn’t in the opposition during Bingu’s time. He joined politics one year after Bingu’s death.
Koma kumeneko muva m’bebe
Hhhhhhhhh eish moti Violet ndi personal assistant kwa mayi ake the first lady gooooosh! I million jobs ija imeneyi yopita in a family heeeyi nyekhwe iyoooooooooooooooooooo! Malawi sadzatheka and you politicians kaaaya!
Taking Malawians for fools.
You can fool some people sometimes but you can’t fool all the people all the time – now BBC has shown you the light.
The immediate question now is, Malawians what are we going to do to stop this ’family business’ from exploiting us.
The BBC, has done its part, pull the lid on this rot. It’s now up to us to stop it.
I voted for this government. What a mistake!
Family first, you consider others later. BBC was wrong to blame president chakwera for carrying his family members. I have been watching closely on other presidents like USA Trump, Obama, the travel with all their family members where ever they go. Kungoti poti wa ku Africa basi zolankhula phiii. Akagwere ndi BBC yawoyawo.
Of course it’s Mission Accomplished, that’s what some people wanted; to shame him! Yet all along they knew the roles these people have.
You hire who you trust in such positions, Jared kushner and ivanka trump worked for Donald in similar roles. And if they went in such capacities then so be it.
Please stop the stupidity of comparing Malawi to the US. They have money, ife amasikini shouldn’t be putting ourselves at that level. Besides, Jared and Ivanka were NOT on government payroll. Those were unpaid jobs!! Yes they traveled on government $$ but were not salaried. So if you want Kampondeni/Violet/ et al to be like the Kushners then let’s start by saying they’ll not receive pay. Trump amafuna kuwapatsa awowo exposure to run for Congress/Senate and one day, President.
Invanka and her husband were never placed on the government payroll. Check your facts!
I think we are discussing two different issues here, is it about whether it happened somewhere or about how Chakwera himself criticised the act? Oh! now it becomes ok because its Chakwera and then we start connecting it wit Donald Trump? What good did Trump did to Americans worthy copying?
Just because Donald Trump did it doesnt mean it was the right thing. Thats why he ruled America for one term only! Pride!
Chakwera has a Pastoral background. Thats why we except atleast some shame and honesty popanga zinthu. Show us he is different not much worse!
There is a difference. Chakwera and Chilima chastised Apm for nepotism but Peter never employed relatives. So who is really nepotistic here?
Kkkkkkk..That’s why Madam Chilima cancelled the trip because she knew.
Kkkkkk Chilima very cleaver
Chimufotere yekha chakwera