Gwengwe ‘third-in-command’ in Malawi cabinet: Phoya openly thanks JB for reappointment

Youthful Minister of Industry and Trade, Sosten Gwengwe, appears as third in command chain in the Joyce Banda’s cabinet hierarchy.

According to a cabinet list released by Office of President and Cabinet on Monday, Banda is leading the Executive line up as Head of State, seconded by her deputy Khumbo Kachale.

In the list, maverick speaker Gwengwe is placed third and followed by Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Grace Zinenani Maseko, Minister of Finance Dr. Ken Lipenga and new Minister of Agriculture Dr. James Munthali in that order.

In her 32-member cabinet, President Banda has promoted Halima Daudi to head the ministry of Environment and Climate Change Management, previously held by Jennifer Chilunga Ndaferankhande while Agness Mandebvu Chatipwa takes over from Daudi as deputy Minister of Health.

The Industry and Trade Minister Gwengwe makes a point to President Banda: He appears third in the cabinet hierachy
The Industry and Trade Minister Gwengwe makes a point to President Banda: He appears third in the cabinet hierachy

Survivors of the cabinet reshuffle, include Leader of government in parliament, Henry Phoya who on Tuesday openly expressed his gratitude to President Banda for retaining him while his former colleagues Richie Muheya (Water Development and Irrigation), Prof Peter Mwanza (Agriculture and Food Security) and Jenifer Chilunga Ndaferankhande (Environment and Climate Change Management) were sacked.

Phoya speaking at a function which the President  was laying a ‘Foundation Stone’ for the joint Malawi Housing Corporation and Chinese Henan Gouji Housing Project in Area 49 in Lilongwe, thanked Banda “on behalf of the retained cabinet and deputy ministers; the newly appointed ministers; and on my own behalf” for being given the chance to serve in cabinet.

“I wish to assure Your Excellency that our Big Thank You will be the unquestionable loyalty and dedication to duty under Your Excellency’s wise and foresighted leadership,” said Phoya.

The Malawi leader reshuffled her cabinet on Monday  dropping three senior ministers and also  reduced the number of deputy ministers consequently dropping from the cabinet Khwauli Msiska and Augustine Mtendere.

President Banda hired her first all-inclusive cabinet in April last year after she took power following the death of former President Bingu wa Mutharika.

She made her first cabinet reshuffle nine months later when she dropped, among others, Dr Cassim Chilumpha who was Minister of Energy.

President Banda hired her first all-inclusive cabinet in April last year after she took power following the death of former President Bingu wa Mutharika.

She made her first cabinet reshuffle nine months later when she dropped, among others, Dr Cassim Chilumpha who was Minister of Energy.

Vice President Khumbo Kachali and Phoya partakes in the singing of the National Anthem at the event which Phoya thanked Pres. Banda for being retained in cabinet
Vice President Khumbo Kachali and Phoya partakes in the singing of the National Anthem at the event which Phoya thanked Pres. Banda for being retained in cabinet

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