Malawi Pres. Joyce Banda tours Zimbabwe heroes acre
Malawi President Joyce Banda on Wednesday toured the Zimbabwe National Heroes Acre where she laid a wreath on the Tomb of the unknown soldier.
According to presidential assistant press officer Fallys Ngalauka, President Banda upon arrival, inspected a quarter guard mounted by the Presidential Guard.
President Banda was impressed by the way Zimbabwe recognises the importance of freedom fighters adding there is need for Malawi to draw lessons.
She said her visit is a study tour as Malawi is also establishing a shrine.
President Banda also visited Kuwadzana Maternity Clinic where she appreciated efforts made by Zimbabwean government to end maternal deaths in the country.
The Malawi leader said she has a passion for maternal health issues and has dedicated her life to ensuring that statistics of women who die while giving birth are reduced.
Banda said Malawi has managed to reduce the maternal ratio from as high as 960 deaths per every 100 000 live births to the current 460 deaths and her government has now engaged traditional chiefs who are working in their communities as part of efforts to reduce the number of pregnancy related deaths.
President Banda then donated various items to the women at the maternity Clinic.
Wrapping up her day, the Malawi leader held a meeting with Malawians living in Zimbabwe as one way of tapping ideas how they can together develop Malawi.
The Malawians told Banda of their desire to contribute back to the country but are hindered due to unwelcoming policies in government, the President then assured them of her continued efforts to ensure that Malawians living I diaspora have chance of contributing back to their country through the various programs Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Ngalauka said President Banda also took time to tell the gathering of the many programs that her government has established to ensure that lives of Malawians are better(like, Presidential Initiatives on poverty and hunger reduction, Maternal health and safe motherhood, a cow a family project, social cash transfer amonst others).
“My fellow Malawians, you would wish to know that after inheriting a battered economy, I implemented the Economic Recovery Plan that is aimed at bringing back our economy on track,” she said.
President Banda, who is visiting Zimbabwe for the first time since taking over power after the death last year of her predecessor Bingu wa Mutharika, who was a close ally to Mugabe, is expected to officially open the 54th Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo on Friday.
