Malawians offers solutions on economic turmoil, reforms

Malawian citizens have expressed their views on the current economic recession and public service reforms arguing that if the country is to change then the change should begin with the highest office in the land and trickling down to ministers.

Bwalo la Mzika
Bwalo la Mzika

The sentiments were expressed during a public debate called Bwalo la Nzika which was organised by Citizen Alliance in partnership with State of the Union (SOTU) for citizens to participate in generating solutions and actions to fix the economy.

The organisers observed that Malawi economy is in deep recession hugely affecting social service delivery and frustrating efforts towards sustained growth.

“Majority of Malawians are still trapped in poverty with millions facing hunger. However, Malawi has the potential to develop and economically liberate millions trapped in poverty,” said Philip Kamwangira Publicity Secretary of Citizens Alliance.

Speaking at the debate , economy watchdog MEJN director Dalitso Kubalasa observed that if the country has to have meaningful reforms should start from the presidency down to ministers by trimming unnecessary allowances and cut their take home packages other than overburden the citizens.

“The mid term budget review will give the opportunity to the leadership of this country to show that they are also part of the citizenry by trimming their fuel allowances and other benefits to match the austerity drive being undertaken,” observed Kubalasa who was speaking in his capacity as a citizen.

He further argued that ministers should trim their fuel allowances from 1000litres to say 500litres and other benefits taking into consideration that International Monetary Fund declaration that our economy is off track.

“This is the time to show and test leadership. The burden should not only be brought to bear on the already overburdened citizens who are overtaxed and yet the leaders enjoy tax free benefits,” argued Kubalasa.

Felix Jumbe, who also participated as a citizen, said the public service reforms should start from the highest office of the land and it should well be articulated by defining the core function analysis.

“Malawians have the potential to develop and economically liberate themselves from poverty if government can find means of wealthy creation to its citizens. On public service reforms the government should come out clearly on what it wants to achieve and involve the citizens in every step. Otherwise are the reforming or deforming?,” wondered Jumbe.

On his part Kamwangira said his organisation took the opportunity to gather views from the citizens which will be consolidated for policy engagement with government so that the citizens should hold their government accountable.

“We are concerned that Malawians are overburdened by taxes on the little packages while the highest paid officials enjoy tax free benefits. Somehow this is not adding up,” said Kamwangira.

Bwalo la Nzika is a non partisan forum for citizens to participate in generating solutions and actions to fix Malawi’s ailing economy and other social issues.

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chonchobe
chonchobe
8 years ago

All the youth idling, thieving and stealing in the cities could be recruited to manage the greenbelt program( some kind of youth empowerment) for a little wage. This should be coupled with the reintroduction of young pioneers program. unemployment level will reduce, uhule will drop, umbava will drop, Malawi will become food sufficient and export some for earning the money needed forex. other countries across have introduced road toll charges when entering or exiting main cities including airports whether you park there or you are just dropping a passenger. Why is Malawi not exploiting some of these initiatives? Malawians are… Read more »

Vwapuvwapu
Vwapuvwapu
8 years ago

Yea, kkkkkkk

Patson
Patson
8 years ago

Every body must pay tax from President below if we love this country there is no reason for one not to pay PAYE.10%to30% our august house should pass this bill.

malawi view
8 years ago

first, l support reforms 100%.thanks 4 idea that every dept, sector or office be reformed,probably thats a course.this is huge task & on going so 4 a start l feel is ok. suggesting-president’s office first;his powers reduced,ministers’s fuel allocation down by 50% & that way ONLY not otherwise kkk its unfortunate later will b subotage,current path its deforming not reforming kkk thus emotional & political ether. CSOs do u want to stire violence? reforms has casioties eveywhere, & country shouldn’t b a sucrifice. CSOs lets caution the reform machinary about welfare of the casioties that can b noble role to… Read more »

levelheaded
8 years ago

Iwe mtumbuka wa Ku mtchenachena kwawo kwa vinthu mfumbenge” Mundango Nyirenda” we say malawian offers or Malawians offer and not Malawians offers. Heeeeish!

Umodzi umodzi
Umodzi umodzi
8 years ago

The solution is that APM should refund MK577 billion he store during his brother’s reign. Peter anaba ndalama zija kuti achitire campeni mu 2014. So for Malawi to revive its economy three things should be done:
1. Peter should refund the money for our country is to revive its economy.
2. Peter must resign
3. Peter must be arrested for the atrocities he has committed to Malawians without drugs in hospitals.

mulopwana
8 years ago

I have a suggestion, many of us think of what other should do to improve the economy and not what individually should be done to improve the economy. It has reached a point that individuals should consider options so as to stay afloat and survive and not what APM should do. We are so full of dependent of employment and not creating opportunities for us to offer employment at the same time improve our livelyhood and our economy. Our training and school did us even worse because it is focused on the graduates to be employed and not that they… Read more »

KALUMADAZI
KALUMADAZI
8 years ago

anthu oputsa nonsenu…Mulibe manyazi instead of kukambilana how to develop the country through entrepreneurship and improving our parastatals and quality education..mukakambilana zotsitsa malipilo a ma minister, nde if the ministers get peanuts like you, how will they be motivated to work their hearts off for this self imposed curse of a country.Nonse mmene mwakhalira pamenepo ndinu zitselekwete, a nansongole a chabechabe..thius habbit of working against the gorvernment of the day instead of providing tangible solutions is unpatriotic and our very undoing…please move on from thsi stupidity

benjnes
8 years ago

WE JUST NEED TO REMOVE ALL POLITICIANS WHO ARE MILKING OUR COUNTRY FROM UDF, DPP, PP AND NOW DPP AGAIN ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. WE NEED CIVIL STIKE STOP REVENUE FOR GOVERNMENT MAYBE WE CAN BRING CHANGE OR ELSE FORGET IT THESE PEOPLE ARE CRIMINALS HAVE A HEART OF STONE WHICH WILL NEVER MELT.

YAKI
YAKI
8 years ago

you people are just brain washed, your comments are just full of hate, proposals for change are target to a person so what kind of educated guys do we have in a country? this country will never develop full of jealousy and power hungry thats why we are different from the whites. Azungu adzalamulenso mwina tingatukuke

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