Massive resignations at Malawi AIDS Commission: APM appoints new NAC board

National AIDS Commission (NAC), an institution entrusted with the responsibility of leading and coordinating the fight against HIV and AIDS has been rocked with massive resignations in the last few months, Nyasa Times has estblished.

According records in Nyasa Times possession the following people have resigned from NAC with their corresponding date of resignation:

Tamani Tandaude, Grants Officer (21 May 2015), Dr Thomas Salimu, HIV/AIDS Policy Officer (8 May 2015), Maria Mkandawire, Social Mobilization Officer (4 May 2015), Joseph Kumwenda, Acting Head of Finance (27 April 2015), Medson Chitsulo, Accounts Assistant (12 February 2015), Ashington Masi, Grants Officer (23 January 2015), Polycarp Chigwenembe, Internal Audit Supervisor (14 November 2014), and Lawrence Ali, Internal Auditor (11 November 2014).

Meanwhile, President Peter Mutharika, , has appointed a new Board of Commissioners for the National AIDS Commission (NAC) which is only comprised of men and no woman – gender insesitive.

Paramount Chief Kyungu is the new Chairman of the Board replacing Ms Mara Kumbweza Banda who concluded her term with a controversial K5 million grant to Beautify Malawi of First Lady Gertrude Mutharika and unjustified suspension of the Executive Director.

The other new Commissioners are: Dr. Albert Mkumbwa representing the Private Sector; Bishop Ephraim Disi Mbewe representing Networks and organizations of People Living with HIV; Traditional Authority Ngongoliwa is representing Traditional Leaders; Mr. Chimwemwe representing Young People; Reverend Reynold M’mangisa representing the Faith Community; and Mr. Andrew Kaponya is representing research institutions and the academia.

The Board includes ex-officio members who represent the Public Sector as follows: Secretary to the Treasury; Secretary for Health; Secretary for Local Government and Rural Development; and Secretary for Nutrition, HIV and AIDS.

National AIDS Commission has lost its Principal Recipient status for all Global Fund HIV resources to World Vision and Action Aid while at the same time its parent Ministry, Department of Nutrition and HIV/AIDS has been swallowed by Ministry of Health.

At the same time all senior positions at NAC are being held on an acting position. The new Board has a responsibility to ensure that NAC regains its lost glory.