Mutharika charters jet for UN meet as Malawi economy continues to shrink

President Peter Mutharika on Thursday left Malawi for United States in a chartered presidential jet, a complete departure from his promises that the government would use public resources prudently amid continued worsening economic conditions.

It was not immediately known how much the government has paid for the charted plane as such bills are kept under wraps at Kamuzu Palace.

He has also left the country for the UN general assembly without telling Malawians how many people are on his entourage and how much the trip will cost the tax payer.

Several people who have made it to the UN have left in different times to disguise Malawians on the bloated delegation.

Last year the president took with him an irrelevant to the summit staggering entourage of 116 people and Foreign Affairs minister Francis Kasaila said the entourage this year is “reduced” saying the government learnt lessons last year.

Speaking at Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe on departure, Mutharika said discussions this year at the UN meeting will centre on Sustainable Development Goals.

He said delegates, most of whom are heads of state, will evaluate which goals have been achieved and which ones have not been achieved and why.

In addition, he said the delegates will be looking at issues of AIDS, youth, women, investment, trade and international cooperation.