Mutharika shakes up Malawi Covid-19 committee: Opposition leader Lowe drafted in
President Peter Mutharika showed he is in control of the government’s response to check the spread of corona virus pandemic with a dramatic decision to restructure the Special Cabinet Committee on Covid-19 making it more inclusive, bringing leader of opposition Lobin Lowe of Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and other stakeholders and changing it to be a Presidential Task Force.
“I direct government o restructure what we have so far called the Cabinet Committee on coronavirus. From now the committee will now be called the Presidential Task Force of Coronavirus,” said Mutharika in his special televised address to the nation on Tuesday.
He said the task force will be co-chaired by a Cabinet minister and a Professor of Public Health.
“The Taskforce will directly report to me,” said the President.
In the restructured committee, Mutharika has also included Christian Health Association of Malawi (Cham), Public Affairs Committee, Chief Councils among others. He said more sectors including civil society will be included.
Mutharika said Lowe has accepted to be part of the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 on “on behalf of opposition parties.”
He said below the Presidential Taskforce, there remain various technical committees which include various professionals and sectors from both the public and private sectors.
Mutharika said the country should pull in one direction to deal with the invisible enemy Covid-19.
“Coronavirus is real. Coronavirus is everywhere in every country. We all can see that. Anyone who denies the existence of coronavirus must be sent to mental hospital,” said Mutharika in apparent dig to opposition members particularly MCP’s legislator Ulemu Msungama.
The President said denying the existence of coronavirus is taking a dangerous path that will lead to death of many Malawians.
“Those politicians who send their people to be denying the existence of coronavirus want many Malawians to die,” he said.
He appealed to Malawians to stop listening to those that are politicising coronavirus fight in the country.
“Human life is scared. Let us respect human life. And let us save lives,” said Mutharika.
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Lowe the only wise leader in opposition. He can a president.
These developments are very positive. I would want to register the following issues: 1. Please consider adding a CEO of one hotel as this is the hardest hit industry, and hence we need measures which will best protect them from going out of business. 2. Do not copy strategies from the first world. They are not applicable here. Do we have old people’s homes here? No. We cannot sustain subsidies to a large number of employed persons. We have had far less sick and deaths. We have controlled our boarders better. Let us have a Malawian solution which will not… Read more »
Well done job Mr president but consider representation of people with disability in the committee
Thanks mr Chilima, mwan’sokolotsa ndala ku quarantine. Koma nde mwantengetsa gogo.
Countrymen, let me congratulate both the party in government and the opposition political parties for deciding to work together in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision to work together will not only ensure effective message acceptance but also stimulate compliance of public health measures in the population. COVID-19 is a serious public health matter that must not be ignored due to our political differences. What is most important is to wash our hands with soap frequently and observing general hygiene practices; ensuring social (or is it physical?) distance and avoiding touching our mouth, eyes and nose without washing… Read more »
The fruits of being a strong leader who can take any heat of the nation are being harnessed now – surely only the blind can not see but the spiritual wise can percieve your wise leadership Mr. President you always know how to approach situations with why, how, and when to implement them. Foolish Leaders with empty heads are just backing like mad dogs out there without knowing what to do – all they want is to occupy the state house APM you are the choosen Leader of this nation and no one shall unseat you without the will of… Read more »
We have been Making alot of Noise for the Committee to be Lead by Professionals and for it to be Inclusive ….But You People thought you are Too Wise to take our advice …Give Us Credit at least ….Also thanks to the Opposition Leadership for Accepting ….My Warning …Don’t Fall into the Trap of Drawing Allowances and going on Useless Field Trips ….While we know that Health Workers don’t have enough PPE s….Decentralise the Fight to Constituency and Ward Levels ….Masks ,Hygiene ,Social distance Measures ….Otherwise if You Don’t Pump Sense into these People ….Mutopakidwapo Mafuta pakamwa za ziii nyama… Read more »
Congratulate APM for listening to your voices. Pena pake tidziyamika wina akalabadira zokamba za wena ndiye umunthu kodi tidzingotsutsabe basi. Padzana we said ngomva zayekha lero wayankha madando anu mwati munachita kupanga phokoso yambani inanso tione paja ndi choncho chikhalidwe chanu kkkkk
This is perfect big up Mutharika together will stand. The sign of true leader . Saving lives is better than politics , absolutely necessary and perfect Mr president. Even non governmental agencies should be included.
So, Chilima knew that president Mutharika was talking to some opposition MPs. He then decided to talk about the need for government to work together with opposition to appear as if he is making clever suggestions. Chilima afa ndi kudzikudza.
Like him or hate him SKC shook APM awake from deep slumber..
Did you listen to the Chakwera speech today? Leader of opposition Lowe was NEVER consulted by the president and he never accepted to be included in the new Committee, characteristic of Peter Mutharika never to consult but just appoint. Saulos Chilima and other opposition members should be commended because they had been advocating for inclusiveness in the committee for a long time. Mutharika is good at procrastinating – do not mistake this for wise leadership!!
Lowe is much more sensible than Chakwera and Chilima combined.
What do you mean? NTCHONA has to include every malawian into this fight not just dpp thieves. This is a national and global pandemic not mulakho.
How, if I may ask?
This Lowe leader of opposition looks sharp upstairs than the nyekhwe fake accent so called man of God