President Banda names new Malawi cabinet
Malawi’s President Joyce Banda has announced a new 23-member cabinet in her inclusive government.
The President put herself in charge of the civil service, disaster management, nutrition, HIV and AIDS. She is also commander in chief of the Malawi defence Force and the 8,000 strong Malawi police service.
Vice President Khumbo Kachali is the second in command and has been assigned as Minister of Health.
Named in cabinet are: Ken Lipenga who has been maintained as Finance Minister, Ephraim Mganda Chiume is now Minister of Foreign Affairs, former vice president Dr Cassim Chilumpha is Minister of Energy and Mining.
The President has also named fearless lawmaker Anita Kalinde as Minister of Gender, UDF lawmaker Atupele Muluzi the son of former president Bakili Muluzi who handed over power to late Bingu wa Mutharika in 2004 and has been campaigning vigorously for the 2014 presidential elections, was named minister of economic planning and development.
Ralph Kasambala is now Justice Minister and Attorney General.
Others are: Eunice Kazembe who is Minister of Education, Minister of Agriculture is Peter Mwanza, Sidik Mia has been retained as Transport Minister , and Minister of Local Government is Grace Maseko.
Information Minister if Moses Kunkuyu, Minister of Trade is John Banda, Henry Phoya has been appointed Minister of Lands, Irrigation is Rich Muheya and Gotani Hara for Ministry of Environment and Climate Change.
Uladi Mussa is Minister of Home affairs, former finance minister Ken Kandodo a grand-nephew of Malawi’s founder Kamuzu Banda is the new defence minister.
Tourism Ministry is under Liwimbi, Labour Minister is Eunice Makangala, Disability and Elderly is Reen Kachere while Youth and Sports is Enock Chakufwa Chihana.
Deputy Ministers:
Agriculture: Hon. James Ulemu Chilapondwa M.P
Gender: Hon. Jennifer Chilunga M.P
Finance: Hon. Ralph Jooma M.P
Foreign Affairs: Hon.Racheal Mazombwe Zulu M.P
Education: Hon. Chiku Hiwa M.P
Transport: Hon. Sosten Gwengwe M.P
Local Government: Hon Augastine Mtendere M.P
Environment: Hon. Ibrahim Matola M.P
