Stop glorifying poverty, Nankhumwa tells Malawi journalists

Minister of Information, Tourism and Culture Kondwani Nankhumwa has advised journalists to put an end to the “glorification” of poverty in the media.

Nankhumwa: Don't glorify poverty in Malawi media
Nankhumwa: Don’t glorify poverty in Malawi media

Nankhumwa made the appeal when he officially opened a day-long workshop for Association of Business Journalists (ABJ) members on emerging issues in Bvumbwe, Thyolo.

Recently, leader of opposition Lazarus Chakwera told parliament that while Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world the continued impoverishment is no longer of circumstances but by choice.

He said it is “inexcusable” that Malawi is still ranked amongst the poorest in the world.

“Ours is no longer poverty of circumstances but poverty by choice, perpetuated by leaders too cowardly to make the top choices that can move us forward,” stated Chakwera, who is also Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president.

But Nankhumwa said government has put in place a number of economic policies and strategies aimed at changing the country’s economic fortunes, saying the media should desist from painting a “gloomy” picture on the country’s well-being.

“We are what we write. If our stories are that of desolation, failure, glorification of poverty and pessimism, then we are going to become a country that is synonymous with under-achievement and brokenness,” said Nankhumwa.

The government spokesman persuaded business journalists to use the power of the pen to “build Malawi and conquer the world”.

He said:”Let us use the power that we have to be bridges between our society and government, donor community, private and public sector and investors at large.

“We should use this power to help our nation bang heads together and come up with the best ways of lifting Malawi. Let us not take pride in glorifying empty rankings on poverty. We are more than a statistic.”

The workshop, funded by the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authorities (Macra), brought together business reporters from all three regions and were taken through several topics including “Understanding the bond Market” by Malawi Stock Exchange Acting Chief Executive John Kamanga; Chief Economic Adviser to the President Dr Collins Magalasi’s “Where is the economy going? Any hope for Malawi”; “Challenges and opportunities of doing business in Malawi by Indigenous Businesspersons Association President Mike Mlombwa while Macra Henry Silika made a presentation on Cirms and Television Whitespaces:.What are they and why are they important.”

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Chenkumbi
Chenkumbi
9 years ago

Malawi is not the poorest country, but the people like you ntchona with poor mind who do not look very far. I have been in Zimbabwe rural , people are very poor there but they never glorify their poverty as Malawians do singing a song of being the poorest people in the world. Go in Mozambique in villages , you will feel so pathetic people are literally naked there, which is the opposite in Malawi, but saima pachulu mkumavina kuti ndfe amphawi adzaoneni.Even if you sing that song nobody will come and give you cash for you to be rich.Zinazi… Read more »

Concerned citizen
9 years ago

I feel our poverty is down to mismanagement of the economy and plunder of resources by the so called democratic leaders. An example is how Mich did MG benefit from the plunder of Chikamgawa and Dzalanyama forest? The disaster that started 4 months ago is the forest on Dedza mountain. Where is the Government in all of this?

Obster
Obster
9 years ago

Reality is that Our country Malawi is poor thus why we stack here in RSA working cheap job as if we are not logged into Education

Jk
Jk
9 years ago

Dont blame journalist always the trueth pains poverty in malawi is for real and we cant pretend to conceal it we are afailiar nation because of fools politicians like you Nankhumwa bastard

Ntchona
Ntchona
9 years ago

How can you not talk of poverty when it is staring right in your face. You should sir go back to your meetings and tell your bosses the masses on the ground are fed up with lip service and cowards in the name of leaders who when they wake in the morning all they think eat and dream is to loot. How on earth do Malawi politicians get rich as soon as they appointed. That is what you should be debating in your inner circle. We have too many crooks in government and comedians posing as policy makers. Poverty is… Read more »

ADA VUWA
9 years ago

dnt foolish u self ukufuna anthu akutenge ngati ndani ukakhala ndika jeep basi ukuona ngati walemela shut up

ONZO
ONZO
9 years ago

lets wait and see

phwado
phwado
9 years ago

Hahahaha!Truth really pains.Nankhumwa ukakhuta ana a nkhuku usamatisokosele.A cartoon minister.Journalists: more fire atsegule mmimba ameneyi!

Alungwana
Alungwana
9 years ago

Max comic thom gerry Nankhumwa. Mwatchukatu man ndi mfundo zopusa. Ofcoz we are what we write so there is no need to send lies in the media.

munthu Wamkulu kwambiri ngati church la katolika
munthu Wamkulu kwambiri ngati church la katolika
9 years ago

Chinderi ichi

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