US encouraged with Malawi gov’t on cash-gate crackdown
United States government has lauded the Joyce Banda administration on the steps it had taken so far in addressing the cash-gate scandal at Capital Hill.
Malawi has been rocked by widespread corruption, losing millions of funds to theft by linking mostly top officials of ruling People’s Party and civil servants which the government blames on financial loopholes.
Donors currently withholding budgetary support have called on the Joyce Banda administration to act swiftly on the plunder of public resources.
American Ambassador to Malawi, Jeanine Jackson, has since expressed satisfaction with efforts government is taking to address the cash gate scandal, citing transparency and consultation as important elements portraying government’s commitment to addressing the matter.
“In fact, I have noted as a donor that the government has been candid and transparent [on the matter] and they have engaged a wide variety of stake holders, particularly the development partners, to discuss the issue and determine the way forward,” said Jackson as quoted by a Malawi News Agency report
She made the remarks Monday after presiding over a function organized by ‘Kurya ndiko uku’ community based organization in Mzimba.
“The government has an action plan to respond to the scandal, and that’s an appropriate vehicle for doing that. They have come up with that action plan based on input from civil society and donors as well as opposing political parties,” she said.
Jackson took chance to report that she participated in a meeting few days ago with government and donors, saying she could see sincere dedication on the part of Malawi Government in taking action through the action plan.
She said the donor community is cautious to see full implementation, tangible action and good communication, not only with the donors, but particularly with the Malawian people who are the sufferers as a result of the financial scam.
The cashgate scandal came into light after the shooting of Ministry of Finance budget director Paul Mphwiyo in Lilongwe on September 13 2013.
