The United States Government says its investments in the fight against corruption in Malawi has facilitated the seizure of $150,000 from illicit gains and the freezing of more than $3 million of property from suspected graft.
US Chargé d’Affaires Pamela Fessenden made the disclosure during an Anti-Corruption Day Panel Discussion the Embassy organized in Lilongwe.
She said the US is impressed by all the work undertaken to fight corruption from speaking out against questionable practices to upholding standards of practice in public processes.
Fessenden noted that while a lot of work has been done in Malawi’s corruption drive, much more needs to happen as it remains committed to supporting stakeholder groups in creating more demand for anti-corruption efforts among the population.
Through exchange programs like the International Visitor Leadership Programme (IVLP), the US has trained criminal justice officials, journalists, and civil society leaders to uncover graft and push for integrity and transparency in public processes.
Additionally, through its Agency for International Development (USAID) partnerships, more than 80 Malawian civil society organizations have been trained in the past five years enhancing their ability to effectively drive change in their communities.
She further spoke on some of the milestones registered from the USAID investments.
“USAID and partners from the United Kingdom have advised Malawian law enforcement in developing a coordinated anti-corruption strategy and establishing an Asset Forfeiture Unit. This has facilitated the seizure of $150,000 from illicit gains and the freezing of more than $3 million of property from suspected graft.
“The battle against corruption is not only fought by governments and donors. It starts with uplifting leaders who themselves are tackling corruption. By leaders, I do not just mean political leaders. I mean people who are at the forefront of the fight against corruption”
The US Diplomat stressed on the need for people to speak out and demand public accountability for government institutions and private enterprises.
She indicated that across the world corruption is a very damaging aspect of life and impedes economic growth and progress, erodes public trust in public institutions and Malawi needs to be relentless in the fight.
The panel discussion also had the involvement of youths who she said have an important role in the drive by not indulging in the malpractice, but rooting it out with their youthful energy and strong spirit hence have a lot of potential to help Malawi tackle the problem head on.
The Chargé d’Affaires underscored the need for young people to be educated about the laws and what it means to be in a society where corruption is not tolerated.
“I think education of what allowing corruption to continue does to the economy, to the trust and institutions to the future to the public service delivery all of those things I think education it’s hugely important”
She acknowledged the recent release of an Afrobarometer poll showing the majority of Malawians surveyed registering their opinions and experiences regarding corruption in both the public and private spheres.
