Nthanda Times Reporter

Malawi is among 11 African countries Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) has given a platform to showcase to the world the country’s trade, investment, and partnership opportunities to prospective investors in the United States of America (USA) as well as Africa.

The 11 countries will showcase their potential investment areas at the premiere U.S.-Africa Business Summit, a flagship event organized by CCA, which is dedicated to strengthening economic ties between the US and Africa.

This premier event will aim at fostering partnerships and dialogue between American and African businesses.

The Malawi President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera departed for the summit on Friday morning and is expected to join his African counterparts who include Joseph Boakai, President, Republic of Liberia,Faure Gnassingbe, President, Republic of Togo, Muhammad B. S. Jallow, Vice President, Republic of The Gambia, E. Joao Lourenço, President, Republic of Angola, Nthomeng Majara, Deputy Prime Minister, Kingdom of Lesotho and Mokgweetsi E. K. Masisi, President, Republic of Botswana.

Other African presidents to attend this important event are José Maria Neves, President, Republic of Cabo Verde, Filipe Nyusi, President, Republic of Mozambique, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President, Republic of Nigeria and David Sengeh, who is Chief Minister in the Republic of Sierra Leone.

On the other hand, officials to represent the U.S. Government include Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Representative of the U.S.A. to the United Nations, Ambassador Katherine Tai, United States Trade Representative (USTR), Chair Reta Jo Lewis, President and Chair of the Board, U.S. Export Import-Bank (EXIM), Alice Albright, CEO, Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), Travis Adkins, President & CEO, U.S. African Development Foundation (USADF) and Enoh Ebong, Director, U.S. Trade & Development Agency (USTDA).

Others are Xochitl Torres Small, Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Amos Hochstein, Senior Adviser to the President for Energy and Investment, TheWhite House, Stephen Benjamin, Senior Advisor to the President and Director of Public Engagement, The White House, Richard Nelson, Power Africa Coordinator, British Robinson, Prosper Africa Coordinator, Dr. John N. Nkengasong, Ambassador-at-Large, U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator and Senior Bureau Official for Global Health Security and Diplomacy, Department of State, Nisha Biswal, Deputy CEO, U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and Geoff Pyatt, Assistant Secretary of State for Energy and Natural Resources, Department of State.

Joy Basu, Deputy Assistant Secretary – Africa, Department of State, Thomas Bruns, Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Middle East and Africa, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce, Heather Lanigan, Regional Director for Sub-Saharan Africa, U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) will also be in attendance from the U.S. Government.

According to a communication we have seen, the esteemed leaders will contribute to the summit’s discussions, share insights, and explore opportunities for collaboration with attendees from both sides of the Atlantic.

“The U.S.-Africa Business Summit, under the theme “U.S.-Africa Business: Partnering for Sustainable Success,” offers an unparalleled opportunity for government officials, business leaders, investors, policymakers, and entrepreneurs to engage in discussions, explore trade opportunities, and forge strategic partnerships to drive economic growth and development across the African continent,” reads part of the communication.

The communication further states that apart from senior governments’ officials, the event will also host international officials who include Dr.  Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General, World Trade Organization, Wamkele Mene, Secretary General, African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat, Dr. Sidi Ould Tah, President, Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa, Admassu Tadesse, President and CEO, Trade and Development Bank, Alain Ebobisse, CEO, Africa50, Solomon Quaynor, Vice-President for Private Sector, Infrastructure & Industrialization, African Development Bank, Okechukwu Ihejirika, COO – Caribbean Office, Afreximbank.

Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Secretary General, Eisenhower Mkaka, contradicted Zebuloni Chilondola’s reports that Mchinji North East Constituency legislator, Esther Majaza, had joined the ruling party. 

Last month, Majaza announced that she had left the main opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for the ruling party. 

She was previously the Deputy Minister of Local Government in the DPP-led government. 

However, her joining of the party received very little attention, unlike former Deputy Speaker and Member of Parliament, Esther Mcheka Chilenje, and Kenneth Msonda, who also defected to the MCP from the DPP and were welcomed into the party by President Lazarus Chakwera.

Majaza was only welcomed into the party at a community hall in her constituency by some members of Parliament from Mchinji. 

Speaking at a rally in Kasungu district on Monday, Chilondola invited Majaza to the podium and introduced her to Chakwera as a new member of the MCP. 

Chilondola said Majaza opted for MCP following the developments that the President is implementing in the country. 

However, when it was his turn to address the crowd, Mkaka said Majaza was supporting government efforts to develop the country, but she is still a member of the DPP.

“A President athu, mayi Esther Majaza ataona kuti mukugwira ntchito yotamandika pofuna kutula dziko lino, aganiza zoti azithandiza boma za zitukuko zosiyanasiyana, osati kuti watuluka DPP iyayi,” he said

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A consortium of 11 civil society organizations (CSOs) established to advance good governance have spoken in support of purported refusal by the Secretary to the President and Cabinet (SPC) to renew the contract for the Director General of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Ms Martha Chizuma.

The concerned CSOs include National Advocacy Platform (NAP), Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC), Youth and Society (YAS), Centre for Social Accountability and Transparency (CSAT), National Alliance Against Corruption (NAAC), Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR), Centre for Civil Society Strengthening(CSS), Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) and the Civil Society Coalition on Accountability and Transparency.

Others are Malawi Human Rights Resource Centre (MHRC), Nyika Institute (NI), NGO Gender Coordination Network (NGO GCN), Human Rights Consultative Committee (HRCC), Citizen Alliance (CA), Malawi Economic Justice Network (MEJN), Malawi Health Equity Network (MHEN) and NGO Coalition on Child Rights (NGO CCR).

In May 2021, President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera appointed Chizuma as Malawi’s first DG for the graft-busting body. Her appointment came at the height of her impressive performance at the Office of the Ombudsman.

However, her directorship at the ACB has been mired with controversies to the extent that, more than once, some non-governmental organizations and activists called for her removal.

But President Chakwera saved her by appealing to Malawians to give her time to demonstrate her prowess.

And as her contract comes to an end, Chizuma is reported to have applied for an extension, which the government has rejected.

Reacting to the development, the abovementioned CSOs have defended the move by the government, stressing that Malawi needs an ACB Director General who has integrity.

In a press release issued on Thursday and signed by NAP Board Chairperson, Benedicto Kondowe, the organizations say the pending expiry of Chizuma’s contract presents an opportunity for reflection and strategic decision-making.

“As Malawi approaches a pivotal moment with the impending expiry of the contract of the Director General of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on 31^st May, 2024, the nation stands at a crossroads. The tenure of the current Director General, appointed in 2021, has seen notable strides in the fight against corruption. From finalizing lifestyle audit guidelines to prosecuting some high-profile cases and bolstering institutional capacities, significant groundwork has been laid to foster a culture of transparency and accountability. However, notwithstanding the foregoing, we have also had a backlog of unconcluded investigation of cases during the tenure of Democratic Progressive Party. Therefore, as the nation contemplates the renewal or appointment of a successor, it is imperative to safeguard these hard-earned gains and ensure the continuity of anti-corruption efforts,” thus starts the release, which has been titled: “Safeguarding Progress: Ensuring Integrity in the Appointment of Malawi’s Anti-Corruption Bureau Director General”.

Kondowe and his colleagues in the CSO sector say it is critical to evaluate the achievements made during Chizuma’s tenure and consider how these milestones should inform the selection process for the next leader of the ACB.

This notwithstanding, the CSOs have patted Chizuma on the back for pursuing and prosecuting, albeit without concluding them, high-profile cases, such as those involving Batatawala and Sattar.

They say this sends a strong message that impunity will not be tolerated. They have also commended the current administration for providing adequate resources to the ACB, stressing that this is key to the success in corruption fight.

“Institutional strengthening is paramount for the long-term efficacy of anti-corruption efforts. Investing in human capital and fostering a culture of integrity within the ACB are essential for sustainable progress. Additionally, maintaining a positive donor image is crucial for securing the necessary resources to support anti-corruption initiatives. Donors are more likely to invest in countries with credible anti-corruption mechanisms in place, underscoring the importance of maintaining a robust ACB,” continues the statement.

Kondowe have therefore recommended that the decision-making process regarding the renewal or replacement of the Director General’s contract must be shielded from political interference, fearing that politicization would undermine the credibility of anti-corruption institutions and erodes public trust.

“The appointment of the Director General as well as the Deputy Director General should be based on merit, integrity, and a demonstrated commitment to combating corruption, rather than political affiliations. Implications of politicization extend beyond the realm of anti-corruption efforts, affecting the overall governance and democratic fabric of the nation. A politicized ACB risks becoming a tool for partisan agendas rather than a bastion of justice and accountability. Therefore, it is imperative to insulate anti-corruption institutions from political influence and ensure their independence and autonomy,” they say.

Kondowe said in an interview later that as civil society actors working in the democratic governance space in Malawi, they will always emphasize the importance of safeguarding progress that has been made in the fight against corruption.

He said by prioritizing merit over political considerations and investing in the institutional strength of the ACB, Malawi can lay the groundwork for a future free from the scourge of corruption.

“The fight against corruption is an ongoing battle that requires unwavering commitment, vigilance, and integrity. As Malawi stands on the brink of a new chapter in its anti-corruption journey, it is imperative to build upon the progress made thus far and chart a course towards a more transparent, accountable, and equitable society,” he said.

Malawians have expressed excitement with the drop in prices of essential goods and services, as this will translate into more savings and improved socio-economic livelihoods.

The drop in prices of essential commodities is a result of the policies and measures President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera and his government announced that his government have been pursuing in his efforts to heal the economy.

Spot checks indicate that prices of sugar, cement and maize have started going down. This corroborates with President Chakwera said in his New Year’s address to mark the start of 2024 when the Malawi leader sympathized with Malawians over the rise in the cost of living, which was triggered by the devaluation of the Malawi kwacha.

He nevertheless assured that his government was taking necessary measures to bring down the cost of living. And barely three months into the year, Malawians have already started experiencing relief following the drop in prices of essential commodities.

A survey by the Catholic-based Centre for Social Concern’s (CfSC) on the cost of living analysis indicates that there has been a substantial decline in the cost of living.

It says this contrasts with the preceding period from December 2023 to January 2024 where a substantial surge of 7.8 percent to K491 037 was observed.

During the month under review, Lilongwe experienced a significant downturn of 16.4 percent, Zomba maintained stability, Blantyre witnessed a modest decline of 3.8 percent, Mzuzu recorded a marginal increase of 2.4 percent while Mangochi experienced a notable decrease of 14.3 percent.

During the review period, Karonga emerged as a focal point with a significant surge of 11.8 percent in maize prices, likely amplifying the cost of living for households.
Reads the CfSC report: “Delving deeper, it becomes evident that maize, a staple commodity deeply entrenched in Malawian livelihoods, stands as the linchpin influencing these fluctuations.

“The fluctuations in maize prices underscore its pivotal role as a determinant of the cost of living in Malawi. Understanding these dynamics empowers policymakers and stakeholders to devise targeted interventions aimed at mitigating economic vulnerabilities and fostering sustainable livelihoods for communities across the nation.”

The centre says reducing maize prices and ensuring a continued reduction in the cost of living among low-income earners in Malawi requires a multi-faceted approach that involves various government policies and interventions.

Among others, the centre has suggested continued and possibly expanded agricultural subsidies and market regulation to prevent price manipulation, market information systems to provide farmers with timely information and diversification of agricultural production beyond maize to reduce dependency on a single crop and mitigate the impact of maize price fluctuations on the cost of living.

Consumers Association of Malawi (CAMA) Executive Director, John Kapito, described the development as a ‘great relief’ to consumers.

Kapito said any maize price surge is a threat to consumers, given the significance of maize in the country’s Consumer Price Index (CPI), an aggregate basket of consumer goods and services used for computing inflation.

“Any rise in maize prices comes as a blow because this ultimately pushes up prices of everything,” said Kapito.

As part of the food component, maize contributes about 53.7 percent of the CPI, which means any movement in the price of maize has a direct bearing on consumers.

United Kingdom (UK)-based woman, Nelly Mhangani-Liwonde, has accused Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislator for Mangochi Central Constituency, Victoria Kingston, for allegedly snatching her husband, Lincoln Liwonde, whom Kingston got engaged a few days ago.

But Kingston denies the allegations, challenging Mhangani-Liwonde to produce evidence that her marriage to Lincoln was valid. The lawmaker has gone a step further by engaging a lawyer who is now demanding an apology from Nelly.

Through her lawyer, Sylvester Ayuba James, Kingston argued that there has been no romantic or intimate communication between the husband and Nelly since she left the country that a year ago.

“There has never been any romantic or intimate communication whatsoever between you and the said Mr. Lincoln Liwonde as to suggest the existence or subsistence of any sexual relationship, let alone marriage, between the two of you. Mr. Lincoln Liwonde has since found a partner, Ms. Victoria Kingstone, with whom he intends to share the rest of his life and the two have since held their traditional engagement ceremony,” reads part of the demand letter.

But Mhangani-Liwonde has shot back, challenging that she cannot apologize to someone who snatched her husband.

In an interview on Monday, Nelly maintained that Lincoln Liwonde remains her husband, saying this is why he is still keeping “our household property and my clothing items, which I left with him because I knew I was coming back”.

“If I had permanently moved to the UK and was not living and married to Lincoln, why would I leave my property, bank cards and bank cheques with him?”

“Lincoln Liwonde, my husband, is the only man in the world my 4 children call dad. Why would they call him that if they didn’t know him as such? Why would I lay claim on a man whom I am not married to? Is that even possible? Is he some rich guy every woman wants by her side? No. For 2.5 years I single handedly supported my husband financially from paying his debts, child’s fees and food down to haircuts and airtime. If anything I should be saying let him go if he was not the husband I am legally married to because of his poverty. Instead I am here fighting for my marriage to him in spite of his nature and state,” said Nelly in her response to the demand letter.

She further advised James to tell his clients to respond to her questions and request for evidence of the invalidity of my marriage.

“Also because of Victoria’s position and my husband’s desperation to make easy money by associating with a parliamentarian, I fear for my life as she seems adamant not to leave my husband and our marriage alone and she will do anything to have him and he will do anything to gain from associating with her financially. However, I will not stop fighting for my marriage outside the court system,” reads Nelly’s response to lawyer Sylvester Ayuba James.

In a separate interview on Saturday, MP Kingston confirmed that she recently got engaged to Lincoln Liwonde at a traditional ceremony that took place a few days ago.

But she denied allegations that she snatched someone’s husband.

“Can Nelly produce evidence that her marriage to Lincoln was valid? Let her produce it,” she reacted.

Malawi has been listed as one of the 10 best governed countries in Africa by World Economics.

Mauritania tops the list as the best governed country in Africa boasting a grade of B and an index of 69.3.

The report explains that the cornerstone of effective governance lies in embracing principles such as transparency,  accountability, inclusivity as well as adherence to the rule of law. 

“While governance systems vary across Africa nations,  leadership remains a central issue,” reads part of the report. 

The report further says that despite the growing population Africa is experiencing as well as availability of natural resources, good governance remains a pertinent issue in the continent. 

The report has also revealed that governance quality varies within the continent. 

The World Economics Governance Index provides insights into governance performance of African countries. It evaluates governance through indicators such as corruption perception, rule of law, press freedom and political rights. 

Malawi is ranked on position 7 in Africa boasting a grade C and an index of 52.9 with corruption levels of 37.8 percent.

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services has disclosed that its efforts to resume printing of passports have been successful, with the newly acquired machine printing more passports per day.

This contradicts social media reports some quarters of the society have been circulating that the system remains hacked.

The department’s spokesperson, Wellington Chiponde, said it is not true that the system had been tampered again.

“We are printing the passports. Of course, we are not receiving new applications because we are waiting for the parliament to gazette the new price of K50, 000 before accepting new applicants,” said Chiponde.

On February 29, 2024, President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera gave the department a 21-day ultimatum to restore the system and resume the printing of passports.

Chakwera said he was concerned with the suffering Malawians were being subjected to due to long wait for the travel documents.

He said as a caring leader, he would not allow his people to continue suffering to get passports when the country has plenty of ICT technocrats.

And before the expiry of the 21 days, the department announced that it had restored the system and that printing of the passports had started.

In an interview on Saturday, Chiponde, maintained that the printing of the passports is going on very well.

Chiponde also reminded Malawians that fees for the e-passports have been reduced by 55%.

According to a statement the Director General, Brigadier General Charles Kalumo, released on Wednesday, issuance of the e-Passport Issuance Services resumed gradually in Lilongwe before expanding the services to other regions.

Kalumo had stated that the Chakwera-led government has reduced the e-Passport fee by 55 percent for local Malawians, from K90, 000 to K50, 000, for ordinary passports with waiting processing time of 10 days when the system is fully calibrated and operating optimally.

“More details will be announced soon when the Honourable Ministers of Homeland Security and Information hold a press conference,” read the DG’s announcement.

Kalumo thanked Malawians for exercising patience during the time the e-passport issuance system was being fixed by a team of local experts from various entities who ‘worked around the clock to complete the task within the timeframe set by His Excellency the President’.

But it would appear that this did not please some quarters of the society, especially the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) zealots, who had been spreading fake news that the system was down again.

DPP is not happy with the department’s termination of the contract with Techno Brain where it used to get US$10 from the US$90 the company was getting from the deal.

The termination of the contract, thus, meant that the former governing party had lost its source of revenue.

It is probably against this background that DPP zealots have been writing and posting fake news about the department and its services since the party lost power in the Fresh Presidential Elections in June 2020.

President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera has described the rehabilitation of the Wovwe Irrigation Scheme has a step towards addressing food insecurity in the Northern Region as well as the whole nation at large.

Chakwera made the sentiments after inspecting the scheme on Monday. The Malawi leader is currently in the Northern Region where he is carrying out a number of official engagements.

Before visiting Wovwe Irrigation Scheme, the President consoled survivors of the recent floods in Karonga before inspecting Karonga Water Project and Nthola Illola Irrigation Scheme and a rice factory.

And speaking to a crowd that had gathered at a Kambwe Relief Kamp, President Chakwera said he was satisfied with the rehabilitation works done on the scheme.

He said the rehabilitation of the scheme will help in increasing and improving productivity thereby reducing food insecurity, not only in Karonga, but the whole nation.

He appealed to relevant authorities to ensure that the facility is well taken care of to ensure that it lasts longer and benefits future generations.