LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Cluster Committee on Social Affairs and Local Authorities has identified a number of crucial issues that should be urgently addressed to ensure that social and community development programs are implemented effectively.
Co-Chairperson for the Committee,Savel Kafwafwa said this on Tuesday, March 18 in the August house when presenting the committee report.
Kafwafwa said the committee looked into Vote 350 (Ministry of Labour); Vote 320 (Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare); Vote 180 (Ministry of Youth and Sports); Vote 120 (Ministry of Local Government, Unity and Culture); ,
Vote 121 (National Local Government Finance Committee and Vote 275 (subverted organisations) comprising of TEVETA, National Youth Council of Malawi; Malawi National Council of Sports; Malawi Council for the Disability Affairs; NGO Regulatory Authority and Kachere Rehabilitation Centre.
Kafwafwa states, “The recommendations aim to address the challenges faced by these sectors and improve the lives of all Malawians, from labour and youth development to disability affairs and local government”.
He further said that the Ministry of Labour has seen a significant increase in its budgetary allocation, with a 98% increase from MK13 billion in 2024/25 to MK21.8 billion in 2025/26.
He pointed out that the Ministry will still face challenges in implementing important programs like the graduate internship program, labor inspections, and occupational safety and health inspections (which have the potential to bring in over MK1 billion annually) despite the increase.
He added that the Malawi Council for Disability Affairs has received MK3 billion for the 2025/26 financial year, which is a 5% increase from last year.
According to Kafwafwa, the Committee observed that the Council is experiencing critical staff shortages, with important positions, including the Director of Rehabilitation Services and the Director of Finance and Administration, being vacant since 2019.
“This has made it difficult for the Council to effectively implement its programs, ” stated Kafwafwa.
He therefore said that the committee strongly recommends that the administrative structure of the Council be reviewed, and all critical positions be filled urgently.
Furthermore, the Treasury must allocate the MK2.1 billion requested by the Council to ensure the efficient implementation of its planned activities, particularly those aiming to improve the lives of people with disabilities.
