Tag Archives: Malawi President Peter Mutharika

Malawi, Regional, Top News

Malawi President Mutharika to be honoured with Brick of Africa (BOA) Award; to chair Advisory Council for African Youth

Malawi News Agency (MANA)

 

 

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Malawi President Peter Mutharika has been appointed to chair the Advisory Council for the Economic and Trade Cooperation of African Youth (ETCAY).

 

In a statement signed by ETCAY President, Alvin Clarke of Liberia; Mutharika has been appointed because of his passion and determination in empowering the youth as well as economic emancipation of Africa.

 

ETCAY was formed in June 2018 in China by 106 youth leaders from 53 African Countries who participated as delegates to the third China Africa Youth Gala in Beijing. The Gala was organized by the Chinese Government under the Forum on China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC)

 

ETCAY’s objective is to assist in coordinating and advancing growth and development across Africa using  the Youth bulge, in order to enhance the standard of living of All Africans by ensuring that some parts of Africa complement each other towards a prosperous, free, secure and globally competitive Africa through Trade and Economic Cooperation in the areas of Agriculture, Infrastructure and Real Estate Development, Sports, Science and Technology, Higher Education Institutions, Arts, Culture and Tourism.

 

Mutharika will chair the council of advisors whose nominees include President George Weah of Liberia, Prof PLO Lumumba – Dean of Law Kenya University, Aliko Dangote, Akinwumi Adezina;  ADB President, Julius Malema Amina Mohammed;  UN Deputy Secretary General, Jack Ma the Chinese tycoon and Zhou Yuxiao the Chinese Ambassador for Africa Affairs among others.

 

In promoting the spirit of pan africanism which is also among key objectives of the ETCAY, its leadership has decided to recognise and honour APM with the Brick of Africa (BOA) Award.

 

This is a signature award for those in the vanguard of building the Continent.

 

Mutharika will become the first son of Africa to receive this award for his  earnest passion, commitment, dedication, and determination in building Africa through youth empowerment,  advocacy for quality education, equal access to opportunities, and economic emancipation through agriculture.

 

The ETCAY has cited Mutharika’s advocacy role in convincing the AU to adopt “Harnessing Demographic Dividend through investing in the Youth” as its last year’s theme as one of the milestones towards shaping the future of Africa.

 

Commenting on the development, ETCAY Country Representative, Chimwemwe Kaonga said the appointment and the award are a huge honour to Malawi.

 

“Malawi stands to benefit alot from Agriculture and infrastructure projects due to the President’s appointment. We shall soon be presenting our Agricultural profile for youth engagement projects within the sector” he said.

 

The award will be presented to Mutharika by the Chinese Ambassador to Malawi and representatives of ETCAY

 

ETCAY  comprises  young professionals such as lawyers, doctors, engineers, teachers and youth activists among others.

 

Mutharika keeps gaining regional and  global prominence after being appointed youth champion for ADB and UNFPA programs recently.

Human Rights, Malawi, Top News

Malawi President Mutharika warns people against politicizing albino killings

Malawi News Agency (MANA)

By Tikondane Vega

Malawi President Peter Mutharika has warned people in the country to stop  politicizing the killings of people with albinism saying collective efforts are needed to curb the situation.

Mutharika said this in Bangwe on Sunday during a whistle stop tour he conducted in Blantyre.

The tour started from Nancholi to Zingwawa, Chilobwe, Manje, Limbe and  Bangwe.

The President said the issue of albino killings  in the country is not something that some quarters should use to advance their interest.

“The fight against albino killings requires joint efforts from churches, chiefs, enforcement agencies among others and it is not a one man show. As government we are equally concerned with the issue.

“The matter is very sensitive and at all cost people should avoid politicizing it. Let me assure all people in the country that my government will continue to offer protection to people with albinism,” said Mutharika.

Earlier, Minister of Homeland Security Nicholas Dausi echoed similar sentiments about albinism saying investigations are showing that relatives are connected to the killings of albinos in the country.

Dausi said the current government will leave no stone unturned but to arrest all suspects connected with albino killings adding justice will prevail sooner or later.

He said,” the way albino killings are happening in this country is questionable because it seems many relatives are having a hand in one way or the other. My appeal to many stakeholders including other politicians is that please let us avoid politicizing the story of albinism.

“Government is doing all it can to protect these people and let me say that like any case of albino killing, Nkhatabay and Karonga incidences are also being treated seriously and all perpetrators will be brought to book.

Human Rights, Malawi, Top News

Malawi President Mutharika denounces political violence ahead of May 21 polls

Maravi Post Reporter

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-Malawi President Peter Mutharika on Wednesday came out of the cocoon condemning escalating of political violence currently happening.

President Mutharika therefore warmed that his government will not tolerate any violence, whether political or purely criminal in its motive.

Mutharika’s condemnation comes amid calls from various quarters of the society amid his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) cadets being suspected to be behind the vice.

In a press statement signed by President’s spokesperson, Mgeme Kalirani and made available to The Maravi Post, the Malawi leader warned further that will not tolerate any acts deliberately calculated at humiliating women on the political space and creating politics of anarchy.

 

Below is the full statement;

HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT PROF. ARTHUR PETER MUTHARIKA CONDEMNS VIOLENCE

 

His Excellency the President, Prof. Arthur Peter Mutharika has noted with great concern various acts of violence perpetrated with the probable intention of stirring disorder in the country as we approach the May General Elections. The President will not tolerate any violence, whether political or purely criminal in its motive.

 

What is even more worrying is the fact that some of such violence has been targeted at women.

 

President Mutharika abhors lawlessness. The President, as a HE-for-She Champion, will not tolerate any acts deliberately calculated at humiliating women on the political space and creating politics of anarchy.

 

Additionally, the President also reiterates his condemnation of continued violence against people with albinism. The President urges all Malawians to value life for everybody and that we must always treat others as we would wish them to treat us. The President therefore directs all security forces to protect people with albinism.

 

President Mutharika values peace, love and unity among all Malawians and will ensure that these values are well safeguarded.

 

The President therefore reiterates his New Year day call to all citizens to reject savage politics of insults, attacks and hatred. Instead, Malawians should continue to promote and defend belligerently issue-based and nation-building politics.

 

Differences in political opinion are the hallmark of our democracy. It is therefore the duty of all Malawians to refuse to be used in any acts that undermine the good image of our country with its sound record of democratic governance.

 

Whereas some violence is purely criminal in motive and some is political, the President urges Malawians to join hands in the fight against violence and desist from politicising every violence that occurs in our society. The President also calls upon human rights lobby groups to stand above partisan politics and protect all women regardless of which party they belong to.

 

 

Malawi is bigger than any individual or political party. As a matter of national interest therefore, the President wants to see any individual or institution attempting to drag this country to anarchy arrested or brought to justice.

 

President Mutharika directs the Malawi Police Service to act decisively, within the dictates of the law, on any rogue elements that are promoting or perpetrating violence.

 

President Mutharika also appeals to all political leaders in Malawi to be responsible, refrain from using inflammatory language and demonstrate sound leadership by disciplining their followers who perpetrate violence on political opponents.

 

Likewise, President Mutharika urges faith leaders who are the custodians of morality to take up their responsibility of sensitizing our society because violence is primarily a moral problem first and foremost even before it becomes a political problem.

 

Finally, President Mutharika assures all Malawians that he will deploy any means necessary to ensure that Malawi remains a peaceful country before and after the elections.

 

MGEME KALILANI

PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SECRETARY & SPOKESPERSON

SANJIKA PALACE

BLANTYRE

Development, Top News

Malawi President Mutharika promises more development; Road to May 21 polls

Malawi News Agency (MANA)

 

Muntharika-and-his-wife

 

By Loness Gwazanga

 

Malawi President Peter Mutharika has pledged to upgrade South Lunzu Health Centre in Machinjiri to a community hospital once given fresh mandate in the forthcoming May 21 Tripartite Elections.

 

Mutharika made the pledge on Sunday at Luwanda Trading Centre in the area during a whistle tour he conducted in the city of Blantyre aimed to encourage Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) followers to continue supporting the party.

 

The Malawi leader told the gathering that all he wants is to make sure that poverty is alleviated among Malawians and that they have access to better social services such as hospitals and good roads.

 

“I will upgrade South Lunzu Health Centre to a community hospital. But this will only happen if you make sure that I retain my seat come May 21,” said Mutharika.

 

Mutharika urged people in the country to continue rallying behind the party and ensure that they vote for a DPP councillor, Member of Parliament as well as the president.

 

He said the construction of the 118 kilometre Chigumula-Mpemba by-pass road currently underway passing through Lunzu, Mapanga, Michiru and Mzedi would also benefit people of the area in different ways, including enhancing socio-economic development.

 

 

Mutharika at Lunzu

 

Speaking earlier, Member of Parliament  (MP )for the area, Rashid Gaffar described Mutharika’s visit as timely, saying it will give high morale to the DPP followers ahead of the elections.

 

Lifestyle, Malawi, Opinion, Top News

Corruption denying Malawi President Mutharika the legacy he desperately needs

Patseni Mauka

By Patseni Mauka

 

On Thursday, 13th September, Malawi President Peter Mutharika officially opened the Aida Chilembwe Community Technical College. The college is one of the community technical colleges being built in the country as one of the electoral promises of Mutharika and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

One of the few things that Peter Mutharika passionately talked about in the run up to the 2014 general elections was the construction of technical colleges. Even now, DPP apologists are calling the technical colleges ‘the DPP flagship project’.

According to reports, Aida Chilembwe Community Technical College has been constructed to the tune of 446 million Kwacha. Knowing the rampant corruption in the construction industry, the actual figure should be much lower with some millions of Kwachas lost in the process. When I saw the 446 million Kwacha figure, I immediately remembered a similar figure being mentioned recently.

 

Earlier this year, the country learnt with shock that DPP and Mutharika benefited from a Malawi Police Service fraudulent procurement deal. The party pocketed MK145 million in a procurement scandal masterminded by some senior police officers that defrauded the taxpayers of MK466 million in a ration racket of over MK2 billion through a fraudulent contract the police entered into with businessman Zameer Karim trading under a company called Pioneer Investments. The Police paid him an extra MK466 million on the contract without following procedures. Out of this money, Karim paid MK145 million to DPP through an account which President Peter Mutharika is a sole signatory.

 

Most of the times, when figures like 466 million Kwacha are mentioned in corruption scandals, it is not easy for some people to visualize what such money could have done if it was used properly for the development of the country. The 446 million figure mentioned as being the amount used to construct Aida Chilembwe Community Technical College helps to visualize the magnitude of loss of resources due to corruption. In short, the amount of money lost in the Police scandal could have built another community technical college!

 

There is one name which is the common denominator in the construction of Aida Chilembwe Community Technical College and the money lost in the Police Scandal. That’s the name of President Peter Mutharika. The same person that is being applauded as being the one who made it possible to build the 446 million Kwacha technical college is the same person mentioned in the loss of 466 million Kwacha in the Police scandal.

 

The significance of this can not be overemphasized. By being involved in the misappropriation of taxpayers money, Mutharika is denying the country the same things that he ‘passionately’ wants the country to have. He is also denying himself the legacy that he desperately needs.

At the official opening of Aida Chilembwe Technical College, Mutharika said by December this year, all districts in Malawi will have technical colleges. This would have been good news had it been that the colleges opened so far were built to high quality standards, with good equipment and constant flow of funds for managing them.

 

The stories so far are disappointing. Earlier this year the nation newspaper reported that inadequate funding had slowed down the push to provide quality training in the community technical colleges.

The newspaper reported that Ngara Community Technical College in Karonga, where Mutharika officially launched the skills development initiative in March 2015, is one of the affected colleges.

It further reported that during a tour, Ngara Community College Principal Green Nyirongo said inadequate funding force instructors to contribute money for the running of the institution, especially settling utility bills. Can you believe that? The billions of Kwachas being lost to corruption could have gone a long way to make the community colleges successful. It’s unfortunate that the same leader who want’s to develop the country is presiding over unprecedented corruption in the country.

The community colleges are a good initiative which, if implemented correctly, would indeed help in improving skills for the youth. However, with current implementation strategy, the students will come out half-baked or worse still without any improvement whatsoever.

It seems, the DPP government is just interested in numbers. “We have built community colleges in every district as promised and many students have already graduated, here are the photos, DPP woyee!”

Poorly equipped colleges, lack of highly trained instructors and perekani perekani type of funding means that the students graduating from these colleges can only manage kuperekera matope during brick making. This project, as being implemented now, is a failure.

In the remaining eight months of his Presidency, Muthakira and DPP should stop concentrating on benefiting from proceeds of fraudulent deals and get back to the work of fulfilling the many promises they made in 2014.

The billions lost so far have denied Malawi the necessary development that would enable it move away from the status of being one of the poorest countries in the world.

 

Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article are not necessarily the views of the Publisher or the Editor of Maravi Post

Law and order, Malawi, Top News

Malawi President Mutharika appoints Elia Daniel Bodole as new ACB Deputy Director

Maravi Post Reporter

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Malawi President Peter Mutharika on Friday  hired the service of Elia Daniel Bodole as Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Deputy Director.

The appointment of Bondole comes three months following the promotion of Reyneck Matemba to the position of ACB Director General.

In a press statement and made available to The Maravi Post, from the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) discloses that Bondole appointment is immediate effect.

 

Malawi, Politics

Shut up! You did not help me win!’ President Mutharika hits back at Chilima

Maravi Post Author
Peter Mutharika
President Peter Mutharika speaks to people during the stop over at Katoto in Mzuzu – Pic by Stanley Makuti

By Kondwani Mkhalipi-Manyungwa

Malawi President Peter Mutharika says Vice President Saulos Chilima did not help him and the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) win 2014 elections.

Speaking when he arrived in Mzuzu this evening, Mutharika called out the vice president for being a liar.

During a United Transformation Movement (UTM) rally held at Chule Primary School Ground in Dedza last Saturday, Chilima said DPP should be grateful for the role he played in 2014 elections, saying if it were not for him President Mutharika and the DPP would still be in opposition.

“At every DPP rally they claim that I am an ungrateful person DPP, what should I be thankful for? The DPP would not have won without me. I am not indebted to the DPP. I found you (DPP) in opposition and you would not have won the elections without me,” an agitated Chilima said.

Mutharika hit back at Chilima, saying DPP could have won without the vice president because the party did not do well in all areas tasked to the Vice President.

“His claims that we approached him four times are nothing but lies. He should be shameful. There was a committee that we had set up to select prospective candidates as running mates. We agreed to pick someone from the private sector.

“His name was on the final list of 15 other candidates for the position*. It happened, however, that someone on this committee leaked the list to him. He then came to see me at Area 10 the following morning but I sent him back” said Mutharika.

APM then said Chilima’s contribution was not significant because DPP performed poorly in areas where the vice president was to run campaigns.

Mutharika also said that the period Chilima joined DPP as a running mate was too close to elections to garner enough votes for the DPP to win.

“He joined us 60 days before elections and he campaigned in Lilongwe and Mchinji where we performed miserably bad. How then did he help us win?”  wondered Mutharika.

Education, Malawi, Regional, Top News

Science and technology vital for Africa industrialization agenda-Malawi President Mutharika

Malawi News Agency (MANA) 1 Comment

By Patricia Kapulula

Malawi President Peter Mutharika has emphasized on the need for African countries to promote lifelong learning opportunities for its people in science and technology to support the Africa-Must-Industrialize-Agenda.

He made the remarks in Lilongwe on Saturday when he opened the First Extra Ordinary Summit of the Committee of 10 Heads of State and Government (C10) Championing Education, Science and Technology in Africa.

He said for Africa to develop there is need for right education and skills in science and technology through adequate and sustainably financed education, sector in the long term.

Mutharika noted that education in Africa should be reviewed by changing what the current set up in the sector.

“The Africa we have today is the product of its education systems or our lack of the same. We can change Africa by changing what we do in education,” he said.

The Malawi leader observed that Africa needs education, science and technology to support the Africa-Must-Industrialize-Agenda and promote the three factors of production.

He pointed out that there are three factors of production in the education such natural resources, capital and labour which need to put into use.

The Malawi leader observed that Africa needs to turn these assets into capital and as such, education, science and technology are needed to empower people to be productive forces of progress.

“Labour as a factor of production will take us to African industrialization which demands a skilled labour force. We need to cultivate scientific, technological and innovation skills,” he said.

African Union Commission (AUC) Commissioner for Human Resources, Science and Technology, Prof Sarah Anyang Agbor said Africa needs to put in place concrete measures that would harness the demographic dividend in science, research, technology and innovation.

“We need to explore opportunities that would advance development in line with the Agenda 2063,” she said.

Agbor appealed to the private sector to be well represented in this field by offering internship programmes in science and technology in order for the continent to see positive changes.

Prime Minister of Senegal, Mahammed Boun Abdalla Dionne said there is need for Africa to create a science and innovative society in order to promote such issues at the continental level.

“Africa needs to invest in science and technology in areas where these exist. We need to give resources to translate ambitions into reality,” he said.

Dionne observed that countries could not progress in their development efforts without significant increase in scientific production hence the need to invest in science, technology, research and innovation.

The Senegalese Prime Minister bemoaned funding levels in the education sector saying it poses a threat to the development of science and technology.

“Investing in education and training is vital but then constraint is funding and this is a major challenge. If we are to progress in science and technology, there is need to invest in this through adequate funding,” he said.

Prior to the heads of State and Government Summit, Ministers of Education met on Friday whose meeting prepared the groundwork for the President’s meeting.

Politics, Top News

APM urges people of Ntcheu to continue supporting DPP

Malawi News Agency (MANA)

 

By Grace Kapatuka

Malawi President Peter Mutharika has urged people in Ntcheu to continue supporting the ruling Democratic People’s Party (DPP) for continued sustainable development in the country.

Speaking at Ntcheu old bus depot during a whistle stop tour on Wednesday, he said Malawians are already enjoying the fruits of DPP led government hence the need to give it more years to rule the country so that it continues to develop the country.

“DPP government is the only party that has the welfare of people at heart. Our party prioritizes issues to do with welfare of the people because we care. That is why I urge you the people of Ntcheu to continue supporting DPP, so that we continue with projects and development activities that will improve the lives of people,” Mutharika explained.

He asked them not to be carried away with the newly formed United Transformation Movement (UTM), saying the movement has no agenda and capacity to develop the country.

The President said he was confident that Malawians will vote for DPP again come 2019 elections even though he sees a tough campaign trail for next year’s elections.

“As you are pretty aware, we had some Judases amongst us that later turned against us. I can see a tough campaign next year, but DPP is not afraid and we are confident that Malawians are going to put us in power again because we have demonstrated that we can develop Malawi,” he said.

Mutharika reminded people in the country that no one will die of hunger as long as the DPP government is in power.

“I have taken note of Chief Kwataine’s sentiments to say that some quarters in Ntcheu are facing hunger. I would like to assure you that my government is aware of that and will make sure that we reach out to those concerned. And as I have been saying all the time, no one will die of hunger as long as I rule this country, “he assured.

On water challenges being faced in the country, Mutharika said he would in two weeks time announce a big water project for the dried Mpira dam which he said is meant to alleviate water challenges being faced in Balaka and Ntcheu districts.

Senior Chief Kwataine applauded government under the DPP leadership for several development projects that has seen people in the district enjoying good road networks and other social amenities.

He mentioned Ntcheu stadium, Tsangano turn off to Neno road as some of the projects that would improve lives of people in the district.

Human Rights, Malawi, Top News

Malawi President Mutharika on back fire with CSOs on September 21 demos

Maravi Post Reporter

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Malawi President Peter Mutharika on Monday criticized  Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) under the banner Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) for  September 21 demonstration describing it as flop.

 

President Mutharika told the news conference at Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) upon arrival  from the United Nation General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

“I’m glad the demonstrations flopped and I hope this will be the last time,” said Mutharika who looked so emotion and angry.

But HRDC vice chairperson Gift Trapence told President Mutharika that his effort must dwell on addressing challenges Malawians are facing.

Echoing with Trapence, Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) Executive Director Timothy Mtambo said demonstrations is not about numbers.

“Lost!!! You better start responding to peoples PETITION Mr President and stop mocking suffering Malawians. You and your team are embarrassed because you failed to stop the DEMOs in the Southern Region. You do not own any part of this country.

“This propaganda of yours will not better the lives of Malawians. Address corruption and massive executive thieving in your government. Do not run away from issues Mr President!!! We will continue holding you and your government accountable without fear or favour,” wrote Mtambo.

Human Right defenders Billy Mayaya chipped in describing the remarks as baseless.

“President Mutharika, presumably a legal scholar, promised to uphold the Constitution. Now he has the audacity to condemn the constitutional right to peaceful demonstrations. #Chikokeyani kapena kukhuta #nandolo za ku New York? Ife sitilola,” wrote Mayaya.

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