Five years ago, Malawians elected a president who campaigned on a bold promise of national transformation. But in his quest to be loved by all, Lazarus Chakwera became a leader feared by none. He forgave when he should have dismissed, prayed when citizens demanded policy, smiled when voters expected outrage, and appeared to shield wrongdoers instead of holding them accountable.
Nowhere was this leadership failure more evident than in his handling of public sector reforms — the very engine meant to drive Malawi out of mediocrity.
In February 2021, Chakwera commissioned a task force to investigate abuse of public resources, including Covid-19 funds. Led by the late vice-President Saulos Chilima, the team completed the Public Sector Systems Review and submitted its findings to the President. The report exposed systemic flaws in allowances, procurement, and employment contracts across ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs). Yet, Chakwera chose not to act. The report remained shelved until his departure from office last month.
This was no ordinary document. It was a blueprint for ending waste and corruption. But instead of implementing its recommendations, the administration allowed scandal after scandal to unfold. The fertilizer procurement saga, which saw taxpayers’ money vanish into ghost companies, and the fuel mess at Nocma, revealed the depth of negligence and lack of oversight. Citizens were left questioning whether the country had a leader or merely a figurehead.
The infamous $6.8 billion Bridgin Foundation “grant” further underscored the administration’s failure in due diligence and accountability. It became a national embarrassment — not just a misstep, but a symptom of deeper dysfunction. Without proper checks and balances, Chakwera’s government became fertile ground for opportunists, while ordinary Malawians bore the brunt of mismanagement, poor services, and economic stagnation.
Public sector reforms are not a luxury. They are a necessity for national survival. A strong civil service, transparent procurement systems, and merit-based appointments are the backbone of good governance. Without them, corruption thrives and inefficiency becomes the norm. Malawians cannot afford another administration that treats reforms as optional while citizens pay the price for incompetence.
For the Democratic Progressive Party, the lessons from the MCP era are clear: reforms must be pursued with courage, consistency, and consequence. Anything less risks repeating the same cycle of scandals, stagnation, and public disillusionment — especially with the 2030 elections on the horizon.
Now, as President Arthur Peter Mutharika returns to State House, he must do what his predecessor failed to do: revive the public sector reforms. After all, it was under Mutharika’s first term in 2014 that these reforms were launched, with Chilima as their initial champion. The goal then was to modernise the public sector and make it responsive to the needs of Malawians.
Eleven years later, that vision lies in ruins. MDAs continue to overspend, procurement remains chaotic, and corruption has become endemic. The very institutions meant to lead reform have become part of the problem.
Mr President, if you truly intend to rebuild Malawi, start by reopening those drawers at Kamuzu Palace. Dust off the Public Sector Systems Review, read the pages your predecessor ignored, and implement its recommendations. Otherwise, history may record that once again, comfort was chosen over courage.
These reforms are not about pleasing donors. They are about saving Malawi from collapse under the weight of wasteful appetites. What citizens demand now is action — not rhetoric from political podiums.
