The Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) has called for urgent economic reforms, accountable leadership and improved public service delivery as the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration completes one year in office.
In a statement released yesterday, signed by CCAP Blantyre Synod Church and Society Programme executive directors Reverend Donnex Ngalande and Reverend Godwins Maere, the church warned that persistent foreign exchange shortages, renewed fuel scarcity, rising living costs and accountability concerns are undermining Malawians’ welfare.
The church said economic stabilisation must translate into tangible relief for citizens, particularly amid fuel supply uncertainty, limited access to essential medicines and rising agricultural production costs.
On accountability, the synod called for updates and parliamentary oversight of the Public Service Pension Trust Fund’s purchase of Amaryllis Hotel, which is under investigation by the Anti-Corruption Bureau. It said the investigation did not, by itself, establish criminal guilt.
The concerns come amid a mixed assessment of President Peter Mutharika’s first year in office. The Nation’s recent performance audit described the economy as partially stabilised but still fragile, with foreign exchange shortages, public debt and persistent blackouts weighing on households and businesses.
Meanwhile, Malawi Council of Churches secretary Alemekezeke Phiri backed the concerns, saying poor households bear the brunt of failing public services.
In a statement released last night, Minister of Information and Communications Technology Shadric Namalomba said government has taken note of the issues raised by the church.
