APM urges patriotism, integrity, hard work
President Peter Mutharika has urged Malawians to be patriotic, have integrity, work hard and strive for positive results in everything they do if the country is to transform economically.
In his address during the country’s 51st Independence Anniversary Celebrations (IAC) at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre on Monday, Mutharika said the human factor is one challenge hindering people from embracing the three pillars he introduced at the ceremony.
The four initiatives include attracting foreign investors to bring their money to Malawi so that the country should move forward; launching a skills development programme to create a skilled labour force to support the expanding market through launch of community colleges.
The other two include public sector reforms and the green revolution supporting farmers with subsidised inputs to ensure the country has food and Malawians are sleeping in decent houses.
Said Mutharika: “There are people who do not love their country; others are lazy while others lack truthiness. We cannot develop Malawi if we are not responsible. We cannot change anything unless we change ourselves.”
Speaking at the celebrations, Zambian President Edgar Lungu said while many African countries have achieved independence, they are yet to attain economic emancipation.
He said Malawians should let the independence continue to inspire them in their quest to eradicate hunger, poverty and disease.
The IAC, held under the theme Towards Economic Transformation for Inclusive Development in Malawi, were spiced up by a number of activities, including military and police displays, traditional dances and performances by several artists and a football match between Malawi’s Flames and the Cranes of Uganda.
Apart from Lungu, who came with his wife Esther, Kenya’s Vice-President William Ruto, Chief Justice Andrew Nyirenda and Speaker of the National Assembly Richard Msowoya were among notable officials at the celebrations which attracted thousands of Malawians from all walks of life.
