The General Assembly of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) in Malawi through its Church and Society Programme has called on government to convene an urgent, inclusive national forum to discuss challenges to the ongoing socioeconomic woes.
In a statement signed by Church and Society executive directors for Livingtonia, Nkhoma and Blantyre synods Revereds McBowman Mulagha, Elias Mwanza and Donnex Ngalande released yesterday titled, ‘A Prophetic call for justice, accountability and economic relief in Malawi’, the assembly said such a meeting should bring together government, faith leaders, civil society and the private sector.
It noted that the suffering of Malawians due to harsh socioeconomic conditions has moved beyond hardship into systemic injustice, but acknowledged the government’s efforts to stabilise the economy.
The assembly, which comprises Livingstonia, Nkhoma and Blantyre synods in Malawi, said the good intentions do not fill fuel tanks and that policy assurances do not put food on the table.
It reads in part: “A widening gap now exists between official efforts and the lived realities of ordinary Malawians. This gap is no longer merely economic—it is a crisis of trust.
“Persistent fuel shortages, disrupting transportation, agriculture and small-scale businesses; rising cost of living, making basic necessities increasingly unaffordable and regressive taxation systems.”
Mulagha. | Nation
Other concerns relate to unreliable electricity supply which it said are undermining productivity and employment opportunities.
It also decried unfair tobacco pricing structures, where farmers receive returns that fail to meet the cost of production.
The assembly has since called for full transparency in fuel procurement and foreign exchange allocation.
Reads the statement:
“Convene an urgent, inclusive national forum bringing together government, faith leaders, civil society and the private sector. Develop a shared and accountable national response to the economic crisis.”
Economics Association of Malawi (Ecama) president Bertha Bangara Chikadza said most Malawians working in the formal sector may be pushed into poverty as their incomes may not be adequate to meet basic needs, putting significant pressure on household welfare.
She said while higher taxes are good for domestic revenues and national income independence, they may also mean low development.
Said Chikadza: “The economic pressures, therefore, negatively affect both social and economic well-being as households are forced to reduce consumption of nutritious food, good healthcare and education, which can worsen poverty levels and inequality.
“Businesses may also experience reduced demand as consumers cut spending. This can slow economic growth and job creation.”
Minister of Information and Communications Technology Shadric Namalomba did not respond to our questionnaire yesterday, despite acknowledging receipt.
But on Monday, Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Decentralisation Joseph Mwanamvekha told The Nation that a recent $80 million (about K140 billion) World Bank grant and pending Rapid Response Facility stand to stabilise the economy and cushion external shocks.
He said the $80 million grant will provide Malawi with much-needed foreign exchange and that it will also help in stabilising our exchange rate.
“The coming of this money will help us to create some fiscal space for us to do development without necessarily going to borrow,” said Mwanamvekha.
Malawi’s economy is facing slow growth and the United Nations recently said economic transformation remains slow and constrained by deep structural weaknesses that could derail further implementation of the Malawi 2063 (MW2063).
