The Office of the President and Cabinet has reconstuted Copyright Society of Malawi (Cosoma) Board barely a month after it was appointed.
In the new set up, Bishop Chimwemwe Mhango is now the new board chairperson replacing seasoned filmmaker Eziaus Mkandawire. Another casualty is musician Deborah Ntopa who has also been removed from the board.
Mhango will be deputised by legal practitioner-cum-musician Edgar Kachere, who was also holding a similar position in the initial board. Other members are Wendy Harawa, Bishop Chimwemwe Chafumuka, Anthony Dumba and Evelyn Chisambiro.
Mhango said he is excited with the appointment and has expressed his gratitude for being entrusted with the task to head the Cosoma Board.
In an interview, Mkandawire confirmed his removal, but said he could not shed more light on the issue.
“I just got the communication from the Cosoma executive director Dora Makwinja informing me that the government has reconstituted the board and I am no longer chairperson. I cannot speculate much since no reason has been given and for fear of legitimising an anomaly too,” he said.
On her part, Ntopa said she is surprised with the turn of events and feels procedures leading to their removal have been flouted.
“I did not expect that I would be removed from the board because the way I understand is that you are put in the board by the general assembly according to the Copyright Act of 2016 Section 7,” she said.
The section in question states that the board shall consist of nine members, all citizens of Malawi. A chairperson, appointed by the minister from among the members appointed under the “six persons nominated” category. Six persons nominated at the annual general assembly of the society from its members or member–associations, and then appointed by the minister.
Speaking in a separate interview, Cosoma public relations officer Catherine Mitungwi said the appointing authority did not furnish them with reasons for the changes.
“We just carry out the instructions that have been given to us. In that case we cannot speculate why government has made the changes,” she said.
In a brief written response, Comptroller of Statutory Corporations Stuart Ligomeka said: ‘So many changes have happened to a number of boards. It is not only Cosoma. Changes are done because of exigence of duty.
“Were these people given reasons when they were being appointed?”
