A two-day Cabinet retreat ended in Mangochi y e s t e r d ay w i t h stakeholders telling the Malawi Government to expect more demands from the citizenry who no longer want to sit passively in abject poverty.
The retreat provided the Cabinet ministers and development partners an opportunity to map out transformative steps for Malawians who, despite participating in peaceful elections, remain trapped in persistent poverty and shrinking incomes.
UN Assistant Secretary‑General Ahunna Eziakonwa said most of the population, including the very poor, have an idea of what prosperity looks like.
“Because they are now much more connected to the rest of the world, to their neighbours. And so, they will no longer sit
Energy Jean Mathanga looks on. | Malawi Govt Web
passively in poverty. There’s going to be greater demands, a lot more pressure on leadership to be more accountable,” she said.
Eziakonwa, who is also UN Development Programme assistant administrator and director of the Regional Bureau for Africa, said such demands will require building a resilient economy, more accountable governments, and strategic partnerships for Malawi’s transformation.
UN Women Ma lawi resident coordinator Letty Chiwara said by maintaining fiscal discipline, strengthening public financial management, and implementing forward-looking reforms, Government can create a resilient economic environment that drives human capital development, innovation, job creation and long-term prosperity for the nation.
She said while supporting the ultra-vulnerable, we must also invest in systems that end hunger sustainably, boosting productivity, building market linkages and enabling resilient livelihoods.
Said Chiwara: “A people-cent red and inclusive development agenda is needed, because even if you address the economic challenges and if you don’t do it with a people-centred and inclusive perspective, it is not sustainable.”
Minister of Information and Communications Technology Shadric Namalomba said while the economy is in bad shape, government still needs to deliver on its promises that include free primary and secondary education as well as the K5 billion Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
During the opening of the retreat on Saturday, First Vice- President Jane Ansah urged Cabinet members to seize the moment to lead with integrity, to deliver with honesty and rebuild confidence in people, institutions and future.
The retreat, held under the theme ‘Delivering the promise: Building a resilient economy, accountable governance and strategic partnership for Malawi’s transformation’, was funded by UNDP
