JB welcomes policy criticism

Malawi President Joyce Banda on Thursday dubbed her administration “a listening government” and challenged critics to freely debate and critique her policy options.

The President said this at Sunbird Nkopola Lodge’s Lakeshore International Conference Centre in Mangochi when she officially opened the annual economic conference of the Economics Association of Malawi (Ecama. The conference is being held under the theme ‘Discovering Pillars of Sustainable Economic Growth’.

“I welcome you to debate openly and freely; and develop recommendations for us on how we can improve our approach,” said Banda amid applause.

The President said she was glad to note that many people are voicing their opinions towards the Economic Recovery Plan (ERP) currently under implementation.

Banda’s statement comes at a time when her government is facing an uphill task to resuscitate the ailing economy inherited from the late president Bingu wa Mutharika in April this year.

The economy is currently paralysed by skyrocketing headline inflation rate currently at 28.3 percent, high interest rates to borrowers and erratic power and water supply, among other shocks.

Said the President: “We are humble enough to recognise that while we will always have the best intentions, we may not always have all the best answers.”

Minister of Economic Planning and Development Atupele Muluzi said the implementation of the ERP will be a critical instrument to unlock the potential that was lost during the last regime.

Ecama acting president Edward Chilima pledged support towards government’s efforts to revive the economy. He assured the President of timely and well-researched advice from Ecama members.