Michael Usi sells Joyce Banda in Denmark

Malawi President Joyce Banda was sold in Denmark as a window of hope for Malawians following her ascendancy to the high office.

Adventist Development Relief deputy country director Michael Usi told the national television station that Banda was Malawi’s hope.

During Usi’s visit to Denmark, journalist Karen Jacobsen of the Denmark national TV station asked him to give his opinion on Banda as a woman President in Malawi, the advice Usi would give to Banda which donors would take, what should be done for democracy to work in Malawi and whether it is possible for Malawi move to forward.

In an a telephone interview on Thursday, Usi confirmed having been interviewed on the Denmark national TV station on April 17 2012 when he went for an ICT meeting in that country.

The interview has been published on http://www.dr.dk/DR2/Deadline17.htm#/39280/18:53
“I told the TV that should the President fail to deliver, it is not because she is a woman. The euphoria Malawi had about a female president is immaterial. People should look at her as a window of hope because she is opening a new chapter. Under her leadership, Malawi will achieve a lot,” Usi said.

He also said he asked donors in Denmark to support government and non-governmental organisations in the country for programmes that target women, children and the youth so that political parties do not abuse them.

He also asked the donors to support the police with better salaries, housing and other incentives if corruption is to be reduced.

“I told the Danish people that to fight for good governance, there is need to improve the welfare of the police because they face high temptations in the course of their duty which revolves around fighting against corruption. They get meager salaries and can easily get tempted,” he said.

Usi said he also told the TV station that donors should help Malawians by looking at their needs and not imposing projects.