Ministerial PRO hires spark public outcry

The Tonse Alliance has come under criticism for appointing personal public relations officers (PROs) to Cabinet ministers and senior government officials who already have personal assistants (PAs).

This new arrangement, introduced by the current regime, has raised questions as the PROs sometimes conduct media interviews on behalf of their ministries which already have spokespersons.

Public policy and governance experts have expressed concerns, arguing that this move contradicts the concept of austerity es and represents an abuse of public funds, especially in the context of a weak economy.

The government could not immediately comment on the matter.

But Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace national coordinator Boniface Chibwana in an interview on Tuesday condemned the new development.

He said: “This practice is redundant, unnecessary and a cause for concern to us. We should avoid personal gratification when recruiting government officers.”

Chibwana lamented that policies aim to reduce public expenditure continue to face challenges at all levels of the government and stressed the need for prompt action.

Former presidential adviser on non-governmental organisations Mavuto Bamusi shared similar concerns in a separate interview.

He argued that hiring PROs for ministries is insensitive to the challenges facing Malawians and the state of the economy.

He asserted: “It mocks the suffering of Malawians. At worst, this decision represents the highest form of political patronage and corruption, with jobs being awarded to political supporters and family members of Cabinet ministers.”

Bamusi further contended that this move undermines austerity measures and exposes deep-seated hypocrisy within the Tonse Alliance administration.

He argued further that hiring ministerial PROs contradicts the concept of the public sector reform programme.

Centre for Social Accountability and Transparency executive director Willy Kambwandira weighed in, stating that the arrangement is not surprising.

He remarked: “The talk of austerity measures is mere rhetoric with no corresponding action.

“President Lazarus Chakwera has also failed to practise what he preaches regarding austerity measures. He continues to travel despite economic difficulties, setting a bad precedent.”

Kambwandira said the discussion of austerity measures is nothing but a mockery to Malawians who are enduring hardships due to the dire state of the economy.

Minister of Information and Digitisation Moses Kunkuyu, who serves as the official government spokesperson, was yet to respond to our questionnaire at press time yesterday.

Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Colleen Zamba could also not be reached when Nation on Sunday attempted to contact her.