Malawi Government is yet to roll out monthly social protection grants to the elderly almost a year after the passing of the Older Persons Act meant to, among others, facilitate the arrangement.
President Lazarus Chakwera signed the Bill into law on May 19 2024 and it was published in the Malawi Government Gazette Supplement on May 31 2024.
But in an interview yesterday, Malawi Network of Older Persons’ Organisation (Manepo) executive director Andrew Kavala said the Act became operational on September 16 2024.
He said provision of grants for older persons was yet to be implemented and referred The Nation to Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare and Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs.
Kavala further said a national steering committee on older persons has also not been established.
He said: “Notably, the 2025/26 National Budget does not account for the initiative. Seek clarification on the reasons behind this exclusion.
“We are actively engaging our donors to secure the necessary resources for implementation.”
Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare spokesperson Pauline Kaude said in a written response yesterday that the disbursement of grants was awaiting allocation of resources.
However, she did not give a date for establishment of the steering committee.
Said Kaude: “The Act among other things establishes the older persons’ grants whereby older persons aged 70 years and over will be receiving a monthly grant.
“The scheme is yet to be rolled out as our ministry is awaiting resource allocation from the Ministry of Finance. The committee will be constituted in the near future.”
On the other hand, Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs spokesperson Williams Banda said Treasury has just processed funding for all ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).
But Kaude indicated that there was no allocation for the older persons grant in her ministry’s final budget ceilings.
The Act mentions provision of financial aid in the form of monthly grants to older individuals across the country to enhance their economic well-being and dignity.
It also provides for establishment of a National Steering Committee on older persons which will supervise the efficient implementation, enforcement, and oversight of the provisions of the Act to ensure transparency and accountability.
In September 2024, former minister of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare Jean Sendeza said both the establishment of the steering committee and the payment of the grants await the completion of an ongoing systems merging process within her ministry.
Manepo data show that the number of older persons has doubled since 1987, from 473 890 to 891 805.
A 2023 research jointly conducted by HelpAge International and Manepo found that the food, fuel and finance crisis has put Malawians at risk of increased poverty and food security, with the elderly being the worst hit.
Provision of a K15 000 monthly allowances for elderly people aged about 65 was part of the Tonse Alliance’s campaign promises in the June 2020 court-sanctioned fresh presidential election.
