PPM unveils 20-point plan

People’s Progressive Movement (PPM) interim president Mark Katsonga has said Malawi is run as if it is governed by a dictator despite adopting multiparty politics through the 1993 referendum.

Speaking during the launch of the party’s 20-Point Plan in Blantyre yesterday, Katsonga said no wonder the country has not graduated from the cycle of poverty.

He said: “Since we achieved multiparty system of government, most systems are still intact. In fact, all we achieved through multiparty dispensation are two things: freedom of speech and freedom of forming parties.  While we achieved speech, nobody in power is willing to listen to anybody and things move as usual. While we have the freedom to register parties, we have maintained the same players hence nothing is changing, bad habits die young.”

Katsonga said the 20-Point Plan, developed over a 10-year period, proposes how best the country can transform by giving power to the people.

He also challenged Malawians to have something to show for their hard earned independence.

“We have been independent for 50 years now, what can we show as a country? Most people are still as poor as they were before. But we [PPM] are saying, enough is enough. We need to move on and find a leader who understands the needs of the people, we are saying, Malawians must graduate from choosing a president just because they are from the same tribes, this is what is making Malawians lag,” he said.

During the meeting, Katsonga assured the gathering that the party will soon hold its convention.

“We will hold our convention, but right now, our priorities are the 20 Point Plan, we will move around the country, selling our points, and if there are people who feel they can add on these points, they are welcome. As a country we need to move forward and give power to our people and lay strong foundation for power, handouts can never work,” he said.