Ministry of Information and Communications Technology yesterday said First Vice-President Jane Ansah is only taking five officials on her private trip to the United Kingdom (UK) at a cost of K168 million, not the K1.9 billion that went viral on social media.
The statement from Minister of Information and Communications Technology Shadric Namalomba followed unverified social media reports that Ansah would be taking 15 people at a cost of K1.9 billion. The Vice-President’s office consistently maintained that those figures were incorrect.
He said: “The total approved budget for this official visit is K168 028 400. This amount covers all associated costs, including international air travel and travel allowances for the delegation.
“Under normal circumstances, the trip would cost K294 719 200. However, considering the prevailing economic situation and the austerity measures announced by His Excellency President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika in October this year, the cost was substantially reduced to align with the fiscal principles.”
Namalomba, who is the official government spokesperson, said Ansah will undertake the private visit to the UK from December 26 2025 to January 10 2026.
He said government remains dedicated to the principles of prudent financial management and responsible use of public resources in all official activities.
But while welcoming the development, Centre for Social Transparency and Accountability executive director Willy Kambwandira said the explanation signals damage control.
In a separate interview, Human Rights Defenders Coalition chairperson Michael Kaiyatsa said last evening that the communication remains incomplete as it does not disclose particulars of those accompanying the Vice-President and breakdown of the approved budget.
But private practice lawyer Bright Theu said as per the Presidents (Salaries and Benefits) Act, the law does not clearly state how the Vice-President can traveI.
“Maybe that is contained in some government circular or some government document which I don’t have access to. The benefits under the law are very limited.
“There is talk about spouses travelling privately, but limited to twice a year, something like that. Apart from that, there is nothing that you find in the act talking about travel as such,” he said.
