Chakwera hints at new board appointments
President Lazarus Chakwera has hinted at new appointments of parastatal boards within the next 40 days as part of completing the nine-party Tonse Alliance-led administration transition process.
In a report on his 30th day in office posted on his Facebook page yesterday, Chakwera said appointees will be encouraged to implement legislative and administrative reforms in various institutions to prepare for the roll-out of Tonse Alliance promises.
He said: “In recognition of the fact that this phase demands our concerted efforts, yesterday [Monday] I hosted a summit of the nine presidents of the nine parties in the Tonse Alliance.
“I am happy to report that although we each lead unique political entities, we remain unanimous and resolute in our commitment to not allow the parochial interests that may exist within our parties to derail our collective national agenda.”
Chakwera said the leaders have also committed to replenish Malawi through the three pillars of the Tonse Alliance philosophy that include shared responsibility for national sins of the past, shared accountability for the work of national building and shared prosperity from all national treasures.
Meanwhile, Vice-President Saulos Chilima yesterday met Minister of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare Patricia Kaliati and Minister of Foreign Affairs Eisenhower Mkaka as part of his ministerial engagements on reforms.
In his published daily update yesterday, Chilima said he has urged Kaliati that her ministry must work with the Ministry of Justice to lift an injunction on tabling of the Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Bill Amendment to resolve issues amicably with NGOs.
Said Chilima: “It is unacceptable that over a decade after enactment of laws protecting children, regulations are still not in place.”
The Bill, among others, seeks to remove statutory powers from Council for NGOs to a new NGO Regulatory Authority and make Congoma membership voluntary, a development civil society organisations describe as an attempt to kill the umbrella body.
In addition, Chilima, who is also Minister of Economic Planning and Development and Public Sector Reforms said he has welcomed a proposal from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to restructure missions in a bid to broaden the global representation and add value to the network.
