President Lazarus Chakwera on Friday sworn-in two ministers and two top bosses at the National Intelligence Services.
Jacob Hara, new Minister of Transport has replaced Sidik Mia, who succumbed to Covid-19 on January 12 this year while Blessings Chinsinga is new Minister of Local Government, replacing Lingson Belekanyama who also died of Covid-19 complications on the same day.
Prior to swearing-in the two ministers, Chakwera sworn in office Dokani Ngwira as director general of the National Intelligence Services and Isaac Maluwa as deputy director general of the intelligence body.
The ceremony took place at the Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe.
Without explaining why it has taken him this long to fill the ministerial vacancies, Chakwera echoed sentiments he made when he was sworn in as the sixth Malawi President on June 26 2020—asking well-meaning Malawians to help him run the government.
Said Chakwera: “I told Malawians that I need their help to run a government that inspires, not infuriates; a government that listens, not shouts; a government that fights for them, not fighting against them. Today, I stand by that belief. I believe that the best way to govern Malawi is by the help of Malawians.”
He advised the new office bearers to be wary of comments and advice from the people that they are going to be surrounded with, saying: “There may be Malawians that are going to insult you, vilify you, among other things. But you should not allow their negative voice to affect you.”
According to Chakwera, the newly sworn-in individuals must instead keep close to themselves the people who shall help them deliver in the best interest of Malawians.
