If I were: Gertrude Hendrina Mutharika

First Lady and founder of Beautify Malawi (Beam) Trust, I would be the last to seek financial assistance from the National Aids Commission (NAC) for my trust because the trust has nothing to do with the fight against HIV and Aids.

If I were you mom, I surely would be the first to appreciate the challenges that NAC faces in fighting HIV and Aids; therefore, realise that requesting funding for activities of my trust was inappropriate and out of place.

How I wish I were the First Lady, because I would realise that the picture being painted out there is that I am taking advantage of my position to advance my personal goals which, Your Excellency Madame, could also be defined as abuse of office. That surely would not reflect well on my husband, would it?

If I were the First Lady, I would consider returning the K5 million that my trust benefited from NAC to save my integrity. Otherwise, the public would be compelled to treat my trust—which might have been established in good faith—with suspicion.

That is if only I were Her Excellency Madame Gertrude Hendrina Mutharika. Unfortunately, I am not the First Lady.