JB appoints M’mbelwa as TCC board chair

Malawi President Joyce Banda has appointed the crown prince to the M’mbelwa throne as the board chairperson of the Tobacco Control Commission (TCC) effective Sunday, September 8 2013.

Mkhosi Jere, who is set to be M’mbelwa V, had his maiden assignment on Sunday at Sun and Sand Holiday Resort in Mangochi at the 2013 annual tobacco seminar designed to review the industry’s performance this year.

He replaces Gamaliel Bandawe who has served TCC for over six years.

In an interview, Jere said he was grateful to President Banda for entrusting him to be at the helm of TCC.

“I am going to closely work with the President and all tobacco stakeholders to ensure that we continue the government’s agenda of promoting tobacco farming and recovering the economy,” he said.

According to Jere, although Malawi’s tobacco industry is facing pressure from the international market, it was imperative for all tobacco industry players to join hands and fight against all the threats enshrouding the sector which he said is supporting millions of livelihood in Malawi.

He cited the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) guidelines as one key threat to the industry which he said could potentially damage the economy once implemented.

He also said during his term, he will strive to fight against Non-Tobacco Related Material (NTRM) as well as illegal cross-border trade which he said are all eating into the gains of the country’s tobacco sector.

“I applaud the President for the recent positive developments in the tobacco sector, including reforms in the industry such as the introduction of the Integrated Production System [IPS] as well as the directive to allow tobacco growers to be paid in dollars,” said Jere.

According to TCC chief executive officer Bruce Munthali, the new board comprises 12 individuals, four ex-officials and eight appointed members.