Malawi President Joyce Banda on Thursday asked the American government to support Malawi as the country grapples with human trafficking that occurs on Lake Malawi.
The President made the appeal at the White House in Washington DC when US president Barack Obama hosted four African heads of State.
Other leaders who attended the meeting were president Ernest Koroma of Siera Leone, Senegalese president Macky Sall and Jose Neves, prime minister of Cape Verde.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Obama said his government will explore all avenues that would help to transform Africa’s economy to put the continent on a sound developmental path.
Obama said Africa is beset by high levels of poverty despite having huge quantities of oil and mineral deposits.
“My government believes in cementing the already existing bilateral partnership with Africa so that Africans would also acquire the technical skills that have raised America to the admired level of economic prosperity.
“In Africa, many people are not employed: time has come for America to be preoccupied with seeking ways of making Africa an economically transformed world.
“Let us make best use of this opportunity; we have met and discussed various political and economic issues today to bring forth a new era of developing our regions. This is a unique occasion for our two continents,” said Obama.
Obama described Banda as a strong and committed leader who, he said, has greatly impressed him.
“President Joyce Banda of Malawi has demonstrated commendable performance in the short period she has led her people. She has brought to Malawi economic prosperity.
“Banda faced great social and economic problems immediately before and after she assumed leadership in Malawi, following the unprecedented death of her predecessor,” he said.
—Chimenya writes for Malawi News Agency. He is reporting from Washington DC, USA
