The Executive appointment of public officials in public institutions is fueling sectionalism and making public institutions operate below the expectations of the people. For many Malawians it is difficult to access services or find jobs unless they are connected. Malawi has now become a society where merit is sacrificed for sectionalism. This is one of the reasons Malawi is backwards. It has been a cry for many professionals and Malawians of good will that the appointment of officials in public institutions should be done on merit. But it seems the clarion call is falling on deaf ears.
According to media reports, President Peter Mutharika recently endorsed Fiona Mwale as the new Clerk of Parliament and rejected Judge Charles Mkandawire who came first during interviews and was recommended by the Parliamentary Service Commission which comprises members from all political parties.
If we believe that, the rejection of Mkandawire as Clerk of Parliament would not only defeat the purpose of conducting interviews, but would also undermine the public sector reform that advocates people to be appointed on merit rather than sectionalism. It also makes Malawians to lose the little faith they have in the reforms programme because there is no political will to change. Government is still trapped in “business as usual” mode.
Already Misa Malawi is urging MPs to reject the Communications Act amendment Bill which wants to give the president power as the sole appointing officer for the boards and management of Malawi Communication Regulatory Authority and Malawi Broadcasting Corporation. MISA is aware, like many Malawians, that the president will hand-pick his own people to fill in the positions at Macra and MBC.
Malawians are now vehemently opposed to the idea of the executive appointing people in positions. The consequences of this has been evident. Recently, Minister of Local Government Kondwani Nankhumwa was shocked at the state of decay in the city of Lilongwe and was equally shocked that the Council Lodge has been non-operational for decades when the structure could have been a source revenue for the assembly. Whether he knows this or not, one of the major problems lies in the manner the CEOs are appointed. Leadership at councils is not appointed on merit, but sectional lines. This can also be extended to other institutions. For example, Malawi Broadcasting Corporation has been an embarrassment to the nation for decades because CEOs are appointed on political lines rather than on expertise and professional qualifications.
Even foreigners have observed that the poverty in Malawi is strange because Malawi is endowed with rich natural resources and have qualified people. During the Economic Association of Malawi Annual Conference, World Bank Country Manager Laura Kullenberg (The Nation, 12 November 2015) “wondered why Malawi remains so poor despite having many advantages to develop through its land, water, natural talent and expertise of its people.” One reason is that political appointments are retarding development and leaders are hugely contributing to this because of the way they run the country. Political appointees rarely serve the people, but political leadership. For many of them, it becomes an opportunity to amass wealth. Even when they misuse resources of the organisation, no action is taken against them. This is Malawi where leaders say one thing and do another. When will leaders walk the talk? n
