Finance Minister Simplex Chithyola is receiving accolades for his pivotal role in the resumption of budget support from the European Union (EU) after a 12-year hiatus. Finance Minister Chithyola Banda The EU’s renewed commitment, announced this week, includes a €55 million programme aimed at enhancing secondary education services in Malawi. The EU suspended its budget support in 2012 due to concerns over the Cashgate scandal, a major corruption scandal that led to the plundering of public resources. Chithyola’s leadership and dedication to fiscal reform have been instrumental in restoring confidence in Malawi’s financial management systems, paving the way for this significant support. Chithyola has been vocal about the need for transparency and accountability within government institutions. His efforts have included implementing reforms that align with international standards, which have garnered positive attention from development partners. The Minister expressed gratitude for the EU’s decision, highlighting that it reflects a renewed trust...

Vice President of the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Alfred Gangata has, once again, made a shocking threat to human rights lawyer Alex Kamangila vowing: “Your future is at stake.” Gangata In a statement released today, Gangata has expressed utmost concern and disappointment regarding Facebook post concerning the Gams Filling Station issue which he alleges that Kamangila has defamed him. “As a senior member of the main opposition party in this country, I take great offense to the baseless accusations you have made against me,” Gangata said. Gangata—trading under Master Boreholes Drilling Company—said the post falsely implies that he was involved in unethical and illegal activities which include snatching of properties from Malawians through manipulated court decisions. He is therefore insisting that these allegations are entirely unfounded and damaging his reputation and he considers the post as an act of character assassination intended to tarnish his image and reputation. “I...

In a remarkable turnaround for Malawi’s economic landscape, President Lazarus Chakwera has successfully orchestrated the resumption of budget support from the European Union (EU) after a decade-long hiatus. This pivotal moment, announced on Wednesday, involves a substantial allocation of €55 million (approximately K107.9 billion), with €50 million earmarked for direct budget support over a 30-month period aimed primarily at bolstering the country’s secondary education sector. The EU’s decision to reinstate budget support underscores a significant shift in international relations and reflects renewed confidence in Chakwera’s administration. Following years of strained ties, largely due to issues of governance and fiscal mismanagement, this financial backing signifies a restoration of trust and commitment to collaborative development efforts. EU Ambassador Rune Skinnebach articulated this sentiment, emphasizing that the funding is a direct endorsement of the government’s reform agenda. The initiative is designed to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of Malawi’s secondary education services, a...

Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Simplex Chithyola Banda, has courted controversy and condemnation for bragging on Facebook that he was a rich person before joining politics. Excited: Chithyola Chithyola posted countless pictures of the property, including an uncompleted house, which he claims he acquired outside the political realm. Apparently, his intention was to silence Malawians who have been raising eyebrows about his sudden opulence. “As we celebrate Mothers’ Day, this is what I built for my parents in 2017 at Namuleri Farms (1) Santhe Kasungu (LifeB4Politics)” he wrote in one post with a photo of an uncompleted house. In another post, Chithyola – who is also Malawi Congress Party (MCP) member of Parliament for Kasungu South Constituency, narrates a story of a picture, which he claims was taken in 2010. He brags that as they were celebrating their Mothers’ Day, his son – Dumisani – was asking him about...

Speakers at the just-ended 7th Summit on Tobacco Reduction have expressed concern over the booming markets for illicit smoking and vaping products, fearing this will expose the youth to harm. United Kingdom (UK)-based Louise Ross and Professor Marewa Glover of New Zealand challenged countries to come up with stronger regulations to stop them in order to reduce harm among users. Ross and Glover further recommended the banning of disposables and strengthening regulations around the packaging and names of e-liquids, which could impact popular vapes used by adults. Professor Marewa Glover Ross is a former nurse and care home manager. She created and launched the first vape-friendly stop smoking service in the world, in 2014, as part of her role as service lead for Leicester City’s Stop Smoking Service. She also works for the National Training Center for the smoke free app digital. On the other hand, Glover is a leading...