MALAWI PRESIDENT ATTRIBUTES UNDERDEVELOPMENT TO HUMAN FACTOR
President Professor Peter Mutharika (APM) has said although Malawi has achieved some developments in 51 years of self-rule, there is still slow progress due to human factor.
Speaking during the independence celebrations at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre on Monday, the president said he is saddened by what he called ‘Umunthu wathu’ irresponsible citizens. He added that Malawi cannot change if its citizens are not responsible.
“We do not love our country, we must stop this,” he said. He cited of unpatriotic, dishonest, corruption, laziness as the ones that ruin the development of the country. He added that lazy people want results for which they have not worked for; “wanting things to be done for us than us doing for others.”
In addition to this, the President urged all leaders either political or religious and all Malawians to hold on to the pillars of economic progress which according to him are patriotism, integrity and hard work. He said this will help move Malawi as a nation. He further said the issues of Cash gate happened in Malawi because of lack of integrity. “We cannot change everything unless we change oneself,” he added.
On the other hand, President Mutharika said his government has lined up a lot of programs to economically develop the country. He mentioned of the Greenbelt initiative, Cement Malata subsidy program which he said will help to provide a better life for all, Public Sector Reform Program and the Provision of the Community Technical Colleges. He said these programs will help to attract foreign and local investors to do business in Malawi. He further said the Community Colleges will provide the needed skilled labor and they will help in the creation of jobs in the country.
On his part, President of the republic of Zambia Edgar Lungu said there is a need to improve the livelihoods of the people of the two countries. He said “the freedom we are enjoying today is because of great sacrifices of our fellow fathers.” He further said there is a need to remember the parted heroes by developing the countries. He added that Zambia and Malawi are not just identical twins but Siemens as both countries earned independence in 1964 and have gone through difficult times together.
This year’s celebrations were held under the theme Towards Economic Transformation for Inclusive Development. Thousands of Malawians which included Speaker of the National Assembly Richard Msowoya, Chief Justice Andrew Nyirenda and some foreign dignitaries Edgar lungu , the President of Zambia and his wife, Kenya’s Deputy President William Ruto attended the celebrations. The celebrations were spiced up by several performances i.e. Traditional Dances and an international football friendly match between the Flames of Malawi and the Cranes of Uganda.
On 06th July 1964, Malawi attained its independence from the British Colonization. So far, it has had five head of States.
BY: Yamikani Ben Kamoto
