Africa-Press – Malawi. President Lazarus Chakwera is facing public backlash for appointing Simplex Chinthyola Banda as Finance Minister and Economic Development as the latter was previously trapped in abuse of Global Fund’s HIV and AIDS money worth MK60 million (US$75,000).
Chakwera on Saturday night, October 7, 2023, replaced Sosten Gwengwe with Chinthyola as finance minister while Gwengwe has gone back to Minister of Trade and Industry. Before the appointment, Chithyola was Minister of Trade as he holds a Degree and Master of Public Administration (online schooling).
Career
He has worked in different portfolios in Non-Governmental Organisations NGOs (but not related to finance) He has been a managing director of his own local NGO in Balaka (Chinansi Foundation).
He is a member of parliament for Kasungu east He was the minister of trade Chithyola’s appointment has attracted mixed reactions regarding funds mismanagement at Chinansi Foundation. How safe is Malawi’s hard-earned taxpayers’ money going to be under his watch?
“Chithyola Banda’s education background has no background in finance. His work experience has been more in human rights and development. I therefore doubt if he is going to deliver. For me, he will be worse than Sosten Gwengwe.
“The best way Chakwera was to recruit a finance technocrat of international calibre. Leave politics aside, this position needs a lot of exposure, expertise, and understanding. Unfortunately, so far, no member of parliament in the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) can handle the ministry of finance”, dares Chikalaza Mlangeni.
Mofolo Kalinde adds, “The modern world needs someone with economic background to drive economic agenda on fiscal and monetary policies, not pastors, lawyers”.
Precious Mtambo differs, “The late John Tembo had no economic background but he served as finance minister and Reserve Bank Governor for 13 years. Aleke Banda also served as finance minister. Things worked out. Why not with Chinthyola”.
This comes as Chakwera’s Tonse Alliance government is failing to fix the ailing economy coupled with high inflation, cost of living, scarcity of forex, fuel, essential medical suppliers, farm inputs, and among others.
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