Africa-Press – Malawi. Vice President Jane Ansah on Tuesday told Steve Baba Malondela that his presence at a government food distribution event in Lilongwe was solely due to his position as a Member of Parliament.
The comment came during the official launch of a program under Senior Chief Kalumbu aimed at supporting households affected by hunger, highlighting a rare political exchange amid a humanitarian initiative.
Malondela, who also serves as Director of Youth for the Malawi Congress Party, emphasized that he attended the event in his official capacity rather than to join the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
He urged that national crises, including food insecurity, should transcend partisan divisions and called on Vice President Ansah to consider constructing a tarmac road connecting his constituency to Dedza, citing her personal connections to the area.
Responding to the request, Ansah stressed that Malondela’s participation was linked exclusively to his parliamentary role, noting that the DPP government engages with all political parties in programs designed to improve livelihoods.
Regarding the road project, she highlighted the annual K5 billion Constituency Development Fund as sufficient for local development if resources are effectively managed and encouraged residents to hold authorities accountable.
Turning to the maize distribution initiative, Ansah emphasized that development projects in the area are guided by national priorities rather than local affiliations.
She urged communities to adopt irrigation-based farming to reduce dependence on rain-fed agriculture, referencing a recent Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee (MVAC) report that projects four million Malawians will face food shortages between October 2025 and March 2026.
The Vice President described irrigation as a sustainable strategy to mitigate the impact of recurring climate shocks and encouraged residents to utilize rivers and other water sources for year-round crop production.
Senior Chief Kalumbu welcomed the assistance, describing it as a lifeline for households affected by poor harvests.
Wilson Molen, Secretary of the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA), reported that the number of beneficiaries in Lilongwe District has risen to 16,045 this year, up from 13,868 last year, with 2,216 people in Senior Chief Kalumbu’s area expected to receive support.
The initiative forms part of the government’s broader strategy to mitigate hunger while promoting resilient and sustainable agricultural practices across Malawi.
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