Africa-Press – Malawi. The Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) is daring newly appointed Trade and Industry Minister Sosten Gwengwe to swiftly act on the exorbitant price of sugar.
The grouping observes that Gwengwe’s redeployment to the trade ministry from finance is a “litmus test as to whether he will act in the best interest of the country, especially the poor majority that are affected by what goes on in this ministry”.
Addressing the news conference in the capital Lilongwe on Monday, October 9, 2023, CDEDI Executive Director Sylvester Namiwa said former Trade Minister Simplex Chinthyola Banda gave Malawians false hopes on sugar prices.
“The Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) wishes to welcome Hon Sosten Gwengwe back at the Ministry of Trade and Industry and sees his re-assignment as a litmus test as to whether he will act in the best interest of the country, especially the poor majority that are affected by what goes on in this ministry.
“Having been at this ministry before, and in some respects having shown signs of delivering, Hon Gwengwe needs no reminding about cartels and monopolies that disadvantage Malawians and, again, especially the poor majority who are failing to even afford a basic necessity such as locally-manufactured sugar.
“It is important to highlight that cane growers in Chikwawa, Salima, and Nkhotakota, who sacrificed their land for the sugar industry, are languishing in poverty while the sugar produced on their land is selling three times cheaper outside the country than here at home where it is produced,” says Namiwa.
He added, “It is against this background that CDEDI reminds Hon Gwengwe that his predecessor Hon Simplex Chithyola-Banda gave Malawians false hopes that they would wake up one morning greeted by reduced sugar prices on the shelves. They recall him giving an ultimatum to the sugar manufacturers to reduce the price. They recall him presiding over a series of consultative meetings of stakeholders in the sugar value chain.
“It gave them hope, and they are still hoping for that moment. So, Hon Gwengwe has his work cut out as far as the call for sugar prices to fall is concerned. In the interest of transparency and accountability, CDEDI wishes to draw Hon Gwengwe’s attention to the meeting President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera had with the Illovo Sugar Africa Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr. Gavin Dalglesish in South Africa in August 2023, which he attended”.
Namiwa adds, “Given his involvement at the meeting, and his re-assignment to the Ministry of Trade and Industry, it will only be fair for Hon Gwengwe to appreciate why Malawians would include his handling of the goings-on in the sugar industry in their assessment of his first 100 days in office.
“Simply put, Hon. Chithyola-Banda represented and inspired hope in Malawians that one day they would be able to afford sugar which is Vitamin A fortified. He did not only endear himself to the majority poor but, also, broke the silence on cartels that dehumanizing Malawians”.
“CDEDI wishes to seize this opportunity to give President Chakwera the benefit of the doubt that the swapping of the ministerial roles of Hons Gwengwe and Chithyola-Banda is on merit, hence, the two need to assume their roles knowing that both the President and Malawians have high expectations from them.
“It is a fact that cartels in Trade and Industry are undermining efforts to resuscitate the country’s economy that is on a life-supporting machine,” says Namiwa. Gwengwe is yet to comment on his first assignment at Trade Ministry.
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