Mutharika’s Cabinet under wraps

LILONGWE, Sunday

President Peter Mutharika

Peter Mutharika is keeping names of new Cabinet ministers a secret, seven days after he took oath as president of Malawi despite parliamentary meetings set to start on Monday.

Mr Mutharika has only made one appointment of Mr Goodall Gondwe as Minister of Finance and Economic Planning and Development, saying it was the most critical portfolio at this moment to prepare the national budget that is expected to be in operation by July 1.

Vice President Mr Saulos Chilima told the media that President Mutharika will be making more appointments as and when the scrutinising process of the persons he intends to appoint in his 20 member cabinet is over.

Mr Chilima said Mr Mutharika will be announcing his Cabinet per ministry after scrutinising the individuals that will occupy the particular ministry.

“It was natural that someone was to be appointed to lead the process of formulating a national budget that is in line with our agenda, that is why this appointment has been made quickly, otherwise the Cabinet will not be announced just as soon,” he said.

Mr Chilima said the policy of the new government was to turn around the country’s economy using the bottom up approach adding that the economic policies that the minister will shape up will guide the policy of the country.

Mr Gondwe, a 78 year old economist, is expected to incorporate Mutharika’s campaign promises in the national budget before it’s implementation in July.

Mr Gondwe held the Finance portfolio in the first Cabinet of former President late Bingu wa Mutharika and has been an economic advisor to former President Bakili Muluzi.
He was also appointed Minister of Economic Planning and Development in the Former President Joyce Banda government.

Tough task
Mutharika has promised to continue with subsidised farm input programme as well as introduction of subsidising iron sheets and cement. Mr Gondwe has a tough task of incorporating the subsidy programmes in the face of poor economic growth and donors feet dragging in giving out aid.

About 40 per cent of the national budget is contributed by the country’s development partners. Meanwhile the development partners are withholding $150 million over the theft which took place in government under Former President Joyce Banda’s reign.

Source: AFP