Aford needs K30 million for convention
Alliance for Democracy (Aford) president, Enock Chihana, has disclosed that the party needs not less than K30 million to hold its convention in December this year.
Chihana’s disclosure comes amid simmering tension between his supporters and another faction spearheading the revamping of the party, led by Owen Mumba.
“Preparations for the indaba have commenced and we, as a party, will soon be getting into serious but legitimate initiatives to raise money for the meeting which will be held in the Central Region. It may be Lilongwe or any other place in the Central Region,” Chihana said.
He said that a special committee has been set up, led by party Secretary General Christopher Richi, to spearhead all fundraising activities.
The convention, he said, will take about three days, during which various arms of the party would usher into office new leaders.
Chihana added that the indaba would also revise some sections of the party’s constitution as a way of sealing some loopholes that might jeopardise issues of good governance and democracy ahead of the 2019 elections.
“During the convention, we will hold a youth conference because we want to have a very serious youth wing and a women’s desk,” he said.
Since Chihana took over the reins of power after the death of his father [Chakufwa], Aford has lost its influence over the years and has increasingly been confined to the Northern Region.
Chihana admitted that Aford has been through turbulent political times, hence the need to rebrand and gain new momentum to regain the glory it enjoyed during the time of his late father.
Richi said members have not yet started expressing interest in contesting for positions at the indaba.
“Aford is a pioneer of democracy in Malawi. This is why we are the first party to come out in the open and announce the date when we will be having an elective convention. The year 2019 is close and we are not taking chances,” Richi said.
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