Today’s Sona in focus
President Lazarus Chakwera is set to open the 50th Session of Parliament today.
The development has excited stakeholders, who say they expect to hear a lot from the President.
Some of the issues that are coming to the fore are those of good governance, corruption, upholding rule of law and the economy.
National Anti-Corruption Alliance Chairperson Moses Mkandawire and political analyst Henry Chingaipe said the President must give hope and reaffirm the government’s commitment to fighting corruption.
“We have talked a lot about corruption fight but it seems like there is very little action on the ground. Maybe now he can talk about what steps the government is taking and the political commitment that is there to fight the vice.
On his part, Chingaipe said the President has to deliver a speech that meets the expectations of Malawians.
He said good and corporate governance issues, the performance of parastatals, economic governance, public sector reforms, Local Government institutions’ performance should be among other issues presented,” he said.
Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture Chairperson Sameer Suleman said it will be amiss if the President does not acknowledge the mess that characterised the 2022-23 Affordable Inputs Programme (AIP).
“There is so much happening, especially in the Ministry of Agriculture, which is one of the crucial ministries. What we are expecting is for the President to tell the nation about what is going on at the Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation.
“And, talking about the mess that has marred the AIP this year, there is no way the President should miss this,” he said.
Associate Professor of Economics at the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences Betchani Tchereni said the President should talk about the country’s plan for industrialisation and the promise of job creation.
“He should talk about where we are coming from and where we are going. So, we are expecting that he will highlight some of the successes that government has registered, some of the challenges and also some of the ways these challenges can be tackled,” he said.
Leader of the House Richard Chimwendo Banda said he would not say much in regards to the President’s address but said Malawians can expect anything from their leader.
“I will not preempt what the President will say. Actually, I have not seen the address myself but Malawians can expect anything from their leader,” he said.
