By Burnett Munthali
The official residence of Malawi’s Vice President, Dr. Jane Ansah, has been lying vacant for over four years, a victim of neglect and bureaucratic red tape. Principal Secretary in the Office of the Vice President, Eric Yesaya, has shed light on the reasons behind Dr. Ansah’s decision not to occupy the residence in Area 12.
The house, which is supposed to be the Vice President’s official abode, has been uninhabitable since 2020 due to extensive damage caused by previous occupants. Despite repeated requests for funding to renovate the property, the process has been bogged down by delays and a lack of funds. In the 2024/2025 financial year, the budget for renovations was not allocated, despite a proposal being submitted by the Office of the Vice President.
According to Yesaya, when Dr. Ansah was sworn in, she found the house to be in a deplorable state and opted to stay in her personal house instead. The Office of the Vice President then approached the Ministry of Lands and Housing to look for alternative accommodation, but the rentals quoted were deemed “unrealistically high” by the Vice President. The rentals for three identified houses ranged from K7 million to K15 million, a cost that was considered prohibitive.
The estimated cost of renovating the Area 12 residence has been a contentious issue, with initial assessments putting it at K2.3 billion, a figure that was later deemed excessive. A revised assessment put the cost at K820 million, but funding was not released. Yesaya attributes the delay to the government’s inability to complete the renovations, rather than any refusal on the part of the Vice President to occupy the house.
The Vice President’s decision to remain in her personal house, despite being entitled to official accommodation, speaks volumes about her commitment to accountability and prudent use of government resources. By choosing to stay in her own home, Dr. Ansah is demonstrating a willingness to prioritize the interests of the nation over personal comfort, a move that is likely to resonate with many Malawians.
