By Rahim Abdul
United Democratic Front (UDF) President Atupele Muluzi has questioned the government’s decision to seek support from former United Kingdom Prime Minister Tony Blair and the Tony Blair Institute in addressing Malawi’s economic challenges.
Muluzi said nearly a year into President Arthur Peter Mutharika’s administration, the government’s response to the country’s economic difficulties appears to be relying on external advisers once again.
According to Muluzi, the Tony Blair Institute also provided advisory services to the previous administration, with Malawian taxpayers footing the bill for the engagement.
He argued that despite those advisory services, Malawi continued to face growing public debt, foreign exchange shortages, rising inflation, and declining investor confidence.
The UDF leader said the country does not suffer from a shortage of advisers but rather needs bold leadership and sound economic policies capable of restoring public and investor confidence.
Muluzi further said Malawi’s future cannot be built on what he described as recycled ideas, insisting that the country requires fresh thinking and decisive economic reforms.
He also called for leaders who are prepared to make difficult decisions that can place the economy on a path to sustainable growth.
According to Muluzi, meaningful economic recovery will depend on policies that encourage investment, create jobs, and improve the livelihoods of ordinary Malawians.
He maintained that Malawians are looking for tangible improvements in the economy rather than spending more public resources on advisory services.
The government has not yet publicly responded to Muluzi’s remarks.
