By Staff Contributor
President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika is being urged to carry out an urgent Cabinet reshuffle and fire ministers who have failed to match his vision for Malawi.
The call comes as the President continues to implement austerity measures, cut wasteful workshops, and push money directly to the people through CDF, Youth and Women Loans, and School Bursaries.
While some ministers are working day and night to deliver that vision, others have gone quiet.
Sources close to government and party owners say the President cannot afford to carry deadwood in a lean, austerity Cabinet. If Malawi is to move, the non-performers must go forthwith.
Ministers named for firing are Madalitso Baloyi of Health and Sanitation, Simon Itaye of Industrialisation, Business, Trade and Tourism, Patricia Wiskies of Natural Resources, Joel Chigona of Labour, Skills and Innovation, Alfred Gangata of Youth, Sports and Culture, Shadreck Namalomba of Information and Communications Technology, Feston Kaupa of Defence, and Thoko Tembo of Mining, together with Deputy Ministers Francis Foley of Education, Science and Technology, Edgar Tembo of Industrialisation, Business, Trade and Tourism, and Charles Chilambula of Health and Sanitation.
Why they must go
The common complaint against them is not personal. It is performance.
The media rarely writes about them because they rarely make news. In ministries where Malawians expect to see action, there has been silence.
In Health, Malawians are still complaining about drug shortages in hospitals, long queues, and poor communication from the ministry.
The public expected a visible, hands-on minister to tour hospitals, explain the drug supply chain, and assure the nation. That visibility has been missing.
In Trade and Industrialisation, the President’s vision is clear: produce, export, and create jobs.
But business owners say they have not seen a strong push for local industries, no clear export drive, and no regular engagement with traders. The ministry has been quiet while prices and unemployment remain the biggest worries for ordinary Malawians.
In Natural Resources and Mining, Malawi is sitting on wealth. The country has minerals, forests, and tourism potential. But Malawians have not seen new mining deals explained, no clear protection of forests, and no strong plan to turn natural resources into jobs.
Mining was split from Energy to give it focus, but that focus is yet to be felt on the ground.
In Labour, Skills and Innovation, the youth are waiting for jobs and skills. The ministry was expected to be the engine for youth employment, technical colleges, and innovation. Instead, it has been one of the quietest ministries in the Cabinet.
In Youth, Sports and Culture, the youth expected energy and presence.
The Scorchers have made the nation proud, and the President has released K50 million to every constituency for sports.
But the ministry itself has not been visible in driving youth programmes, culture, and sports development across the districts.
In Information, Malawians expected a minister who would explain government programmes clearly, defend the President’s vision, and counter misinformation.
Instead, government communication has remained weak, leaving the President’s good work to be explained by party supporters on social media.
In Defence, the ministry is expected to be disciplined and efficient.
But there has been little public evidence of reform, welfare of soldiers, or clear direction.
The deputy ministers named are accused of the same problem: invisibility. Deputy ministers are supposed to support and complement their ministers. In these cases, the public has hardly felt their presence.
*The performers must stay*
While those named must go, the rest of the Cabinet must be retained because they have shown what it means to serve APM’s vision.
Joseph Mwanamvekha at Finance has stabilised the economy and defended austerity.
Roza Mbilizi at Agriculture has pushed irrigation and food security. Bright Msaka at Education has been visible in schools and reforms.
Charles Mhango at Justice has defended the Constitution. George Chaponda at Foreign Affairs has restored Malawi’s image abroad.
Ben Phiri at Local Government has taken development to councils. Jappie Mhango at Transport has pushed the M1 Road and other road projects. Peter Mukhito at Homeland Security has restored order.
Mary Navicha at Gender has defended women and children. Chimwemwe Chipungu at Lands has worked on land reforms. Jean Mathanga at Energy has pushed power projects.
These ministers are making news because they are making progress.
Owners must understand
The owners of the party – the grassroots members in branches, districts and villages – must understand that this call is not about hate. It is about protecting APM’s legacy.
The President is working harder than many younger ministers. He cannot build Malawi alone. He needs a Cabinet that works at his pace.
Austerity means every kwacha must count. A minister who does not deliver is costing the nation, not just the President.
The message is clear: President Mutharika must reshuffle now. Fire the non-performers forthwith.
Retain the performers. Bring in new blood that understands the vision.
Malawi has seen what APM can do when his team works. Now he must remove those who are slowing down his unstoppable vehicle for development.
