By Durell Namasani
LILONGWE — Five months after President Peter Mutharika was sworn in for his second stint in office following his victory in the September 16, 2025, elections, the initial political honeymoon is well and truly over . In what was described as a “war-time cabinet” needed to rescue a struggling economy, expectations were sky-high . Now, as the government settles, a clear picture of who is delivering and who is struggling has emerged.
In an exclusive assessment, we evaluate the performance of the cabinet ministers rating them from 0 (lowest) to 10 (highest) based on visibility, policy impact, and delivery on their portfolio mandates.
The Top Brass: A Struggle for Relevance
At the apex of government, the performance of the two Vice Presidents tells a tale of contrasting challenges.
Right Honourable Dr. Jane Ansah, SC, JA (Vice President) is rated 4/10.
While highly qualified on paper, Dr. Ansah has struggled to carve out a political identity. Her tenure was immediately rocked by a public outcry over an expensive trip to the UK, which sources say was linked to her husband’s birthday. Sources within Capital Hill indicate she has since been stripped of many key duties. “It is difficult to rate her when her office is largely directed by the State President,” one political analyst noted. It is becoming clear that the former jurist is yet to master the inner politics of the DPP.
Honourable Enoch Kamzingeni Chihana (Second Vice President) is rated 5/10.
Chihana’s position remains a political anomaly. Appointed as a thank you to the Alliance for Democracy (AFORD) for joining the Blue Alliance with the DPP, his role appears ill-defined . “Nobody knows what he is doing,” remarked a political commentator. While he attempts to stay relevant, his public addresses have been criticized for divisive rhetoric. In a struggling economy, many now view the office of a Second Vice President as an unnecessary drain on public resources, a sentiment echoed by analysts who previously questioned the need for the role .
The High Flyers (7/10 – 8/10)
While many are struggling, a handful of ministers have stood out for their competence and steady hands.
Leading the pack is;
Honourable Dr. Ben Malunga Phiri (Local Government and Rural Development) with a rating of 8/10.
Described as “always available and ready to work,” he appears to have a clear vision for decentralisation and grassroots development. This is despite past controversy surrounding his appointment, given his previous arrest on corruption charges in 2021 .
Honourable Dr. Jean Mathanga (Natural Resources, Energy and Mining) also scores an impressive 8/10.
She has been highly active since assuming the role. The government credits her with easing fuel problems, and she has been at the forefront of sorting out Malawi’s mining issues. However, the persistent electricity problems remain a major challenge that needs urgent work.
Honourable Joseph Mwanamvekha (Finance) and Honourable Roza Mbilizi Fachi (Agriculture) both secure a solid 7/10.
Tasked with the rescue of the Malawi economy, Mwanamvekha’s strategy looks promising so far, even if his focus on taxation is unpopular with the populace. He is experienced and has a vast network, though his reappointment raised eyebrows among donors due to past abuse of office charges . Meanwhile, Fachi has settled into the Agriculture ministry extremely well. She “knows what she is doing” and is widely regarded as one of the best-performing ministers in a critical sector.
Honourable Bright Msaka (Education) and Honourable George Chaponda (Foreign Affairs) also rate 7/10.
Msaka is doing well, bringing his vast experience in running government to the education sector. Chaponda, a “seasoned diplomat,” knows the ins and outs of international cooperation. However, his return to the cabinet continues to stoke fears among international partners regarding impunity, following his dismissal during the “maizegate” scandal .
The Mediocre Majority (4/10 – 6/10)
The bulk of the cabinet falls into this category, showing glimpses of competence but hampered by controversies, lack of visibility, or political overreach.
Honourable Peter Mukhito (Homeland Security) gets a 5/10.
Expectations were high given his background as former Inspector General of Police. While he has sorted out the chaotic passport issues, high-profile cases—such as the killing of a medical doctor in Blantyre and the abduction of a businessperson—remain unresolved. Furthermore, political arrests of opposition figures have raised questions of political persecution, a charge also levelled against his deputy.
Honourable Norman Chisale (Deputy Minister, Homeland Security) also scores 5/10.
The President’s former bodyguard is accused of trying to juggle too many roles. While he has assisted in the passport crisis, his military background has not yet translated into visible security improvements. Critics accuse him of focusing on targeting opposition leaders rather than genuine criminals.
Honourable Shadrick Namalomba (Information) is rated 5/10.
Once a firebrand in opposition, he has lost some of his spark now that he is in government. While he is available to the media and responds to events on time, the promised reforms at the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) are yet to materialize .
Honourable Madalitso Baloyi (Health) gets a 6/10.
A rare technocratic appointment, she has done well so far . However, she faces enormous headwinds, including a critical shortage of drugs in hospitals and the thorny issue of doctors who own private hospitals while working in public service.
Honourable Joel Chigona (Labour) gets a 6/10.
A known grafter, he is described as a man of action who talks less. However, he has been too quiet, failing to highlight his work in a ministry that carries heavy expectations. He is inevitably compared to his predecessors such as, Vitumbiko Mumba, who set a high bar for visibility and delivery in the Labour portfolio.
Honourable Alfred Ruwan Gangata (Sports) is rated 3/10.
A victim of constant reshuffling, he has moved from Minister of State, to Natural Resources, and now to Sports within five months. While vital for DPP dominance in the Central Region, he is a political novice who has a lot to learn before he self-destructs .
Honourable Feston Kaupa (Transport) and Honourable Chimwemwe Chipungu (Lands) languish at the bottom with 4/10 and 3/10 respectively.
Kaupa is virtually unknown to the public, and crucial decisions on the state of Malawi’s roads are pending. Chipungu, moved from Defence, has not been heard of in terms of land reforms.
Outlook
President Mutharika had previously warned his team that there is “no time to feast,” declaring war on lazy and corrupt ministers . With this mixed report card, it remains to be seen if the underperformers will be given time to improve or if the axe will fall in the next reshuffle. For now, Malawians are watching, and the verdict is clear: loyalty alone will not fix the economy.
