By Chisomo Phiri

President Arthur Peter Mutharika has urged newly appointed cabinet members to prioritize national interests over personal gain as they take up their ministerial duties.

Speaking at Sanjika Palace in Blantyre during the swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday, Mutharika emphasized the importance of selfless leadership and accountability in driving Malawi’s development agenda.

Those sworn in included Second Vice President Enock Kamzingeni Chihana, Minister of Industrialisation, Trade, Business and Tourism George Partridge, and Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development Roza Mbilizi.

Said Mutharika:“The oath you have taken today is a solemn commitment to the people of this country that you will serve them.

“It is not about oneself. It is outdated and unacceptable to enrich ourselves at the expense of the people we are meant to serve.”

The president reminded the new office bearers that their roles carry a great responsibility to ensure that the government delivers meaningful development to all Malawians.

“You must be vigilant and dedicated in helping this government deliver on its promises to the people,” said Mutharika.

In an interview with local media after the ceremony,Partridge expressed gratitude for his appointment and pledged to contribute to economic transformation through his ministry.

“I am deeply honoured to be entrusted with this responsibility. My focus will be on promoting industrial growth, trade expansion, and sustainable business practices that will transform Malawi’s economy,” he said.

The ceremony marked another milestone in Mutharika’s ongoing efforts to strengthen his administration and enhance service delivery across key sectors.

By Chisomo Phiri

President Arthur Peter Mutharika has announced that his administration is set to procure 200,000 metric tons of maize from Zambia as part of its immediate response to Malawi’s pressing challenges in food security, foreign exchange, fertilizer, and fuel supply.

Speaking on Monday during a meeting with Scottish First Minister John Swinney at Sanjika Palace in Blantyre, Mutharika said the government is currently finalizing financial arrangements to facilitate the maize importation.

The president emphasized that his government is committed to sourcing fertilizer from reputable international suppliers, saying Malawi must avoid previous mistakes of relying on unqualified dealers.

Mutharika further underscored the importance of investing in mining, manufacturing, production, and value addition as long-term strategies to address persistent forex shortages and other economic constraints.

He also highlighted ongoing efforts in the energy sector, including regional power interconnection projects, but acknowledged that limited financial resources remain a major hurdle.

On his part, First Minister John Swinney said his visit aimed to deepen Malawi–Scotland cooperation, building on two decades of partnership.

He noted that the renewed collaboration will focus on inclusive education, health, equality, renewable energy, and economic justice, stressing the importance of an innovative and forward-looking approach.

In his remarks,Minister of Foreign Affairs George Chaponda commended Mutharika for outlining both short-term and long-term measures to revitalize the county’s economy.

He also expressed gratitude to the Scottish Government for its continued support to Malawi, particularly in the education and health sectors.