By Twink Jones Gadama
President Lazarus Chakwera’s recent State of the Nation Address (SONA) has left the nation reeling.
The speech, meant to inspire confidence and outline the government’s vision, was instead marred by misleading claims and twisted facts.
But who’s behind this embarrassing debacle? Is it a case of sabotage, systemic inefficiency, or simply a lack of accountability?
As we delve deeper into the mystery, it becomes clear that the problem runs far beyond just the Presidential Communications Department.
The speechwriters and information handlers may have failed to fact-check, but where did they source their information from? The answer lies in the line ministries and departments, which are responsible for overseeing government projects and ensuring accurate reports reach the presidency.
Ministers and Principal Secretaries, tasked with compiling and submitting reports, may have played a role in perpetuating the misinformation.
But even they rely on reports from District Councils, which implement projects on the ground. This means District Commissioners (DCs) and their teams are key players in this puzzle.
Could DCs and their teams have intentionally falsified reports? It’s unlikely, given the risks to their careers. Instead, the root cause may be systemic inefficiency and a lack of accountability.
Reports may have been exaggerated at different levels to please superiors, leading to a snowball effect of misinformation that finally landed on the president’s desk.
Another disturbing possibility emerges: could there be an enemy within? A political saboteur working from within the administration, feeding the president falsehoods to discredit him? If this is the case, then it speaks to a lack of internal safeguards within the presidency.
Regardless of how the misinformation found its way to President Chakwera, one thing is clear: someone must take responsibility.
Leadership demands accountability, and heads must roll if the credibility of the government is to be restored.
It’s time for the President to surround himself with honest and competent individuals who prioritize truth over political convenience.
The embarrassment caused by delivering false information in an era where facts spread like wildfire must serve as a wake-up call.
If President Chakwera does not act now, the damage may go beyond public ridicule—it may erode trust in his leadership altogether. And trust, once lost, is almost impossible to regain.
As Malawians, we demand accountability and transparency from our leaders.
It’s time for President Chakwera to take decisive action and restore the integrity of his office. The nation is watching, and the world is waiting.
