By Chisomo Phiri

Director General of the Malawi School of Government, Professor Asiyatu Lorraine Chiweza, has challenged human resource practitioners in the country to take a leading role in motivating and empowering the workforce to help Malawi achieve its economic development goals.

Speaking at the opening of the Human Resource Society of Malawi’s Annual Conference in Mangochi on Monday,Chiweza emphasized that human resource professionals often referred to as ‘people managers’ play a critical role in shaping a productive, dedicated, and skilled workforce.

“People managers must recognise that they have the vital responsibility of motivating and capacitating workers so that organisations can achieve their goals. For Malawi to meaningfully develop, we need a skilled and dedicated workforce that performs without excuses,” she said.

Chiweza described this year’s conference theme, ‘HR Practice as a Calling,’ as both timely and profound, saying it highlights that human resource management goes beyond administrative functions.

“Human resource management is not just about processing payrolls, drafting contracts, or enforcing procedures. It is a mission, a calling that serves people, institutions, and the nation at large,” she said.

Chiweza further urged HR practitioners to embrace emerging challenges in the profession and position themselves as custodians of institutional values that drive organisational success and national progress.

“An effective HR professional must be a guardian of organisational culture and values, ensuring that employees remain motivated, ethical, and aligned with institutional goals,” she said.

The annual conference has brought together human resource experts from across the country to discuss strategies for strengthening professional standards and promoting sustainable human capital development.