Malawi’s ex-speaker of parliament rejects ministerial post

Former speaker of Malawi parliament Henry Chimunthu Banda has rejected the ministerial position

President Professor Peter Muthalika appointed Chimunthu Banda Minister of natural resources and mining on Thursday.

He told reporters that “I was not consulted and had heard of the appointment through the media.”

Mutharika announced a 32 member cabinet in which he has roped United Democratic Front (UDF) members and other new faces.

“Minister of Energy Atupele Muluzi, Minister of Labour,skills and innovation, Clement Chiwaya Minister of disability and elderly,” reads the statement.

Mutharika also appointed former official of Peoples Party and current MP of Rumphi East Kamlepo Kalua.

He disbanded some Ministries to form new ones such as of agriculture, health and trade.

Mutharika maintained former vice president Everton Chimulirenji as Minister of natural disasters which he created recently.

Meanwhile, one of the country’s political scientists has faulted Mutharika for his newly bloated cabinet ministers.

Mutharika announced a 32 member cabinet in which he has roped United Democratic Front (UDF) members and other new faces.

But reacting to the development, Blantyre based political scientist, Vincent Kondowe, described the cabinet as wastage of resources meant for political appeasement.

“I do not believe that the new cabinet will drive the policy agenda of government,” says Kondowe

On inclusion of UDF, he said this clearly means that such kind of electoral alliances are not driven by shared values of developmental policies but to satisfy their political interest.