A youth activist in Mzuzu, Charles Kajoloweka, has implored political parties to develop manifestos that present practical solutions to the country’s corruption challenge.
Charles Kajoloweka, the Executive Director of Youth and Society, said this in an interview in Mzuzu on Tuesday.
“The commitment to fight corruption is a major issue. At the moment it is a problem number one which is standing in our way of development particularly when it comes to poverty reduction.
“All efforts directed towards development are being frustrated by theft of public resources. We need practical solutions to ensure that those that are seeking power explain how they will handle such challenges,” Kajoloweka said.
The youth activists has also called for active citizenship participation in democracy where Malawians will be able to hold the Government that will be formed after the May 21 Tripartite Elections accountable.
“My caution though is that we should go beyond the manifesto prior to Elections. What is more critical to me is that the citizens stand up to hold these leaders accountable. Look at the moment, DPP promised a lot, have they delivered, what are Malawians doing to hold accountable the ruling DPP Government for not delivering on some of their promises,” Kajoloweka said.
Meanwhile, media reports indicate that some of the Country’s political parties including the main opposition political party Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) have kept a tight lid on their manifestos for launching during the official campaign period which is scheduled to run from March 19 to 6: 00am on May 19, 2019 .
But the DPP in the North, through its Regional Governor Kenneth Sanga, has instead asked its members to remain focused ahead of the official campaign period when it will unveil its manifesto.
“I would call on the members to remain focused. Elections are always very important. The way we would want to design our future is the way we vote. So, I would remind them to vote wisely for President Arthur Peter Mutharika and the DPP Party into Government,” Sanga said.
On its part, the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), through its Spokesperson Reverend Maurice Munthali said it is focusing on selling the Chakwera hi-5, a strategy that is promoting MCPs five-fold agenda for injecting acceleration in Malawi key development indicators including the corruption fight and the Rule of Law.
Apart from the launch of manifestos from the Country’s political parties, youth rights activists are also set to launch the “Youth Manifesto,” on 15th March, according to Kajoloweka.
The Youth manifesto is a strategic document that activists are expected to use in lobbying for youth-friendly policies from Malawi’s next political leaders.
