There is growing concern that development priorities in many districts continue to overlook one of the most critical pillars of sustainable progress children.
Despite repeated calls from experts and policymakers, investment in early childhood development remains overshadowed by a strong bias toward visible infrastructure projects.
This concern was strongly echoed in Nkhata Bay District, where Director of Child Affairs in the Ministry of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare, Justin Hamera, challenged stakeholders to rethink their approach to development.
Speaking during a stakeholder engagement meeting on prioritising Early Childhood Development (ECD) within the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), Hamera stressed that children must be placed at the centre of development planning.
His message highlights a persistent gap while roads, buildings, and other physical projects dominate funding decisions, critical investments in children’s welfare, protection, and early learning are often neglected.
Yet experts agree that the early years of a child’s life are the most formative, shaping long-term outcomes in education, health, and productivity.
Hamera warned that sidelining child-focused initiatives risks weakening the very foundation of communities. “Children are the backbone of every society and the country’s future,” Said Hamera
He also emphasised, urging duty bearers including chiefs, councillors, and civil society organisations to actively advocate for projects that directly benefit children.
The concern extends beyond policy to mindset. District Commissioner for Nkhata Bay, David Kayiwonanga Gondwe, acknowledged this challenge and expressed hope that such engagements will shift how stakeholders view development priorities.
His remarks point to a deeper issue development is often measured by what is visible rather than what delivers long-term impact. If Malawi is to achieve meaningful and inclusive development, experts argue that the Constituency Development Fund must be used more strategically.
Investing in early childhood development through nutrition, early learning centres, child protection systems, and social support offers far greater returns than many short-term infrastructure projects.
The call from Nkhata Bay is therefore not merely local it reflects a national concern. Without deliberate action and stronger advocacy, children will continue to be sidelined in development agendas, with lasting consequences for the country’s future.
The question remains will stakeholders speak up and act, or will the needs of children continue to be drowned out by the pursuit of visible but less transformative projects?
