Months of speculation over her relationship with State House have dominated public debate, but Vice President Jane Ansah says the real story is something entirely different.
Ansah has dismissed speculation of a strained relationship with the Office of the President, insisting communication with State House has remained professional and effective throughout her eight months in office.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Luntha Television on Tuesday, Ansah said she has always followed official procedures by communicating with the President through formal memos, which she says consistently received responses.
“Most of the time when there is a hierarchy we use memos. Everything I did I wrote a memo to the President, for example when ambassadors from different countries were coming. I would send memos and a response would come, so my relationship is good,” she said.
She acknowledged public speculation around her role but said Malawians were free to interpret things as they wished.
“Small talk happens because people see things and interpret them. I can say on this matter people will judge for themselves. Malawians here see things as they happen and they have their own expectations, so if there is small talk I cannot stop it, people will talk. Let them think how they will think. But I know to say the memos were going and I was receiving responses,” Ansah said.
The Malawi Vice President said the Constitution does not designate specific functions for the Vice President’s office and she explained that during her eight months in office she performed only the tasks assigned to her by the President.
She cited her work with the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA), as an example of her assigned duties and she said she collaborated with DoDMA and conducted field visits to areas including Nsanje and storage warehouses to assess the country’s emergency preparedness.
Ansah stated that she observed existing resources on the ground and advised officials to address gaps before the peak of the rainy season.
Addressing controversy over her holiday in the UK, Ansah said she sought and received permission from the President in November to travel and collect her belongings after coming to Malawi for campaign work.
She added that even while on leave she remained able to coordinate with DoDMA and commissioners when disasters occurred because preparations had been made in advance.
On questions regarding the withdrawal of some of her duties, Ansah said the decision rested entirely with the President and stated that she could not comment on the matter indicating that the President had the constitutional right to assign responsibilities.
Ansah has dismissed speculation of a strained relationship with the Office of the President, insisting communication with State House has remained professional and effective throughout her eight months in office.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Luntha Television on Tuesday, Ansah said she has always followed official procedures by communicating with the President through formal memos, which she says consistently received responses.
“Most of the time when there is a hierarchy we use memos. Everything I did I wrote a memo to the President, for example when ambassadors from different countries were coming. I would send memos and a response would come, so my relationship is good,” she said.
She acknowledged public speculation around her role but said Malawians were free to interpret things as they wished.
“Small talk happens because people see things and interpret them. I can say on this matter people will judge for themselves. Malawians here see things as they happen and they have their own expectations, so if there is small talk I cannot stop it, people will talk. Let them think how they will think. But I know to say the memos were going and I was receiving responses,” Ansah said.
The Malawi Vice President said the Constitution does not designate specific functions for the Vice President’s office and she explained that during her eight months in office she performed only the tasks assigned to her by the President.
She cited her work with the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA), as an example of her assigned duties and she said she collaborated with DoDMA and conducted field visits to areas including Nsanje and storage warehouses to assess the country’s emergency preparedness.
Ansah stated that she observed existing resources on the ground and advised officials to address gaps before the peak of the rainy season.
Addressing controversy over her holiday in the UK, Ansah said she sought and received permission from the President in November to travel and collect her belongings after coming to Malawi for campaign work.
She added that even while on leave she remained able to coordinate with DoDMA and commissioners when disasters occurred because preparations had been made in advance.
On questions regarding the withdrawal of some of her duties, Ansah said the decision rested entirely with the President and stated that she could not comment on the matter indicating that the President had the constitutional right to assign responsibilities.
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