Vice President Jane Mayemu Ansah says President Arthur Peter Mutharika’s decision to trust her with a place on his presidential ticket changed the course of her public-service career.
Ansah said the opportunity to become Mutharika’s running mate opened the door to one of the country’s highest offices and should encourage more women to prepare themselves for leadership.
She was speaking on Saturday at Chisitu Parish in Mulanje during the Archdiocese of Blantyre Catholic Women Association’s annual Umai wa Amai Maria celebration.
Ansah expressed gratitude to Mutharika for choosing her as his running mate in the September 16, 2025 presidential election.
She said the decision demonstrated the impact that political leaders can have when they give women a genuine chance to prove their abilities.
The Vice President urged women across Malawi to prepare for leadership by building their skills, working hard and being ready to take responsibility when opportunities arise.
She also addressed speculation about her relationship with Mutharika, warning the public against relying on unverified information circulating on social media.
Ansah said misinformation can create unnecessary confusion around the country’s leadership and urged Malawians to verify information before believing or sharing it.
She further said her Christian faith guides her conduct in public office, including the respect she gives Mutharika as President.
Ansah said her religious convictions would not allow her to deliberately disrespect the holder of the country’s highest political office.
Her remarks come amid continued debate over women’s participation in political leadership, particularly their access to senior positions where major national decisions are made.
For Ansah, however, opportunity alone is not enough.
She said women who are given positions of responsibility must demonstrate commitment, discipline and hard work to justify the trust placed in them.
Ansah said her own journey from public service to the vice presidency shows how opportunity, preparation and personal commitment can combine to put women at the centre of national leadership.
She encouraged women aspiring to leadership to draw lessons from her experience and pursue their ambitions with integrity, faith and dedication to public service.
