from MAVHUTO BANDA in Lilongwe, Malawi
Malawi Bureau
LILONGWE, (CAJ News) – MALAWI has suspended all government-funded external workshops with immediate effect.
This is a cost-cutting measure by the cash-strapped government.
Workshops or activities outside duty stations for all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) are affected.
Officials are to ensure full and deliberate utilisation of existing government facilities at their respective duty stations, including conference rooms, boardrooms and other suitable institutional spaces, for meetings, seminars, workshops and other official engagements.
“Controlling Officers are to exercise firm oversight and enforce strict compliance with this directive across their respective institutions, ensuring that all expenditure is properly authorised, justified and consistent with the Government’s austerity agenda,” Justin Adack Saidi, Chief Secretary, stated.
It is anticipated that the measures will eliminate avoidable expenditure, ensure prudent management of public resources and prioritise essential services and development.
Malawi’s financial challenges stem from a combination of severe structural weaknesses, heavy debt burdens and compounding external shocks.
Public debt has climbed to levels exceeding 85 percent to 90 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP), placing the country in official debt distress categories.
Successive climate-related disasters, prolonged droughts and tropical cyclones have devastated agricultural production and aggravated food insecurity.
Scarcity of foreign currency, compounded by past major currency devaluations, has routinely triggered fuel shortages and pushed inflation to high levels, severely eroding purchasing power.
– CAJ News