|
|
|
|
| National |
| UDF giants miss in Bingu’s cabinet |
|
by
Mc Donald Chapalapata, 15 June 2004
-
08:59:43
|
President Bingu wa Mutharika on Sunday announced a 28-member cabinet which saw a lot of giants in the ruling UDF falling by the way side.
Notable names missing from the cabinet include UDF second deputy national chairman Ralph Mhone, deputy secretary general Paul Maulidi, treasurer general Khumbo Kachali, deputy publicity secretary Mary Kaphwereza Banda, national campaign director Clement Stambuli and director of legal affairs Peter Fachi.
The other casualties include national organising secretary Salim Bagus, director of education George Nga Mtafu, director of economic affairs Friday Jumbe, and executive members Dumbo Lemani, Alice Sumani, Monjeza Maluza and Sam Mpasu.
A statement from the acting secretary to the president and cabinet Bright Msaka said the appointments were made taking into consideration individual merit and professional competence, the memoranda of understanding (MOUs) UDF signed with Aford, NCD, RP and Mgode, gender balance and religion.
“Because of the reduction in size of the cabinet, the State President is fully aware that some deserving persons were not appointed at this time. However, there are other positions in the government to which some of these people may be considered and appointed at a later date,” reads the statement in part.
Mutharika himself takes the Ministry of Defence and Civil Service while his Vice Cassim Chilumpha gets the Statutory Corporations Ministry.
Others include Aford president and former Second Vice President Chakufwa Chihana who has retained his position as Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Food Security while former IMF and World Bank economist Goodall Gondwe, one-time chief economic adviser to former President Bakili Muluzi, takes the Finance portfolio.
Republican Party Member of Parliament for Chikwawa Central David Faiti takes over from Mutharika as Economic Planning and Development Minister while George Chaponda, who spent most of his life in exile, becomes Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Henry Phoya bounces back as Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs while little known Khumbo Chirwa, MP for RP in Nkhata Bay Southeast will head a new ministry — Ministry of Industry, Science and Technology and Uladi Mussa will be the new Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security.
Former diplomat Eunice Kazembe takes up a ministerial post at Trade and Private Sector Development and Yusuf Mwawa goes to Ministry of Education and Human Resources. Henry Mussa now gets a full ministerial position at Transport and Public works.
RP vice president and MP for Karonga Northwest Bazuka Mhango, a lawyer by profession is now the new Minister of Lands, Housing and Surveys while UDF MP for Machinga East Jaffali Mussa becomes Minister of Local Government and Rural Development.
UDF spokesman Ken Lipenga is now Minister of Information, Communications and Tourism while former Foreign Affairs Minister Lilian Patel takes up Labour and Vocational Training Ministry.
NCD president Hetherwick Ntaba who lost his parliamentary seat in Lilongwe Southeast and once served as Health Minister in the MCP regime goes back to Health and former Speaker of the National Assembly Davis Katsonga becomes Minister of Mines, Natural Resources and Environment.
Henry Chimunthu Banda who was a deputy minister in Muluzi’s government is in charge of the Ministry of Youth Sports and Culture while UDF national women director Joyce Banda becomes Minister of Women, Child Welfare and Community Services.
UDF Mangochi Central MP Clement Chiwaya is now the new Minister of Social Development and Persons with Disabilities.
Chihana’s protege Frank Mwenifumbo will deputise Ntaba while controversial Anna Kachikho is now deputy minister of education and human resources while Roy Commsy, UDF MP for Thyolo Southwest is deputy minister of Transport and Public works.
Mtafu’s wife Elvy has been appointed deputy minister of Industry, Science and Technology while Patricia Kaliati becomes deputy minister of Local Government and Rural Development.
Bob Khamisa who was a full cabinet minister in Muluzi’s government did not qualify for the ministerial position in Mutharika’s cabinet and has been appointed deputy minister of Mines, Natural Resources and Environment and Henry Mumba, RP MP for Mzimba Hora will deputise Lipenga at Information, Communications and Tourism.
UDF’s only MP in Chikwawa, Sidik Mia becomes Chihana’s deputy at Agriculture.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
