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President Bingu Wa Mutharika and all Malawians should smile after the Danish government that withdrew aid to Malawi reversed the decision and indicated that it would assist Malawi through the European Union and all Danish non-governmental organisations in the country.
The Danes packed their bags in 2002, dissatisfied with the high level of corruption and political intolerance that characterised the previous administration.
Letting the cat out the bag, Foreign Affairs minister George Chaponda told the press in Lilongwe upon arrival from Copenhagen, Denmark that the Danes were impressed with Mutharika’s policies, especially the fight against graft and thus, indicated that they would resume aid.
“Denmark used to be one of our major donors but they left sometime back in 2002 because of high level corruption and political intolerance of the previous government. The President sent me to deliver a letter to Queen Margaret IV asking her government to consider coming back to Malawi and I am pleased to say that Denmark has indicated that it will resume aid through the EU and Danish NGOs in the country,” said Chaponda.
Chaponda was accompanied by Chief Secretary for the Civil Service Charles Matabwa and Malawi’s Ambassador to Brussels Brian Bowler. He said the assistance to NGOs will mainly focus on women empowerment.
Chaponda revealed that during their discussions, the Danes said the other reason they withdrew from the country was the misappropriation of US$100,000 meant for inter-party dialogue by a government official and were pursuing the matter through their legal system.
Chaponda, however could not disclose the official but indicated that he is now deceased.
“One senior official in government whose name I will not mention at that time is said to have misappropriated US$100,000 and the Danes indicated that they were pursuing the issue through their legal system but unfortunately, I informed him that the person passed away,” he added.
On whether they would reopen their embassy in Malawi, Chaponda said the Danes were hopeful that once the issue is taken to their parliament, it would give them the go-ahead.
Denmark used to be one of Malawi’s major donors, assisting the country in areas of agriculture, decentralisation, health, environment, HIV/Aids, among others.
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