Chakwera tipped on State of the Nation Address

President Lazarus Chakwera needs to initiate measures to control the continued rise in the cost of living, governance and human rights advocates have suggested.

Chakwera is set to open the first sitting in the 50^th session of Parliament tomorrow ,during which Finance Minister Sosten Gwengwe will present the 2023/2024 national budget statement.

The President’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) comes as a majority of the population is grappling with various challenges that are affecting their social and economic lives.

According to governance and human rights advocate, Undule Mwakasungula, Chakwera needs to reassure the nation of his administration’s non-intrusion in the Anti-Corruption Bureau’s operations.

‘’The ACB director’s recent harassment has created tension between the government and donor partners hence the need for the President to recommit to the fight against corruption,’’ Mwakasungula said.

Concurring with Mwakasungula, Centre for Social Accountability and Transparency (SCAT) Executive Director, Willy Kambwandira, cited issues of corruption as an example of what the President should prioritise for the House to deliberate

Other critics have pointed out the Affordable Input Programme (AIP) as another issue that is key amid fears of acute hunger considering the number of people that have failed to access the farm inputs.

Also among the issues deserving of Chakwera’s attention is the prevailing cholera outbreak that has claimed about 1,800 lives since it emerged last March.

Mwakasungula has since called on President inspire the citizenry to be vigilant in containing the deadly infection by following all preventive measures if Malawi is to win the battle against cholera.