On Saturday evening President Lazarus Chakwera shifted Sosten Gwengwe from the Ministry of Finance to the Ministry of Trade and Industry replacing him with Simplex Chithyhola Banda, who was the Minister of Trade and Industry.
The reshuffle has brought mixed reactions amongst many Malawians, reacting to Chithyhola Banda’s appointment, Economic Expert Betchan Tchereni said the Ministry of Finance is overpriced and people expect much from it.
“The Ministry of Finance is overrated. I see we have very misplaced expectations about the mandate of the Ministry of Finance, the real deal to economic transformation is the Ministry of Agriculture, Manning, Trade and Industry and Energy,” said Tchereni.
The Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) Executive Director Sylvester Namiwa said that Stosten Gwengwe should proceed where former Trade Minister Simplex Chithyola Banda stopped.
Kingsley Phiri, who is a business man at Limbe Market said the change of the Ministry brings a sigh of hope to the economy of Malawi.
“Malawi’s economy is currently bleeding fuel queues are longer and the cost of living is high. I believe that the revise of the ministry will bring change,” said Phiri.
However, the new appointed Minister of Finance has pleaded with Malawians to give him time to manage the economy of Malawi.
The reshuffle comes amid significant economy challenges, including shortage of foreign currency and high cost of living.
