From Five to Two: Mutharika Consolidates Ministries in Strategic Cabinet Move

President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika has appointed Roza Fatch Mbilizi as Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development, and Dr. George Partridge as Minister of Industrialization, Business, Trade and Tourism, in a move that consolidates portfolios previously split among five ministers during the previous MCP administration.

According to a government document signed by Chief Secretary Dr. Justin Adick Saidi, the appointments were made under Section 94 of Malawi’s Constitution, granting the President authority to designate ministers.

Observers note that the consolidation is a significant shift from the previous administration, where the responsibilities now assigned to Fatch and Partridge were handled separately by five ministers: Sosten Alfred Gwengwe (Trade and Industry), Samuel Kawale (Agriculture), Vera Kamtukule (Tourism), Abida Sidik Mia (Water and Sanitation), and Dr. Owen Chomanika (Natural Resources and Climate Change).

Roza Fatch, who represents Mangochi Central Constituency, brings experience and local support to her new role, while Dr. Partridge, former Group CEO of Press Corporation plc and ex-CEO of National Bank of Malawi, brings a private-sector perspective to government.

Analysts suggest the consolidation may be aimed at streamlining government operations, reducing bureaucracy, and strengthening strategic oversight, though some question whether the workload could be too heavy for just two ministers to manage efficiently.

Residents of Mangochi and observers across Malawi have expressed cautious optimism, noting that the performance of the new ministers will be closely monitored as they take on expanded responsibilities.