Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Malawi Voice
Published on 2024-03-14 19:56:58
The Minister of Finance in Malawi, Simplex Chithyola Banda, has expressed his disagreement with the findings of a recent poll conducted by Afrobarometer, which suggested that Malawians have lost trust in the Tonse Alliance government’s management of the economy. In an interview with MBC online, Minister Banda stated that the trajectory of the economy is actually showing signs of improvement, citing the support of various donor communities and the government’s implementation of effective economic measures.
Minister Banda urged Malawians not to lose hope based on the poll results, emphasizing that the government has taken steps to address issues such as inflation and the cost of living. He expressed optimism about the assistance from organizations like the IMF and EU, believing that their involvement will help stabilize the economy. He confidently predicted that by the next year, the negative sentiments reflected in the Afrobarometer poll will no longer hold true.
Furthermore, Minister Banda challenged the Afrobarometer research team, led by Professor Blessings Chinsinga and others, to conduct a follow-up survey in three months to see if the results would be the same. He pointed to positive developments such as the end of power blackouts, improved foreign exchange flows in banks, sufficient fuel supply, and decreasing food prices as indicators that the economy is on the path to recovery.
Contrary to the Afrobarometer’s findings that 90% of Malawians believe the economy is headed in the wrong direction, Minister Banda highlighted these recent improvements as reasons to be optimistic about the country’s economic outlook. He emphasized the importance of addressing key factors like energy supply, forex availability, fuel, and food prices, which are crucial in driving economic growth.
Overall, Minister Banda’s message to Malawians is one of reassurance and hope, urging them to trust in the government’s efforts to steer the economy in the right direction. With the support of international partners and the implementation of effective policies, he believes that Malawi’s economy will soon show significant improvements, ultimately disproving the negative perceptions reflected in the Afrobarometer poll.
Read the original article on Malawi Voice
