By Draxon Maloya

Malawi Congress Party (MCP) 1st Deputy President, Catherine Gotani Hara, has assured the people of the northern region that President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera is the only leader with a clear vision to drive the country’s economic growth and development.

Hara, who is also the Speaker of the National Assembly, highlighted several development projects underway in the region, citing them as evidence of Chakwera’s commitment to the region’s growth.

During the mega rally at Chibavi Ground in Mzuzu City, Hara revealed that the government has procured a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine for Mzuzu Central Hospital, which is currently in Tanzania.

She said, additionally, Rumphi district will soon have a new hospital.

Member of Parliament (MP) for Mzuzu City, Bennex Mwamlima, praised Chakwera’s leadership, noting that despite weather-related shocks, the president has initiated various developmental projects in Mzuzu City, including the Mzuzu Youth Centre, Mzuzu Airport, and Mzuzu University Library.

Minister of Mining, Dr. Kenneth Zikhale Ng’oma, also attended the rally and commended Chakwera’s leadership, highlighting the abolition of the quarter system for selecting students to education institutions.

“Gone were the days when the northern region used to be marginalized despite having minerals resources, alluvial soils enabling farming and the capable well trained personnel in all spheres of the labour force,” said Zikhale Ng’oma.

Other senior party officials in attendance included Roads Minister Jacob Hara, Sports Minister Uchizi Mkandawire, and former Defence Minister Harry Mkandawire.

The rally witnessed scores of people defecting to the MCP, citing Chakwera’s development programs as their motivation.

Former Peoples Development Party (PDP) Regional Governor for the North, Kelvin Chirambo, said the move reflects the MCP’s growing influence in the region. The defectors included members from the DPP, PDP, UDF, AFORD, and PP, signaling a shift in the region’s political dynamics.