By Burnett Munthali
A nation’s progress is built on the foundation of truth, transparency, and accountability. When leaders make promises, they create expectations among the people who trust in their words. But what happens when these promises are contradicted by reality? Once again, Malawians find themselves questioning the authenticity of official statements, as Zodiak has established that some of the projects President Lazarus Chakwera outlined as completed in Mzimba are either non-existent or still under construction.
In his State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Chakwera confidently declared that his government had completed Chizani and Chamalala Health Centers in Mzimba South East Constituency. However, a fact-checking exercise has exposed that these facilities have not been constructed at all. Likewise, in the education sector, community day secondary schools such as Chisengezi, Maloketera, Mjinge, and Vibangalala are only at various stages of construction, contrary to the claim that they were completed.
The revelation has prompted M’mbelwa District Council’s Morgan Tembo to clarify the situation, confirming that the two health centers do not yet exist but that funding has been identified for their construction. On the secondary schools, Tembo admitted that some are nearing completion—like Vibangalala—while others are still being built.
This situation raises a critical question: How should leaders communicate progress to the public? The right attitude in leadership is not about painting a perfect picture that does not reflect reality, but rather about being honest about challenges, setbacks, and progress. Leaders who value integrity do not shy away from telling the people the truth, even when the truth may not be what the people want to hear.
The people of Malawi deserve leaders who uphold truth as a principle, not as an option. When false claims are made—whether intentionally or due to misinformation—it erodes public trust. A government that thrives on credibility does not need to be fact-checked to prove its statements; its actions should speak for themselves.
Development is not just about announcing projects; it is about implementing them in a timely and efficient manner. While it is commendable that funding has been identified for Chizani and Chamalala Health Centers, the key concern remains: Why were they presented as completed when they are not? The right approach to national development is not to rush for political credit but to ensure that projects are delivered as promised, within realistic timeframes.
In the case of community day secondary schools, the correct attitude from leadership would have been to acknowledge that work is in progress, instead of misleading the public. If the right mindset was applied from the beginning, Malawians would not need to depend on media investigations to uncover the truth about development projects.
Accountability is the foundation of good governance. Public officials must take full responsibility when misstatements are made. The people of Mzimba deserve an official clarification—not from journalists, but from those in power—regarding the status of these projects.
Government authorities must embrace a culture of accountability, where citizens are provided with accurate updates on projects, rather than being fed half-truths. If a project is incomplete, say so. If it is delayed, explain why. If funding has been secured but work has not started, provide a timeline.
What does this mean for Malawi’s future? The right attitude moving forward should be one of honesty, transparency, and commitment to real development. A country that embraces integrity as a governing principle will earn the trust of its people and development partners.
Malawians should not accept development-by-announcement; they should demand development-by-action. It is the duty of every citizen to hold leadership accountable because a government that is not questioned will continue to take its people for granted.
The right attitude is simple: Say what is true. Do what is promised. Deliver what is necessary. Only then can Malawi move forward on the path of genuine progress.
