By Burnett Munthali | Malawi Freedom Network
During the 2020 campaign period, President Lazarus Chakwera promised that every newborn child in Malawi would receive MWK 500,000 from the government.
This pledge was widely publicized as a bold and ambitious social welfare policy aimed at reducing poverty and encouraging better early childhood care.
At the time, many Malawians welcomed the promise with hope, especially struggling mothers and families in rural and urban communities.
The MWK 500,000 per child policy was seen as a game-changer that would alleviate the financial burden that comes with childbirth and infant care.
However, five years later, there is a significant disparity between the promise and what is being delivered.
Recent reports indicate that the amount has been drastically reduced from MWK 500,000 to a mere MWK 50,000 per child.
This drastic cut has sparked disappointment and frustration among citizens who feel betrayed by the government’s failure to honour its campaign pledge.
Critics argue that this reduction is not just a financial downgrade but a moral failure to live up to the promises made to the electorate.
The government has not provided a clear explanation as to why the amount was reduced, raising concerns about transparency and accountability.
Some believe that the promise was never feasible from the beginning, and was merely a populist tactic to gain votes.
Others argue that the current economic situation may have influenced the adjustment, but stress that the public deserves honest communication.
Meanwhile, many Malawians continue to struggle with rising costs of living, and such broken promises only add to the growing distrust in political leadership.
President Chakwera and his administration are now under pressure to clarify the matter and either fulfill the original promise or offer an acceptable justification.
In the eyes of many, this issue symbolizes a broader pattern of unfulfilled pledges and the urgent need for leaders to maintain integrity and honesty in governance.
