By Suleman Chitera
Arthur Peter Mutharika may be widely known as a lawyer by training, but his leadership record reveals something far more consequential: a president who understands the fundamentals of governance. At the heart of his approach lies a simple yet powerful principle—manage supply, and stability follows.
The maize market tells the story clearly.
By deliberately flooding the market, prices have fallen sharply, easing the burden on ordinary Malawians and restoring dignity and predictability to household life.
This is not accidental relief; it is the outcome of intentional, disciplined policy.
The same logic applies to foreign exchange and fuel availability. For years, Malawians were conditioned to believe that queues, shortages, and uncertainty were inevitable. Under Mutharika’s leadership, that dangerous normalization has been challenged. When supply is prioritized and systems are aligned, panic disappears, confidence returns, and markets begin to function. Economies do not respond to speeches or slogans—they respond to availability, consistency, and seriousness of purpose.
This reality raises an unavoidable question: why did the MCP government fail to achieve what now appears so straightforward? The institutions existed. Even the Reserve Bank Governor remained the same. The difference, therefore, cannot be attributed to technocrats alone. It lies squarely in leadership—policy direction, discipline, and respect for economic fundamentals.
Arrogance is the enemy of good governance. When leaders stop listening and begin believing their own propaganda, they lose touch with the everyday struggles of citizens. That disconnect defined Chakwera and the MCP’s failure. Mutharika’s approach, by contrast, reflects a sober understanding that development is built on discipline, not noise. Food security, stable prices, and reliable fuel supplies may not be glamorous talking points, but they form the backbone of any functioning economy.
Malawi does not need endless political theatrics. It needs development that people can see, feel, and rely on. The President must remain focused, ignore distractions, and protect this path. If managing supply delivers stability, and stability creates space for growth, investment, and opportunity, then this is the leadership Malawi should defend.
On that score, Arthur Peter Mutharika has demonstrated that he understands not only economics, but what Malawi truly needs at this critical moment.
