By Burnett Munthali
The Vice President of the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), Jappie Mhango, has accused the ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP) government of misleading Malawians by claiming credit for development projects initiated and completed by the previous DPP administration.
Speaking at a political rally in Tukombo, Nkhata Bay, Mhango criticized the MCP-led government for allegedly placing its branding on projects that were conceptualized and executed during the tenure of former President Peter Mutharika. According to him, this is part of a broader attempt by the current administration to mislead the public into believing it has made significant development strides.
Mhango provided an example of the Likoma Jetty project, whose signpost has reportedly been placed in Mzuzu under the banner of the MCP government. According to him, this jetty was a DPP-initiated project, but the current government is now presenting it as its own achievement.
“This is a clear attempt by the MCP to deceive Malawians,” Mhango said, emphasizing that the DPP had a well-documented track record of development projects across the country. He further claimed that if the MCP had truly delivered on its promises, it would not need to take credit for the work of the previous administration.
The remarks by Mhango come at a time when Malawi is experiencing heightened political debate over infrastructure projects and economic management. The MCP government has repeatedly stated that it is making progress in improving roads, energy supply, and other key sectors, but opposition leaders argue that many of these projects were either started or fully completed before the MCP took over in 2020.
The DPP has been vocal about what it perceives as a lack of new, original developments under the current administration. Opposition figures, including Mhango, argue that the government has failed to deliver on its ambitious 2020 campaign promises, forcing it to resort to rebranding past projects as new initiatives.
Mhango’s comments are likely to fuel the ongoing political rivalry between the DPP and MCP as Malawi moves closer to the 2025 general elections. The battle over who deserves credit for development projects is a key issue, as infrastructure and public services play a significant role in shaping voter perception.
If the opposition successfully convinces Malawians that the current government is merely reaping where it did not sow, it could weaken the MCP’s credibility heading into the elections. On the other hand, the ruling party may argue that while some projects were initiated under the previous government, their completion and operationalization happened under its watch, justifying its claims.
As political tensions rise, there is a growing call for transparency in documenting and communicating development achievements. Experts argue that Malawians deserve clear and factual information on which administration is responsible for specific projects. This would allow voters to make informed decisions based on evidence rather than political rhetoric.
Ultimately, while political parties will continue to argue over credit, what matters most to Malawians is the actual delivery of services and improvements in their daily lives. Whether initiated by DPP, MCP, or any other government, development must remain the top priority for the country’s leadership.
