By Burnett Munthali
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has called upon Anti-Corruption Champions from the Eastern Region to take the lead in the fight against corruption ahead of Malawi’s September 2025 general elections.
This initiative was highlighted during a training session held in Machinga, where ACB Director of Public Education, Agness Mweta, addressed participants on the importance of their role.
Mweta emphasized that Anti-Corruption Champions are instrumental in spreading anti-corruption messages, especially during the election period, to ensure that the polls are fair, transparent, and credible.
She noted that without active citizen engagement and widespread awareness, corruption can undermine democratic processes and breed mistrust in electoral outcomes.
Despite these efforts, NICE Trust Programs Officer for Machinga, Francis Mugwa, pointed out that handouts remain a major challenge in the region.
Mugwa expressed concern that many candidates continue to use material inducements to influence voters, which threatens the integrity of the electoral process.
He urged community members to reject such corrupt practices and instead focus on issue-based campaigns that prioritize development and accountability.
Also speaking at the event was Shalid Ishmael, Director for Development for Youth Empowerment, a Machinga-based youth organization and one of the trained Anti-Corruption Champion groups.
Ishmael described the training as timely and relevant, particularly as the country moves closer to a critical election season.
He pledged to take a leading role in encouraging youths and other community members to avoid engaging in or falling victim to corrupt practices.
Ishmael further stressed that young people are often the most vulnerable to political manipulation, and empowering them with knowledge is key to building a corruption-free generation.
The training session brought together Anti-Corruption Champions from six districts in the Eastern Region—namely Machinga, Mangochi, Balaka, Phalombe, Zomba, and Chiradzulu.
With the 2025 elections fast approaching, the mobilization of grassroots advocates is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping a cleaner, more accountable political landscape.
