By Burnett Munthali
Aspiring Member of Parliament for Karonga Town Constituency under the Alliance for Democracy (AFORD), Catherine Mwafulirwa, has pledged to breathe new life into the district’s tourism and agriculture sectors if elected in the upcoming general elections.
Speaking shortly after being officially welcomed into the party, Mwafulirwa said her focus would be on promoting tourism through the revival of traditional cultural practices that define Karonga’s identity and attract visitors.
She emphasized that cultural revival is not just a matter of heritage preservation but a strategic economic move to enhance tourism-driven income for local communities.
In addition to tourism, Mwafulirwa said she is committed to ensuring that farmers in Karonga adopt modern agricultural techniques as a long-term solution to hunger and food insecurity.
She noted that outdated farming methods and climate change impacts have left many households vulnerable, making it crucial to introduce irrigation, mechanization, and climate-smart agriculture.
Mwafulirwa also highlighted infrastructure development as a key priority in her campaign platform, promising to work hand-in-hand with the local council to rehabilitate roads and improve the town’s overall connectivity.
She stressed that poor road conditions have hindered both commerce and access to essential services, which has negatively affected economic growth in the district.
Calling for maturity in the political space, Mwafulirwa urged fellow aspiring candidates to embrace issue-based campaigning and refrain from engaging in character assassination and hate speech.
She said personal attacks and divisive rhetoric have no place in a democratic society and only distract from the real needs of the people.
On his part, AFORD’s regional chairperson for the north, Hastings Jalako Mwenifumbo, also addressed the gathering and called on all party supporters to uphold peace and avoid engaging in political violence.
Mwenifumbo reminded party followers that peaceful elections are essential for democratic consolidation and national unity.
Meanwhile, AFORD Shadow Councillor for Kaluma North, Howard Juma Gondwe, echoed the development agenda by promising to promote irrigation farming in the area as a means to boost food security.
Gondwe said irrigation would empower farmers to harvest throughout the year, reduce reliance on erratic rainfall, and lift communities out of poverty.
The declarations made at the Karonga event reflect AFORD’s broader strategy of focusing on grassroots development, inclusive governance, and economic revitalization in the northern region ahead of the September elections.
As the campaign season intensifies, all eyes will be on how the party translates these pledges into practical, people-centered policies that resonate with voters.
