By Burnett Munthali
Dr. Jane Ansah is a highly accomplished Malawian legal expert, former judge, and seasoned public servant whose professional journey reflects resilience, intellect, and integrity.
She holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from the University of Malawi, a Master of Laws (LLM) from the University of London, and a Doctor of Laws (PhD) from the University of Queensland in Australia—credentials that place her among the most academically decorated legal minds in Malawi.
Dr. Ansah made history by becoming Malawi’s first female Attorney General, a position she held with distinction and professionalism under the administration of the late President Bingu wa Mutharika.
Her legal brilliance and firm character later earned her a seat on the Malawi Supreme Court of Appeal, where she contributed significantly to the development of jurisprudence and constitutional interpretation in the country.
In 2016, she was appointed as Chairperson of the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), becoming the first woman to head the electoral body in Malawi’s history.
Under her leadership, MEC successfully organized the 2019 Tripartite Elections, a mammoth electoral task involving presidential, parliamentary, and local government elections.
Despite the court’s eventual nullification of the 2019 presidential results, Dr. Ansah defended the Commission’s work based on the law, asserting that MEC followed proper electoral procedures amidst an extremely polarized political climate.
Her service during that challenging time earned her both praise and criticism, but she never wavered in her commitment to duty, demonstrating remarkable strength in the face of intense public pressure.
Even after resigning from MEC in 2020 to preserve institutional integrity and ease political tensions, Dr. Ansah’s public life has remained a testament to accountability and selfless service.
She is widely regarded as a symbol of women’s empowerment and leadership in Malawi, having shattered multiple glass ceilings in a male-dominated field.
On Friday 25 July 2025, Dr. Jane Ansah was unveiled as the running mate to Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika—a decision that has reignited national interest and hope for gender-balanced leadership.
Her inclusion on the presidential ticket represents a strategic move by the DPP to blend legal acumen, governance experience, and principled leadership in its campaign for the 2025 General Election.
Supporters see her as a decisive, incorruptible figure with unmatched institutional knowledge, who can restore credibility to public service and strengthen the rule of law.
Dr. Ansah’s calm demeanor, deep constitutional knowledge, and understanding of state machinery make her a formidable vice-presidential candidate, capable of offering wise counsel and solid leadership.
If elected, she would become Malawi’s female Vice President—a historic breakthrough that would inspire countless women and girls across the nation.
Her candidacy is not only a political asset for the DPP but a national milestone in the advancement of competent, ethical, and visionary leadership in Malawi.
