By Suleman Chitera

Speaker of the Parliament of Malawi, Right Honourable Sameer Suleman, has challenged Members of Parliament to continuously develop their knowledge and skills if they are to effectively deliver on the responsibilities entrusted to them by the Constitution.

Suleman made the call on Monday, 17 August 2026, when he officially opened the second cohort of the Parliamentary Training Programme (PTP) for MPs serving in the 2025–2030 parliamentary term at the Malawi School of Government in Lilongwe.

The training programme is aimed at equipping legislators with practical knowledge and skills needed to strengthen their performance in Parliament, particularly in the areas of law-making, oversight and representation.

The Speaker said effective parliamentary work requires Members to remain informed and adequately prepared to scrutinise government policies, legislation and public expenditure while representing the interests of their constituents.

He described the training programme as more than an academic exercise, saying it should be viewed as an investment in the overall effectiveness of Malawi’s Parliament.

“Honourable Members, this training programme is not merely an academic exercise; it is a strategic investment in the effectiveness of our Parliament.”

Suleman said strengthening parliamentary oversight remains a key priority of his tenure as Speaker, emphasising the need for Parliament to exercise its constitutional mandate in a manner that produces meaningful results for Malawians.

“This, Honourable Members, is at the core of the agenda for my Speakership during this parliamentary term, which is to ensure effective and impactful oversight,” he said.

According to the Speaker, previous implementation of the Parliamentary Training Programme has contributed to improving the capacity of lawmakers and has had a positive bearing on the quality of parliamentary debate, scrutiny and decision-making.

He therefore encouraged MPs to take the programme seriously and use the knowledge gained to improve their contribution to parliamentary business.

The training comes at a time when Parliament is expected to play a critical role in scrutinising government programmes, holding the Executive accountable and ensuring that public resources are used in accordance with national priorities.

Suleman also acknowledged the contribution of development partners towards strengthening Malawi’s parliamentary institutions. He singled out the European Union for its continued support to initiatives aimed at improving the capacity and effectiveness of Parliament.

The Parliamentary Training Programme is being delivered in several cohorts to accommodate Members of Parliament during the current parliamentary term.

The second cohort began on 17 August and will run until 4 September 2026.

The programme is expected to provide participating MPs with further exposure to parliamentary procedures, legislative responsibilities and oversight mechanisms, ultimately strengthening their ability to perform their constitutional functions.

The Speaker’s call reinforces the importance of continuous professional development among legislators, particularly as Parliament deals with increasingly complex policy, economic and governance issues requiring informed scrutiny and evidence-based decision-making.