Malawi's new president gives ministerial positions to wife, in-law & others

- President Chakwera came under fire after appointing his wife to be the deputy of the ministry

- Chakwera appointed his sister as the health minister while his sister-in-law was named as the deputy in the agriculture ministry

- His former running mate was selected as the transport minister while his wife was also given a position in the Cabinet

- Additionally, 70% of the appointees were from the Central region, which is Chakwera's stronghold

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Malawians have taken to social media to condemn the recently elected President Lazarus Chakwera for appointing his family members to his Cabinet.

Chakwera, who had, ironically, castigated former Malawi president Peter Mutharika for nepotism in his government, appointed his sister Khumbize Kandodo as the health minister.

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The president appointed his wife, Abida Mia to take over as the deputy in the Ministry of Transport while his sister-in-law Agnes Nkusa Nkhoma was selected to be deputy in the agriculture ministry.

Chakwera's former running mate Sidik Mia was named as the transport minister whereas Kenny Kandodo was appointed to head the labour ministry.

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Sidik Mia's wife was also given a position in the Cabinet.

Businessman Gospel Kazako was selected as Information minister.

As if that was not enough, 70% of Chakwera's appointees were from the Central region, which is his political backyard.

His Cabinet ignited angry reactions with many expressing their displeasure in the new Executive.

Here are some of the reactions.

The new Cabinet was appointed days after Chakwera's inauguration whose attendance was scaled down to 100 people due to coronavirus.

Chakwera garnered 58.57% of votes that were cast on Tuesday, June 23, during Malawi's repeat polls that were convened after he successfully contested the win of the incumbent President Peter Mutharika in court.

In February 2020, the court ruled that the May 2019 General Election was marred by-poll malpractices and directed the poll agency to convene another election.

Meanwhile, Shamima Opoku Amankwah, a brilliant girl who grew up in Ghana, left Wesley Girls' SHS when she was in year one and ended up becoming the best graduating student at Our Lord Secondary School in Canada.

In an interview with YEN.com.gh, the small lady reveals that she is originally Canadian but spent most of her formative years in Ghana.

Shamima attended The Ridge School from inception to junior high school, after which she went to Wesley Girls' and then left Ghana the following year.

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Senior Minister, Osafo-Maafo, tests positive for COVID-19

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Source: YEN.com.gh