As part of his final engagements in the United Kingdom,Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera had an audience with Malawi Congress Party diaspora at the Intercontinental Park Lane Hotel in London.
Communications Director of Malawi Congress Party Diaspora Network (MCPDN), Nic Thindwa said: “the President responded to the request from the party members to have time to engage and discuss party matters. While an open meeting for everyone could not be arranged, the President offered to meet some of the leaders of the group.”
The MCPDN is an umbrella arm of all the regional diaspora groups. Among members of the MCP Diaspora leaders in attendance were : Felix Banda, Allan Mandindi,
Pastor Nelson Ngulube,Mphatso Mainala,Thoko Patterson and Patricia Chinoko.
Leader of delegation, who is also MCP Global Chairperson Chalo Mvula welcomed the President before making his submissions.
In his speech, Mvula said that there has never been better time for the diaspora to play a crucial role in the development of Malawi than this, when the world is rocked with a pandemic and the world has become one global village due to globalisation of people and services.
Mvula said Government should eliminate the resistance to diaspora efforts to contribute to and more meaningfully participate in national issues.
“The obstacles diaspora face include perceptions that we only want to be involved because we are desperate for positions, that we are condescending in our approach and undermine the efforts of comrades on the ground, that we are too far away from the action to make any meaningful impact on the ground,” Mvula said.
He argued that the majority of diaspora participation are for the sake of building Malawi, based on patriotism – since most of these members are already well-settled in the diaspora
Mvula further said the diaspora is prepared to be central to government trade and investment by driving and attracting foreign direct investors and tourism ambassadors in the communities where they live and network.
President Chakwera said he strongly believes that diasporans bring on great and vibrant skillsets through transfer and exchange programmes will equip locals with knowledge on short term basis.
Malawians in Ireland asked Chakwera to consider opening an embassy there, a request the president welcomed as an interesting idea. He promised to consult the Foreign Office for some feasibility studies on Ireland.