Malawian president reshuffles cabinet

President of Malawi, Peter Mutharika

MALAWIAN President Peter Mutharika on Monday fired Health Minister, Dr. Peter Kumpalume, Deputy Defense Minister, Vincent Ghambi, and Attorney General, Kalekeni Kaphale, in a cabinet reshuffle where he has made several changes.

According to the statement released by the office of the Secretary to the Government Monday afternoon, Mutharika has replaced Kumpalume with Atupele Muluzi who was formerly Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development.

Anna Kachikho, long-time ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislator and a new face in Mutharika’s new cabinet, has since replaced Muluzi as Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development while another new face, Everton Chimulirenji, replaces Ghambi as Deputy Defense Minister.

Other changes include switches of ministers where Henry Mussa, formerly Minister of Labor, Youth, Sports and Manpower Development, now takes over Industry, Trade and Tourism Ministry, taking the place of Joseph Mwanamvekha who has since moved to Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development.

Mussa is now replaced by Francis Katsaira as Youth, Sports, and Manpower Development Minister while Dr. Emmauel Fabiano, formerly Education, Science and Technology Minister replaces Katsaira as Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister.

On the other hand, Bright Msaka, takes over the role of Minister of Education, Science and Technology, as Aggrey Masi goes up the ladder from Deputy Minister of Education, Science and Technology to replace Msaka as Minister of Natural resources, Energy and Mining.

The ministries that have not changed faces include Finance (Goodall Gondwe); Justice and Constitutional Affairs (Samuel Tembenu); Home Affairs and Internal Security (Grace Chiumia); Transport and Public Works (Jappie Mhango); Information and Communication Technology (Nicholas Dausi);

Other two ministries that have also not changed faces are: Civic Education, Culture and Community Development (Cecilia Chazama); and Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare (Dr. Jean Kalilani).

With one Clement Mukumbwa deputizing Kalilani, Mutharika’s full cabinet remains at 20 including the President himself and his Vice, Saulos Chilima.

Mutharika has also appointed new Attorney General, Charles Mhango, to replace Kalekeni Kaphale.

The appointments are with immediate effect, according to the statement. – xinhuanet.com