NPC Launches MW2063 Champions Recognition Programme

The National Planning Commission has on Monday evening launched the Malawi 2062 Champions Recognition Programme.

The Country launched its long-term National Development blueprints, the Malawi 2063 in January 2021 and subsequently its first 10 years implementation plan in November of the same year.

The vision of the 2063 is to have an inclusively self-reliant nation by the year 2063 and the Citizens should be able to find their Developmental needs primarily by their selves at Household level and national at large.

Speaking during the launch, the board Chairperson of the Malawi National Planning Committee, Professor Richard Mkandawire said for Malawi to achieve its vision, collective efforts by both state actors and acting with sense of agency will be needed.

“The Mip one has two key milestones to be attained by 2030.

“The first milestone is to graduate the country into the a lower middle income economy and the second one is meeting most sustainable development goals.

“We need collective efforts by both state and non-state actors and a sense of agency to achieve these milestones,” said Mkandawire.

He added that Malawi is developing but at a worrisomely pace but through the implementation of the Malawi 2063, Malawi could be one of the rising nations in the continent.

“We have to run as a nation and stop walking because of a lot of catching up to do. Africa is rising and we have to make sure that Malawi is among countries on the front line of the rising continent development process.

“Within Africa until Covid 19, over 15 countries have consistently registered a GDP growth rate of more than 5%. These are considered as the rising economies of Aftica.

“Malawi could emerge as the candidate of the rising African narrative.

“The implementation of the Malawi 2063 will prove and propel the country as African rising nation. We have all it takes to deliver on our aspirations. We therefore, need Champions that will inspire us to run in order to meet our Malawi 2063 goals.”

Professor Mkandawire said the Malawi National Planning Commission have started identifying and recognising Champions of the Malawi 2063.

He described the identified Champions as patriotic and have passion to take Malawi to the right direction from either intensively popular rising, long-term development Planning and continuity of development programs.

“We hope others can be inspired and take ownership in the implementation of the our country’s vision. They are like captins who rally their troops towards a common goal.

“As we move forward, we also institutions beyond individuals that are implementing transformative initiatives,” explained the Chairperson.

He further said that the Champions were identified in their general contribution to the vision but also in line with their specific contribution to the vision’s three pillars of creating wealth.

“The Champions will be a diverse group of people ranging from the politicians, traditional leaders, Business captains, Artists, men, women, and people with disabilities regardless of whether they come from Rural or urban.

“Politicians have been recognised due to their critical role of championing the continuity of development programmes beyond political regimes,” said Mkandawire.

The Director General of the Malawi National Planning Commission Dr Thommas Munthali concurred with Mkandawire’s sentiment saying that Malawians have no luxury of time.

“Setting a lower-middle economy by 2030 it will require us not walk as usual, it will require us to run. There are things that could hinder our vision like Covid 19, Ukraine-Russian War, Natural Disaster,” said Munthali.

The first Group of MW2063 and Intergeneration development Champions includes Dr Hastings Kamuzu Banda, Dr Bakili Muluzi, Professor Bingu Mutharika, Dr Joyce Banda, and Professor Peter Mutharika.

Munthali said the former Presidents have recognised for their mindset of long-term term planning and propagated initiatives that really were intergenerational development in nature before the MW2063 was launched.

The second MW2063 Champions includes Dr Lazarus Chakwera, Catherine Gottan-Hara, Justice Rezine Mzikamanja, Dr Saulos Chilima, Hon Atupele Muluzi, Ho Enock Chihana, Mark Katsonga, Pemphero Mphande, Bertha Mkandawire, Mr Charles Ulaya, Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe, Paramount Chief Kawinga, Paramount Chief Kyungu, Paramount Cheif Lundu, Paramount Cheif Mbelwa among others.

These were recognised for their mindset change.