Malawi's First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Victor Musowa, has called on legislators to improve their performance and conduct in light of digital platforms that now expose their contributions in the House to public scrutiny. Speaking in Lilongwe during the opening of the third cohort of the Parliamentary Training Programme at the Malawi School of Government, Musowa emphasized the need for MPs to prepare adequately for debates and ensure their contributions address citizens' concerns. He noted that digital transformation has changed the way people access information and follow parliamentary proceedings.
Musowa stressed that increased public access to parliamentary proceedings through live broadcasts and digital platforms demands greater professionalism and accountability from legislators. He urged MPs to strengthen their understanding of parliamentary procedures to improve debates, scrutinize proposed laws and policies, and fulfill their constitutional responsibilities. This call comes as the public increasingly watches and evaluates the performance of their representatives in Parliament.
The Parliamentary Training Programme aims to equip MPs with the knowledge and practical skills needed to improve legislative performance, scrutinize government policies, and represent their constituents effectively. The programme's director general, Professor Lewis Dzimbiri, noted that strengthening legislators' capacity is essential to improving the quality of parliamentary debates and enabling MPs to fulfill their lawmaking and oversight responsibilities.
The three-week training is part of a five-phase programme targeting members of the 229-seat National Assembly during the 2025-2030 parliamentary term. The programme covers a range of topics, including the Constitution, legislative procedures, parliamentary powers and privileges, governance, democracy, human rights, local government administration, budgeting, and public finance. This comprehensive training is designed to enhance MPs' understanding of parliamentary business.
Professor Dzimbiri emphasized that the training will provide members of Parliament with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of parliamentary business, particularly the legislative processes, policy scrutiny, and effective representation of their constituents. He expressed confidence that the programme will enhance the quality of parliamentary debates and the overall performance of legislators.
The training programme is a significant initiative aimed at enhancing the capacity of Malawi's legislators. By improving their understanding of parliamentary procedures and processes, MPs are better equipped to represent their constituents and contribute to the development of effective laws and policies. This, in turn, is expected to enhance the overall performance of Parliament and promote good governance in Malawi.
The Deputy Speaker's call for improved performance and conduct by legislators is a timely reminder of the critical role that MPs play in promoting democracy and good governance in Malawi. As the country continues to consolidate its democratic institutions, the importance of effective and accountable leadership in Parliament cannot be overstated. The success of the Parliamentary Training Programme will be closely watched by stakeholders.
Key points
- Deputy Speaker Victor Musowa challenges legislators to improve performance amid digital scrutiny.
- The Parliamentary Training Programme aims to equip MPs with knowledge and practical skills to improve legislative performance.
- The programme covers topics including the Constitution, legislative procedures, and public finance.
