ACB's Anti-Corruption Drive Empowers AIP Beneficiaries, More Needed
The ACB's interventions in the AIP helped deter corruption and empower beneficiaries in 2023, though resources remained a challenge, officials said.
LILONGWE, Malawi— For 25 years, Malawi's Anti-Corruption Bureau has been a formidable force unearthing deep-rooted corruption and bringing transparency, including efforts to empower beneficiaries of the Affordable Inputs Program through anti-graft interventions, writes Tionge Hara.
The ACB's interventions in the AIP helped deter corruption and empower beneficiaries in 2023, though resources remained a challenge, officials said.
The bureau investigated 60 AIP-related cases, with some prosecutions and others awaiting judgement, including the arrest of three staffers from SFFRFM and a guard from ADMARC in Nkhotakota.
"The Bureau was successful in the 2022/2023 season because it was able to start its intervention right from beneficiary registration up to input redemption," ACB spokeswoman Eglita Ndala told AfricaBrief.
"Sensitizations made beneficiaries and stakeholders aware of what to do and not do."
Of 64 complaints handled in 2023-2024, three are being pursued while one is in court, she said.
Staff were deployed nationwide to monitor the process and conduct timely investigations when corrupt practices were reported.
However, Ndala said financial resources posed a "great challenge," preventing full execution of activities like pre-registration and redemption sensitization of beneficiaries and robust monitoring. Investigating most complaints received was also affected.
Human rights activist Mwandida Theu of Youth and Society commended the arrests for exposing taxpayer fund misuse and addressing AIP corruption in 2023. But she said the ACB "should be encouraged to do more" going forward.
"There is need for increased transparency, collaboration with various actors including civil society organizations, and continuous monitoring of anti-corruption measures," said Theu, also a commissioner for the Malawi Peace and Unity Commission.
Theu said, "Ongoing education and awareness campaigns can also help deter corruption and foster a culture of accountability within governmental institutions."
One beneficiary, 47-year-old Happy Msiska, credited the ACB's work for a better 2023 AIP experience, allowing him to use subsidized inputs to fight household hunger instead of reselling them as in previous years.
"The bureau needs to be recognized for the accomplishments in combating corruption and exploring the possibilities for a corruption-free country," Msiska said. "Past years have been hell."
"With the help of the bureau I vowed not to sell my inputs to vendors but rather use them to eradicate hunger at my household level," he added.
While making positive strides, the ACB still faced resource constraints in fully executing its anti-corruption strategy for the 2023 AIP, according to the perspectives provided.
Continued efforts, funding and cooperation are needed to build on the progress made in supporting beneficiaries.