HRDC slams government over lack of transparency on Ansah’s official trip

By Michael Martin//MALAWI

Relentless human rights campaigner group, the Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) has criticized the government for failing to provide clear information regarding the official trip of Deputy Head of State Dr. Jane Ansah.

HRDC Chairperson Michael Kaiyatsa said the government’s handling of details about the trip reflects a lack of accountability and fairness.

According to Kaiyatsa, the authorities initially reported conflicting information about the size of Dr. Ansah’s delegation.

Early government statements claimed that Dr. Ansah traveled with at least 15 staff members, creating confusion among the public.

The Ministry of Information, however, stated that Dr. Ansah was accompanied by only five individuals, fueling further discrepancies.

Kaiyatsa also raised concerns over the reported expenditure of 168 million kwacha for the trip, questioning whether public funds were appropriately used.

He contrasted these figures with earlier statements by President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika who on 31 December 2025, indicated that Dr. Ansah used her own resources rather than government funds for the journey.

“The differing reports from government officials show a clear lack of transparency,” Kaiyatsa said.

Again, HRDC believes that failure to provide accurate information undermines public trust and accountability.

The organization warned that if the government does not clarify the facts of the trip, it may face public scrutiny or legal action.

Kaiyatsa emphasized that transparency in the use of public resources is essential for good governance and citizen confidence.

“If the government continues to withhold the truth, HRDC will consider taking further steps to demand accountability,” he concluded.