I had paid two visits to Malawi as a part of ABLI 2015 build-up: One in September 2014 and another on February 2015. During these visits, I have witnessed assuring evidence of a desire for change not only in Malawi but also in Africa. The visit in September (with Mohammed Girma) gave me the opportunity to meet with church leaders and professionals in Blantyre.
My visit in February in the company of Lord Paul Boateng of the House of Lords UK, and Mr David Smith Director for International Programme of the Bible Society was special in every sense of the word. It had to do, like the first one, with an advocacy programme on leadership, justice and peace and development in Africa.
One of the highlights was the call on the President of Malawi Rt Hon Prof Arthur Peter Mutharika. We were warmly received by the President, and what was meant to be brief courtesy call turned to be a very captivating discussion on leadership based on biblical values in the context of Malawi in particular and Africa in general.
ABLI seeks to create a forum for discussions on leadership, justice, peace socio economic development among others. In the pat it has drawn Heads of State, people from the academia and various professionals such as judges, MPs, Church leaders, business women and men, youth and civil society
The interest shown by His Excellency was most impressive after we had touched on the vision of ABLI in general and the theme for ABLI 2015 in Malawi relating to Transforming the Culture of Leadership in Africa. The issues relating to transformational leadership and integrity in public life were equally of interest
So far ABLI has been held in Ethiopia2010 and 2011, Uganda 2012, and Ghana 2014. This is the first time it is being hosted in Southern Africa and in a country that prides itself as the Warm Heart of Africa.
In March 2010 the AU had met and discussed issues relating to good governance and corruption in Africa. The theme for Malawi, Transforming Culture of leadership in Africa, could not have been a better follow up of what the AU had initiated in 2010. At that meeting the AU discussed the amount of US $ 1.8 trillion lost between1970 and 2008 from Africa through illegal transfers and money laundering. Of course part of this loss was with connivance and collaboration of partners from the West. This amount could have paid for all of Africa’s debts
The same enthusiasm was evident when we visited a few members of Parliament including some young and newly elected members. We were more than convinced Malawi was the place to be for ABLI 2015
Interesting enough we visited Malawi when Cashgate was all over in the media. For us coming from outside Malawi was a Peace Haven where political upheavals and scandals were not that common. This time round we had to revise our long held belief
Our meetings with leaders of churches and directors of para-church organisations pointed to the need to indeed revisit the culture of leadership in Africa. The observation that the ‘ the church is a mile long and an inch deep’ appeared to be true in Malawi too. This could be traced to leadership or rather the dearth of it in the Church. The church is growing fast in Africa but the impact of the gospel was not as well felt as expected
In discussion with other professionals we came to the conclusion that even though Malawi was not faced with the Ebola or Cholera outbreak which were ravaging parts of West Africa Healthcare delivery and the necessary structures left much to be desired
A few countries had just had elections and new leaders had been or were to be inducted into office eg Nigeria and Kenya. What were expectations?
The word on the lips of all was LEADERSHIP. Leadership in the Church, State, in business and the private sector needed to be revisited if we were to tackle ignorance, poverty, greed selfishness and corruption
It has been observed that Africa is a young population with well over 70% below 35 years. The young generation in Africa does not want to be referred to as the leaders of tomorrow. They are of the view that they should be part of any ongoing discussion on leadership here and now. Space has been created for this vital part of our populations. They will be part and parcel of the discussions and will be allowed to proffer suggestions on the theme and other issues relating to unemployment and their expectations in the running of the affairs of both church and nation
All these discussions will be incomplete without looking at the family the basic unit of national life and society in general for as has been said elsewhere a healthy family breeds a strong nation. Mothers and fathers all have roles to play. The state we are told is the worst parent. We should not expect the state to grow and nurture our children outside the warmth of family life. Most speakers are from Africa or of African origin. Their experience as leaders and depth of knoledge in varioius feilds will add vitality to discuss at both plenary and workshop sessions.
Malawi and indeed Africa cannot remain the same after ABLI 2015.
David Hammond is the ABLI Ambassador. Previously he worked as Africa Area Secretary for the United Bible Soceities.
