Launch of CEEG

The University of Malawi (UNIMA) and its four constituent Colleges will on Wednesday, 28th August, 2019 launch a multi disciplinary Centre of Excellence in Ethics and Governance (CEEG) at the Sunbird Capital Hotel in Lilongwe.

The overall theme of the launch of the CEEG is ‘Ethics and Governance as Moral Capital Investments for Malawi’s Rapid and Sustainable Development within a Competitive Globalized World.’

The Honorable Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Mr. Bright Msaka, SC and Member of Parliament for Machinga Likwenu, will grace the official inaugural ceremony.

Speaking during a Press Briefing which took place on Wednesday, 21st August, at the University Office in Zomba, the Acting Director of CEEG Professor Joseph Mfutso-Bengo explained that the aim of the centre is to eradicate malpractices that rampant corruption, abuse of public resources, in order for countries to invest in moral capital, good governance, professionalism and in disciplined professional ethical human capital.

“Ethics, governance and leadership works together in order to provide change to the system. We have found out that there are four pillars which are; leadership, governance, ethics and system,” he said.

Professor Mfutso-Bengo emphasized that people need to start trusting the system to work on its own without being coerced by corruption in all areas of the government.

“In Germany, when one applies for a visa they just wait for the system to operate on its own without them leaving their work place to query.” he added.

The Pro Vice Chancellor of UNIMA, Professor Al Mtenje also highlighted that as a training centre, the aim is to try and change the mindsets of the people so that they should start believing in the system.

“People will be coached to change their mindsets, attitude and be encouraged to follow ethical practices. Even those on the wrong side of ethics will realize that ethics are imperative and change their mindsets too,” he said.

Professor Mtenje added that not every academic program in the UNIMA had an element of ethics. In this regard, all programs will have an element of ethics in them.

In addition, the University Registrar Dr. Benedicto Wokomaatani Malunga explained that, democracy is a complicated system that requires learned people that understand where they put a stop to where somebody else’s freedom begins.