Source: TheInquirer
The first female President of the Republic of Malawi, Joyce Hilda Banda, over the weekend paid a two-day visit in Liberia for what she described as 'consultation' with her female counterpart; President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf. During her visit in the country, President Banda, who was accompanied by her husband, Richard Banda praised the Liberian leader for the level of development and stability in the country. President Banda pointed out that Africa is not a poor continent, in that it has all of the resources that could be used positively to make life more meaningful for its people.
She stated that Africa has abundance resources that can be harnessed, but it takes the efforts of the leaders to make good use of those resources. According to her the future of the continent lies in the hands of the leaders and people in that they have to unite in protecting the continent, while it also takes the efforts of the leaders to improve the livelihood of the people. “Why should people die from sicknesses that are curable on the continent?” she wondered. President Banda pointed out that it is possible and important to protect the lives of women and children on the continent. Earlier, President Sirleaf commended her counterpart for taking over the leadership of the Republic of Malawi and for making Liberia one of her first stops since she assumed office. She described President Banda's visit as 'historic', in that she is the first President to visit Liberia since her inauguration in January. The Liberian leader said she was delighted to be joined by another female President on the continent and encouraged her to uphold democracy as she leads her people.
President Sirleaf also boasted that she and President Banda have great strength and together they will work and do more to empower the women of Africa. “As you take on this humble task of leading your people, Liberia, and I, personally will give you all of the supports,” President Sirleaf assured her counterpart. Following fruitful talks between the two Presidents, they also held a special 'Breakfast Meeting' with women leaders of Liberia yesterday, at the Ministry of Gender and Development in Monrovia. President Banda, described the women of Africa as 'Achievers' and assured the Liberian women that she will, in her capacity as President continue to empower African women in every sector of the society. She explained that she, like President Sirleaf has also appointed several women in key areas in her government. The 2nd African female President explained that she will ensure good governance in her administration and will continue to advance girls' education and will work harder to make women more productive. President Banda expressed joy for meeting with President Sirleaf and the women of Liberia.
She reminded the women that the African Union has declared this decade for women. “We are looking forward to make use of this decade for the empowerment of women. This is our opportunity to excel,” she added. President Benda, who was gowned as honorary Paramount Chief at a special dinner in her honor on Saturday night said her consultations with President Sirleaf, has further prepared her to move forward in steering the affairs of her country. President Banda explained that there is rule of law, as well as good governance in her country. She praised President Sirleaf for being one of the first female leaders in Africa to offer supports for her administration. “I have followed her administration and I have come for consultation with President Sirleaf,” she maintained.
President Banda was also accompanied by her husband, retired Chief Justice of Malawi and Swaziland, Richard Banda; Member of Parliament and Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Ephraim Chiume; Member of Parliament, Anita Kalinde; and Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Patrick Kabambe. President Banda and delegation departed the country yesterday for Abuja, Nigeria, on the next leg of her African tour. President Joyce Banda was sworn in on April 7, 2012, as the fourth President of the Republic of Malawi following the death of His Excellency Ngwazi Professor Bingu wa Mutharika on April 5, 2012. Mrs. Banda, 61, becomes Malawi's and Southern Africa's first female Head of State and the second in Africa. An educator and grassroots gender rights activist, Mrs. Banda was Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2006 to 2009, and served as Malawi's first female Vice President from May 2009 until her ascendancy to the presidency.
She was also a Member of Parliament and Minister for Gender, Children's Affairs and Community Services. Prior to an active career in politics, she was the founder of the Joyce Banda Foundation of the National Association of Business Women (NABW), Young Women Leaders Network and the Hunger Project. She was listed in Forbes Magazine 2011 as the third most powerful woman in Africa. She is the founder and leader of the People's Party, established in 2011, and, prior to the death of her predecessor, was considered likely to contest the presidency of Malawi in the 2014 general election. The People's Party is scheduled to hold a convention later this year, with Joyce Banda likely to be confirmed as party leader.
The first female President of the Republic of Malawi, Joyce Hilda Banda, over the weekend paid a two-day visit in Liberia for what she described as 'consultation' with her female counterpart; President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf. During her visit in the country, President Banda, who was accompanied by her husband, Richard Banda praised the Liberian leader for the level of development and stability in the country. President Banda pointed out that Africa is not a poor continent, in that it has all of the resources that could be used positively to make life more meaningful for its people.
She stated that Africa has abundance resources that can be harnessed, but it takes the efforts of the leaders to make good use of those resources. According to her the future of the continent lies in the hands of the leaders and people in that they have to unite in protecting the continent, while it also takes the efforts of the leaders to improve the livelihood of the people. “Why should people die from sicknesses that are curable on the continent?” she wondered. President Banda pointed out that it is possible and important to protect the lives of women and children on the continent. Earlier, President Sirleaf commended her counterpart for taking over the leadership of the Republic of Malawi and for making Liberia one of her first stops since she assumed office. She described President Banda's visit as 'historic', in that she is the first President to visit Liberia since her inauguration in January. The Liberian leader said she was delighted to be joined by another female President on the continent and encouraged her to uphold democracy as she leads her people.
President Sirleaf also boasted that she and President Banda have great strength and together they will work and do more to empower the women of Africa. “As you take on this humble task of leading your people, Liberia, and I, personally will give you all of the supports,” President Sirleaf assured her counterpart. Following fruitful talks between the two Presidents, they also held a special 'Breakfast Meeting' with women leaders of Liberia yesterday, at the Ministry of Gender and Development in Monrovia. President Banda, described the women of Africa as 'Achievers' and assured the Liberian women that she will, in her capacity as President continue to empower African women in every sector of the society. She explained that she, like President Sirleaf has also appointed several women in key areas in her government. The 2nd African female President explained that she will ensure good governance in her administration and will continue to advance girls' education and will work harder to make women more productive. President Banda expressed joy for meeting with President Sirleaf and the women of Liberia.
She reminded the women that the African Union has declared this decade for women. “We are looking forward to make use of this decade for the empowerment of women. This is our opportunity to excel,” she added. President Benda, who was gowned as honorary Paramount Chief at a special dinner in her honor on Saturday night said her consultations with President Sirleaf, has further prepared her to move forward in steering the affairs of her country. President Banda explained that there is rule of law, as well as good governance in her country. She praised President Sirleaf for being one of the first female leaders in Africa to offer supports for her administration. “I have followed her administration and I have come for consultation with President Sirleaf,” she maintained.
President Banda was also accompanied by her husband, retired Chief Justice of Malawi and Swaziland, Richard Banda; Member of Parliament and Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Ephraim Chiume; Member of Parliament, Anita Kalinde; and Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Patrick Kabambe. President Banda and delegation departed the country yesterday for Abuja, Nigeria, on the next leg of her African tour. President Joyce Banda was sworn in on April 7, 2012, as the fourth President of the Republic of Malawi following the death of His Excellency Ngwazi Professor Bingu wa Mutharika on April 5, 2012. Mrs. Banda, 61, becomes Malawi's and Southern Africa's first female Head of State and the second in Africa. An educator and grassroots gender rights activist, Mrs. Banda was Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2006 to 2009, and served as Malawi's first female Vice President from May 2009 until her ascendancy to the presidency.
She was also a Member of Parliament and Minister for Gender, Children's Affairs and Community Services. Prior to an active career in politics, she was the founder of the Joyce Banda Foundation of the National Association of Business Women (NABW), Young Women Leaders Network and the Hunger Project. She was listed in Forbes Magazine 2011 as the third most powerful woman in Africa. She is the founder and leader of the People's Party, established in 2011, and, prior to the death of her predecessor, was considered likely to contest the presidency of Malawi in the 2014 general election. The People's Party is scheduled to hold a convention later this year, with Joyce Banda likely to be confirmed as party leader.