Board chairpersons and chief executive officers for state-owned enterprises at the building and corporate governance training in Mangochi
* It is not merely about compliance with rules and regulations—Malawi School of Government acting Council chairperson, Prof. Samson Sajidu
* When presiding over team building and corporate governance training for board chairpersons and chief executive officers for state-owned enterprises
* Under the theme; ‘Beyond Individual Roles: Teamwork as the Engine of Effective Governance’
By Duncan Mlanjira
Acting Council chairperson of the Malawi School of Government, Prof. Samson Sajidu emphasises that corporate governance is not merely about compliance with rules and regulations but is about stewardship, accountability, ethical leadership and strategic vision.
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Prof. Sajidu, who is University of Malawi (UNIMA) Vice-Chancellor, said this when he presided over the team building and corporate governance training for Board chairpersons and chief executive officers (CEOs) for state-owned enterprises (SoEs).
It was held under the theme; ‘Beyond Individual Roles: Teamwork as the Engine of Effective Governance’ — whose high profile participants included Chief Secretary to the Government, Dr. Justin Saidi; Deputy Chief Secretary & Comptroller of Statutory Corporations, Stuart Ligomeka; Deputy Comptroller of Statutory Corporations, Christopher Mchenga; Malawi School of Government Director General, Prof. Lewis Baison Dzimbiri among others.
Prof. Sajidu further emphasised the importance of strengthening team building and corporate governance “as a foundation for effective performance and national development”, saying the deliberations reaffirmed “one important truth that: strong institutions are built on strong governance”.
He highlighted that SoEs and statutory corporations “play a central role in Malawi’s economic recovery and development [as] they manage critical national assets, provide essential public services and contribute significantly to economic growth”.
“However, their success depends largely on the effectiveness, integrity and strategic leadership of their Boards and Executive Management.
“This workshop has, therefore, served as an important platform to build teams amongst parastatals and SoEs in order to strengthen our understanding of the roles and responsibilities entrusted to us as leaders of these institutions.”
He quoted an African proverb that reminds that: ‘Wisdom is like a baobab tree; no one individual can embrace it alone’, explaining that the proverb reflects the spirit of collective learning, dialogue and shared experiences to strengthen the capacity to govern institutions more effectively.
He quoted another African proverb that says: ‘A single bracelet does not jingle’ — which teaches that “effective governance requires collaboration between Boards, Executive Management, Government oversight institutions, and other stakeholders”.
“This is why the theme of our training is: ‘Beyond Individual Roles: Teamwork as the Engine of Effective Governance’.”
He applauded the collaboration between the Department of Statutory Corporation and Malawi School of Government for organising the training, saying such initiatives “are essential in strengthening leadership capacity, promoting best practices in governance and ensuring that our institutions operate with professionalism, transparency, and accountability”.
He thus encouraged the participants to take the lessons learned back to their respective institutions in order to translate knowledge into action by strengthening governance structures, promoting accountability, and improving institutional teamwork.
“The theme of this workshop remains a call to action for all of us,” he said. “Let us commit ourselves to building institutions that are transparent, accountable, efficient and responsive to the needs of the people of Malawi.
“Let us also remember that good governance is not an event, but a continuous journey that requires commitment, integrity, and leadership.”
On his part, the Chief Secretary to the Government, Dr. Saidi has challenged the participants to ensure that their institutions become more accountable, innovative, financially sustainable and responsive to the needs of Malawians.
Dr. Justin Saidi
Saidi said the government expects quality leadership within SoEs that will influence the quality of public resources and the sustainability of public investments at the pace of the country’s economic transformation.
“Government expects state-owned enterprises to strengthen governance, uphold financial discipline, improve institutional performance and safeguard public resources. “Leadership should be guided by integrity, professionalism, transparency and teamwork,” he said.
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