Speaker Sameer Suleman stresses for MPs dedicated participation in their capacity training

* Individual Parliamentarians’ attendance and participation in the training will be closely monitored

* As the 3-week training rolled out on Monday, with dedication to better understand the legislators’ roles in and outside Parliament

By Kondwani Magombo, Malawi News Agency (MANA)

Speaker of the Malawi National Assembly, Sameer Suleman, has called on Members of Parliament (MPs) to participate in the 3-week training that rolled out on Monday, August 17, with dedication to better understand their roles in and outside the august House.

Suleman made the call at Malawi School of Government (MSG) in Lilongwe when he officially opened the training, which is the second of five cohorts — adding that the individual Parliamentarians’ attendance and participation in the training “will be closely monitored”.

“I urge each one of you to actively participate in this programme and attend on a daily basis; engage with the facilitators, share your experiences, ask questions and challenge ideas.”

Suleman noted that the environment the legislators operate in, continue to become increasingly dynamic, demanding and ever-changing, with parliamentary proceedings being streamed and followed live — hence the need for them to be well equipped with knowledge.

“The Parliamentary proceedings are broadcast live and citizens watch and judge what is happening in real time across the country — from urban centres to the most remote communities, and beyond our borders.

“Our constituents are watching, listening and analysing how we effectively represent their interests and respond to their aspirations, therefore, it is imperative that we continuously sharpen our knowledge, refine our skills and strengthen our capacity to deliver on our constitutional mandate,” said the Speaker.

When the 3rd meeting of the 52nd session of the National Assembly rose sine die last week, on Friday https://www.maraviexpress.com/speaker-Suleman raised concerns on MPs’ absenteeism during deliberations — emphasising that attendance in plenary and committee sitting is a fundamental duty that upholds the credibility of Parliament.

At the opening ceremony, MSG Director General, Prof. Lewis Baison Dzimbiri, described the training as crucial for the Parliamentarians to fully understand their roles and various aspects that they will be debating.

“The MPs need to learn and understand the roles of the committees and how the committees feed into the plenary of the National Assembly; issues about budget, public expenditure and law making – which is their core mandate; and also their roles as representative of their constituencies,” explained Dzimbiri in an interview.

He added that the legislators would also learn how Parliament interacts with other arms of government, namely: the Executive, Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs), and the MPs’ oversight role on the arms on public expenditure.

The training programme will also dwell on the Constitution; powers and privileges and legal framework governing Parliament; law making — from legislative proposal to law; governance; democracy and human rights; and local government administration, among other subjects, according the Speaker.

Thus the emphasis from the Speaker, who rubbed it in that the training “is not merely an academic exercise — it is a strategic investment in the effectiveness of our Parliament”.

“This, Honourable Members, is at the core of the agenda for my Speakership during this parliamentary term, which is to ensure effective and impactful oversight,” he stressed.

He further noted that the training programme has played a critical role in strengthening the MPs’ capacity of while enhancing the quality of debate, scrutiny and decision-making in the House.

The training programme is being implemented through several cohorts, whose second cohort will  run from August 17 to September 4, 2026.

It comes at the conclusion of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Africa Region, which Malawi hosted and at the closing ceremony, the Speaker noted that the discussions reaffirmed the critical role of parliaments in promoting accountability, representation, inclusion and service to citizens.

Held under the theme; ‘Renewing the Social Contract: Parliaments as Catalysts for Inclusive Growth and Citizen Trust’, Suleman stated that the caucus provided an opportunity for delegates to discuss key issues including governance, peace and security, economic development, climate change, social inclusion, health and education, and digital governance.

“Let me urge member parliaments to move from deliberation to implementation by strengthening parliamentary institutions, oversight and capacity building, particularly for women and young parliamentarians,” he said.

He also called for stronger cooperation and peer learning among CPA branches, saying the organisation’s success should be measured by the practical difference its work makes for parliaments and citizens.

The Conference appointed new office bearers, an exercise which saw Malawi handing over the presidency to the Republic of South Africa while Malawi’s MP, Grace Kwelepeta was appointed chairperson of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians for Africa Region.

The CPA Conference drew delegates from 17 of the 19 CPA branches in Africa, bringing together more than 300 participants in Lilongwe.

At a farewell dinner at Kumbali Lodge in Lilongwe, the Speaker expressed his appreciation to the delegates for their participation and contribution, saying it had enriched the conference and reaffirmed the spirit of solidarity that continues to define the CPA Africa Region.

“Your participation has enriched this conference immeasurably. More importantly, it has reaffirmed the enduring spirit of solidarity that continues to define the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Africa Region,” he said.

The delegates were also treated to an excursion to Salima on Saturday aimed at showcasing and promoting Malawi’s tourism and cultural heritage.—Editing and additional reporting by Duncan Mlanjira; Maravi Express