MALAWI: Catholic Bishop wants practical steps to reduce economic inequality and poverty in the country
Rt. Rev. Martin Mtumbuka, Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Karonga, Malawi
Bishop of Catholic Diocese of
Karonga, Malawi
Rt. Rev. Martin Mtumbuka Bishop for the Catholic Diocese of Karonga wants Malawi economists to renounce text-book economics and develop a brand of practical economics that can take Malawi out of impoverished state.
Bishop Mtumbuka who is the newly appointed board chairperson of the think tank Malawi Economic Justice Network (MEJN), said that reducing inequality and poverty, and promoting equity, are important macro-economic objectives.
He noted that the widening income gap between the rich and poor has highlighted the need to understand the causes of relative inequality and poverty, and to construct suitable policies to reduce poverty and narrow the income gap.
“The country’s economists including MEJN should work towards eradicating poverty in the country by ensuring that government economic policies are inclusive and that are indeed reducing economic hardships of Malawians particularly the marginalized,” said Bishop Mtumbuka.
He called for “equal opportunities” for all Malawians and not for the “selected few.” He noted that many Malawians still live in dire poverty.
Bishop Mtumbuka said reducing inequality will boost the impact of economic growth on the reduction of poverty.
Source: Prince Henderson, ECM Communications Officer
