President Lazarus Chakwera has called on Malawians not to give up on the possibility of defeating poverty and other challenges that the country is facing.

He made the call yesterday in Lilongwe when he led the nation in observing an Interdenominational National Day of Prayer.

In a brief speech, Chakwera acknowledged that Malawi is in great distress, but urged citizens to remain positive and hopeful that the nation can surmount the challenges.

He said: “If Malawians are strong and believe, the country can come out of problems. What is impossible with men is possible with God. Let us never ever give up.”

Chakwera said what God has done for others, He can also do for Malawi and that what others have achieved, Malawi can also achieve.

The President, who focused his speech on offering hope to Malawians other than finger pointing or making political statements, cited the World Cup final between Argentina and France as an example of how one should keep the faith.

Chakwera and Chilima during the prayers

He said: “When Argentina was leading by two goals, it seemed over for France, but France had faith and managed to equalise in less than two minutes.

“Argentina also kept its faith and scored in extra time to increase its chances, but France also had faith and managed to score. Because the teams had faith the world experienced a very great game.”

Muslim Association of Malawi vice-president Sheikh Yusuf Chibwana called on Malawians to thank God for what He has blessed the country with and seek His intervention in challenges being faced.

He said solving the country’s challenges should not only be left to the President.

Said Chibwana: “Every Malawian should take part in adressing the country’s challenges and developing it, otherwise, the country will not progress.

“Take the situation that Malawi is in like a vehicle that is stuck in the mud. If passengers just sit back and watch the driver trying to drive out of the mud, they will remain stuck in that place. But if the passengers help the driver by pushing the vehicle out of the mud, they will continue with their journey.”

On his part, Seventh Day Adventist president Tony Nyirenda stressed the need for Malawians to believe in God.

He observed that corruption is deep rooted in various structures of the country and curbing it is a big task.

Said Nyirenda: “There is need for everyone to take part in the fight against corruption, and for everyone to reform and stand up against corruption.”

Also in attendance were Vice-President Saulos Chilima, former vice-president Khumbo Kachali, Cabinet ministers, members of Parliament, religious leaders, chiefs and political parties supporters.

During the prayers, believers thanked God for peace, helping fight Covid-19, Malawi’s good relations with other countries, aid from developmental partners and development projects.

The event was also held to ask God for good rains and bumper yields as well as markets for farmers and that God should help in the fight against corruption.

Various religious leaders prayed for God’s intervention in the problems facing the country so that it moves out of poverty, ends corruption, eradicates nepotism and becomes a good example to the world.

Meanwhile, National Alliance Against Corruption chairperson Moses Mkandawire has commended the President for accepting that the country is going through challenges.

In an interview after the prayers, he hailed the President for encouraging Malawians to have faith in God and seek God’s intervention.

However, Mkandawire said faith without action will not change things for the better.

He said: “Malawians have been praying for years and it is time to check if people’s actions are in line with prayers. There is a lot that the country needs to do. The leadership needs to ensure that the right people are appointed into positions to help solve problems facing the country.”

Mkandawire called for action on people who abuse public resources, saying no-one should be shielded.

Malawi is eyeing to move from a low income country to a middle income status by 2063. The country wants to become a self reliant nation and ensure inclusive wealth creation.

The country aims to achieve that by growing industries, promoting agriculture, tourism, education, transport sector, mining and other sectors.

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