U.S. Congressional Delegation impressed with Malawi projects

Congressman David Price of North Carolina led a six member congressional delegation to Malawi on July 5 and 6 and met with senior Parliamentarians and visited health related projects.  Congressman Price was particularly interested in the HIV/AIDS activities being undertaken by the University of North Carolina (UNC), which is located in his district.  While visiting Dzama, a rural village outside of Lilongwe where UNC has assisted with water and education projects, he said he was impressed with the University’s interventions.  He said, “I have known some of the people involved in this work for 20 years and I have heard about their work and how they are excited to be in Malawi, doing very rewarding work here.”

Congressman Price is also Chairman of the House Democracy Assistance Commission, which he initiated to help strengthen parliaments in emerging democracies.  Commenting on the political stalemate in the Malawi parliament, Price said he was aware of the issues between the President and the Parliament.  He noted this type of challenge is expected in a democracy.  He added, “I think it’s useful for members of the government leadership here to talk with people from other countries including us to see what the experience has been.”

Another member of the delegation, Congressman Mel Watt of North Carolina commented to the media that determination of areas that need more assistance in Malawi depended on priorities that Malawians themselves set.  Watt noted that the U.S. government had worked with the Government of Malawi and a number of NGOs in Malawi’s health, education and other sectors.  He said, “We think that the kind of assistance that’s most needed is something that people of Malawi and the Government of Malawi need to communicate themselves to us … we don’t want to come here and make that decision ourselves ... it’s a decision that should be made in cooperation with the leaders of Malawi.”

Congressman Watt said Malawi was already setting up such priorities through the Millennium Challenge Account that the U.S. Congress approved.  “Preliminarily they have gone through a process of setting of those priorities and they include increasing access to clean water in the country, the availability of electricity and improving education in the country,” said Representative Watt. The delegation also included Representative Lois Capps of California, Rep. Keith Ellison of Minnesota, Rep. Jim Cooper of Tennessee, and Rep. Brad Miller of North Carolina.