Malawi’s National Clean-Up Campaign Lags Behind Despite Five-Year Effort

By Smile Hamilton, Malawi

Despite being launched five years ago, Malawi’s National Clean-Up campaign continues to face significant challenges, with the country’s environment remaining marred by unhygienic conditions.

Only a handful of district councils have actively promoted the initiative, leaving much to be desired.

Environmental expert Charles Bakolo notes that while President Lazarus Chakwera’s 2020 initiative was well-intentioned, its impact has been limited due to inadequate adoption across councils.

Bakolo stresses that broader participation is crucial for achieving environmental sustainability, a key component of Malawi’s 2063 vision, and urges all Malawians to prioritize the campaign.

Gresham Kamnyamata, a commentator, identifies two primary reasons for the campaign’s limited success: Malawians’ littering habits and inadequate implementation by district councils. Despite significant government funding, district councils have fallen short in their efforts. The National Clean-Up campaign, launched in November 2020, aims to foster good hygiene practices by encouraging citizens to maintain clean homes, workplaces, and community surroundings. The campaign’s slow progress underscores the need for renewed commitment and collective action.