The USAID Country Representative, Randy Kolstad, paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Information and Civic Education, Hon. Chernor A. Bah, on Friday to discuss USAID’s key priorities for the coming year, emphasizing electoral reform and peace-building initiatives.

During the meeting, Kolstad outlined USAID’s commitment to supporting democratic processes in Malawi. He highlighted the agency’s focus on electoral reforms and efforts to strengthen peace-building, which align with USAID’s goal of fostering sustainable governance and promoting civic engagement in the country.

A significant part of the discussion centered on improving public access to information. Both parties agreed that enhancing transparency and ensuring citizens have access to timely and relevant information is vital for accountability in governance. Minister Bah and the USAID representative expressed the need to strengthen information dissemination systems to empower citizens and encourage their active participation in civic matters.

Looking forward, the two discussed opportunities for further collaboration. USAID reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Ministry’s strategic objectives, which include bolstering the media sector, promoting civic education, and enhancing public communication channels.

Minister Bah commended USAID for its continued support and welcomed the focus on crucial areas such as electoral reform and peace-building. Both parties expressed optimism about deepening their partnership to promote transparency, democratic governance, and national development.

The visit underscores the ongoing strong collaboration between USAID and the Ministry, with shared goals of advancing democracy and fostering national progress.