By Burnett Munthali
MULANJE — Vice President Dr Jane Mayemu Ansah has credited President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika with opening the door to her rise to Malawi’s second-highest office, expressing gratitude for the confidence he showed by choosing her as his running mate.
Speaking at Chisitu Parish in Mulanje on Saturday, Ansah said Mutharika’s decision to select her ahead of the September 16, 2025 presidential election gave her an opportunity that ultimately led to her becoming Vice President of Malawi.
Ansah was addressing Catholic women during the Archdiocese of Blantyre Catholic Women Association’s annual Umai wa Amai Maria celebration, where she reflected on her political journey and encouraged women to prepare themselves for opportunities to serve their communities and the nation.
She said Mutharika’s decision demonstrated confidence in her abilities and gave her an opportunity to participate at the highest levels of national leadership. Drawing from her own experience, Ansah urged women not to simply wait for leadership positions to come their way, but to develop the skills, discipline and competence required to take advantage of opportunities when they arise.
The Vice President said determination and hard work were essential for women seeking greater responsibility in public life, stressing that gaining access to leadership must be matched by the ability and willingness to deliver.
Ansah also cautioned Malawians against readily accepting information circulated on social media, particularly claims concerning her relationship with Mutharika and other matters involving the country’s leadership.
She warned that false and unverified information could fuel unnecessary divisions and misunderstandings, urging citizens to establish the authenticity of claims before accepting or sharing them as fact.
The Vice President also spoke about the influence of her Christian faith on her conduct towards people in authority, including the President. She said her belief in God was inseparable from her responsibility to respect Mutharika as Malawi’s Head of State, arguing that professing Christian values should be reflected in how people treat those entrusted with leadership.
Ansah’s remarks also touched on the broader debate over women’s representation in Malawi’s political and public leadership. She said her own experience demonstrated that women could rise to senior constitutional positions when given opportunities to demonstrate their abilities.
At the same time, she cautioned that opportunities alone were not enough. Women entrusted with leadership positions, she said, must be prepared to work hard and meet the responsibilities and expectations that come with public office.
Ansah presented her journey to the vice presidency as an example of how opportunity, preparation and commitment can combine to propel women into positions of national influence. Her message to the gathering was that women should be given greater opportunities to serve, but must also prepare themselves to lead with integrity, discipline, competence and dedication.
The Mulanje gathering therefore provided Ansah with an opportunity to acknowledge Mutharika’s role in her political rise while encouraging other women to position themselves for leadership and public service.
