Minister Usi says National Archives most abandoned services in Malawi government
Having only one vehicle operating the whole Malawi with its headquarters offices painted over 6 years ago, low funding and lack of space.
How can you expect such department to preserve the treasure of the country and operate effectively?
That was the question Minister of Tourism, Culture and Wildlife Dr Michael Usi asked on Thursday in Zomba when he visited National are archives headquarters.
Upon his visit to it’s head office, Usi described National Records and Archives Services as a place of great value as it hinges on crosscutting issues of national development.
Usi who was by then not yet known anything about this department until he visited to appreciate its value said there is a need to fully fund it and make use of the services for Malawi to develop.
“The department keeps the most important historical services for Malawi which can be used today to achieve our future development agenda,” he said.
He added that even lake Malawi disagreement between Malawi and Tanzania on ownership and boundaries would be resolved amicably if the two countries made use of this office.
“The office would provide detailed information on where Germany and Britain made boundaries regarding lake Malawi,” said Usi.
On why the services are regarded as useless to Malawians, he said lack of knowledge on its importance had for many years government not made full use of resources information found there hence providing low funding.
However, Usi urged officers to make proper strategies on how they can market their services to attract more funds from government, partners and international donors.
“One of the best way to market yourself is use of the media to reach many people with viable strategies,” he added.
The minister also visited Tourism office in the district which shares the same office within national archives office because it doesn’t have an office in the district covering Zomba, Machinga and Balaka.
Director of National Records and Archives Services Paul Lihoma said despite the challenges the office face, what are available there are of great value to the national socio economic development.
Lihoma said what remains is to support the office and make use of information to national development.
He believes that the visit by the minister will bear fruits especially by considering the office with resources and expand the office.
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The national archives office is the most important office in Malawi,as it keeps history of Malawi.From colonial rule to one party system to multiparty and democracy.The office keeps records of Malawi and it’s people.Tourist who wants to get information on history of the country can get this information from that office.The minister is right to fund such offices.The office of archives and the office of Tourism can work together,the archive department keeps records that can be used in tourism industry, places of history, place that can attract tourists are kept in that office.Thats relationship with these two departments. Koma dziko… Read more »
what is so “Cultural-ish or Tourism-ish” at the Archives Office? If this office falls within his ministry then I feel there is a total mix-up of duties. Can anyone in the know educate me on this issue coz I am lost.
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Under Kamuzu the National Archives were well funded and maintained, and headed by extremely qualified peopled.
But in 1994 after The Malawi Democrat” Printed a photo of Bakili Mukuzi in a prison uniform for stealing, as Mukuzi suspected his photo in prison uniform was found in the National Archives, he destroyed the Archives.
Then Bingu, Mama Corruption Joyce Banda and APM decimated what was left of the National Archives to ensure that no records of their looting are stored in the National Archives.