OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC OFFICERS' DECLARATIONS

The Office of the Director of Public Officers Declarations ODPOD is orienting Listed Public Officers (LPOs) of the Reserve Bank of Malawi across the country on Asset Declarations regime and compliance ahead of the official declarations period scheduled from 1 April to 30 April.

The orientations which form part of ongoing efforts to strengthen compliance and promote ethical standards within public institutions are equipping the banks employees with a clear understanding of their legal obligations and the procedures involved in declaring assets, liabilities and business interests in line the declarations law.

Opening the first session in Lilongwe on Monday, Reserve Bank of Malawi General Counsel and Bank Secretary Mr. George Chioza, said the partnership between ODPOD and the Bank plays a critical role in strengthening the Banks governance culture and reinforcing its collective commitment to transparency and integrity.

ODPOD Director Mr. Micheal Chiusiwa said the participants are guided through the declaration process, highlighting key requirements, timelines and common errors to avoid.

By engaging the central bank’s workforce ahead of the declarations period, the ODPOD seeks to foster a culture of openness and reinforce the importance of timely and accurate submissions between 1 and 30 April each year.

The Office of the Director of Public Officers’ Declarations (ODPOD) has received a donation of network infrastructure equipment from its cooperating partner, GIZ.

The donated equipment will enhance ODPOD’s network capacity and reliability, thereby improving connectivity for key institutional systems, including the Online Declarations System currently under development, the Records Management System, and other operations that depend on the Local Area Network (LAN) and internet connectivity.

The equipment includes Cisco network switches (48-port, 24-port, and 16-port), a FortiGate 90G firewall with Unified Threat Protection (UTP), Cisco SFP modules, wireless access points with protective cages, CAT 6 cabling (305 meters), and a data cabinet.

Speaking during the handover, ODPOD's Deputy Director, Mr. Beyani Munthali, noted that the enhanced connectivity will support the institution’s ongoing automation reforms. He emphasized that the improved network infrastructure will enable ODPOD to finalize the Online Declarations System and streamline internal processes, thereby strengthening efficiency, effectiveness, and compliance in law enforcement.

“We are grateful to GIZ through the Strengthening Public and Economic Management PFEM-Tikuze Malawi Project for its continued partnership and Commitment to good governance”. He added.

As part of the ongoing orientation of Members of Parliament-Elect in Lilongwe by the National Assembly, the Office of the Director of Public Officers’ Declarations (ODPOD) opened the Wednesday October 22 session explaining to the members their constitutional mandate to declare their Assets, Liabilities and Business Interests. Members of Parliament fall under what is called “Political and Elected Officials” category of Listed Public Officers (LPOs) as provided under section 5 as read with section 14 of the Public Officers (Declaration of Assets, Liabilities and Business Interests) Act. They are required to declare their assets, liabilities and business interests, and submit the information to the Director of Public Officers’ Declarations no later than three months after taking Oath of Office.

ODPOD Director Micheal Chiusiwa among the many important reasons of declaring, pointed out to the members that it promotes integrity, transparency and accountability, at the same time protects them from undue suspicion, baseless or unfounded allegations of wrong doing in their discharge of official duties. After the session, Mr Chiusiwa also took time to explain to some members one on one on the importance of declaring their assets. The Mps- elect are to be sworn in at the Parliament Building in Lilongwe on Monday, 27th October and Tuesday, 28th October, 2025.

The Office of the Director of Public Officers Declarations conducted its first ever declarations orientation workshop for media practitioners on 2nd June, 2022 at Sunbird Ku Chawe in Zomba. The ODPOD noted that media plays an integral part in shaping and creating public opinion. ODPOD therefore observed that a well- informed media can also inform the society on declarations issues correctly and positively.

The ODPOD conducted a one-day media practitioners declarations orientation workshop which was funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). A total of forty-four (45) people attended the workshop. Participants span from radio, television, print and online media institutions.