The Malawi Assemblies of God University (MAGU) emerged winner at the third debate in the preliminary round of the 2021 Students’ Debates in which the team went head-to-head against Pentecostal Life University (PLU), who competed in the debates for the first time. The debate was held at the MAGU campus in Lilongwe on Thursday 16th September, 2021 and the teams debated on the topic, “Is it possible to ensure that all public funds and resources are used for the intended purposes?”

Tamara Banda, Francina Msimuko, Marvin Banda, and Alinafe Chikulekule represented PLU while from MAGU it was Evelyn Chikaya, Tadala Chirwa, Ronald Bakawayima Mhango, and Akuzike Nkombeza. MAGU supported the motion and argued that it is indeed possible to ensure that all public funds and resources are used for their intended purpose while PLU were opposers.

ECAMA’s Executive Director, Mr. Frank Chikuta, addressed the audience in his opening remarks and stated that, “the overall objective of this project is to contribute towards improved use and management of public resources through a PFM system that promotes transparency, accountability, fiscal discipline, efficiency and effectiveness” and therefore, it is important to involve the youth in these discussions.

The judging panel was made up of Mr. Precious Chibamba who is the Assistant Budget Director at the Ministry of Finance, Dr. Austin Chiumia who is a Principal Economist in the Economic Policy and Research Department at the Reserve Bank of Malawi and Mr. Leslie Mkandawire the Corporate Development Executive and Director at Mlomboji and Partners Consulting.

The next debate is scheduled for Wednesday 22nd September, 2021 between Malawi Institute of Management (MIM) and LUANAR and will take place at the MIM campus in Lilongwe.

The 2021 University Students’ Debates, the debates are being organized by ECAMA and its partners Oxfam in Malawi and the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) with financial support from the European Union (EU).