Chieftaincy wrangles are expected to be a thing of the past following the development of new Chief’s Policy by the Ministry of Local Government which is aimed at guiding the operation of all the chiefs in the country.

Director of Chiefs and Administration in the Ministry of Local Government, Charles Makanga said the policy has six thematic areas including guidelines for the appointment and elevation of chiefs, creation of new villages, promotion of gender equality and safeguarding women and children’s rights.

Makanga said this in Blantyre when the Ministry in collaboration with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) under Spotlight Initiative Project brought together traditional leaders from some parts of the country to discuss guidelines for the operationalization of the policy which is waiting for the approval to be passed to relevant authorities.

Paramount Chief Kawinga of Machinga, commended the ministry and the NGOs for coming up with the initiative saying the current Chief’s Act is archaic and has many weaknesses.

The Spotlight Initiative project which is implemented in six districts in Malawi, is funded by EU and UN Agencies namely UNDP, UN Women UNICEF and UNFPA.