MALAWI | Malawi's First Ombudsman dies

The Office of the Ombudsman in Malawi on June 2, 2024 woke up to the sad news of the death of the first Ombudsman in the country the Honorable James Makoza Chirwa.

Ombudsman Grace Malera and other members of the senior management attended the funeral on behalf of the office where she hailed all the strides that the office registered during the late Chirwa’s tenure.

She said Honorable Chirwa has left behind a profound legacy and called on Malawians to reflect on all his good deeds.

“Honorable Chirwa was instrumental in calling for the harmonization of the Ombudsman Act with our Constitution. He understood that a robust legal framework was essential for strengthening the functions, powers, and mandate of the Ombudsman. His advocacy in this area has provided a strong foundation upon which we continue to build on,” Malera said.

She added that he took significant steps to educate government ministries about the mandate of the Ombudsman.

Adding: “He worked tirelessly to ensure that the Ombudsman’s role was understood and respected across all levels of government, promoting a culture of accountability and good governance.”

Among other things, Honorable Chirwa will be remembered for setting up the Ombudsman Headquarters in Lilongwe in 1995, and later in 1996 he championed decentralization of the Office by getting it to other parts of the country which saw the Blantyre and Mzuzu Regional Offices being opened.

Honorable Chirwa served as Malawi’s Ombudsman from 1995 to 1998.

Born on 8th September, 1939 the late Honorable Chirwa died on 1st June, 2024 and was buried at his home village Kamwala in Nkhata Bay district.

 He is survived by seven children and 11 grandchildren.

Source: The Office of the Ombudsman of Malawi