Participation of Traditional Leaders in the Formulation of Poverty Reduction Programs in Chigumula, Malawi

Abstract

The constitution of Malawi, section 146, the Local Government Act (Chapter 22: 01), and the Chiefs Act, (Chapter 22:03) establish a legal framework for the participation of traditional leaders in development planning. Traditional leaders are key actors in local governance because they represent their communities. Empirical literature indicates that previous studies have focused on the role of traditional leaders in implementing development programs, rather than their level of participation in planning the programs. Against this background, the study aimed to assess the participation of traditional leaders in formulating poverty reduction programs in Chigumula, Malawi. The study was guided by the theory of the ladder of citizen participation to determine whether traditional leaders hold decision-making power in shaping poverty reduction programs and to explore their levels of participation. A qualitative case study approach was used, with data collected through interviews and document analysis. Data was gathered from 16 key informants, including 14 traditional leaders and two officials from Blantyre City Council. The findings exposed notable gaps. For government-led initiatives like cash transfers and Farm Input Subsidy Programs (FISPs), traditional leaders are not involved in the formulation process at all. Traditional leaders only participate in designing Community-Led Initiatives (CLIs), but are limited by financial resources. This level of engagement is positioned on the lower rungs of the ladder of citizen participation. The study found that traditional leaders lack decision-making authority; instead, the government formulate policies without involving them reflecting inside initiative model of agenda setting. Despite their local knowledge and willingness to participate in program formulation, traditional leaders face obstacles such as conflicting relationships with elected officials, funding limitations, multiple priorities, limited understanding of participation processes, and the centralization of decision-making, which hinder their participation. A positive aspect that was highlighted in the study was the enthusiasm of participants to collaborate with the government in designing programs that reflect the actual needs of the community. Based on these results, the study recommends that the government of Malawi: (1) institutionalize traditional leadership structures as formal entities to involve traditional leaders in policy development; (2) leverage their willingness to improve citizen participation and raise awareness about participation as a constitutional right; and (3) foster collaboration among the government, traditional leaders, and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to develop practical participation avenues, ensuring poverty reduction efforts effectively address the community’s real needs.