Mozambican President Daniel Chapo this Tuesday (22) called on the new provincial governors to be ‘models of integrity in the fight against corruption, nepotism and cronyism’, defending the valorisation of meritocracy as a fundamental principle of public management. The message was delivered during the swearing-in ceremony for the ten governors elected in the 9 October 2024 elections, according to the newspaper Noticias.
Chapo emphasised the need for exemplary leadership and warned that the new cycle of governance requires creativity and commitment to reforms that directly benefit communities. ‘It is urgent to work and use creativity to create projects that have a positive impact on people’s lives, avoiding favouritism towards interest groups,’ he said.
To the governors who have renewed their mandate, the head of state called on them not to be complacent about their previous performance and emphasised the importance of responding to the communities’ expectations.
‘We’re in a new era, you shouldn’t sleep ‘in the shade of a banana tree’, but seek solutions for the people. Many of you already know the land you’re going to work on, including the economic potential. It’s time to turn that knowledge into concrete action,’ he emphasised.
Chapo emphasised that the new leaders have a responsibility to lead by example, promoting transparency and combating practices that harm social welfare. He also pointed out that the planned reforms must be structured to strengthen economic development and create opportunities that benefit the population.
The ceremony was attended by members of the government and representatives of various organisations. The President reiterated that the new government must prioritise results that have a direct impact on the living conditions of communities, ensuring that the focus remains on creating sustainable and inclusive solutions.
Chapo ended his speech by emphasising that the success of this new phase will depend on the governors’ ability to implement tangible changes, based on values of ethics, responsibility and efficiency.
