The Director General of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA), Dr. Edington Chilapondwa, delivered a compelling keynote address at the 2025 Public Relations Society of Malawi (PRSM) Annual Conference in Mzuzu, urging communication professionals to leverage strategic communication as a catalyst for change and national development. 

He highlighted the power of Communication in shaping perceptions, driving reforms, and fostering accountability across public institutions, emphasizing that effective communication is central to achieving Malawi’s long-term development aspirations under Malawi 2063. 

In his remarks, Dr. Chilapondwa outlined the critical role communication played in advancing legislative reforms that led to the enactment of the new Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act No. 7 of 2025. 

He explained that continuous stakeholder engagement and transparent messaging helped build consensus on the need for a modern and flexible procurement framework, ensuring accountability and value for money in the management of public resources.

 “Without strategic communication, reform cannot take root,” he underscored, noting that tools such as the PPDA Procurement Handbook and the rollout of the Malawi National Electronic Procurement System (MANePS) have been instrumental in building Public Trust for the authority. 

Dr. Chilapondwa further encouraged institutional leaders to elevate communication functions to executive levels, stressing that communicators must be empowered to actively shape institutional strategies rather than merely disseminate information.

He urged CEOs and Director Generals to support professional development among PR officers and foster environments where communication drives mindset change, digital transformation, and good governance.

“When communication sits at the decision-making table, it becomes a force multiplier for public confidence and institutional effectiveness,” he said, calling for collective commitment to strategic communication as a pillar of national progress.

President of the Public Relations Society of Malawi (PRSM), Ben Linje, has called on government authorities to elevate public relations to a strategic function by institutionalizing it across all ministries and agencies. 

Mr. Linje also urged the government to develop a culture of consulting communication professionals in the realization of the MW 2063, the country's development blueprint.

The 2025 PRCM Conference is under the theme: “Building a Malawi we want by 2063; Leveraging Strategic Communication as a Change Catalyst”.