Global Ethics Day celebration at UNIMA

Various departments at the University of Malawi celebrate and observe different activities that are significant to them and beneficial to both students and staff members. On October 18, 2023, the Philosophy Department of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences celebrated Global Ethics Day under the theme of ‘Ethics Empowered: Using the Power of Ethics to Build a Better World.’ The Department of Philosophy commemorated this day by focusing on the theme’s application in Business Ethics and Corporate Governance.

The event was graced by two guest speakers, namely, the Group CEO of FDH Holdings, Mr. William Mpinganjira, and the CEO of the Consumer Association of Malawi (CAMA), Mr John Kapito. Additionally, the celebration also attracted officials from the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA).

The celebration took place at the Wadonda Lecture Theatre, one of the magnificent buildings on campus. The event drew a significant number of students and members of staff, not only from the Department of Philosophy but also from various departments within the campus. The room was filled with much anticipation from all those who attended the event.

Opening the ceremony, the Head of Department, Dr. Grace Tomoka, expressed gratitude to the distinguished guests who have vast experience in the industry for sparing their time to join the Department during the celebration. She further mentioned that the Department of Philosophy teaches Ethics at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels because the subject is at the heart of the Department.

When the Group CEO of FDH Holdings, Mr. William Mpinganjira took the floor, he explained that the conducive environments in which people operate are critical and crucial, as they contribute to the success of entrepreneurs. He also emphasized the importance of leaders in society, stating that they play a vital role in providing guidance to entrepreneurs for their success.

“If leadership is weak and lacks ethical principles, whether in religious, public sector, business, or non-governmental organizations, leaders will struggle to address the key challenges that our economy is facing,” he said.

The CEO of the Consumers Association, Mr. John Kapito, highlighted some of the ethical challenges that consumers face in the industry. Among the ethical challenges he addressed were false advertising, price fixing, incorrect pricing, and companies engaging in deceptive packaging and labeling of goods, among others. He also encouraged the students to apply the knowledge they have gained from their respective departments and engage with the world in an ethical manner. He emphasized their capacity to bring about change in the market, transform the way business is conducted, and enhance how consumers are treated.

During the entire ceremony, the audience was very engaged and actively participated through asking questions. As the ceremony concluded, the Executive Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Dr Emmanuel Ngwira expressed gratitude to the distinguished guests, staff members, and students who were present for their valuable time and participation. Finally, the department showed their appreciation by presenting gifts to the speakers.