About K55.5 million of a K190 million artist grant fund from the Copyright Society of Malawi (COSOMA) was awarded to its own board members (https://cosoma.mw/board-members Board Chairperson Rev. Dr. Chimwemwe Mhango received K19.5 million, board member Deborah Ntopa received K16 million, and Wendy Harawa, another board member who received the K20 million grant through her company Jacobs Event.

The grants were intended to support Malawian artists in gaining international recognition. Awarding funds to board members who oversee the allocation raises serious questions about fairness, transparency, and governance. Legal compliance does not replace ethical stewardship, and public trust requires that board members cannot be both fund managers and beneficiaries.

We demand that the COSOMA board:

1. Return all funds awarded to board members immediately, and/or
2. Step down from their positions to maintain public trust.
3. Request an independent audit of COSOMA’s books for the past five (5) years to determine whether similar governance violations or irregularities have occurred, and to restore public confidence in the institution’s financial management.

Malawian creatives deserve a fair, transparent process. Board members must choose: serve the creative community or benefit personally—they cannot do both.

WE DEMAND ACTION!