The President of Malawi has blasted Madonna for going back on her promise to build a $15 million girls' academy in the country.
President Joyce Banda - who was elected to office in April 2012 - accused the pop-singer and her charity Raising Malawi of 'insulting the people' by instead building 10 schools without getting government consent.
Malawi's leader also slammed Madonna, 54, for 'making the poor dance for her.'
Unwanted guest: The President of Malawi blasted Madonna for going back on her promise to build a $15 million academy for girls
Attacked: President Joyce Banda says that Madonna is 'making the people dance for her'
The
Material Girl landed in the African country earlier this week to visit
not just the orphanage where she adopted her two children Mercy and
David, but also to see the ten school blocks she has funded around the
country, beginning with Nkoko Primary School in the tobacco-growing
district of Kasungu.
Around
4,000 school children were said to have been learning under trees,
before the pop star injected cash to help build new classrooms.
But Joyce Banda said these buildings were constructed without asking officials: 'She came unannounced to villages and made poor people dance for her.'
Madonna is in the country with her adopted Malawian children Mercy and David
Meaningful: The popstar visited the Mphandula orpahange near Lilongwe where she adopted her son David
Promotion: Madonna uses her star power to highlight the struggle for children in Malawi
'No one should come here and say "I'm building a classroom" without
needs assessment. In some cases she just renovated an existing block. It
is an insult to the people.'
The
President's words may also be a reaction to Madonna's lack of
communication with her office upon her family's arrival in the country.
Presidential press secretary Steve Nhlane to theDaily Telegraph, confirmed the lack of contact, but said, 'her excellency would be willing to meet with her [Madonna] if she puts in a request.'
Tour:
The Executive Director of Mphandula Children Care Centre briefs Madonna
on what children learn at the centre during her visit
Skills: Madonna watches tailoring students work during her visit to the care centre
Madonna wears a piece of cloth sewn by children at the centre as her adopted son David watches
Malawi's education minister backed up the President's comments, telling the BBC that the popstar is merely building classrooms not entire schools in the southern African country.
Eunice Kazembe said:'She has built classrooms at existing schools... really it's a difference in terminology.'
'She promised an academy and we agreed on standards but she just changed her mind on the project without consulting us.'
Two years ago Madonna closed down the Malawian office of her charity Raising Malawi, and called off the construction of the planned 400-student academy after allegations of financial mismanagement arose.
Giving a hand: The US performer greets volunteers at the Mphandula orphanage near Lilongwe
Medical support: Madonna meets the patients at the Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital
Trevor Neilson, president of the Global Philanthropy Group that is managing Madonna's projects in the African country, said that the singer - who fired every staff member at her charity as a result of bad management - had already spent $400,000 on the 10 school blocks, and reiterated her commitment to the African nation : 'Madonna loves Malawi, she is happy to be here, she is committed to end poverty here.'
As well as Mercy and David, Madonna's biological children, though by different fathers, also joined their mother and Malawian siblings on the charitable visit.
Lourdes Leon and Rocco Richie followed their mother to all the hospitals and children centres, enjoying the company of the Malawian people they met along the way.
Welcomed: Madonna poses with students of Malawi College of Medicine at the Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital
President Joyce Banda - who was elected to office in April 2012 - accused the pop-singer and her charity Raising Malawi of 'insulting the people' by instead building 10 schools without getting government consent.
Malawi's leader also slammed Madonna, 54, for 'making the poor dance for her.'
Unwanted guest: The President of Malawi blasted Madonna for going back on her promise to build a $15 million academy for girlsAttacked: President Joyce Banda says that Madonna is 'making the people dance for her'More...
- Halle Berry 'pregnant' at 46: Actress and fiance Olivier Martinez 'expecting a boy'
- Pregnant Kim Kardashian hides her figure under two jackets as she goes for a make-up free workout
But Joyce Banda said these buildings were constructed without asking officials: 'She came unannounced to villages and made poor people dance for her.'
Madonna is in the country with her adopted Malawian children Mercy and DavidMeaningful: The popstar visited the Mphandula orpahange near Lilongwe where she adopted her son DavidPromotion: Madonna uses her star power to highlight the struggle for children in MalawiMore...
- Halle Berry 'pregnant' at 46: Actress and fiance Olivier Martinez 'expecting a boy'
- Pregnant Kim Kardashian hides her figure under two jackets as she goes for a make-up free workout
Presidential press secretary Steve Nhlane to theDaily Telegraph, confirmed the lack of contact, but said, 'her excellency would be willing to meet with her [Madonna] if she puts in a request.'
Tour:
The Executive Director of Mphandula Children Care Centre briefs Madonna
on what children learn at the centre during her visitSkills: Madonna watches tailoring students work during her visit to the care centreMadonna wears a piece of cloth sewn by children at the centre as her adopted son David watchesEunice Kazembe said:'She has built classrooms at existing schools... really it's a difference in terminology.'
'She promised an academy and we agreed on standards but she just changed her mind on the project without consulting us.'
Two years ago Madonna closed down the Malawian office of her charity Raising Malawi, and called off the construction of the planned 400-student academy after allegations of financial mismanagement arose.
Giving a hand: The US performer greets volunteers at the Mphandula orphanage near LilongweMedical support: Madonna meets the patients at the Queen Elizabeth Central HospitalTrevor Neilson, president of the Global Philanthropy Group that is managing Madonna's projects in the African country, said that the singer - who fired every staff member at her charity as a result of bad management - had already spent $400,000 on the 10 school blocks, and reiterated her commitment to the African nation : 'Madonna loves Malawi, she is happy to be here, she is committed to end poverty here.'
As well as Mercy and David, Madonna's biological children, though by different fathers, also joined their mother and Malawian siblings on the charitable visit.
Lourdes Leon and Rocco Richie followed their mother to all the hospitals and children centres, enjoying the company of the Malawian people they met along the way.
Welcomed: Madonna poses with students of Malawi College of Medicine at the Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital
