“Forex shortage means a mother in Nthalire is unable to find medicine at a district hospital, a business owner in Limbe Township is unable to do business because he can’t import spares,” he said. “And a student in Mzuzu sitting for international examinations can’t pay for examination fees because forex is not available.” While acknowledging that global shocks – including conflict in the Middle East and tightening international credit conditions – had made the year harder for governments across the region, the opposition leader was unequivocal that this could not excuse every domestic failure. “It cannot be the excuse for every local failure, every delayed decision, every unexplained scandal.” “Malawians would appreciate to know the conditions that come with that programme, in advance, to avoid discovering the structure and conditions of the Programme later,” he said.