The Malawian father at the centre of the Madoption saga knew full well that he was giving his son up for adoption, a senior Malawian government spokesman said.
Yohane Banda told the Reuters news agency over the weekend that he believed Madonna would be raising his son on his behalf, not adopting the child to become her own. He claimed he did not understand the papers he signed, and that he was under the impression that the arrangement would be similar to that of an orphanage, whereby the child is cared for with the view for a future reunion with his family.Banda's comments have been categorically denied by the Malawian government. Penson Kilembe, director of child welfare in the Ministry of Women and Child Development told Reuters, "We explained every detail, and Madonna herself explained her intentions in the face of the judge and in Banda's presence. He (Banda) was asked several times in court if he understood what was going on, and he said he did."
Kilembe went on to assert that Banda reserved the right to veto Madonna's decision prior to the papers being signed, and that Madonna would choose another child from a shortlist of 12 if Banda did not want to give up his son.
