MANAonline
CHREAA enhances Malawian Prisoners’ skills and mental health care
By Lisa Lamya
Blantyre, June 3, Mana: Centre for Human Rights Education, Advice and Assistance (CHREAA) has attributed economic independence of ex-prisoners to its Prison Education Project (PEP) being implemented at Zomba Maximum Prison.
Speaking to Malawi News Agency (MANA) on the progress of the project, which equips inmates with vocational skills, CHREAA Executive Director Victor Mhango stated that this year’s cohort saw 47 prisoners graduating compared to the past two years when 23 and 25 prisoners graduated respectively.
“We are happy that the number of prisoners acquiring vocational skills has increased over the years; these skills are going to be useful throughout their lives. We usually follow them up after they are released and it is good to see them starting up their own businesses,” Mhango said.
Besides vocational skills and training, PEP has a mental health component for both prisoners and prison officers which, according to Mhango, also bears good results.
Sociologist, Dr Phillip Kapulula said vocational skills are crucial for inmates.
He commended CHREAA for implementing the project at Zomba Maximum Prison.
He, therefore, suggested that the programme should also explore to include a psychosocial aspect.
“Whilst there is funding for running the skills programme, why can’t we explore other dimensions of life that can also add value so that when people are out of prison they should change their behaviour,” Kaplula said.
He expressed hope that the psychosocial aspect, coupled with the acquired skills, can help them sustain a way of living.
Welfare of patients saddens Committee
By Yamikani Yapuwa
Thyolo, July 3, Mana: Parliamentary Committee on Health has expressed concern with reports of inadequate meals provided to patients at Thyolo District Hospital caused by insufficient funding.
Speaking after a visit to the Hospital on Tuesday, Chairperson for the Parliamentary Committee on Health, Dr. Matthews Ngwale said patients are only receiving one meal in the morning and nothing for the rest of day.
“We cannot continue like this. The first medicine for a patient is the food they eat and if we take away that food, we are taking away 80 percent of their chances of recovery.
“We observed one patient who said that during his two weeks’ admission to the hospital, he has only received one meal per day,” he said.
Ngwale emphasized the need to increase the budgetary allocation to patient’s food, stating that the current K 6 million per month was insufficient to provide nutritious food necessary for patient’s recovery.
District Commissioner (DC) for Thyolo, Hudson Kuphanga said delayed funding has contributed to the food issue, adding that suppliers have stopped delivering food due to outstanding debts.
“It is my plea to the committee to ensure that there is timely funding to hospitals,” he said.
Kuphanga disclosed that the hospital owes Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) K200 million and asked the Ministry of Finance to consider a bailout, warning that it would be disastrous if ESCOM disconnected power supply to the facility.
“Additionally, the hospital has no perimeter fence, which poses a security risk,” the DC noted.
Thyolo District has 28 health facilities and a district hospital which serves as a referral point.
Do Your Part Initiative donates to Chibavi football team
By Esther Ndhlozi
Mzuzu, July 3, Mana: Mzuzu- Do Your Part Initiative which Mzuzu based organization, Tuesday donated football boots, jerseys, body lotion and clothes to Chibavi All Stars’ Under-23 Football Team in Mzuzu City.
Speaking at Chibavi Ground during the presentation ceremony of the items, National Communications Officer for Do Your Part Initiative, Andrew Mhone said the donation was made to motivate young people in both sports and education.
He added that the organization believes that the donation would encourage young soccer players to focus on their talent and education as the two elements should go hand in hand.
“We aim at promoting childhood development, thus why we have donated to Chibavi All Stars Under -14 Football for their both physical and mental development.
Some of these young stars do not have jerseys and football boots as a result, they fail to come play soccer because, they do not have the appropriate gear for it.” Mhone said.
He added that the organization promotes sporting activities amongst young people in the Mzuzu City in where young people are at risk of engaging in immoral behaviour just as in other urban settings and that sports can make occupied, hence refraining from health risky practices.
“Most young people in areas such as Chibavi end up engaging themselves in alcohol and substance abuse after knocking off from school. Hence sports will be an alternative of spending their time after school,” Mhone hoped.
Head Coach for Chibavi All-Stars Under 24 Football Team, James Mhango said he was grateful for the donation.
“This is a relief to the team and I urge you to continue assisting upcoming and young local football teams across the city. The donation will definitely boost the team’s performance,” he pointed out.
Chitipa elects new Council Chairperson
By Aliko Munde
Chitipa, July 3, Mana: Chitipa District Council Tuesday elected Councilor for Wenya Ward, Ronald Kayira (Malawi Congress Party - MCP) as its new chairperson.
Kayira was elected unopposed.
He replaces Mahowe Ward Councilor, Toweracharo Munyenyembe.
In his acceptance speech, Kayira said he would work with all stakeholders in cementing good working relationship and bring development in the district.
“We have to work as one to continue developing our district of Chitipa. The good working relationship between councillors and the secretariat must continue for the smooth implementation of various developmental projects in the district,” he said.
District Commissioner (DC) for Chitipa, MacMillan Magomero assured the newly elected Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of secretariat’s support in discharging their duties.
He asked the two to collaborate with the District Council staff for the smooth implementation of the developments in the district.
“We expect a mutual working relationship because we are here to foster government agenda. The key thing is to serve the people of Chitipa.
“We have to continue accelerating development in the district and achieve the Council's mandate,” Magomero added.
Councilor for Yamba Ward, Wedson Sinkhonde (MCP) was elected as Chitipa District Council Vice Chairperson with nine votes, beating UTM's councillor, Thomson Kaponda who got two votes.
Chithumba Bridge connects communities to amenities
By Vincent Khonje
Mchinji, July 3, Mana: After years of facing the daunting challenge of crossing Chithumba River, a place that is wet throughout the year, a bridge has been constructed to ease mobility for surrounding communities.
The river stood as a barrier between the communities and essential services that are available in nearby Ludzi.
A resident of Chithumba, Steven Charles said the difficulties they faced on the stream forced them to travel long distance to Ludzi in search of services.
"Before the bridge, crossing the river was a struggle. We had to wade through the water, which was dangerous, especially during the rainy season but now with the bridge, we can easily reach church, schools, the hospital, the market, and the maize mill in Ludzi,” he said.
Councilor for Mkoma Ward where the bridge is, Martha Dzanja, said people suffered a lot because the place used to have a lot of water and cut communication for people from over five villages.
“The bridge is very important as it has connected the villages to some amenities. Ludzi is strategic as it provides essential services to the people, but also those from Ludzi have farming fields across the bridge,” she said.
The crucial infrastructure was made possible through the efforts of the Mchinji District Council and the support of the Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) initiative, a World Bank-funded programme.
Director of Public Works, Ellis Tembo said the Council has worked hard to ensure most of the projects have been done.
“The Council has completed most of the GESD projects and handed them over to the public. The Chithumba Bridge is one of the key achievements and people are benefiting,” he said.
GESD, through its Performance-Based Grants (PBG), provides Councils with the necessary funds to embark on such transformative projects.
These grants are awarded after Councils meet certain Minimum Access Conditions (MACS), ensuring that the resources are used effectively and transparently.
The Bridge was constructed to a tune of K30 million.
Conflicts displace 41 households in Karonga
By George Mponda
Karonga, July 2, Mana: Secretary for Karonga District Peace and Unity Committee, Aaron Mwenelupembe has revealed that 41 households in Karonga have been displaced from their homes due to land disputes and witchcraft accusations.
He said this Tuesday in Chitipa during a four-day workshop on the development and implemantion of district and community advocacy strategies on Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGBV) prevention, peace building and conflict resolution.
"Since May 2023 to April 2024, our office registered 41 cases whereby households have been chased from their homes. Their property and homes were also destroyed due to land disputes, chieftaincy wrangles and witchcraft accusations,” Mwenelupembe said.
Group Village Head Malema in the area of Paramount Chief Kyungu conceded that some chiefs are to blame for fueling conflicts which end in violence.
"There are some Chiefs who fail to respect court judgements because they believe their traditional and cultural by-laws are more powerful. There is need to engage all chiefs in the districts without fear for them to know their role in ensuring there is peace in our district," he said.
Chairperson for Karonga Pastors Fraternal, Bishop, Cosmas Liwewe blamed lack of good leadership skills for fueling violence in Karonga.
"Everything falls and rises depending on the leadership. There is need to organise awareness meetings with Chiefs in Karonga to make them realise they have an important role to play in building peace in our district," he said.
The workshop was being conducted under Peace Building Project with support from the United Nation’s Secretary General’s Peace Building Fund through United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
Pamoza Tingakwaniska, in partnership with Foundation for Civic Education and Social Empowerment (FOCESE), is implementing the project in Karonga
President expected to attend burial of legendary ‘Soldier’
By Mary Makhiringa
Balaka, July 2, Mana: President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera is expected to lead Malawians in paying their last respects to legendary musician ‘Soldier’ Lucius Banda on Thursday who died Sunday in South Africa while receiving treatment.
According to the funeral programme that Malawi News Agency (Mana) has seen, officials from the Office of the President and Cabinet are scheduled to visit the late Banda’s residence to plan for the Presidential visit.
Meanwhile, the body of the fallen musician arrived in the country on Tuesday afternoon through Chileka International Airport in Blantyre.
On arrival, uncle to the deceased, Eliyasi Kamoto thanked government especially President Chakwera for what he described as love to their relative throughout the entire period that he has been in hospital.
“I have seen the Vice President Dr. Michael Usi amongst us, I have seen Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture, Richard Chimwendo Banda, please convey our heartfelt thanks to the State President, he has been there for our relations throughout the entire period, for this we are so thankful,” he said.
Upon arrival in Balaka, the body of late Lucius Banda will first be taken to St. Louis Montfort Catholic Parish where a mass will be said in his honour before proceeding to his official residence at Andiamo Campus where vigil will be held awaiting burial on Thursday.
Usi welcomes remains of Lucius Banda
By Vida Msiyo
Blantyre, July 2, Mana: It was a sombre afternoon at Chileka International Airport in Blantyre on Tuesday as Vice President Dr. Michael Usi and thousands of people came to receive remains of a famous musician and politician, Lucius Banda.
Musicians such as Hilco, Sangie, Wycliffe Chimwendo, Leslie, Nepman among others also came along to receive the body of their fellow musician who was like a parent to most of the rising musicians.
UTM party members and others from other political parties, youths who called themselves Friends of Lucius Banda were also present waiting for his remains to arrive from South Africa where he died.
Member of Parliament for Mulanje Bale, Victor Musowa, who was also a friend of late Banda described him as a courageous person he has ever known in Malawi.
“I knew the late Lucius Banda long time ago and since then we have been friends that anytime when I wanted advice, I could go to him. Lucius was a friend I could joke with and he was the one who gave me encouragement to join politics,” added Musowa.
Songs like Tsopano taupeza moyo, Anali alendo pansipano, Muwalandile, were being sang by Catholic women at the airport as the crowd waited for the remains to arrive.
At exactly 3:09pm the body of the late Lucius Banda arrived at the airport as family, relatives and all that were there got emotionally touched and some were seen in tears.
Apart from the Vice President, UTM Secretary General, Patricia Kaliati and other party members as well as Malawi Congress Party members were also present to receive the body of the fallen musician.
In their words family members, expressed sorrow over the death of Banda whom they described as family pillar and a humble person who loved the family, the poor and his country.
The family, therefore, asked for benefitting burial of their son saying Lucius did a lot to Malawi citing music development, youth empowerment and politics.
Wirima inspects kick-starting of MSCE exams
By Angella Salijeni
Mulanje, July 2, Mana: Minister of Education, Madalitso Kambauwa Wirima, says she is pleased with how the Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) examinations have started in different centres.
Wirima was speaking Tuesday when she inspected the beginning of this year’s MSCE examinations in some schools in Mulanje District.
“I am very pleased that examinations have started well. It is quiet and we have not heard anything unlike in the past when there were a lot of irregularities,” Wirima said.
Wirima, therefore, thanked various stakeholders including the Malawi National Examinations Board (MANAEB), Ministry of Education and security agents for the job well done which has contributed to the smooth running of the exams.
“I am also impressed that the number of students sitting for exams this year has increased with 19.5 percent from 13.2 percent last year implying that Malawians are showing interest in education,” she added.
During the visit, the minister also inspected EQUALS Project at Chambe Community Day Secondary School whose aim is to improve the teaching and learning of science in secondary schools.
Kambauwa Wirima visited two centres of Mulanje and Chambe Secondary Schools.
Karonga registers rise in non-communicable diseases
By Felix Katemula
Karonga, July 2, Mana: Karonga District is registering an increase in cases of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes and high blood pressure due to lack of knowledge on prevention.
NCD Coordinator for Karonga District Hospital, Luckson Chiphiko made the revelation Monday on the sidelines of NCD screening and sports bonanza which was organized on Monday by NCD Alliance-Malawi in the district.
Chiphiko said 85% of NCD cases were recorded between 2022 and 2024.
"We have noted that lack of knowledge about NCDs is fueling the increase. People know more about Malaria, Cholera and others because there have been more campaigns as compared to NCDs,” he said.
He further said that most people visit the hospital only after developing complications such as heart failure and stroke.
Assistant Project Officer for NCD Alliance-Malawi Jonathan Munthali cited lifestyle and food as one of the main causes of NCDs in the district.
“People in Karonga consume a lot of meat in the form of soup. The food has high fat content which puts them at risk of developing non-communicable diseases. We therefore advise people to eat balanced diets to ensure they have a healthy life,” Munthali said.
