By Ernest Mfunya

Mangochi, February 25, Mana. Mangochi Municipality Council has from Monday banned sell of green maize within the council’s jurisdiction until the harvesting period.

Interview with Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Tuesday, Chief Executive Officer for the municipality, Ernest Kadzokoya, said the ban is aimed at preventing theft of maize in fields following increased reported cases about the malpractice.

Kadzokoya urged residents to observe the ban, citing that anyone who wants to sell green maize must go and obtain permit from the council.

"We have indeed banned selling of green maize within the municipality. There has been increased cases of maize theft and to prevent further cases of this nature, we thought of effecting the ban," said Kadzokoya.

According to Kadzokoya, any person found selling maize during the period will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly as she or he will be contravening the law.

Reacting to the ban, Anthony Chilenje, a farmer, said the ban is timely.

He commended the council for issuing the ban citing it will enable farmers to harvest more yields as theft cases will be minimised.

He added that selling of green maize also contributes to hunger as some people are tempted to  sell the commodity to vendors in exchange for money during this lean season.

Meanwhile, one of the vendors who sells roasted maize at Soko area has described the ban as unfortunate citing that his family depends on the business for survival.

By Gracious Phiri

Kasungu, February 25, Mana: National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) Trust Programmes Officer for Kasungu, Gerald Chirwa, has challenged journalists in the district to help in enlightening prospective voters on matters relating to the September 16, 2025 General Elections.

Chirwa made the call in Kasungu on Monday during a training on governance and elections reporting the Trust organised for journalists based in the district.

He said as the country is in an election season, journalists are an important vehicle for carrying electoral messages to the masses so that they make informed choices.

“Indisputably, the electorate rely on the media to get updated on various processes that take place in readiness for elections.

“So, we saw some gaps amongst journalists in the district which we felt the training would help to close so that we are on the same page as we all try to inform voters on issues relating to elections,” Chirwa said.

He said democracy survives on people’s participation and, therefore, encouraged voters to be alert and pay attention to updates on the polls.

“Soon we will be getting into the campaign period. We would like to ask all voters to participate by attending those campaign activities so that their decisions are informed,” he said.

District Information Officer for Kasungu, Wanangwa Tembo, said apart from the actual elections, journalists should also be interested to pursue in-between the ballot activities.

“The period between general elections is also very crucial and as journalists, we must develop interest to write about governance issues that happen during this period.

“Government invests a lot of money funding development initiatives in the communities. It is our duty as reporters to follow up on such projects and in so doing, helping promote transparency and accountability on the use of public resources,” Tembo said.

Kasungu Community Radio journalist, Sellaphine Selemani, described the training as an eye opener saying it will help them report on elections from an informed perspective.

NICE Trust organised the training as part of activities under the Boma Lathu Project being implemented with financial support from the European Union.  

By Aliko Munde

Chitipa, February 25, Mana: Heavy rains accompanied by stormy winds on Monday damaged infrastructure including Nthalire LEA Primary School and a fence for Nthalire Community Ground among other properties.

Chitipa District Council Disaster Risk Management Officer, Mphatso Nedson, said rains, accompanied by strong winds, started Monday morning affecting Senior Chief Nthalire’s area in Chitipa district.

He said the situation resulted in significant damage to infrastructure.

“The stormy rains caused widespread destruction, where a Nthalire LEA Primary school block and several houses were severely damaged including part of Nthalire Community Stadium fence,” Nedson said.

According to Nedson, Nthalire Area Disaster Risk Management Committee is currently on the ground conducting assessment to establish the extent of the damage.

Senior Chief Nthalire said many houses and shops have been destroyed.

“Heavy rains destroyed many things at Nthalire Trading Centre including houses, shops, maize gardens and a school block,” Senior Chief Nthalire said.

By Prisca Promise Mashushu

Lilongwe, February 24, Mana: Deputy Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture, Joyce Chitsulo, has commended government for different development projects it is undertaking in the country.

She made the remarks in Parliament on Monday when she explained her inspection of several development projects across the country.

She cited construction of Thyolo District offices and Thyolo Boma Primary School which, she said, are magnificent and unique .

“To be honest with everyone, the President presented the State of the Nation Address in a unique way much as we have our own traditional way of presenting it. He presented all developments that government has done in all the districts. It is high time we appreciate such efforts.

“For instance, I inspected different developments at Group Village Head Chiyendausiku in Balaka where a maternity facility is being constructed. This is very impressive and also the progress of Mlare maternity facility in Karonga,” she said.

Member of Parliament for Lilongwe City Central, Alfred Jiya, concurred with Chitsulo saying his constituency has transformed in a  way that people will have easy access to transport due to construction of high quality roads in all parts of the constituency.

“It is high time people should appreciate government’s efforts in development,” he said.

By Patience Longwe

Lilongwe, February 24, Mana: Minister of Labour, Vitumbiko Mumba, says his ministry is committed to promoting workers welfare to ensure they remain healthy and productive.

He was speaking at Golden Peacock Hotel in Lilongwe Monday evening.

He said Malawi has no room for  investors who exploit workers particularly those in the mining and tea industries.

"For instance, tea estates that were served with prohibition notices have constructed toilets convenient to the workers. They have also made provision of portable water through distribution of water using water bowers and have drilled boreholes,” he said.

Mumba added that his ministry is focused on ensuring that workers are provided with conditions that align with the country's labour laws.

"My Ministry will continue to closely monitor all workplaces to ensure full compliance with labour laws.

“I would like to emphasize that the closure is not punitive but a step towards fostering a safer and more compliant workplace environment in line with government’s commitment to the well being of all workers in Malawi,” he stated.

He highlighted the collaboration and consultation among his ministry, Malawi Congress of Trade Unions (MCTU) and Employers Consultative Association of Malawi (ECAM) in line with convention 144 on tripartite consultation, which has been ratified among many other conventions.

"The consultations are done through various structures including the Tripartite Labour Advisory Council which is the highest body that advises the Minister on all employment and Labour matters.

“At the international scene, Malawi’s participation in Regional and International fora has elevated the visibility and influence of the country on policy and standards. As stated earlier Malawi is a member of International Labour Organisation Governing Body representing SADC countries as titular member,” he said.

He, therefore, emphasised government’s commitment to safeguarding the rights of workers and promoting a fair and equitable labour environment in Malawi.

By Sellah Singini

Lilongwe, February 24, Mana: World Vision Malawi has handed over to the government of Malawi 392 infrastructure projects worth K10 billion.

President Dr Lazarus Chakwera presided over the handover ceremony at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe on Monday.

He said no any organization can compete with World Vision in representing the poor in rural areas.

He said although World Vision does not make noise, it is doing a commendable job in the country.

“World Vision does not stand on a podium and proclaim that they represent the poor because they know that the only people who can provide evidence are the poor themselves.

“So, on behalf of Malawians in rural areas, I would like to thank you for the work you have done in establishing these development projects so that we, as government, can use them to advance our development agenda for Malawians,” he said.

Board Chair for World Vision Malawi, Dr Alfred Kaponda, said they have handed over projects constructed across Malawi in 19 districts between 2023 to 2024.

He said, in a bid to enhance development in the communities that World Vision works, every year they embark on building infrastructure focusing on four thematic areas of education, maternal and child health, livelihoods and resilience and water, sanitation and hygiene.

“We have done 11,492 projects since 1992. So, today we just wanted the country to know the projects that we are handing over. Our request to them is to take of the projects so that they are sustainable for this generation and for generations to come,” he said.

In an interview, Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture Richard Chimwendo Banda urged other Non-Governmental Organizations and the civil society to take World Vision’s example of implementing projects that transform lives of Malawians.

The projects handed over include classroom blocks, latrines, girls’ hostels and Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres among others.

By Andrew Mkonda

Lilongwe, February 24^, Mana: District Commissioner for Lilongwe Dr. Lawford Palani has commended GIZ Food and Nutrition Security Program (FNSP) for promoting a gender transformative approach to improve nutrition and the use of modern cooking stoves.

Dr. Palani made the remarks Monday in Lilongwe during the official opening of a day-long cooking demonstration aimed at breaking gender stereotypes in cooking and the use of modern stoves in order to preserve the environment.

“Gone are the days when men could not be in the kitchen and cook for the family, but nowadays there is gender equality and anyone can cook for the family without any discrimination,” he said.

Palani then commended several companies that are promoting cooking using modern stoves saying it will assist in conserving the environment that has been heavily affected by charcoal burning.

Inspiral Manager Joseph Manda, one of the companies that promotes renewable energy through Buka stoves said they are complimenting the government’s efforts by assisting people in the country to use cheaper sources of energy through pirates made from saw dust.

“Just imagine, with a bag of 50kg which is being sold at K15,000, a family of four can use it for five weeks, which is very cheap and affordable,” he said.

Manda said currently, the company is working with Village Savings and Loans (VSL) and Farmers Clubs to reach out to rural areas with modern cooking stoves on an instalment basis.

In her remarks, GIZ Programme Component Manager Khadija Sungeni Mussa said they want to break gender stereotypes in the country mainly in rural areas after noting that there are a lot of gender norms that need a mindset change to promote gender equality and save the environment.

By George Mponda

Karonga, February 24, Mana: Minister of Local Government Unity and Culture Richard Chimwendo Banda, has addressed concerns from the Karonga District Council regarding the high number of officers in acting positions.

On Sunday, Karonga District Council Chairperson Bellium Msukwa expressed worries that the high number of officers on acting positions is hindering effective service delivery in the district.

"The Karonga District Council has been facing challenges in delivering services due to the high number of acting officers. We have acting District Commissioner, Director of Public Works, Director of Planning and Development and Director of Finance which are all crucial positions and this is affecting service delivery," Msukwa said.

In his response, the Minister acknowledged the council's concerns, saying it is important for officers to be settled in leadership positions.

"Government is working to fill the vacant positions as soon as possible. However, the process of recruiting and appointing new officers takes time and must be done under the relevant laws and regulations and we recently conducted interviews so soon results will be out," Chimwendo said.

The Minister also reminded the council members of the importance of differentiating between political and administrative powers.

"Let me emphasise that politicians should support the controlling officers, such as District Commissioners and Chief Executive Officers, in their work. However, one cannot just command the ministry to appoint officers because there are protocols which must be followed when making government appointments," he added.

Banda advised council members and administrative officers to work together and deliver services to the community.

By Bazilio Chingoli

Ntcheu February 24, Mana: Farmers in Ntcheu district have been encouraged to adopt beekeeping as one way of income generation.

The call was made by the Senior Assistant Forest officer for the district, Clotrilda Kandota, during a media engagement meeting and field visit organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) with farmers from Nsipe, Tsangano and Njolomole Extension Planning Areas (EPAs) in the district.

Kandota said there is a mutual environmental relationship between bees and trees, and as such, it is important to conserve forests to attract bees and generate income in turn.

"As part of ensuring agriculture and food systems transformation, through the AREECA project, we are encouraging farmers to practice sustainable natural resources and environment management by practising afforestation, natural tree regeneration as well as planting flowering plants that attract bees and covering bare lands to control soil erosion", Kandota added.

On their part, farmers have commended FAO for its technical support, capacity building and inputs, saying the support has helped them to change their mindset and become food secure.

Philip Matoliwo, a farmer from Kamuuzeni village within Njolomole EPA agreed with Kandota stressing that bee farming has proven to be an ideal way of supporting natural tree regeneration and protecting forests.

"Since we started beekeeping in our area, we have seen a remarkable change in the degree of deforestation due to bylaws we put in place to protect our trees," he said.

However, Matoliwo expressed worry about ants that disrupt the stay of bees when they enter the beehives.

Meanwhile, Madalo Chunga, Assistant Forest officer for Njolomole EPA advised beekeepers to use natural remedies such as ash to deal with the problem.

As part of ensuring sustainable forest management and catchment management for Mpira dam, FAO through the AREECA project has given farmers bee hives, supported irrigation schemes by constructing weirs, and provided goats under the pass-on program, among other interventions.

AREECA project is implemented by the Government of Malawi through the Department of Forest and is funded by the Government of Germany.

By Maston Kaiya

Ntcheu, February 24, Mana: Communities in the area of Sub Traditional Authority (STA) Tsikulamowa in Ntcheu have said the construction of the staff house at Manjawira Health Centre in the district is a blessing to the locals for accessing timely medical treatment.

Chairperson for STA Tsikulamowa Area Development Committee (ADC) Marmathy Wasimbwa said the house will reduce the burden of late medical care where, in some cases, patients could die from preventable deaths.

Wasimbwa said the facility in Charge was travelling about two kilometres daily to attend to patients hence challenging the provision of quality health care.

"The house is timely as the medical assistant will be at our doorstep. In the past, patients could easily die due to the absence of a house as he was renting within the communities," she said.

However, Wasimbwa has called on the communities to provide security for the personnel while serving the area.

Manjawira health centre In-charge Innocent Kabudula has expressed his excitement, saying the house was long overdue.

"We work 24 hours to provide medical treatment to patients. However, the work was sometimes compromised due to the absence of the house," he said.

Kabudula has since called on the authorities to construct additional staff houses, stating that a workforce of over 20, which includes nurses and support staff, stay in rented houses.

He said the facility serves a catchment population of at least 7,528 people.

Ntcheu District Council has constructed Manjawira Health Centre staff house at a total cost of K57 million from the World Bank-funded Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) project.

The project is facilitated by the Ministry of Local Government, the Ministry of Finance, and the National Local Government Finance Committee(NLGFC) as key lead partners.