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Maintain human agency at the centre of technological advancements-DC
By Vincent Khonje
Mchinji, January 25, Mana: Mchinji District Commissioner, Lucia Chidalengwa has underscored the importance of maintaining human agency at the centre of technological advancements as communities and individuals harness the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Chidalengwa made the remarks on Saturday during the commemoration of International Education Day in Mchinji, emphasizing the dual role of AI in supporting learning and fostering development while urging caution against over-reliance on it.
“AI can play a transformative role in education by enabling students and teachers to access information faster and more efficiently. However, as we embrace AI, we must ensure it complements, rather than replaces. When humans think it enhances brain development,” said Chidalengwa.
The event, organized by the Girls Activists Youth Organization (GAYO), brought together primary and secondary schools to explore the theme, "AI and Education: Preserving Human Agency in a World of Automation."
The celebrations featured performances and discussions highlighting the interplay between technology and education.
GAYO Executive Director, Richard Batchi echoed Chidalengwa’s sentiments, saying education must be the vehicle for ensuring that AI serves humanity rather than undermining it.
“As we witness unprecedented advancements in AI and automation, we must ask ourselves, how do we ensure these innovations serve humanity rather than replace it? AI is reshaping industries, redefining job markets, and influencing decision-making processes, but it must not erode the essence of human creativity, critical thinking, and ethical judgment. Education must empower us to navigate and influence these technological advancements for the betterment of society,” said Batch.
One of the learners, Tapiwa Luka from Kamuzu Primary School, said she was excited that these days there is AI which can also influence learning, however, she said there is a need to be cautious.
“AI has made it easier for me to understand and develop concepts, which enhances my creativity. But we must also be cautious because AI can sometimes spread misinformation, and we need to learn how to differentiate between facts and falsehoods,” said Luka.
The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed January 24 as the International Day of Education, in celebration of the role of education in peace and development, but in Mchinji it was commemorated on January 25 while nationally it will be commemorated on January 31 in Mzuzu.
Paramount Chief Kaduya calls for environment conservation
By Linda Likomwa
Phalombe, January 25, Mana: Phalombe District Council has launched 2024/2025 forestry season with a call from Lhomwe Paramount Chief Kaduya, urging people in Phalombe to plant and care for tree seedlings to ensure good survival rate for better vegetative cover against land degradation and other environmental related challenges.
In an interview after the district launch on Saturday at Sub-Traditional Authority Nyambalo Headquarters, Paramount Kaduya said the district can overcome effects of climate change if adequate trees were planted and protected from destruction.
“We are now faced with flood and mudslides because we have cut down trees in our mountains and hills, so this tree planting season should remind us what our ancestors left for us. We need to do the same for the next generation to benefit what we shall plant today,” she said.
Paramount Chief Kaduya added that government through Climate Smart-Enhanced Public Works Programme (CS-EPWP) and World Vision Malawi through Food for Assert (FFA) programme mobilize communities to plant and protect trees for better livelihood.
Director of Agriculture and Natural Resources, James Banda said the district plan to plant 2 million tree seedlings in the current forestry season, but will strive to surpass the target by 600,000 tree seedlings.
He said that his office will work with the surrounding communities through extension workers to ensure good survival rate from 85 per cent previous forestry season to 90 per cent this current season.
The forestry season began on December 15, 2024 and will end on April 15, 2025 under the theme; Restore forest and land to secure food production.
543 households benefit from relief maize in Likoma
By Ireen Mseteka
Likoma, January 24, Mana: Director of Administration and Human Resource for Likoma District Council, Moses Jere says 543 households have benefitted from relief maize which is under 2024/2025 Lean Season Food Insecurity Response Program in Likoma District.
Jere said this on Friday at Chizumulu Island on the sideline of the distribution exercise of the relief maize to Chizumulu Island beneficiaries as one way of reducing hunger to the families where each household went away with two bags of 50 Kgs of maize.
“The purpose of this maize distribution exercise is for the people to benefit including their families. They must consume at family levels, this means that they will be very productive not only at community level but even at national level,” said Jere.
A beneficiary of the exercise at Chizumulu, James Mfaume said he was grateful to government for the maize saying it will help in reducing hunger in many families.
“Personally, I am thankful for this program, you know many people are starving because they do not have food in their homes, I am lucky to be part of this program, if possible, government should increase the number of people to benefit from the program,” said Mfaume.
He then asked fellow beneficiaries to use the maize for its intended purpose saying the two bags if taken care of can cover the families for two months.
Ward Councilor for Chizumulu island, Barnabus Sambamo said the distribution exercise has come at the right time as many people have been stricken by hunger on the Island.
"The distribution of maize is very important to us here on Chizumulu Island. We truly appreciate receiving it, especially given the hunger that often affects the island. Most of the time, people experience food shortages between January and March. This maize will provide much-needed relief,” said Sambamo.
He then thanked government for considering people from Chizumulu as well as Likoma Islands to be part of the program.
Government optimistic with IPPs
By Sheminah Nkhoma
Lilongwe, January 24, Mana: Government has expressed satisfaction with Independent power producers (IPPs) as they are at the center of improving livelihoods and achieving Malawi’s 2063 vision in the energy sector.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency ( MANA) , Spokesperson for Ministry of Energy, Austin Theu highlighted the importance of IPPs saying they bring much-needed investment, innovation and expertise to expand the generation capacity, diversify energy sources and improve energy access.
He said by 2030, Malawi's estimated electricity demand is projected to reach approximately 774MW, while the expected generation capacity for the same year is forecasted to be around 1,500MW; this significant surplus in generation capacity creates an ideal opportunity for power exports, which could provide a new revenue stream and foreign exchange earnings for the country.
“The power sector in Malawi is getting interconnected, digitalised and decentralised. This complements government efforts and accelerate the transition towards sustainable energy sector helping the country to move towards the energy goal,” he said.
Theu further articulated that IPPs’ investment in renewable energy projects help to diversify the energy mix and ensure supply resilience against climate-related disruptions.
“IPPs are playing a pivotal role in bridging the gap between demand and supply of electricity, reducing load shedding and enabling the electrification of more areas, “ he stated.
In his remarks, an energy expert, Grain Malunga has urged government to increase energy investment to meet energy demand in the country.
“Reaching the energy target capacity government alone or Electricity Supply Cooperation of Malawi (ESCOM) can not meet so it is important for the IPPs to be given a room to be investing in the energy sector,” said Malunga.
Currently, Malawi has three operational IPPs such as Mulanje Hydro Limited with 8.2MW from hydropower; JCM Matswani with 60MW from solar in Salima and 20MW from solar energy with battery storage in Golomoti; and Serengeti Solar in Nkhotakota with 21MW.
Dedza partners commended for community financial inclusion
By Steve Chirombo
Dedza, January 25, Mana: Dedza District Council Community Development Officer, Thanira Gondwe, has commended partners who were implementing a two-year Financial Access for Rural Markets, Smallholders and Enterprise (FARMSE) programme for positively uplifting lives of some communities in the district.
Among other things, the Implementing Partners (IPs) implemented several programmes under Community-Based Financial Support, thereby promoting Village Saving Loans groups and other forms of community-based financial organizations.
The programme also had a third component under innovative outreach activity where FARMSE reached out to formal financial institutions through agency banking and linkage of the financial institutions to the Community Based Financial Organizations (CBFOs) and other rural inhabitants where they would not normally reach in their normal business.
Gondwe said on Friday, at the end of the review meeting with the district IPs, that the session was a wake-up call to what’s happening on the ground.
“And looking at what they have presented; it clearly shows that they have done a lot of work on the ground about VSL groups.
“The most important thing that I have also seen is that these people have been on the ground capacitating the groups on the savings and also telling them the importance of starting small businesses, which would help assist the communities in developing economically,” said Gondwe.
According to Gondwe, the savings and how much the members shared by the end of the year demonstrated that people’s livelihoods have significantly changed.
“You know these people are complementing the government’s efforts. Of course, we are already doing it but then they came in with more resources which made us reach out to more groups. We will continue to encourage the beneficiaries to work on those groups and also to continue doing the small-scale businesses because a lot of them have benefited from the initiative,” he pointed out.
On his part, Brown Phulusa, FARMSE District Coordinating Officer, said he is impressed with the outcome of the review meeting.
“Looking at all activities I am impressed because when you look at a sampled number of households under ultra-poor graduation most of them have moved within a short period having received their seed money and currently most of them have three times what they got.
“Their livelihoods have changed. They have got a lot of productive assets. So, I would say by combining seed capital with technical expertise many lives would change,” indicated Phulusa.
According to Phulusa, the three major operative components of the programme have greatly improved the lives of the targeted communities, citing numerous savings and shares under the CBFOs' support, the ultra-poor graduations, and the placement of agents either under FDH or NBS in every corner of the district under the innovative component, where people are no longer travelling long distances to get banking services as expected by the programme.
“It is impressive to see communities having a lot of productive assets which have seen their lives greatly improved and this has also brought in some capacity building where they are producing more in the agriculture sector ensuring their food and nutrition capacity,” said Phulusa.
Some of the partners who participated in implementing the programme include the African Institute of Corporate Citizenship (AICC), Action Aid Malawi, FINCOOP, FDH, and NBS banks.
FARMSE is a government of Malawi programme housed under the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs.
It is being implemented in all 28 districts through some NGOs, private implementing partners and departments as well as agencies.
NGO urge communities to plant trees in graveyards
By Emily M'mangisa
Zomba, January 25, Mana: Community Energy Malawi, a non-governmental organization promoting use of solar technologies has appealed to chiefs in Zomba to champion planting of trees in graveyards to ensure adequate vegetative cover to check land degradation and other factors that compromise the environment.
Speaking on Friday at Mkanda at Senior Chief Mlumbe’s area, Community Energy Malawi Programme Director, Memory Suwedi, said most of the graveyards were bare due to increased deforestation.
Suwedi said graveyards used to have good vegetative cover, observing that no one was allowed to cut a tree in such areas.
“We have gone very far with deforestation; our resting places that were always respected and feared are bare. May I therefore urge chiefs to dress up our graveyards in their tree planting drive,” she added.
The Programme Director said, as part of contributing to national forestry season, the organization has distributed 5,000 seedlings of both exotic and indigenous tree species to cooperatives in the district.
Assistant Forestry Officer at Zomba District Council, Yassin Lamusi also urged community members to actively take part in addressing challenges associated with deforestation that also ignite land degradation.
Senior Chief Mulumbe, lamented increased irresponsible cutting down of trees, which he said become a norm in his area and many parts of the district.
“It is saddening that those that destroy the environment know no boundaries. They are really encroaching graveyards, places remaining with trees,” the chief added.
Mlumbe pledged to enforce by-laws to check tree cutting in all areas including graveyards, adding that that he will mobilize his subjects to play an active role in the current forestry season by planting many tree seedlings.
Chairperson of Shukurani Bakery Cooperative, Twaeina Mgaye whose group received tree seedlings from Community Energy said, tree planting in bare areas was the way to go, considering that firewood is largely used in bakery apart from other household chores.
Community Energy also promised to introduce solar technology to replace over dependency on firewood in bakery and other undertakings, saying this will be done under a project called Large Solar Ovens for Bakery Cooperatives.
The Zomba District Council has set its 2025/26 budget at MK47.2 billion
By Solister Mogha
Zomba, January 26, Mana: Zomba District Council has pegged its 2025/2026 budget at MK47.2 billion from MK35.4 billion in the 2024/25 fiscal year.
Presenting the budget during a budget review and hearing session in Blantyre, Director of Finance, Ellen Kayira said the increase is as a result of expected enhanced disbursements from projects such as the Regional Climate and Resilient Project (RCRP), Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and the Social Support for Resilient Livelihoods Project (SSRLP).
In addition, Kayira said an increase in the budget is also due to an increase in personal emoluments.
“If you check our budget, you will see that a fair share is also under personal emoluments which are taking a substantial percentage,” she said.
According to the Director, out of the total budget, MK2.6 billion is for Other Recurrent Transactions (ORT) MK1.8 billion is Constituency Development Fund (CDF) MK1.42billion GESD, MK1.1 billion for hospital rehabilitations and MK5.3 billion for Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CSEPWP) under the SSRLP.
On local revenue generation, Kayira said the council has under budgeted from MK274 million last year to MK259 million, adding that there were some areas that the council needed to work on enhancing effectiveness and efficiency in revenue mobilization.
“We are supposed to collect revenue in estates but we don't have bylaws that allow us do that. Additionally, the council is supposed to construct toilets and market shades for it to easily collect revenue in markets,” she said.
NLGFC Budget Analyst, Yohanne Nyanja hailed the council for what he described as a detailed budget, saying the council should work more on revenue generation avenues.
However, this is a proposed budget, which awaits final ceilings from the NLGFC and approval by Zomba full council.
Business people in Zomba welcome Digital Financing Services
By Dex Mpando
Zomba, January 25, Mana: Business people in Zomba have expressed satisfaction with Digital Financial Services (DFS), which the Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) is encouraging as means of modern and convenient transaction.
Speaking on Thursday during DFS awareness, Anthony Phiri who is butcher at Mpunga Market said DFS was a way to go in the modern digital era.
Phiri said he enjoyed receiving payments from customers instantly through mobile money transfer, adding this proved convenient and safer than transacting through direct cash payments.
“This is a good development. I urge the Reserve Bank of Malawi to continue raising DFS awareness so that this should be fully adopted by many people,” he added.
Another business person, Andrea Bwanali, a barber said many of his customers prefer paying through mobile money or bank, describing DFS as very easy and safe.
“DFS made it easier for me to manage my finances. It has also helped me to save and invest for the future,” said Bwanali who was flanked by other business people that praised the DFS.
DFS Team Leader, Paul Nthala said RBM was impressed with the rate at which people were adopting DFS across Malawi.
“We will continue to promote DFS to ensure it remains secure, reliable and accessible to all the people in Zomba and other areas,” Nthala added.
RBM had already visited many areas in Malawi raising DFS awareness stating its advantages over old ways of business transacting.
Complete GESD projects or lose funding -Councils advised
By Solister Mogha
Zomba, January 25, Mana: Executive Director for the National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC), Dr. Kondwani Santhe has advised councils in the local authorities to complete Government to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) funded projects to qualify for other funding.
Dr. Santhe made the appeal on Friday at Mount Soche Hotel in Blantyre during a budget review and hearing session as Zomba and other councils took their turns to present their budgets before the NLGFC.
He therefore emphasized that no council will receive funding if it fails to complete any GESD projects proposed for the 2024/25 financial year.
“You have no excuse for failing to implementing projects. We don't want to hear issues of delayed funding,” he added while advising the councils to ensure that all completed projects are in use to meet citizens’ development aspirations.
Dr. Santhe also advised councils to comply with project guidelines, warning local authorities that they should not be tempted to go against set guidelines and standards.
He said NLGFC will continue monitoring how councils adhere to polices, guidelines and standards, saying failure to abide by these would result in less or no funding.
District Commissioner for Zomba, Reinghard Chavula assured NLGFC that the district will complete all the projects in time to receive the next GESD funding.
In the 2024/25 financial year, Zomba was allocated MK682.1 billion GESD funds.
The NLGFC organized councils' budget review meetings to ensure well-prepared and responsive budgets.
EQUALS Project excites learners
By Thom Ali
Lilongwe, January 24, Mana: Some learners have expressed excitement for the newly constructed classroom blocks that the government is constructing under the Equity with Quality and Learning at Secondary (EQUALS) Project, which is being implemented by Ministry of Education to enhance the quality of education in the country.
Speaking to Malawi News Agency, Sinkanako Khombe, Head Teacher for Mitundu Secondary School, which is among the beneficiaries of the project, said the initiative will help improve education standards by providing more classrooms for learners, reducing travel distances and creating a better learning environment.
"Due to shortages of classrooms previously, some learners had to attend classes in the afternoon, which resulted in poor performance," Khombe said.
He commended government for initiating the project, noting the new facilities have impacted learners positively.
A beneficiary of the project, form two learner at Mitundu Secondary school, Gloria Maliana, said the project will reduce disruption in learning due to adverse weather conditions and other distractions.
Another beneficiary, Ruth Mbidzi, who is a form 4 learner at Msongwe Community Day Secondary School in Mzuzu, shared her excitement over the development, saying the facilities will help adress challenges of overcrowding due to lack of sufficient classrooms, inadequate sanitation, and an increase number of school dropouts.
Mbidzi further made an appeal to the government to continue with the initiative of upgrading schools across the country to improve education standards.
Among others, the EQUALS Project intends to construct additional school facilities such as libraries, ICT rooms, and toilet blocks in other districts across Malawi in order to improve sanitation in learning environments.
The Ministry of Education is implementing the EQUALS Project in collaboration with the United Nations with support from the World Bank.
