MANAonline
Women and Youth must have equal access to loans- Chakwera
By Sheminah Nkhoma
Nkhotakota, October 31, Mana: President Lazarus Chakwera has called on National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) to provide loans to women and youth without collateral to support them in businesses.
Speaking on Thursday, when he addressed people at Nkhotakota Boma, President Chakwera said youth and women should be encouraged to get loans so that they can boost up their small businesses.
“I want to see all women and youth in this area doing better in their lives it’s not everyone who has the opportunity to be employed so with small businesses they will be able to help their families,” said Chakwera.
The president further urged farmers to take farming as a business so that the country could generate its income without depending on donors
Member of Parliament for Nkhotakota Central Peter Mazizi appreciated the support that the government is providing to the constituency saying there are many development projects in the area, funded through Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
“We appreciate the developments in this area, we have 5 secondary schools and health centers built through your government and 100 students are under bursaries through CDF,” he said.
Mangochi Youths to Launch Farmers Market Day
By Ernest Mfunya
Mangochi, October 31, Mana. In a bid to boost local agribusiness, youths in Mangochi have united to launch the district's first-ever Farmers Market Day, slated for Saturday, November 2, 2024 at Villa Tafika Lodge within Mangochi town.
Speaking in an interview with Malawi News Agency, an agribusiness person and Executive Director of Jeyie Foods, Jacqueline Banda said the launch is meant to create a platform for local agricultural products on top of allowing youth in agribusiness to interact with potential customers and partners.
Banda observed that youths in the district were trained in various incubation programmes but they lack platforms where they can showcase and sell their products and skills hence the Farmers Market Day.
She said that the initiative was in line with the government's development agenda of the Malawi Vision 2063 and the Agriculture, Tourism and Mining strategy which encourages Malawians to explore opportunities in agriculture, tourism and mining sectors.
“This is a hub for businesses in Mangochi. We want people especially the youth and women to sell their skills or products to connect with partners and share ideas on how they can scale up their businesses,
“It's not about food or agriculture businesses only but also those in arts, fashion and design plus those in craft. Service providers and many others are encouraged to come and showcase their businesses,” added Banda.
She said that Farmers Market Day will be a monthly event and expressed hope that it will help people in Mangochi to have a picture of what happens at the country's trade fair which takes place every year in Blantyre.
She, therefore, appealed to young people in the district, organisations as well as government sectors to patronize the day in large numbers to make it eventful, adding that the Farmers Market Day entry will be free.
In his remarks, a poultry farmer in the district, Bright Chilumpha welcomed the initiative saying that it will give small-scale entrepreneurs a chance to increase visibility, market research and trend identification.
“This is a very good opportunity for us to sell our products and expose our businesses. As young entrepreneurs, we lack opportunities like these to meet potential buyers and partners. We also expect to learn from other people's experiences who are making good strides in agribusiness,” he added.
Some of the day’s activities include exhibiting artwork including visual art, kids’ corner, music and sale of local food prepared by Mangochi-based food outlets.
Gotani Hara urges Chitipa residents to go for voter registration
By Andrew Gondwe
Chitipa, October 31, Mana: Vice president for Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and Speaker of Parliament, Catherine Gotani Hara has called on all eligible people in the district to go for voter registration exercise, which is taking place in the district.
Hara was speaking on Wednesday during a whistle-stop tour, which she organized in order to encourage people in various villages and trading centres in Chitipa district to participate in voter registration in readiness for the forthcoming 2025 general elections.
She said those who fail to register will be denied a chance to exercise their right to vote in the elections.
"As Vice President of MCP, I decided to take part in encouraging our party supporters to register and be ready to vote for the right candidates they want in various political positions, such as president, Members of Parliament and ward councilors," said Hara.
A Chitipa resident, Mphatso Kabaghe from Robert village in Senior Chief Mwabulambya, supported the move of sensitizing people in the district to go and register so that they can vote for the candidates of their choice.
Kabaghe said that if people get registered and vote for the right candidates, it will help the district to develop different areas, adding that failure to participate in electoral processes promotes poor governance.
Senior Chief Mwabulambya asked his fellow local leaders to encourage their subjects to register and vote next year in large numbers.
“Voting is a right of every citizen. As local leaders, we will continue to play a great role of sensitizing people to take part in all electoral processes. I have noted however that most opposition parties are not much interested in telling people to get registered yet they need to vote,” Senior Chief Mwabulambya said.
Karonga Chief bemoans lack of local mineral analysis laboratory
By George Mponda
Karonga, October 31, Mana: Senior Chief Kilipula of Karonga has said the lack of a mineral analysis laboratory in Malawi is leading to a loss of revenue and creating room for shady deals in the mining industry.
Speaking during a Karonga Council Meeting on Wednesday where the Ministry of Mining together with Lotus Africa Limited the operators of Kayelekera Uranium Mine were making a presentation on the Community Development Agreement, Kilipula said taking samples for testing outside the country is not ideal.
"In the past, we have seen truckloads of samples being taken outside the country saying they are going to run tests on them. However, this makes us question how come such large amounts of samples are being taken for testing and who accompanies the samples. Do they even return home after the tests?" Kilipula wondered.
Kilipula said most residents are not aware of the operations of an exploration license granted to companies because they still see samples being taken away the same as in a fully operational mine which is puzzling to them.
"Government needs to build our mineral analysis laboratory which will reduce the costs incurred by mining companies and this will also increase our trust in the mining industry which at the moment is very low," he added.
In her remarks, Principal Mining Engineer in the Ministry of Mining Regina Kakwela said large-scale mining companies that have been granted exploration licences conduct their work over a large area hence large amounts of samples.
"Indeed at the moment, Malawi does not have a mineral analysis laboratory which is why the samples are taken mostly to South Africa where they run tests. If we had this laboratory here in Malawi, a lot of costs could be cut," Kakwela said.
Council urges stakeholders to follow SLGs guidelines
By Joel Phiri
Mzimba, October 31, Mana: Principal Community Development officer for M’mbelwa District Council Topsy Kachere has underscored the need for various stakeholders working in promoting Savings Loans Groups (SLGs) in the district to follow guidelines and work together to strengthen coordination, collaboration and service delivery.
Kachere made the remarks on Thursday in Mzimba during a meeting with various stakeholders organised with funding from the Financial Access for Rural Markets, Smallholders and Enterprises (FARMSE).
He said for a long-time stakeholders that promote savings and loans groups have been working without guidelines which made it haphazard on service delivery as every organisation was executing its work in isolation and without following established guidelines.
‘‘It’s like in reaching out to members of various savings and loans groups (SLGs) there were no guidelines among various stakeholders. So, with funding from FARMSE we organised this meeting for Mzimba based organisations to orient them on Savings and Loans groups terms of reference (TORs). The objective is to ensure harmony in how we work’’, he said.
African Fertiliser and Agribusiness Partnership (AFAP) regional coordinator for the North Hopkins Mwanza said the training was very important as it will enhance their knowledge in working in communities and promoting savings and loans groups.
Mwanza said most community members who join village savings groups such as bank Mkhonde lack knowledge in financial literacy, organisation management, good governance and agribusiness management to run the organisations they belong to successfully.
‘‘So this orientation will help members know which areas are in need of support among savings loans groups. By honing such skills through this training we will be able to impart the same and transform community savings and loans groups’’, said Mwanza.
A member of the Tikolelaneko community-based organization from Jenda, Maness Nkhoma hailed the training saying it equipped them with the prerequisite knowledge and skills needed for the successful operation of financial groups.
World Vision Malawi donates livestock to community
By Richard Kagunda
Kasungu, October 31, Mana: As a way of boosting economic status for the rural households in Kasungu district, World Vision Malawi, on Wednesday donated goats and chickens to households in Muntchenda community in the area of Senior Chief Chulu,
Speaking in an interview after handing over the livestock to the households, District Programmes Manager for World Vision Malawi in Kasungu and Dowa, Arnold Tsalayekha, said they decided to donate the goats to capacitate the households to pay school fees for their children and support the families economically.
"We decided to donate the goats and chickens to the rural households to make sure that the families can support education for their children by paying school fees for them. The families will be able to get the finances to pay for their children's school fees after selling the livestock.
"We are a children-focused organization and supporting children's education is our business, which is why we thought it wise to donate the livestock to rural households. People in this area already have the skills of domesticating such livestock and it will be a financial boost for them," Tsalayekha said.
Agriculture Development Committee’s (ADC) chairperson for Chulu area, Jacob Kawaza, applauded World Vision Malawi for what he called a timely donation and he urged those who received the livestock to take good care of them so that they multiply.
"This is a good move and indeed a timely donation. Let me applaud World Vision Malawi for donating the livestock to people in our area. Besides supporting households economically, the livestock will boost our agriculture in the sense that those who are into farming will be able to make compost manure from the droppings of the livestock.
"I urge those that have received the livestock to take good care of them by making sure that they are kept in good kraals and well fed so that they multiply," Kawaza said.
One of the beneficiaries, Mkosa Mvula, who received five goats expressed her excitement saying, the livestock will bring some change to her household and improve the well-being of her family members.
"I am super excited to have received these goats from World Vision Malawi and I know that life at home will never be the same again. I will take good care of these goats and as they multiply, I will be able to raise money after selling them.
"Besides boosting my economy, the livestock will give us meat which is good for our nutrition and this is a positive move," Mvula said.
World Vision Malawi donated 5125 goats to 125 households and 610 chickens worth 4 hundred million Kwacha. World Vision is implementing Animal Gift Catalogue Project in Muntchenda area in the area of Senior Chief Chulu in Kasungu district.
NWRA foretells higher water levels in next hydrological cycle
By George Mponda
Karonga, October 31, Mana: National Water Resources Authority (NWRA) has called on Chiefs to advise Malawians to prepare for the next hydrological cycle, which will see higher levels of water in the country’s water bodies.
Speaking while addressing Karonga Council Meeting on Wednesday, NWRA's Senior Civic Education and Public Relations Officer Masozi Kasambara said Chiefs need to warn people against construction or undertaking any activities along Lakes and Rivers.
Kasambara said; "With this projection, it means the area along the Lakes and Rivers is not safe for any development and it belongs to the state therefore, Chiefs need to help in warning people against settling and farming to avoid the risk of flooding which might lead to loss of lives."
He added that adhering to the best practices in preserving water resources is very crucial to achieving Malawi 2063 since water is a vital resource in industrialisation, urbanisation and agricultural production.
"However, the fact that water levels will be higher is not bad news since this means that the country will have adequate water to be used for domestic and industrial purposes," he explained.
On his part, Paramount Chief Kyungu urged the authority to clearly instruct Malawians on where the boundaries are between the water bodies and public land.
"Water is life, as chiefs we have a crucial role to sensitise people on the do's and dont's on sustainable water use. The problem is that most Malawians misunderstood democracy and they think they can do anything including wanton cutting of trees and cultivating along river banks," Kyungu said.
"I would like to urge the NWRA to properly instruct citizens on how best they can make use of this water which they say will be higher in the next hydrological cycle," he added.
Nkhata Bay DC cautions junior staff
By Chisomo Kambandanga
Nkhata Bay, October 31, Mana: Nkhata Bay District Commissioner (DC) Rodgers Newa has warned junior staff members across various sectors at the council to avoid getting exploited in their course of duty.
Newa gave the warning Wednesday when opening a two-day junior staff involvement meeting organized by the Institutional Integrity Committee (ICC) aiming at educating and empowering junior staff on the importance of institutional integrity and equipping them to contribute to a corruption-free work environment.
“You are the backbone of this district’s development because you are exposed to various information and government resources. Don’t allow anyone to exploit or use you for personal gains.
"At all costs, avoid any corrupt practices because once caught I will not defend you and remember it is your families that will suffer,” Newa said.
According to Newa, the council established the ICC to safeguard finances and materials and ensure transparency and accountability among others.
“Corruption issues affect everyone. If you suspect or witness suspicious activities blow the whistle to the committee that you are introduced to and confidentiality is guaranteed,” he added.
In his remarks, security guard at the education department Ken Chulu commended the council for the meeting, saying it enlightened them on several things that will ease their work.
“We feel valued and protected. The warning gives us confidence to report any misconduct and we wish such meetings to be happening at regular intervals,” he said.
Malawi Hosts AWFN 2024 Meeting to Tackle Wildlife Crime
By Golden Kang'oma
Salima, October 30, Mana: Malawi is hosting the 9th Annual Meeting of the Africa Wildlife Forensics Network (AWFN), bringing together forensic experts from across Africa to strengthen scientific approaches to combat wildlife crime.
Speaking on Wednesday during the official opening ceremony in Salima, the Deputy Minister of Local Government, Unity, and Culture, Owen Chomanika highlighted the urgent need for wildlife forensics in fighting poaching and trafficking.
“This meeting is crucial because it brings together African specialists in wildlife crime forensics. Wildlife crimes remain rampant, yet our investigations often lack scientific evidence. Forensics will allow us to produce concrete and court-admissible evidence,” he said.
Chomanika noted that advances in forensic science can provide irrefutable proof of crimes, citing how forensic labs can now confirm the origin of illegal wildlife products, such as buffalo meat, which will aid in prosecuting offenders.
“Wildlife crime is a multi-billion-dollar industry, largely run by international cartels that exploit weak legal systems, Wildlife trade is now the fourth largest black market in the world, costing countries up to $23 billion,” he said.
Director of TRACE Wildlife Forensics Network, Rob Ogden, a specialist in wildlife genetics, echoed Chomanika’s concerns, stressing the need for enhanced forensic capacity across Africa.
“One of the biggest threats to wildlife globally is illegal trade and poaching. As court standards rise, we need better forensic tools to prove crimes and identify perpetrators,” Ogden said.
According to Ogden, the AWFN is designed to help African countries share knowledge and resources to address wildlife crime collaboratively.
“Some African nations are biodiversity-rich source countries, while others are trans-shipment hubs. This network lets us share skills and build a sustainable, united response,” he said.
Head of the Genetics Services Unit at South Africa’s National Biodiversity Institute, Marlide Bruyn, said the meeting is very important to enhance continental collaborations.
“It’s a privilege to be part of this engagement where laboratories can network, share challenges, and enhance our forensic techniques, this will broaden our relationship against wildlife crime,” she said.
MACRA launches Cyber Security Awareness Month
By Sellah Singini
Lilongwe 30 October, Mana: Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) has launched Cyber Security Awareness Month, aimed at enhancing public understanding awareness of cyber security issues.
The launch took place at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe on Wednesday and will run throughout the month of November with a series of events such as public outreach campaigns to educate and empower citizens on safe online practices.
Speaking during the launch, MACRA’s Board Director Malla Kawale said cyber security has become a critical concern in the digital age, as more Malawians engage with technology in their daily lives.
She said, the rise of internet use presents both opportunities and challenges and therefore it is necessary for individuals, businesses and organizations to understand how to protect themselves from cyber threats.
“As MACRA, we would like to emphasize the importance of this initiative. As we embrace the digital revolution, we must equip our citizens with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate the online landscape safely,
Cyber security is a shared responsibility and through awareness and education, we can foster a safer digital environment for all Malawians. We therefore encourage all citizens, businesses and organizations to participate actively in cyber security awareness month,” Kawale said.
MACRA’s Consumer Affairs Officer Brave Kaira said 27000 cases of mobile money fraud worth 180 million kwacha have been reported from January to August this year.
He said, 90 percent of the mobile money fraud cases emanate from prisons, especially Zomba Maximum Prison.
Kaira also said it is very important to empower consumers and mobile money agents in order to reduce the number of fraud cases.
“This is the reason the money fraud invasion task force was set up as one of the initiatives to combat mobile money fraud,” he said.
He added that MACRA is hoping to introduce National Identity cards from the National Registration Bureau (NRB) to be the one single source of truth and should be linked to biometric data in order to avoid cases of people registering SIM cards using other people’s National IDs.
