MANAonline
AfDB approves support towards Malawi Agricultural sector
By Arkangel Tembo
New York, September 23, Mana: Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Simplex Chithyola Banda has disclosed that the African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved more than 50 million US Dollars towards agriculture productivity and commercialization including procurement of relief maize.
The minister disclosed this in New York, where President Chakwera held the 2024 Malawi Partners Conference on the sidelines of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
Among other high-level dignitaries at the conference, the Malawi leader, met the AfDB Group, President, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, Mozambican President, Filipe Nyusi and a Tanzanian delegation.
"The support includes 30 million US dollars, 23 million Dollars, and 1 million US Dollars. All these are coming separately with different purposes from the African Development Bank. Further, more support is coming from the same bank.
"On food production, the AfDB is more than ready to support the Malawi Government to embark on a programme of pumping water from Lake Malawi for irrigation," he said.
Chithyola Banda said AfDB interventions will improve Malawi's economy on top of empowering the young people to venture into the agricultural value chain.
He added that the AfDB assistance to Malawi is a clear demonstration of confidence and trust in the current administration.
"institutions like African Development Bank have demonstrated degree of confident and trust in the leadership of Dr. Lazarus Chakwera and the reform programme that Malawi is undertaking in various sectors.
"I have liked some aspects in President Chakwera's speech in which he said Malawi needs to rework in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to re-estimate the GDP based on green economy of how much is the country worth in terms of carbon financing," he said, adding that analysing the GDP will give a true picture of Malawi's economic growth,” he said.
He said going back to the drawing board, Malawi will also work on how natural resources could stimulate the economy.
In 2023, President Chakwera also held another partner conference in New York under the theme; Building Resilience and Sustainable Development in the Face of Shocks.
The Malawi Partners Conference are held on the sidelines of the UNGA in New York, US.
In another interview, Minister of Information and Digitalisation, Moses Kunkuyu said Chakwera's visit is benefiting Malawians.
"When the president travels, he travels with an agenda. The agenda is to represent Malawians and when he represents his people he carries with him the problem that affects his people," Kunkuyu added.
Chakwera woo investors at the Malawi Partners Conference in USA
By Arkangel Tembo
New York, September 23, Mana: President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera has urged potential investors in the United States of America (USA) that Malawi is the best investment destination with resilient economic growth, stable and peaceful country.
The President said this on Sunday evening at the Martinique Hotel in New York during a second edition of the Malawi-Partners Conference, held on the margins of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
Addressing the potential investors, Chakwera said Malawi has 5.3 million hectares of arable land, representing 45 percent of its total land area; adding that the country has abundant water resources, coupled with several major river systems.
In addition, President Chakwera told the would-be investors that Malawi has access to a market of over 100 million people in the SADC and COMESA regions.
"We have a visionary, stable, democratic political leadership which are all key to creating an enabling environment for public and private funding investments in an open economy," he said.
The Malawi leader said the country has also recently developed a One-Stop Service Centre for investment and trade Promotion through the Malawi Investment and Trade Centre (MITC), adding that Malawi has a large, highly educated, skilled, hardworking, trainable workforce.
The Malawi leader further said that the country is also a gold mine of agricultural experience, flooded with untapped specific projects and economic opportunities waiting to be explored.
Amid catastrophic climate and health-related shocks, Chakwera said his government continues to lay a solid foundation for Malawi’s prosperity.
“Malawi is not only a land of opportunities, but also a nation ready to meet the global demand for high-quality products. We have a web of rivers and lakes, and arable land that is fit-for-purpose of high-value agricultural production zones,” he added.
Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi who also attended the conference echoed his counterpart’s sentiment by assuring potential investors that Malawi is endowed with so many natural resources which he said are conducive for investment.
"I would like to agree with my brother here that just like in Malawi, agriculture also plays a critical role in Mozambique and Africa as a whole in terms of providing primary source of livelihood, and income to the majority of the population. I encourage you to come and invest in Malawi because they have what it takes in terms of marketing among others," he said.
The first edition of the Malawi-Partners Conference was also held at the same venue and some of the fruits of the conference include the ongoing construction of the Magwero Industrial Park near Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) whose resources were committed by the Afreximbank at that time.
Other commitments from last year’s conference that have materialized include the World Bank-financed Regional Climate Resilience Program, IFAD-funded Sustainable Agriculture Productivity Program, and the Building Education Foundation Project that the Global Partnership for Education is financing.
The 2024 edition of the Malawi-Partners conference was held under the theme “Securing Our Future: Enhancing Investment in Agriculture for Sustainable Food Security.”
Mzuni Alumni Association Motivates Home of Hope
By Winfrida Kamwana
Mchinji, September 22, Mana: As part of practicing one of the pillars of Mzuzu university which is providing service to people in the society, Mzuzu University Alumni Association visited Home of Hope orphanage to motivate the children not to give up on their dreams.
Speaking on Saturday during the interaction, President for Mzuni Alumni Association in the Central Chapter, Masozi Kasambala said the visit was not only to donate the clothes they brought, but to also give hope to the children that anything is achievable if they put their mind to it.
"As service providers we are obliged to give hope to such children and assure them that no matter their background they can still do something great and achieve so much more.
“This should be a pace setter to them to work hard so that one day they also become alumni of different universities and give hope to the ones coming after them," said Kasambala.
Concurring with Kasambala, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Joel Makiyi asked the children during his motivational speech to always have the hunger to work hard in order to achieve their goals.
“Nothing comes free in this life, when you want to reach your goals you have to always set standards that will help you achieve your goals, it may not always be comfortable but your eyes should be on the prize," explained Makiyi.
Reverend Thomson John Chipeta, founder of the Home of Hope orphanage, expressed his gratitude for the donation, stating that contributions like these are essential for the continued operation of the orphanage.
"We cannot manage to run the orphanage on our own that is why when such help comes, we are always short of words and very thankful because we know some of the challenges that we are facing have been addressed," said Chipeta.
He further said despite government and other well-wishers helping them, the orphanage needs more people to help them with groceries as the orphanage has more than seven hundred children and to feed them all is a hustle due to the rise of prices of goods on the market.
In his remarks, Thokozani Chisi, one of the children at the orphanage said this has helped them to reflect on their behavior especially in the education sector. He said this will help them to work hard to achieve their goals.
He further said they do not take this help lightly and hopes that one day they will also be able to come back to the orphanage after they have achieved their goals to motivate others.
Mzuni Alumni Association donated clothes to the orphanage with help from Development Aid from People to People (DAPP). DAPP provided the alumni with 50 bales of clothes which the alumni are donating to different orphanages and charitable organizations.
Malawi appreciate UN response to natural disasters
By Arkangel Tembo, New York, USA
New York, September 21, Mana: Minister of information and Digitalization, Moses Kunkuyu says Malawi appreciates United Nations (UN) support when the country was hit by Tropical Cyclone Freddy which affected many livelihoods.
The minister made the remarks in the US after President Chakwera met the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres.
He said president Chakwera met the UN Secretary General to acknowledge various UN support to Malawi in time of disaster and other social protection programmes such as the Social Cash Transfer Programme.
Kunkuyu said the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) provides rare opportunities for President Chakwera to meet and discuss with UN Secretary General, donors and potential investors.
"The president made further appeal to the UN through the Secretary General that there is still need for assistance to go towards people of Malawi. We still have more people that are affected by drought, the dry spells and the Cyclone Freddy and are still nursing the injuries," Kunkuyu added.
He said the President also told the Secretary General that Malawi people that were affected by the drought still need assistance in form of food as Malawi is faced with numerous climate change related challenges.
Kunkuyu emphasized that Chakwera’s trips to the UNGA and other global summits are always in the best interest of the people of Malawi.
"Chakwera travels to represent his people and when he is representing his people, he carries with him problems that his people are facing in Malawi.
"He also touched on effects of climate change. He put it straight that his people need to be bailed out of situations through building climate resilient infrastructures," the minister added.
While still in USA, President Chakwera also attended and made a presentation on Malawi's digitalization efforts at a Summit for the Future which discussed and reflected the youth and Digitalisation.
"The president was invited to make a presentation to hear his plans as far as Digitalisation is concerned. He shared his vision to have connectivity that is affordable," Kunkuyu said, adding that Malawi has been recognized among the 20 countries doing well in digital connectivity.
In the meantime, Malawi Communication Regulatory Authority (MACRA) is constructing Information Communication Technology (ICT) laboratories in community day secondary schools across country as part of Universal Service Fund and Connect a School Project.
Apart from attending the 79th session of UNGA, the president will also attend high level meetings to discuss wide range of issues ranging from peace and security to sustainable development.
Chakwera calls financing facilities to help developing countries
By Arkangel Tembo, New York,USA
New York, September 22, Mana: President Dr Lazarus Chakwera has emphasized the need for financing facilities that are more robust, and inclusive to help catalyse global development in developing countries.
President Chakwera made the remarks on Sunday during the second-day plenary session of the Summit of the Future held under the theme “multilateral solutions for a better tomorrow”.
President Chakwera highlighted the need for leaders to put more effort so that by 2030 they should sustain the hope of young people and build sustainable solutions for the future generation.
“This Summit of the Future is not about us, but about the next two generations and their children. We must make this pact of the future relevant to all generations,” Chakwera stated.
He also indicated the significance of shifting from the provision of aid to the cultivation of self-sufficiency through robust private-sector engagement.
“We must nurture the entrepreneurial spirit of young people by empowering them with local industries,” said Chakwera.
President Chakwera also stated the need to reconfigure multilateral institutions to create a new architecture of global finance that reduces the debt burden of developing countries.
However, president Chakwera expressed deep concern with conflicts around the world that remain unresolved stating the need to seek peaceful resolutions to disputes, for it is evident that the current multilateral system has proven significantly inadequate in resolving conflicts.
The president also indicated that Malawi recognizes the global utility of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in terms of improving productivity and decision-making processes highlighting that the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) are facing significant challenges in coping with the unprecedented technological advancement.
President Chakwera said the global world must make deliberate efforts to improve the capacity of LDCs to reduce the digital divide.
The Summit of the Future which is currently underway in New York, USA will serve as an opportunity for leaders and various players in development to amplify ideas that will allow countries to attain the sustainable development Goals by 2030.
Chakwera calls for global collaboration to boost digital literacy
By Arkangel Tembo, New York, USA
New York, September 22, Mana: President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera has expressed government’s commitment to bridging the digital divide in transforming societies, the economy, and humanity among citizens for an inclusive future for all Malawians.
He made the remarks on Saturday at the UN Summit of the Future on laying the foundation for a digital future for all in New York, USA on the sideline of the United Nations General Assembly.
The President highlighted that his administration's strategic plans for digital transformation include expanding digital infrastructure, enhancing digital literacy, and fostering an inclusive digital economy to ensure that no one is left behind in our digital journey.
President Chakwera stated that Malawi has launched several initiatives as one way of accelerating digital adoption, with support from development partners. The Digital Malawi Project has been instrumental in expanding internet connectivity to public institutions.
“The Last Mile Rural Connectivity and the Inclusive Digital Transformation for Malawi (IDT4M) projects, provide equitable access to digital technologies and foster digital literacy across all segments of society,” said President Chakwera.
He highlighted that Malawi had implemented a Data Exchange Platform that leverages our national ID system as a single point of truth for identity verification, stating that the platform is critical in ensuring seamless access to services, improving efficiency across government, and reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks.
‘’Complementing this, we have also implemented an e-service platform, which now serves as a single point of entry for all government digital services,” said Chakwera.
Chakwera underscored, that Malawi recognises that digital literacy is essential for full participation in the digital economy which has led to the introduction of digital literacy in the county’s national education curricula and providing training opportunities for all age groups.
‘’Our technology hubs, which are training thousands of young people in coding, digital skills, and entrepreneurship, are playing a crucial role in fostering innovation. These hubs are not only incubating new ideas but also creating jobs and driving the growth of Malawi's digital economy,” revealed Chakwera.
The President has appealed for strong collaboration between governments and multi-lateral partners, private sectors, and civil society to invest in infrastructure, education and digital literacy as the country strives to bridge the digital divide.
‘’We call upon the global community to not only provide financial and technical support but also to share knowledge, innovations, and best practices,” said Chakwera.
The summit of the future is an opportunity for Malawi to contribute to global efforts to address challenges and build a more just sustainable future. The summit aims to address the global challenges climate change rising inequalities and the digital divide among others.
MCP to rule beyond 2025-Chimwendo Banda
By George Bulombola
Mzimba, September 21, Mana: Secretary General for Malawi Congress Party (MCP), Richard Chimwendo Banda, Saturday said Malawians have all the reasons to vote for President Lazarus Chakwera come 2025 General Elections.
Chimwendo Banda was speaking at Ngazi Primary School at Ekwendeni in Mzimba during a political rally at which over 100 members of Alliance for Democracy announced their defection to MCP
He said the government under the leadership of Chakwera has gone through several hardships which include disasters among others, but Chakwera has managed to demonstrate that he is a trustworthy leader regardless of the challenges.
“MCP has proved to be a party with members from all corners of the country. This is not a family party. The first president for MCP was from the north, then came Hastings Kamuzu Banda, Gwannda Chakuwamba, John Tembo and the current president, Lazarus Chakwera,” said Chimwendo Banda.
Chimwendo Banda who is also Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture said the government under MCP leadership is implementing development projects across the country, citing among others, construction of 11,000 school blocks in primary schools, M’mbelwa University in Mzimba, state-of-the-art Mzuzu City Civic Offices, and library at Mzuzu University and several others in the southern and central regions.
“Government has raised upkeep allowance for university students from K150,000.00 to K550,000.00, has scrapped off quarter system which was mainly meant to suppress education in the north. The government is also rehabilitating the M1 Road from Lumbadzi in Lilongwe to Chiweta in Rumphi.
“Not every challenge has been addressed and from what MCP has demonstrated in the past few years, Malawians have all the reasons to vote for Chakwera who is president of our party to lead the country for a second term,” he said.
He then pointed out some of the pledges which the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) never fulfilled such as the construction of Mzuzu International Airport whose groundbreaking ceremony took place in 2017.
“Let me also remind you of the killing of 20 people in Mzuzu for protesting against the DPP government but they have never apologized and condoled the deceased families,” added Chimwendo Banda.
First Deputy Vice President for MCP, Catherine Gotani Hara who is also Speaker of the National Assembly commended government for promoting agri-business by ensuring that agricultural produce is sold at profitable prizes thereby uplifting people’s socio-economic status.
“Let me also applaud government for removing pay as you earn (payee) from CCAP pastors under Synod of Livingstonia. The former government was deducting payee these pastors,” said Hara as she called the gathering to continue rallying behind MCP.
Other speakers at the rally included Minister of Homeland Security, Ken Zikhale Ng’oma, and member of the MCP national executive committee, the party’s publicity Secretary, Jessie Kabwira, Musician Dan Lu and former DPP secretary general and Grezelder Jeffrey among others.
SCTP transforms lives of people in Lilongwe
By Andrew Mkonda
Lilongwe, September 21, Mana: Beneficiaries of the Social Cash Transfer Program (SCTP) in the area of Traditional Authority Masula in Lilongwe have hailed government for its commitment to the programme which they say has brought a transformative impact on their lives and economic resilience.
Speaking in an interview on Friday, one of the beneficiaries Filiza Mangalasi from Kagwandipenya cluster in the area of Traditional Authority Masula said before joining the programme, she was struggling to provide necessary things for her family members.
"I am very happy that my life and that of my grandchildren is no longer the same. Previously, I couldn't afford school necessities for my grandchildren, and their future was in danger, but now I can easily pay school fees for my grandchildren who are orphans.
"In order to reduce my economic challenges, I bought some pigs and started a small business which started after joining village bank," she said.
Another beneficiary Sautseni Chitenje, 35, a single mother of four, also thanked government for the initiative saying it has transformed her life and family.
“Before this program, I was struggling to make ends meet, with no proper house to accommodate my four children whose father went to marry another woman. Through this programme, I have managed to build this house with iron sheets,” she said.
Chitenje said she has managed to achieve that because of selling rice and joining Village and Saving Loans (VSL) where she has access to borrowing money to boost her business.
Lilongwe District Council Principal Social Welfare Officer responsible for Social Cash Transfer Sarah Chimodzi said she was impressed that beneficiaries in the district are diversifying income sources and joining savings groups.
“We are achieving this as a district because during our supervision exercises, we always take time to talk to beneficiaries about the goals of the program.
“I am happy because we are moving in the right direction as beneficiaries are now able to do multiple investments apart from just joining village savings banks, which is encouraging,” said Chimodzi.
Currently, Lilongwe district has 29,375 beneficiaries in the Social Cash Transfer Programme. SCTP is Malawi Government’s Program being implemented across the country through the National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC) with financial support from Multi donor Trust Fund and World Bank.
Dedza women say CS-EPWP funds to ease hunger
By Steve Chirombo
Dedza, September 21, Mana: Women in Senior Chief Kachindamoto under Mtakataka area in Dedza district, have expressed gratitude for the money received under the Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Program (CS-EPWP) saying it will ease hunger that has hit their households.
The women made the remarks on Friday when the council was finalizing the disbursement of the funds to the participants of the program.
About 28,870 community members have received money amounting to K38,400 each having worked for 24 days. Their work included the construction of swales, gully reclamation, taking care of natural regeneration, and tree nursery establishments among others.
Lecia Christiano from Kakhome village said she was happy to have received the money and she hoped to buy food for her household.
However, she said unlike in the past, when more people were into charcoal burning, the program has demonstrated that they should be the game changer as vegetation is being restored.
Another woman, Nasoweka Saizi, from the same area said she was grateful to government for being part of the program.
“Our farming activities are now easy because of the way we are taking care of them. They are clear and smart. Our vegetation is even better than before,” she said
Saizi added that the money she received will feed her household and also enable her to get school items for her children.
Mwayiwawo Mathotho, another participant, said the money will likely close some gaps at her home while hoping her children will not be hit by malnutrition.
“Words fail me because I am part of this program. The money I have received today will help me buy food for my family as you might be aware that we had erratic rains in the last farming season which contributed to hunger that is hitting us hard,” she stated.
On his part, Franklin Gomani, Dedza district council, Land Resources Conservation Officer and also CS-EPWP’s Desk Officer said the program is going towards empowering the communities to be financially stable.
Gomani added that participants can buy food items, farm inputs, and school materials for their children.
“In terms of mitigating the effects of climate change or conserving the environment, we have at least done quite a lot, as the areas where we have put structures to harvest and control erosion is quite huge,” he said.
He, however, bemoaned inadequate key personnel and resource constraints, especially vehicles which he said hamper timely supervision efforts.
The CS-EPWP is a component of the Social Support for Resilient Livelihoods and is being implemented under the National Local Governance Finance Committee with funding from the World Bank
NICE calls for strong collaboration between media and district councils
By Golden Kang'oma
Salima, September 21, Mana: As one way of strengthening collaborative efforts between the media and Government officials, National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) Trust on Thursday organized an interface meeting between members of the media and Salima District Council officials.
NICE Trust's Salima District Programs Officer Queen Mataya, said the initiative was important as it provided a platform to discuss issues hindering the media from effectively executing their duties and how to build a strong working relationship with council officials.
"We want to empower the media to effectively report on issues that enhance transparency to address challenges in their working relationship and promote transparency and accountability in local governance," he said.
The engagement meeting was part of the ongoing "Boma Lathu" project which NICE is implementing and is aimed to strengthen the collaboration between the media and the district council.
“One of our interventions under the Boma Lathu project is to support the media in reporting issues that promote transparency and accountability. This interface meeting was crucial for both sides to discuss and resolve any outstanding issues that may hinder their collaboration,” She said
Mataya also expressed optimism that the dialogue would lead to a stronger relationship between the media and the council as the meeting provided a platform for both parties to openly discuss challenges and seek solutions to improve their collaboration.
Salima District Council’s Director of Human Resources and Administration, Grace Kantande, acknowledged the concerns raised regarding access to information and committed to addressing them.
“We have heard the concerns about access to information. Moving forward, we need to meet as management and determine the best way to support our media partners.
"The media is crucial to us, as they provide the information we need daily. We must improve how we share information with them to benefit not only Salima but the entire nation,” Kantande stated.
Director for Salima Governance Network (SAGNET), Charles Mwangupili highlighted the meeting's potential to enhance development projects through improved checks and balances facilitated by a robust media and council relationship.
“This engagement organized by NICE Trust is vital for improving our relationship with the media. It will undoubtedly contribute to better governance by ensuring that development projects are scrutinized effectively,” Mwangopili said.
