By Ernest Mfunya

Mangochi, September 13, Mana. A village head in Mangochi, identified as Stand Ayami has died after being electrocuted as he attempted to steal from an Escom powerline at Chipunga Estate at Senior Traditional Authority Bwananyambi’s area. 

Mangochi Police Station, Public Relations Officer, Inspector Amina Tepani Daudi confirmed the death of Ayami who was Village head Assani who died while climbing a pole and cutting a stay wire at the estate.

Daudi said the deceased, who was a well-known tinsmith, left his house on the night of September 12, 2024, to an undisclosed destination but did not return till he was discovered dead.

“His body was discovered under an Escom power line at Chipunga Estate, with severe burns covering his body.

“Police, medical personnel, and Escom officials arrived at the scene where they found Assani dead. He held a hacksaw in his right hand with a piece of ESCOM wire and fragments of the hacksaw scattered around him,” she added.

Meanwhile, Police in the district warned the public against tampering with Escom property and urged the public to report anyone found stealing Escom property and related crimes.

By Yamikani Yapuwa

Thyolo, September 13, Mana: As one way of enhancing disaster preparedness and response in Malawi, the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) held a consultation meeting on Thursday with the Thyolo District Disaster Risk Management Committee (DRMC) to gather input for developing regulations to operationalize the Disaster Risk Management Act.

Chief Disaster Resilience Officer Samuel Gama said the consultation aimed to gather views and recommendations from stakeholders on what should be included in the regulations, as the government moves towards operationalizing the Act to strengthen disaster preparedness and response mechanisms across the country.

 "We are here to ensure that the voices of local stakeholders are heard and reflected in the regulations. Their insights will help us create robust guidelines that address the realities on the ground," he said.

Gama noted that DoDMA intends to develop regulations starting with establishing a Disaster Risk Management Trust Fund (DRMTF) to ensure timely and efficient disbursement of resources to victims during emergencies.

 “We want to make sure that when disasters strike, funds are available and reach those in need without unnecessary delays,” he explained.

He also mentioned that the department aims to create a code of conduct for assisting actors involved in disaster response to ensure accountability and coordination.

“Having a clear code of conduct will streamline operations and ensure all actors work together effectively”, added Gama.

Furthermore, Gama said DoDMA is focusing on managing high-risk areas by developing guidelines to prevent disasters and reduce vulnerability, along with setting clear regulations for the implementation of relocation and resettlement programs to ensure the safety and well-being of communities at risk.

"The views from stakeholders will provide crucial guidance to the department in drafting these regulations. By incorporating local insights and expertise, we can develop regulations that are not only comprehensive but also practical and tailored to the needs of our communities," said Gama.

One of the committee members Gerald Zgambo described the engagement as crucial because it ensures that local realities are considered.

"We are the ones on the ground, dealing with disasters firsthand, and our input is essential for creating practical and effective regulations," said Zgambo.

Zgambo added that involving district councils and communities ensures that the regulations will not only be comprehensive but also practical and adaptable to the specific needs of each district.

"It is not just about creating regulations; it is about making sure those regulations are grounded in the experiences and needs of our communities”, he added.

By Yamikani Yapuwa

Thyolo, September 13, Mana: Acting Director of Environment and Natural Resources for Thyolo District Council Mirriam Yona said orienting participants of the Climate Smart Public Works Programme (CSPWP) on Environmental and Social Safeguards needs to be taken seriously, as it is a crucial step towards having an effective and sustainable project.

Yona said this on Thursday on the sidelines of orientation meetings taking place across the 18 catchments where the programme is being implemented in the district.

"The safeguards are essential to ensuring that the projects are not only effective but also sustainable and respectful of the communities and environments in which they are implemented”, said Yona.

Yona noted that adherence to environmental and social safeguards helps prevent unintended harm to natural ecosystems and local communities.

 "We are dealing with climate-smart initiatives that aim to address issues such as soil erosion, deforestation, and water conservation. Without proper knowledge and application of safeguards, these projects could inadvertently cause environmental degradation or disrupt community livelihoods.

"The orientation equips participants with the necessary tools to identify potential risks and implement measures to mitigate them," Yona said.

She stressed that integrating these safeguards is not just a compliance measure but a commitment to sustainable development that benefits all stakeholders.

Furthermore, Yona pointed out that understanding environmental and social safeguards fosters a sense of accountability and responsibility among participants.

"Our goal is to empower communities to take charge of their own development in a way that is environmentally conscious and socially inclusive. By orienting participants on these safeguards, we are ensuring that they are well-prepared to make decisions that protect the environment and respect the social fabric of the communities they serve.

"This not only enhances the effectiveness of the Climate Smart Public Works Programme but also promotes resilience and sustainability in the face of climate change”, she concluded.

The Chairperson for Namileme Catchment Dickson Manyenje described the orientation as important based on past experiences.

“Last cycle, we had instances where people incurred injuries, especially when making stone bunds because they were not adequately prepared or aware of the risks involved.

“This early orientation on environmental and social safeguards is not just about protecting our surroundings, but also about ensuring the safety and well-being of the people involved in these projects," said Manyenje.

He said that by equipping participants with the right knowledge and safety measures from the start, such incidents can be minimised and ensure a smoother, safer implementation of the projects.

He underscored that early education and awareness are key to empowering communities to carry out their work responsibly and safely, ultimately leading to more successful outcomes.

The CSPWP is being implemented in 18 Catchments in the district with funding from the World Bank benefiting close to 20,000 households.

By Agatha Kadzinje

Blantyre, September 12, Mana: Men for Gender Equality Now (MEGEN) has stated that the alarming suicide cases among men in Malawi are due to the stereotypes that the society holds towards men’s mental health.

Gender Rights Activist at MEGEN, Marcel Chisi said in an interview with Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Wednesday, that women have more suicidal thoughts. Still, the actual people who commit suicide are men simply because there are no spaces and avenues to express themselves in society.

“Women have more forums or platforms where they can communicate their problems. As a result, they seek honest opinions from others. On the other hand, men's forums are not useful as they do not offer meaningful alternatives. Additionally, men are not supportive to each other, which leads to more suicidal thoughts among men as many of them opt to suffer in silence rather than sharing their problems with others,” he disclosed.

Chisi added that MEGEN together with Malawi Human Rights Commission is taking various initiatives to ensure men feel heard to improve their mental health.

He further explained that MEGEN has sections in different communities that provide psychosocial support and mental health therapy to assist people struggling with mental health issues, through teaching young men and grown men to cope with various shocks that they are facing in life.

Bamusi Matiki from Mpemba in Traditional Authority Nsomba in Blantyre also pointed out that it is only women who are heard when they report any case of abuse and not men.

“We do not disclose our problems to our mates or report anything to the police because we see that we will not be helped in any form. We would rather go to bawo places or a bar to forget everything,” he said.

According to a report released by the Malawi Police Service recently, 246 men and 35 women have taken their own lives from January to June this year, marking male domestic abuse, financial hardships, broken relationships, and drug abuse as contributing factors to rising cases of suicide in the country.

By Patience Longwe

Lilongwe, September 11, Mana: The Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Alliance has called on stakeholders to take proactive steps in supporting people living with NCDs, particularly during natural disasters like floods and cyclones.

Speaking during a stakeholders' meeting on Wednesday at Edge Water Court in Lilongwe, NCD Alliance Chairperson, Moda Mwakasungura highlighted challenges faced by NCD patients during Cyclone Freddy in 2023.

“We observed during Cyclone Freddy that many of our clients, especially those living with NCDs, struggled to access care and medication. Our discussion now focuses on how we can ensure these individuals receive care if such calamities happen again,” Mwakasungura stated.

Mwakasungura also emphasized the importance of raising awareness on road safety, particularly for kabaza (motorcycle taxi) riders, as accidents have been on the rise.

“By working with the Riders for Health Association, we aim to intensify safety awareness among kabaza riders to reduce accidents,” he added.

Meanwhile, Dingani Mithi of the NCD Alliance advocated for healthier lifestyles to combat rising NCD cases.

“As the NCD Alliance, we are pushing for lifestyle changes that reduce risk factors like unhealthy diets, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, and physical inactivity. However, progress has been slow since the introduction of the National Alcohol Policy, with unregulated alcohol brewing still prevalent,” Mithi said.

Cyclone Freddy left many displaced in 2023, with people suffering from severe health conditions unable to access proper medical care, which led to complications.

By Rosalia Kapiri

Lilongwe, September 12, Mana: Ministry of Trade and Industry Principle Secretary, Christina Zakeyo has emphasized the importance of increasing Fairtrade Africa (FTA) producers in Malawi to promote industrialization and boost the country's economy.

She spoke on Thursday during Malawi's Fairtrade Day celebration at the Capital Hotel in Lilongwe.

Established in 2005, Fairtrade Africa is a non-governmental organization championing the voice of all FTA certified producers across the continent.

Zakeyo noted that, as one of the 33 African countries registered with Fairtrade Africa, Malawi stands to gain significantly in terms of economic development, particularly through increased foreign exchange earnings.

"Fairtrade Africa has been an invaluable partner in supporting our agricultural sector, ensuring that our farmers and workers receive fair treatment and fair prices for their produce.

"We need to have more registered companies with Fairtrade. I am confident that the recently certified producers, NASFAM for groundnuts and HIMACUL for macadamia, will further diversify our Fairtrade product portfolio and open new market opportunities for our farmers," Zakeyo said.

Fairtrade Africa's Head of Southern Africa Network, Zinhle Ndlovu, commended Malawi's progress with Fairtrade.

"Previously, Malawi had five producers under Fairtrade; now there are eight. This shows improvement and indicates there is potential for further growth. Malawi can achieve even more," Ndlovu observed.

Currently, Malawian Fairtrade producers are exporting products such as tea, macadamia, sugar, and peanuts.

By Petro Mkandawire

Blantyre, September 12, Mana: Blantyre District Environmental Health Officer, Innocent Mvula, has expressed gratitude over Healthy Strengthening Immunization System Project saying involvement   of 33 Mother Care Groups as mobilisers has contributed to improved child vaccine coverage in the district.

Mvula told Malawi News Agency (MANA) this week that vaccine coverage in under five children has greatly improved with almost 89 percent compared to years before Mother Care Groups were taken on board.

He added that the district used to register 79 percent before the Health Strengthening Immunization System Project was introduced with Malawi Equity Health Network (MEHN) as lead partner.

“Mother Care Groups are able to mobilize resources to boost immunization coverage here in Blantyre. As such, we are working with them as our link with the communities.

“Before the groups were taken in, we had a lot of challenges like; follow-up of zero-dose children and lack of community advocacy on vaccine and Immunization,” he said, adding that communities are largely participating in immunization following mother care groups’ active engagement on issues of child health.

He, therefore, encouraged communities to embrace child vaccine and immunization to promote child health and further called on stakeholders in the health sector to invest more in Mother Care Groups, saying they are key to vaccine coverage.

Vice Chairperson of Mpendekera Mother Care Group, Maria Ligawo, of Traditional Authority (TA) Lundu in Blantyre said the care group play an active role in working with health workers in providing vaccine to many children than before.

“Before our involvement in child vaccination, most children got sick very often and most women used to spend three days in hospital with sick children. Our group mobilizes families to vaccinate their under five children,” said Ligawo who expressed satisfaction with increased number of children that access vaccine in her area following intensified community mobilization.

She, however, mentioned lack of reliable mode of transportation to reach every under five child and lack of necessary tools such as vaccine storage boxes as limiting factors that needs to be addressed by health authorities and partners.

Healthy Strengthening Immunization System Project is being implemented in Blantyre, Lilongwe, Mchinji, Dowa, Ntchisi, Kasungu, Mzimba South, Mzimba North and Chitipa by MHEN through Ministry of Healthy and other partners with funding from GAVI amounting to US$ 3 million.

MHEN is an independent alliance of organizations and individuals that seeks promote equity and quality health for all in Malawi.