By Emily M'mangisa

Zomba, September 7, Mana:  Equipping Pastors Worldwide (EPW) has trained 87 pastors drawn from various churches to understand the Bible and preach the gospel of salvation without fear or favour.

EPW, Head of Trainings, Dave Holdt said on Friday at Reformed Presbyterian Church Theological College in Zomba where the faith based ministry trained the pastors, that some pastors did not go through theological schools to understand the word hence the training.

He further called on the newly trained pastor to proclaim the living word in their respective churches and communities but cautioned those in Malawi to stay away from political especially as Malawi heads to general elections.

“Go and proclaim living word, as men of God we preach Jesus Christ as the only way to salvation. Don't be afraid to say that even louder," Holdt told the trained pastors, adding that time has come for the flock of God to know reality and make decisions without any influence.

Some of the trained pastors are from; Baptists Convention, Ethiopian, Church of Christ, Holy Ghost and Evangelism, (HOGEM) Assemblies of God, Living Waters, Samaritan Church. Zambezi Evangelical Church and Church of Central African Presbyterian (CCAP).

Holdt who is also narrator of audiobooks underscored the need for pastors that preach the gospel to fully understand the Bible, observing that some pastors use the Bible without deeply understanding the divinity in it.

EPW, Coordinator for East and Southern Africa, Dr. Joster Jumbe also said of the need for the pastor to understand the bible in its fullest context, adding that some of them read the Bible as a collection of stories without understanding what the Bible says.

He also called on fellow pastors to avoid manipulating folks into following political beliefs against their will.

During the five days training, participants were taken through 19 sessions that discussed topics such as: What is the Bible, How to understand the passage, Teach the Bible, What we are and what we practice and Preach the word.   

One of the participants, Steven Josee of Mozambique’s Zambezi Evangelical Church said time has come for pastors to understand the Bible fully and its contents.

“We preach yes, but this training is an eye opener. I can now relate stories in the Bible, teachings of God and reality on the ground,” he added and urged Malawian counterparts to exercise caution when ministering during elections.

At the end of the five days training, each of the 87participants received a certificates and a bible and among them, one participant was from Mozambique, two from Zimbabwe.

EPW is an international provider of quality training for pastors who would like to be faithful in serving the Lord, Jesus Christ but are lacking the training and resources to minster.

By Lommah Jelome

Mzimba, September 6, MANA: Mzimba South District Social Welfare Officer (DSWO) Bernard Nangwale has revealed that the majority of men in Mzimba do not participate in Early Childhood Development activities.

Nangwale made the sentiments in Mzimba when Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) through the Development Broadcasting Unit unveiled a project aimed at intensifying an awareness campaign on Early child childhood development (ECD).

He said that culturally, most men in Mzimba think that responsibility of sending a child to Community Based Care Centre (CBCC) lies on women.

"We want fathers also to take big responsibility in establishing CBCCs and sending their under-five children to access early child development," Nangwale said.

Nangwale added that early childhood education is further hindered by the massive migration of men to South Africa where they seek greener pastures.

"Most ECDs do not have male teachers. The majority of men are in South Africa as such we work mostly with females but we need those available in villages to take part in our interventions," he said.

Program Manager for Development Broadcasting Unit (DBU) at MBC Joshua Chirwa said the project will be executed through the production of radio and television programs that will focus on issues affecting the delivery of ECD services.

The project is set to be implemented in Mzimba, Nkhotakotakota and Balaka districts.

Chirwa said the audience will be reached through MBC radios, MBC TV 1 and 2 as well Mibawa TV.

He also revealed that programs will also reach every corner of the catchment areas as they have partnered with Mzimba and Nkhotakota community radios.

"For instance, we are going to conduct talk shows and panel discussions in our program which will among others feature topics on the roles of men in addressing health issues affecting under five children and participation in ECD," he said.

Overseer of the project, Nellie Masamba said the project is going to run from September 2024 to January next year.

She said the project will also involve advocacy on the need to construct CBCCs that are durable and provide physical security to the young learners.

UNICEF is funding the project to the tune of 107 million Kwacha in the three districts. In Mzimba, the project is expected to be implemented in two Traditional Authorities which M'mbelwa District Council will soon identify.

By George Bulombola

Mzuzu, September 6, Mana: Disaster Risk Management Officer for Mzuzu City Council, Precious Mandala Friday said about 56,000 people are expected to be targeted for the 2024/25 food insecurity response.

Mandala made the remarks in Mzuzu during an orientation of Mzuzu City Disaster Risk Management Committee and local structures at the ward level on beneficiary targeting and registration ahead of the food insecurity response which is expected to run from January to March 2025.

He said the council thought it wise to embark on timely preparation to reduce challenges that can be encountered during the exercise.

“Last year, the implementation of the response faced some challenges because we did not have enough time to prepare before rolling out the activity. With this approach, we hope challenges will be minimized,” said Mandala.

He said the training will help members to easily identify deserving beneficiaries since authorities have been equipped with parameters for one to benefit from the programme.

“We are however hopeful that in future council will have its own Universal Beneficiary Registry which would be used for various social support services,” he said.

Deputy Director for Disaster Response in the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA), Fyawupi Mwafongo said he expects the targeting process to be conducted in line with humanitarian aspects and parameters,

Chairperson for Mzuzu City Council Disaster Risk Management Committee, Evance Mwale commended DoDMA for organizing the orientation session which he said also covered areas of beneficiary verification, relief food distribution planning, management, grievance redress mechanisms and reporting.

By Beni Bamusi

Thyolo, September 6, Mana: Women Rights Institute (WORI) has called on all stakeholders in Thyolo to raise awareness on issues to do with Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) among Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) in Traditional Authority Bvumbwe who are facing challenges in accessing sexual reproductive health services.

WORI Executive Director, Bertha Mfune made the call this week during a project orientation which took place at Thyolo District Council.

Mfune said AGYW are facing challenges in accessing services regarding Sexual Reproductive Health services, saying cultural, legal and structural barriers in health facilities prevent them from making informed decisions and choices.

“We are therefore calling on the media, and all the stakeholders to amplify change and advocate for reproductive health rights so that adolescent girls and young women can understand their rights,

“Some girls opt for unsafe abortion which brings complications if not well treated. This project will tackle pressing issues affecting their well-being,” she said. 

She added the understanding will help AGYW to avoid early pregnancies and post-abortion complications which come as a result of unsafe abortion which most of the girls resort to when they are pregnant.

Thyolo District, Youth Friendly Service Coordinator, Steve Dimba acknowledged that some AGYW are not aware of their SRHR services, saying there is a need to put deliberate interventions to raise awareness on where they can access the services. 

He expressed hope that WORI project will provide a room where girls will learn their rights, thereby reducing the chances of unwanted pregnancies and child marriages. 

Mwai Women Group Chairperson, Flone  Magombo said the initiative has come at the right time in Bvumbwe where AGYW are failing to access services at a health facility due to an unconducive environment that doesn’t guarantee privacy.

“Bvumbwe being a trading centre, girls are easily influenced by peers and situations to engage in prostitution which puts them at risk of early pregnancies. We anticipate that the project will bring positive change to girls in the area,” said Magombo.

WORI is implementing an SRHR project among the AGYW in Thyolo. 

By Wellington Sibale

Neno, September 6, Mana: National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) Trust in collaboration with the Center for Civil Society Strengthening (CCSS) this week trained female aspirants in Neno District to help them conduct winning political campaigns ahead of the 2025 general elections.

NICE Trust, Civic Education Programmes Officer, Christopher Naphiyo highlighted that Neno was selected as a beneficiary district of a project called; Nthawi Yawo as the district lacks female representation in both parliamentary and local government positions alongside Salima and Karonga.

“Neno currently has no female Member of Parliament or ward councilor that is why we priorities it for this programme. We organized this training to empower women in political leadership,” said Naphiyo.

He said the training was meant to equip women, particularly young female aspirants with the necessary knowledge and skills to engage effectively in political leadership.

Naphiyo said participants are expected to gain a deeper understanding of the political landscape and be prepared to take on leadership roles.

He, therefore, called on women in Neno and across the country to contest for elective positions in the 2025 general elections and observed that women have a reputation for honesty and the ability to meet the needs of the people.

Director of Planning and Development for Neno District Council, Charles Lomoni said the training will empower women to play an active role in the district’s political landscape thereby contributing to the development.

“Neno is one of the least developed districts in the country. If women are empowered to take on leadership roles, they can make decisions that would benefit their communities.” Lomoni said.

He therefore expressed hope that the training will equip female aspirants with the knowledge and skills to address the challenges the district faces.

A participant in the training who is a shadow Member of Parliament for Neno North, Chandice Chimphonda said the training was relevant and impactful on political ambition.

“This training has been of great interest. I am returning to my constituency with enhanced knowledge and skills that have strengthened my campaign,” she said.

The training’s objective is to equip aspirants with the knowledge and skills necessary for political leadership, identify capacity gaps and future training needs including promoting the active participation of women particularly young women and persons with disabilities.

With funding from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), NICE Trust and CCSS are implementing the Inclusive Participation of Women in Politics (Nthawi Yawo) Project in Karonga, Salima and Neno districts to increase women's participation in politics.

By Mwai Kumanda

Lilongwe, September 6, Mana: Members of newly elected Area Development Committees (ADC) in Lilongwe district have been advised to avoid corruption, as they will be discharging their duties.

Sub-Traditional Authority Malembo made the call Thursday during the induction of ADC members in his area.

He said corruption among members of ADC retards development projects that would assist many people in their areas.

“I am happy that we have finally our ADC.  I want to take this opportunity to encourage and ask the new members to work together and use their positions wisely, professionally and transparently without indulging in corrupt practices,” he said.

In his remarks, the newly elected Chairperson of the Malembo ADC, Skyford Chikafubwa promised to discharge his duties professionally to develop the area and improve the livelihood of the people in the area.

 “Let me take this opportunity to thank the people of this area for entrusting me so that I can lead the Malembo ADC. It is not that I am wiser than anyone else, but we will work together as a committee and even those who have been in this committee before,” he said.

Lilongwe District Council Assistant Community Development Officer Gladys Kalumbi asked the elected ADC members to do their job professionally saying people in the area are expecting more from them.

“Corruption is evil. And as the council we don’t want to be hearing issues of corruption involving members of the ADC,” she said.