MANAonline
Government unveils National Social Protection Call Centre
By Sellah Chunda
Lilongwe, August 16, Mana: In a bid to improve service delivery, the Malawian government, through the Ministry of Gender, Community Development, and Social Welfare, has launched the National Social Protection Call Centre (NSPCC) today.
During the launch at NGORA offices in Lilongwe, Minister Jean Sendeza emphasized that the new call centre aims to bolster support systems within social protection programs.
“We have established this call centre to strengthen our support systems and address the numerous grievances we have received. The NSPCC will ensure transparency in cash transfers through a free toll line,” Sendeza stated.
Michele Crimella, Team Leader for Social Sector and Infrastructure at the European Union, remarked, “Social protection is expanding, and this call centre will make it easier for beneficiaries to address their concerns through a single number. This initiative is a significant step in improving access to support.”
Crimella also highlighted the EU's commitment to Malawi's social protection programs, noting their success in aiding vulnerable populations and promoting self-reliance among the ultra-poor.
Gerge Chikondi Juwawo, Social Policy Specialist at UNICEF, praised the call centre as a solution to longstanding issues such as delays in social cash transfers.
“Modern technologies and the new call centre will help address these challenges by providing a platform for beneficiaries to voice their complaints and receive timely assistance,” Juwawo said.
The government of Malawi, supported by partners such as the World Bank, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UNICEF, and the European Union, continues to implement various social protection programs aimed at reducing poverty among the country’s most vulnerable populations.
Council asks for support to vaccinate pets in hard to reach areas
By George Mponda
Karonga, August 16, Mana: Principal Animal Health and Livestock Development Officer for Karonga District Council, Michael Mapundi has called on stakeholders to assist with logistical support inorder to adminster rabies vaccine to pets in hard to reach areas.
Mapundi made the call on Friday while speaking in an interview with Malawi News Agency (MANA) amidst a free rabies vaccination campaign which was launched on July 24 in the district.
"The district launched a free rabies campaign from July to August after we got support from the Department of Animal Health and Livestock Development of rabies vaccine and a local non governmental organisation based in Mzuzu called Centre for Community Empowerment Initiative (CCEI) with logistics and vaccine," Mapundi said.
"The campaign was launched in order to control the dangerous disease which can be transmitted from animals to people. During this period, we expect to vaccinate more than 21,000 pets. However, some of them are located in far off areas and we do not have the resources to reach there," he explained.
Mapundi cited places like Fuliwa, Nthawilo, Chisi, Chikutu, Gidi, Mphinga, Kayelekera, Ngana, Katili, Mphuwu, Njalayamoto, Chazale and those around Nyika National Park as being where logistical and allowances for officers will be needed.
On her part, Fitinah Mhango a Karonga resident from Malema one village in the area of Paramount Chief Kyungu advised authorities to consider vaccinating stray dogs.
"There are alot of stray dogs running around and these are not vaccinated during the campaigns. There should be deliberate efforts made to vaccinate them because they are the ones who pose the most risk to people since they are rarely vaccinated," Mhango said
Rabies is a deadly virus spread to people from the saliva of infected animals usually through a bite. Animals most likely to spread rabies include dogs, bats and cats.
Meanwhile, Karonga district is currently vaccinating pets in all the Extension Planning Areas (EPAs) till August month end and all pet owners are being encouraged to go with their pets in all designated vaccination places.
Kafalachi lobbies for agricultural infrastructure inclusion in development plans
By Robert Nayeja
Nsanje, August 16, Mana: Nsanje District Council Chairperson, Mike Kafalachi has appealed to community development structures to prioritize agriculture infrastructure in a bid to realize an increase in agricultural productivity and commercialization.
Kafalachi was speaking at the District Agriculture field day organized on Thursday at Gooke Irrigation Scheme in the area of Traditional Authority Mlolo.
The council chairperson observed that most developmental structures like the Area Development Committees dwell much on health and education structures, ignoring other equally important sector for the country’s economy.
“For our country to achieve Malawi 2063 Agenda pillar number 1, which is improved agricultural productivity and commercialization, there is need for governance structures to include agriculture infrastructures in our planning,” Kafalachi said.
He, therefore, disclosed that Nsanje District Council in its socio-economic has prioritized agricultural productivity as the district is either struck by dry spells or floods each year.
“We are promoting irrigation farming in all areas around Nsanje. I want to encourage the communities that were provided with irrigation schemes to put to good use the developmental structures,” he added.
Kafalachi, therefore, expressed disappointment with theft and vandalism of irrigation materials at the scheme in the district, saying it is undermining the vision of the district to achieve food security.
Director of Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources for Nsanje District Council, James Lichapa said the field day was organized to encourage farmers to follow modern ways of farming.
“We hope farmers have learnt a lot from this field day and we expect that they will implement it in their farming practice. We want farmers to take farming as a business so that we can achieve Malawi 2063 Agenda,” he added.
One of the farmers from Gooke village, Godwell Fella said the field day has been very informative as he has learnt modern ways of farming.
“I want to take farming as a business and I will follow whatever farming practices I have learnt today,” he added.
The field day was commemorated under the theme: “Enhanced integrated farming: A key to sustainable climate change resilience, food, nutrition and income security.”
WASH improves child health in Nsanje
By Lisa Lamya
Blantyre, August 16, Mana: Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) practices have significantly improved in Mchacha Village in the area of Traditional Authority Malemia in Nsanje district.
This has been made possible under a project, which the Farmers Union of Malawi (FUM) and The Hunger Project are implementing with support from United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to the government of Malawi funded by KFW.
Group Village Head Mchacha told Malawi News Agency (Mana) that for the past five years the area has not recorded any Cholera case, attributing the development to the introduction of the project.
“I remember back in the years we had a Cholera case, luckily the patient recovered, as a community leader, I encourage my subjects to have a toilet, ensure proper hygiene in their homes so that we curb such diseases,” Mchacha said.
One of the beneficiaries for the project, Mary Kandiado said diarrhoeal diseases have no place in her home because she has all the necessary WASH facilities.
“I have three children and one is under five, I always ensure that I keep my surroundings clean and use clean water when preparing food and wash my hands thoroughly,” Kandiado said.
A health promoter in Mchacha village, Jennifer Kaliati said she has seen noticeable improvements in the area in terms of sanitation and hygiene.
Kaliati said that through care groups which were set up in the village, issues of WASH have spread across the village.
“Our message is clear, we let the communities decide whether they want to be hygienic and disease free or if they want to break sanitation rules and stay in hospital,” Kaliati added.
Kaliati said that men in the area are taking a leading role in spreading WASH messages.
“Issues of hygiene are mostly associated with women but we have seen that male champions have been vibrant in disseminating messages on WASH as well as nutrition,” she said.
Data from UNICEF shows that hundreds of children under the age of five die every day from diarrhoeal diseases that could have been prevented by basic WASH practices at home, health centre and school level.
Illegal fishing gears burned in Nkhata Bay
By Chisomo Kambandanga
Nkhata Bay, August 16, Mana: Nkhata Bay District Council and Ripple Africa through the department fisheries have burned over 200 illegal fishing gears that were confiscated in the beaches of Lake Malawi worth MK40 million.
In an interview on Thursday during the burning exercise at Nkhafu dumping site in the area of Senior Chief Mkumbira, Nkhata Bay District Commissioner, Rodgers Newa said this is a sign that the council together with partners are committed to preserving fish in the district.
“We have a lot of illegal fishing gears on the lake Malawi that are not acceptable within the framework of Fisheries Act. This affects our efforts in fish management. As a control measure, we intensified patrols, identified illegal fishers and confiscated the gears and the law provides that we need to burn them so that they are not found on the lake,” Newa said.
According to Newa, these illegal fishing gears harvest immature fish which is making the district to lose a lot of fish which affects revenue collection for the council among others things.
“In our continued efforts of patrols, we have a committee that checks in shops to make sure that only multifilament gears that are recommended by government are sold unlike the monofilaments which endangers aquatic life,” he added.
Newa therefore commended Ripple Africa and all stakeholders working hand in hand with the council to sensitize the masses about legal fishing gears as the council cannot do it all due to resource constraints.
He warned fishers who are still resisting to change that the law shall keep taking it's course.
In his remarks, Country Director for Ripple Africa, Force Ngwira expressed commitment to continue supporting the council with resources through their fish conservation program.
‘Our role is to support Nkhata Bay District Council financially because for fisheries department to go for patrols and confiscate these illegal fishing gears they need resources and we remain committed to support,” Ngwira said.
According to Ngwira, most of illegal fishing gears were confiscated by Beach Village Committees and Fisheries Associations.
Chairperson for Mkumbira Sub-Fisheries Association, Andrew Kamanga said they will keep on sensitizing the masses in the district on responsible fishing and appealed for continued support from government and developmental partners.
All set for this year's MWATO celebrations
By Chisomo Kambandanga
Nkhata Bay, August 16, Mana: Executive Secretary for Mdauku wa a Tonga (MWATO) Levi Zeleza Manda says all is set for this year's Tonga cultural heritage populary known as Mdauku wa a Tonga celebrations.
The event will take place Saturday, August 17, 2024 at Msani in the area of Group Village Head Chilerawana under Senior Chief Mkumbira in NKhata Bay with the aim of uniting and preserving the culture of Tongas from across and outside the country.
In an interview, Manda said this year they will inaugurate their own cultural heritage site for the Tongas called Mwato Village at GVH Chilerawana in the area of Senior Chief Mkumbira.
"This will be our Tonga cultural ground which we will develop ourself. We will construct a school, museum and other structures to preserve the Tonga culture," Manda said.
According to Manda the event will be spiced up by several dances like Honala and Malipenga and there will be a display of food like batter fish locally known as batala, rice chigwada, nkhungu and Kondoole.
The theme for this year's MWATO celebration is ‘Our environment, our future’.
Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture, Honorable Richard Chimwendo Banda is expected to be the guest of honor at the event.
MCP to win the 2025 General Election, says Kabwira
By Gift Chiponde and Paul Madise
Lilongwe, 16 August, Mana: Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Publicity Secretary, Jessie Kabwira, has expressed confidence that President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera will emerge victorious in the upcoming 2025 General Election, citing his exemplary leadership qualities.
Kabwira expressed her optimism during a press conference on Friday at the party's headquarters in Lilongwe, where she provided an overview of the 2024 MCP Elective Convention held at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) from August 8th to August 10th, 2024.
In her address, Jessie Kabwira emphasized that MCP is an inclusive party that welcomes all Malawians irrespective of age, region, or ethnicity, underscoring the party's commitment to democracy as evidenced by its recent convention.
She underscored the importance of active youth engagement within MCP, highlighting the pivotal role that young individuals play in the nation's progress and encouraging their participation in the party's activities.
"We urge all the dynamic youth in Malawi, often referred to as Generation Z, who hold significant influence in the country's political landscape, to engage actively in MCP's political affairs.
The party is a platform for all young people, and we wholeheartedly embrace their involvement,” expressed Kabwira.
Among other points, Kabwira expressed satisfaction with the Chakwera-led government, noting significant advancements such as the equitable expansion of road infrastructure nationwide, the revitalisation of the railway project benefiting local farmers and traders, and the enhancement of communities through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) Programme.
She acknowledged the agricultural challenges posed by natural disasters post-harvest and commended the government's initiatives to support farmers in securing fair prices for their produce, using the tobacco industry as a prime example of successful market prices.
"President Chakwera has showcased unwavering dedication to ensuring that communities derive maximum benefits from the CDF, which has seen a doubling of funds from 100 million to 200 million Kwacha.
The commendable initiative of farmers selling tobacco at competitive prices has garnered praise from numerous farmers across the nation," highlighted Kabwira.
Kabwira pointed out the positive trend of loan repayments by National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) beneficiaries under the Chakwera administration, a practice previously lacking in past administrations, underscoring the President's strong political resolve.
She reaffirmed the government's commitment to eradicating hunger and ensuring equitable assistance to those most in need, including those residing in hard-to-reach areas.
Furthermore, she lauded the government's significant strides in addressing the country's electricity challenges, thereby enhancing the livelihoods of the populace.
Kabwira also reiterated MCP's unwavering support for President Chakwera in realizing the nation's developmental goals in alignment with his philosophy of Servant Leadership, dedicated to advancing the interests of all Malawians.
VP Launches the MCCTM in the Southern Region
By Isaac Jim
Blantyre, August 15, Mana: Malawi`s Vice President (VP), Dr. Michael Usi on Thursday launched the Malawi Church and Community Transformation Movement (MCCTM) in Blantyre whose mission is to join hands with government and other partners in addressing effects of climate change and food insecurity, unfavorable agricultural commodity markets and poor access to water and sanitation.
The launch started with a solidarity walk from Henry Henderson Institute (HHI) to World Alive International Ministry Church, and later the MCCTM presented petitions to government focusing on three thematic areas of climate change, food security and agricultural commodity markets and water and sanitation, sanctioning the state to seriously look into gray areas within the presented thematic areas.
Addressing the gathering, the VP said government is committed to tackle the issues presented in the petitions and assured the MCCTM that the petitions will be delivered to President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera for necessary actions.
“The main goal of government, the church and community leaders is to serve mankind, therefore it is imperative that these should pull in one direction and be part of this formidable team.
“Do not write other petitions as these ones are going to be handed to the president soonest” he said.
The VP also encouraged Malawians to responsibly address issues to do with environmental degradation as negative effects of climate change are universal to every Malawian, observing damage to the environment is un Godly.
“We therefore should keep our hope that things will change while working together in helping the government in achieving its goals. It is impressive to see how MCCTM is doing by involving churches and communities in tackling issues that have been raised here,” he added.
Regional Patron of the MCCTM, Dr. Zacc Kawalala who is also Bishop for World Alive International Ministries Church said there was need for collaboration to deal with issues of climate change, food insecurity and unfavorable markets for agricultural commodities and poor coverage and access to water and sanitation,
He said positive change will only be achieved if the church, members of community at grass root level and government are united towards a transformed Malawi.
“There is need to come together to address critical challenges affecting our society. We witnessed the birth of the Malawi Church and Community Transformation Movement (MCCTM) in 2022. This movement is a union of church organizations and the community at large,” he said.
Bishop Kawalala further said the church, community members and government have the obligation to deal with issues that will impact on the livelihood of the present and future generation.
“God teaches us to love one another, so when we destroy the environment, we pose health problems to others and the issue of environmental degradation affects every person, therefore it is a responsibility of every person to look after the environment,” he added.
MCCTM launch in Blantyre was the third after one in Lilongwe and another in Mzuzu.
Chiponda for delivery of quality health services
By Andrew Phiri
Balaka, August 16, Mana: Minister of Health, Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda on Thursday officially opened a newly constructed male and female ward at Balaka District Hospital, courtesy of health sector reform strategic plan that government is rolling out across the country.
The opening of the ward with male and female ward sections which is among the MK1.2 billion health projects being implemented in Balaka district will help to improve the delivery of high quality health services by reducing pressure that the hospital experienced when accommodating patients.
Speaking after touring several departments before opening the structure, Chiponda said she was impressed with the commendable work that the hospital is doing.
She challenged health workers at the facility that the government is committed to support the health sector to fulfill universal health coverage.
“This is what we are encouraging hospitals in this country that when they receive funding, they should use it prudently by addressing all the existing shortfalls.
“You can see that the way patients are being taken care of here makes life easier and also the oxygen cylinders that have been already installed in this facility will help patients to receive high quality standard treatment,” she said.
Chiponda, however, urged medical staff at the facility that apart from providing good quality medical treatment, they should also improve on provision of meals and observing effective hygiene among patients, saying this would help to speed up their recovery.
District Commissioner for Balaka, Tamanya Harawa commended the minister and the contractor for their commitment to finish and inaugurate the facility at the right time, adding that the monitoring and supervision from government is vital to promote transparency and accountability on local public projects.
“The participation of all necessary stakeholders at council level has played an important role to finish this project, the compromise on selection of contractors is also an issue because as council, you may wish to have good work but if you have unprofessional contractors, likely you also have substandard outcomes,” he added.
Apart from inaugurating the male/female ward at Balaka District Hospital, Chiponda also visited the MK700 million maternity ward that Balaka District Council is constructing at Chiyendausiku Health Centre.
ACB set to establish first district office in Mchinji
By Vincent Khonje
Mchinji, August 16, Mana: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) is establishing its first district office in Mchinji.
Speaking during a press briefing on Thursday ahead of the official opening of the office, ACB Acting Director General, Hillary Chilomba said the importance of extending the bureau's services beyond the cities is to ensure that the fight against corruption is inclusive and reaches every corner of Malawi.
"Let us remove the perception that the fight against corruption is a city affair. Corruption affects everyone, and our efforts to combat it must be accessible to all, regardless of where they live," said Chilomba.
He said by opening the office in Mchinji, the bureau is scaling up its services closer to the people.
The new office will feature three key sections in reporting, investigation, and public education.
District Commissioner for Mchinji, Lucia Chidalengwa, expressed her gratitude and support for the ACB's decision to establish an office in the district.
"We are pleased to have the ACB office here in Mchinji. As a council, we are committed to supporting the bureau's activities and ensuring that the fight against corruption is strengthened in the district," said Chidalengwa.
Following the establishment of the Mchinji office, the bureau plans to open additional offices in Karonga and Mangochi.
The official opening of the Mchinji office is set to take place this Friday.
