By Agatha kadzinje

Blantyre, September 25, Mana: NGO Gender Coordination Network (NGO-GCN) says political parties should embrace the 50/50 initiative in their selection of leaders in elective positions ahead of the 2025 general elections.

NGO-GCN Chairperson, Maggie Kathewera Banda, said in an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Tuesday, that that are still few women in leadership positions in political parties, despite the numerous initiatives by the NGO-GCN and other campaigners on the need to provide equal opportunities to both men and women to compete in elective positions.

Banda added that female aspirants in Malawi face several problems that affect their aspirations to compete in party and inter-party positions.

“Lack of funding is a major challenge for women during the election period as political parties fail to provide financial support to women. In addition, women get discouraged as they face insults and name-calling from opponents on top of negative societal attitudes,

“It only takes women with thick skin to contest despite the setbacks. Unfortunately, there are only a few of them that can withstand this,” she added.

Banda said the NGO-GCN will continue to monitor the 50/50 campaign by reviewing the political party’s constitutions and comparing them to the actual practices in the candidate's selection criteria.

She added that the network engages women aspirants in each political party to understand their experiences both within and outside their parties to assess how they would fare in the campaign stating that the success of the 50/50 campaign depends on the political parties’ willingness to accommodate women and voter’s attitudes towards women leadership.

“NGO-GCN advocates for a law that would designate certain constituencies exclusively for female candidates from different political parties. However, right now, it is a matter of survival of the fittest,” Banda said.

Banda observed that most parties that have held conventions recently have elected fewer women than men in key positions, saying this was a contributing factor to the likely defeat of the 50/50 initiative.

Political analyst, Ernest Thindwa stated in another interview with Mana, that the 50/50 campaign could be successful in the 2025 general election if the electoral system was addressed.

“Our system in Malawi is candidate-centered and not based on proportional representation which means that parties do not have incentives to support female aspirants. This greatly affects women's aspiration as they are often financially incapable of contesting,” he added.

Thindwa also observed that political parties tend to fund candidates they believe have a higher chance of winning elections.

He therefore said that the 50/50 campaign for the 2025 general election would be successful if political parties provided incentives to women aspirants to pursue their political ambitions.

Thindwa added that the 50/50 campaign was not just about increasing the number of women in elective positions but about the benefits and changes they will bring to the country.

By Dalitso Kampira

Thyolo, September 25, Mana: As one way of ensuring the well-being of adolescent girls and young women, Foundation for Community and Capacity Development (FOCCAD) through its "Health Care Project" has embarked on an initiative of empowering them through friendly health services in Thyolo.

In an interview with MANA on Tuesday, District Project Coordinator Victoria Malenga said the project aims to reduce new infections among adolescent girls and women.

"We are motivating them to use various protection methods to avoid getting sexually transmitted Infections, and early pregnancies by using family planning methods like condoms and contraceptives," she said.

She said they are targeting those that are going to primary and secondary schools, sex workers as well as those who inject themselves with drugs.

"The targeted groups are reached out through peer leaders, in one-on-one sessions where they are invited and given advice.

"Through client community and clinic network, young girls now have access to health services whenever they feel they are not okay," she added.

Peer Educator for Bvumbwe, Alefa Chikotcha, said the coming in of FOCCAD has helped girls to know who they are in terms of their sexuality.

"They are now able to understand their roles when it comes to health services. They can now continue their education as they can easily access youth-friendly services," she said.

Health Officer Attendant at Chimvu Clinic, Andrew Kholomana said the project has helped adolescent girls to open up and request for services whenever they need family planning methods.

"Through this project, young girls are now able to open up when they come to the clinic to access different health services including contraceptives which was difficult for them in past years.

"They no longer queue on a line whenever they want any support from the clinic because there is space specifically catering for them," said Kholomana.

The FOCCAD is working hand in hand with five health facilities in the district namely: Bvumbwe , Chimvu, Chipho, Thukuta, and Thekerani.

By Prisca Mashushu

Lilongwe September 25, MANA: Vice President of the Republic of Malawi, Dr Michael Usi has called for transparency and accountability when obtaining National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) loans to ensure that every citizen should benefit from it.

Speaking, on Thursday when visiting Ntandile market in Lilongwe where he inspected different businesses run by small-scale entrepreneurs, Usi said it was relevant to inspect the market, to uplift and encourage people in various businesses.

“The government will ensure that NEEF loans are obtained by the people so that they can be able to boost their small-scale businesses by promoting economic development and growth.

“I would like to encourage transparency and accountability when obtaining the loans without considering political parties or the tribe of the people but rather it should benefit every citizen of the nation," he said

He has reminded people who took loans to pay them back timely to help others desiring to also take the loans for boosting their business.

Lilongwe city west, member of parliament, George Dzulu hailed Usi for inspecting the Ntandile market as it is currently facing tremendous challenges.

“We are pleased for the presence of the Vice President of the nation here at Ntandile market as it will be an opportunity to address some of the challenges that the market is currently facing including shortage of public toilets, lack of access to NEEF loans that might help small scale businesses to be uplifted.

 “Additionally, lack of capital has affected business people financially and the presence of the Vice president has given the people of Ntandile hope to boost their business,” he said.

NEEF has introduced loans without collateral as one way of helping people boost their businesses.

Bishop Witmos

Mangochi, September 25, Mana: Communities in Mangochi have hailed the government’s Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP), describing it as a game-changer for their livelihood, citing a shift from abject poverty to a better livelihood.

Mangochi District Council through the social welfare office this week distributed August cash to the SCTP beneficiaries in the district where the recipients praised the programme for bringing a positive impact on most households that are now economically empowered.

One beneficiary, 76-year-old Benard Chande from Traditional Authority Chowe, said he has something to show after enrolling as a beneficiary.

"Before enrolling into the programme I was struggling to make ends meet. I received cash monthly and I managed to buy goats and have multiplied to 10 such that l am earning a living out of livestock raising” Chande said, adding that the increased number of goats will also compel him to improve his livelihood further.

Jemier Daudi of Traditional Authority Chilipa also commended the government for introducing the programme in her area, saying the SCTP brought hope to her family who lived in abject poverty.

“I am very grateful to the government for this life-changing initiative. My household income has improved such that l am now able to purchase essential items such as food and clothes as well as paying school fees for my children,” she said.

Principal Social Welfare Officer for Mangochi, Patrick Cholopi said the number of beneficiary households in the district has increased following a recent retargeting exercise.

“After retargeting, the number of beneficiary households has increased to 28,366 from 18,894 in the previous cycles,

“These are ultra-poor and labour-constrained households, including the elderly, people with disabilities, as well as single-headed households," he said.

By Tikondane Vega

Lilongwe, September 25, Mana: Malawi security officers' housing project is expected to improve service delivery among workers in the country.

This was revealed when Malawi News Agency visited Parachute Battalion in Salima and Mvera Battalion in Dowa district.

Speaking at Parachute, Emmanuel Chimbiri, Assistant Adjutant said the construction of 50 houses has excited many officers knowing they will stay close to their working places.

Chimbiri said that now that more officers stay within, communication and service delivery will also improve due to efficient and effective working.

“The houses are almost complete here. We have 40 houses for Junior staff and 10 for Senior staff. We commend the government for this amazing project which will transform our working conditions.

“We have some officers who stay outside our campus and we are very hopeful that many will stay within now,” said Chimbiri adding that this has provided a conducive working environment.

On his part, Charles Malata, Engineer for Solid Construction Company said the construction of the 50 houses is now at 95 percent remaining with carpentry and joinery as well as drain and road earthworks.

He said the company provided temporary employment to over 270 local workers who have benefited more from the construction of the houses.

Malata said,” Let me commend the government of Malawi for giving us a chance to be part of this huge project. We look forward to more as we continue with the work.

Meanwhile, Yamikani Saikodi, Armour Battalion Adjutant at Mvera has also commended government for providing the Mvera Battalion with 59 houses saying such projects are needed.

“Our duty demands to live within, so the coming in of the houses is a game changer to us regarding service delivery. Currently, some officers stay outside our campus but soon they will start staying within since the houses are almost complete,” said Saikondi.

The 10,000 housing units project is a national initiative by the Government of Malawi through the Ministry of Lands to provide decent accommodation for the members of the Malawi Police Service, the Malawi Defence Force, the Malawi Prisons Service and the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services.

President Chakwera officially launched the project at Ipiyana Police Station in Karonga in 2020.

The overall project is expected to benefit the police, Malawi Defence Force (MDF), Malawi Prisons Service and the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services.

By Tower Kumwenda

Mzuzu, September 24, Mana: Mzuzu City Council (MCC) has accepted that efforts to curb illegal vending in the city have failed.

In an interview with the Malawi News Agency (Mana), Tuesday, spokesperson for MCC, McDonald Gondwe said the council has been unsuccessful in all its attempts to relocate the vendors.

He said it remains a challenge to the council to relocate vendors who ply their businesses in illegal spots in the city, as many of them return to the same undesignated places despite the council’s numerous enforcement mechanisms to curb the malpractice.

“We are now pondering on coming up with a permanent and lasting solution through engaging various stakeholders including the vendors themselves for joint planning to come up with solutions together,” said Gondwe

He bemoaned the fact that the council had of late registered increased street vending practices despite what he described as best efforts from the council to ensure sanity in operations to maintain the city clean.

Said Gondwe: “We have MCC Central Market, Zigwagwa Market and Ndata Flea Market which became operational in 2014 but despite these available spaces, some vendors prefer plying their businesses in unapproved areas.”  

One of the vendors who sell groceries outside the Main Market, Adam Ascot, said that he makes more sales as he operates a place of his choice which he said is convenient for customers.

“We would want to be placed at a better market that would help us boost our business as we are not satisfied with where the council would like to relocate us.

Here, I sell one carton of Azam tablet soap a day, while it would take three to four days to sell the same at Ndata Flea Market,” said Ascot

Another vendor, Jane Soko who sells potato vendor at undesignated place, urged the council to expanded the main market for increased space to accommodate more vendors, rather than relocating them to other markets which she said have unfavorable business environment.

Vice Secretary for MCC Central Market, Master Katete urged the council to find a permanent win-win solution to the problem considering that every have find ways of surviving the city either through business or employment.

 “The council has to conduct research to find out why people opt to operate outside the market and solution should be hatched and implemented for the benefit of us all,”

said Katete

A visit to Chiyaleyale Market which is undesignated trading place just outside central market, it indicated that it was evident that the vendors are looking for a practical solution.

By Innocent Chamtulo

Mulanje, September 24, Mana: Ministry of Lands on Tuesday engaged police officers from the South-West Region on the amended laws and Land Information Management Systems (LIMS) in Mulanje as one way of equipping them with knowledge in land case management.

Director of Administration in the Ministry of Lands, Dr. Victor Sandikonda, said previous engagement with police officers had yielded positive results; hence considering a fresh interaction.

“Before the sensitizations on the new land laws police officers were having difficulties to handle such cases. The meeting was arranged to impart knowledge to police officers on how they can handle cases of land with regard to the new amended land laws.

“For a fact, in our respective villages all cases related to land are referred to police. Therefore, this simply means that police is a critical stakeholder in dealing with land cases; hence, the call for the meeting,” Sandikonda said.

Sandikonda said the ministry has also engaged other stakeholders such as district commissioners, traditional authorities, group village heads and government directors on the new land laws for them to be at the same wavelength.

Deputy Commissioner of Police for South-West Region, Mavuto M’bobo, said the training has provided an opportunity to police officers to work professionally on cases to do with lands in their respective duty stations.

“Police is one of the departments that is overwhelmed with land issues; therefore, the training is very crucial to our profession and it will assist us to have wide knowledge when dealing with land issues considering that some of the laws that we have been using have been amended,” he said.

By Maston Kaiya

Ntcheu, September 24, Mana: The Ntcheu district council Monday approved the 2022-2030 District Development Plan (DDP) hovering around K1.9 trillion.

In her remarks, the Council’s Chairperson Councilor Flaness Kampeni, said they have a huge task for successful implementation of the development blueprint.

"The approval of the district development plan is timely, however we have a big task to market the document to partners," said Kampeni.

Director of Planning and Development for Ntcheu district Obed Mwalughali said the district development plan provides a clear vision and strategy for the district's development.

He said secretariat will ensure that the implementation progress is regularly reviewed and updated every year.

He further explained that the plan has been developed by prioritising the most critical needs and opportunities for the district.

Ntcheu Central Legislator Dr. Albert Mbawala hailed the plan and was optimistic that the district will positively change when it is implemented.

The district has twelve prioritized areas, the first three include; food and nutrition insecurity, high morbidity and mortality rates and high illiteracy rate respectively.