By Abel Ikiloni

Rome, August 20, Mana: President Dr Lazarus Chakwera says his government has confidence to turn Malawi into an inclusively worth, self-reliant nation which is well industrialized and an upper middle income economy.

He emphasized on the Agriculture, Tourism and Mining (ATM) strategy as a strategy that can accord the country to move into mechanization and commercialization.

“We need to put emphasis on the ATM strategy so that we move from subsistence farming to commercialization.

“Smallholder farmers can be in groups and cooperatives and be empowered so that we can have more products and then add value to such products. We have industries across the country for the products,” he said.

He said it has been tough for Malawi with the effects of climate change hence the need for deliberate efforts on irrigation.

According to Chakwera, all the irrigation schemes that were no longer functional have been resuscitated and new ones have built and with the help of the World Bank Malawi expects to have one of the largest irrigation schemes in Southern Africa.

Chakwera assured the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) that he will make sure that agriculture becomes a big business in Malawi by utilizing water from Lake Malawi for irrigation and create more mega farms to address El Niño which brought hunger in Malawi.

About 5.7 million people this year have affected by hunger.

FAO Director General, QU Dongyu, thanked President Chakwera for his commitment to addressing issues of climate change thereby averting hunger.

Dongyu said they are committed to supporting Malawi in irrigation.

By Elia Chibwe

Lilongwe August 19, mana: President for Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM), Rev. George Desmond Tambala said the five-day-assembly for Association Consecrated Women in Eastern and Central Africa (ACWECA) will facilitate the church to engage with different stakeholders.

Speaking during the Opening MASS for ACWECA Plenary Assembly on Monday at Civo stadium in Lilongwe, Tambala recognized the need of hosting the sisters’ meeting, saying it will enable sisters to make decisions that would assist the church to engage with stake holders.

“For us it is a privilege and we are greatly honored to host this meeting of sisters. The primary expectation that we have is that through their discussion they will be able to come out with a decision and solutions that will help us as a church to engage with different stakeholders in the church,” he said.

He said the discussion would also focus on solutions for the problems associated with youth generation in the country in order to alleviate suicide cases in the country.

“The youth for example, are not only Catholic youths but they are from all over Malawi and would like to see how they can be at the service and also we do engage in other areas like in health and in social work.

“We already have some tools but at least from their side as sisters, they will be able to provide some tools which we can engage the youth and women in various sectors but also those who are in very vulnerable situations such as those that are losing the meaning of life and committing suicide.   

In her remarks, the president of ACWECA, Rosalia Sakayambo said it is high time they look back where the association started and reflect on it and thank God as it is a 50-year celebration.  

“There is a lot that have been put in place for us to discuss. Remember I said that we have this meeting for five days and in those five days we have a time first of all to look back on the last 50 years and also on the last three years because our plenary assembly always comes after three years but it’s only that this is a special one that it is falling in the year of the jubilee.

“So the jubilee time, is a plenary time to look back and reflect to thank God. Those things go together; we thank God for his faithfulness to us. We have stayed for 50 years now as an association and you would know that as an association the needs now are different unlike when it just started,” Sakayambo said.

She urged people to use the time for realignment and reflection with God’s spirit as it is the one to enable them in progressing.   

The Papal Nuncio to Malawi and Zambia, Gian Luca Perici applauded the huge gathering of the people from different parts of African continent who came for the Mass occasion.

Representative for National Laity, Dr. Mary Shawa lauded the priests by honoring them by the decision they made for hosting the assembly in Malawi.

The ACWECA is comprised of ten African countries and the opening Mass was held under the theme: “Transformative holistic formation for authentic living towards a deeper Evangelisation in the ECWECA Region and beyond”

By Chisomo Kambandanga

Nkhata Bay, August 20, Mana: An angry mob in Nkhata Bay has killed a suspect identified as Isaac Manda who is alleged to have brutally killed a father and his son by hitting them with a piece of wood for no apparent reason.

In an interview Monday, Nkhata Bay Police Spokesperson, Sergeant Kondwani James said the two have been identified as Lawrence Mwale, 46, and his 4-year-old son Winton of Nkholozo village, Traditional Authority Zilakoma in Nkhata Bay.

"The duo were hit in the head on August 17, 2024 by Isaac Manda who is believed to be mentally challenged. They were later pronounced dead on August 18, 2024 while receiving treatment at Chintheche rural hospital," James said.

According to James, relatives and other villagers were not pleased upon hearing of the death, hence started hunting for Manda on the same day and assaulted him to death in retaliation.

Upon receiving the report, police officers from Chintheche Police Post rushed to the scene to calm the situation and are currently gathering enough information that will lead to proper action in accordance with the law.

Meanwhile, police in the district are urging citizens to avoid taking the law into their own hands as the act gives unlawful punishment to those alleged to be in the wrong side of the law.

By Chisomo Sumani

Lilongwe, August 20, Mana: Masintha CCAP Church Choir is set to launch its latest Classical Music album titled, “N’daima pagombe,” on September 29, 2024, at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) Main Foyer from 1:00 pm.

The Launch will have performances by New Apostolic Church Choir, Area 47 SDA Senior Youth Choir, the Area 25 Salvation Army Brass Band and Nkhoma Synod Classical Music Society Choir.

“We have realized that it is not only the people around us who needs to be inspired by the Gospel, we share through songs and came up with the album launch to cater for a lot more people as singing is a part of preaching the gospel.” Masintha CCAP Choir Chairperson, Firstday Ching'ani noted.

The Choir see it to be very essential to receive the presence of all people in their album launch.

 “All along, we have been assisting our sister churches in one way or the other, paying school fees for less privileged members and even help in the provision of basic needs for some member such the completion of this launch giving us the stamina to reach out the more, with an inclusion of prisoners in our reach,” he explained.

The Music Director, Yamikani Ching'ani said that, “My ultimate role is to bridge the artistic and spiritual aspects of the music, ensuring a meaningful and transformative experience to both the choir and the congregation.

The Album launch event will serve as a platform for bringing people together by creating an uplifting and spiritually enriching experience.”

The Choir anticipate significant excitement and engagement of the audience in a positive response to both the album's content and the event's atmosphere.

Once the album is launched, Masintha CCAP Church Choir is set to make their songs accessible through several platforms like Facebook, through CDs, in flash disks and more, making it possible for one to access the gospel far and wide while positively impacting spiritual growth in people.

People are encouraged to be part of the choir’s efforts in their contributions either through donations or by supporting their ministry beyond the event.

The Masintha CCAP Church Choir has been a significant presence in the country’s Christian music scene, known for their dedication to spreading the gospel through their impactful music.

For more information or to offer support to the choir, interested parties are encouraged to contact the choir’s representatives directly Chairperson, Mr. Firstday Ching’ani on 0999 335 774 and the following banking details respectively;

Bank Name: FCB Bank,

Branch: Lilongwe,

Account NAME: Masintha CCAP Church Choir

Account Number: 0005243047774

Account Type: Savings

By Manasse Nyirenda

Rumphi, August 19, Mana: Vice President Dr. Michael Usi has commended health workers for working hard in delivering required health care services in difficult conditions to promote good health and save people's lives.

Usi was speaking Monday when he visited Nthenje Health Centre in the area of Senior Chief Mwankhunikira in Rumphi where he once worked when he was an employee of the Adventist Relief Agency (ADRA).

He said the health facility was one of the facilities that provided quality healthcare at the time he worked at ADRA and toured the Centre to appreciate its present condition so that he can channel challenges to relevant authorities for redress.

Usi added that he visited the facility to interact with health workers, particularly health surveillance assistants (HSAs) and motivate them in their profession.

"HSAs work in very tough conditions to prevent disease outbreaks in various communities through disease surveillance and sensitization.

“You sometimes feel that your work is not recognized, but I want to assure you that we know the importance of your work and we value it," said Usi.

Director of Health and Social Services for Rumphi District Council, Dr. Arnold Jumbe, said the facility no longer offers maternity services to its catchment population since the termination of Service Level Agreement with Christian Health Association of Malawi (CHAM).

The agreement, among others, enables people to access specific health services at CHAM facilities whose cost is borne by government.

District Commissioner for Rumphi, Emmanuel Bulukutu, asked the Vice President to engage relevant institutions to ensure that the facility is connected to electricity.

In-Charge of the health Centre, Kingsley Phaliyawo, said the facility is run as a private health Centre and as such, most people cannot afford to pay for services.

Senior Chief Mwankhunikira appealed to the Vice President to play a facilitation role to ensure that the stated challenges are resolved.

Nthenje Health Centre is owned by Seventh Day Adventist Church (SDA) and started providing health services in the area over 50 years ago.

Usi later in the day interacted with people with whom he worked and served when he was at ADRA at Mkwaila Village in the same area.

By Moses Nyirenda

Lilongwe, August 19, Mana: Minister of Energy, Ibrahim Matola, says government through his ministry is committed to promoting the purchase and usage of electric vehicles in the country.

He made the remarks in Lilongwe on Monday when United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launched its first ever-electric vehicle.

Matola said, as a ministry, they want electric vehicles to be widely used in the country.

“We would want these vehicles to be everywhere in the country so that we reduce the import of fuel thereby saving forex,” Malatola said.  

He said the vehicles would also help reduce carbon emission in the country thereby reducing effects of climate change caused by harmful gases.

Matola, therefore, said that his ministry and the Ministry of Finance are striving to make purchase of electric vehicles affordable in the country.

He called upon other stakeholders to join government in promoting the purchase and usage of electric vehicles in the country.

“I am aware that there are companies which started manufacturing electric vehicles in the country. I, therefore, call upon other companies, private sector and development partners to also join so that we should stand together to achieve our goal,” he said.

UNDP Malawi Resident Coordinator, Fenella Frost, said the launch of the vehicles is part of the UNDP’s commitment aimed at promoting green economy and environment in the country.

She said UNDP is geared to embrace the usage of electric vehicles following the launch of their first ever-electric vehicle.

“We will be, absolutely, using and driving electric vehicles and by 2030 we want 75 percent of our vehicles to be electric,” Frost said.

She UNDP is looking forward to supporting Malawi government in promoting adoption and usage of electric vehicles in the country.

By Sheminah Nkhoma

Lilongwe, August 19, Mana: The Lilongwe Chief Resident Magistrate's court has convicted and sentenced a security guard, Millwad Mpoya, 21, to one and half years imprisonment with hard labour (IHL) for stealing a motorcycle at his work place at Area 46 in Lilongwe.

The court heard through Lilongwe Police Prosecutor Sub Inspector Maggie Kayaka, that the convict committed the offence on August 1, 2024 at a house, where his security company assigned him to work as a night security guard.     

However, at around 04:00 hours the convict went missing after stealing the motorcycle.

Kayaka said three days later, police arrested him in Dedza where he started using the stolen motorcycle as a Kabaza operator.

Appearing in court, the convict pleaded guilty to the charge levelled against him and prayed for leniency saying he is a first time offender and a breadwinner for his family.

In her submission, Kayaka asked the court to slap the convict with a stiffer custodial sentence saying the convict planned to commit the offense.

Kayaka further said that cases involving security guards stealing, and conniving with criminals to steal at their working places are rampant in Lilongwe, hence her prayer for punitive punishment to deter other would be offenders.

Passing sentence, Chief Resident Magistrate Shukran Kumbani, concurred with the State and went on to slap Mpoya with one and half years IHL effective from the date of his arrest.

Mpoya hails from Matchuwana Village in Traditional Authority (TA) Mchilamwela in Thyolo District.

By Memory Kutengule Chatonda

Blantyre, August 19, Mana: Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) has embarked on a 30-day awareness campaign to increase adoption and usage of Digital Financial Services (DFS) among Malawians.

The DFS includes mobile money, mobile banking, ATM transfers and internet banking.

In an interview with the Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Monday, campaign team leader for Blantyre, Paul Nthala, said so far the campaign has started on a good note, with Blantyre District Council officials and community members at traditional authorities Chigaru and Kunthembwe expressing their full support.

“This campaign aims to bridge the gap between the traditional use of paper money and the adoption of digital financial services.

“On this, key issues we want to address include lack of awareness about available DFS platforms and their benefits, limited understanding of how DFS can improve financial security, reduce risks, and offer greater convenience,” he said.

Nthala added that the campaign will also address concerns around accessibility for both rural and urban populations and also tackle the digital divide by encouraging the adoption of mobile money, mobile banking, and internet banking, especially among underserved groups.

The exercise is expected to reach out to 90 percent of the Blantyre population, targeting both rural and urban areas.

"At the end of the campaign, we want people to know the DFS channels and products such as ATM transfers, mobile money and internet banking available on the market and their benefits, among others," he said.

Traditional Authority (TA) Chigaru hailed RBM for taking the campaign to his area.

“My subjects are involved in various income generating activities, but not all of them keep their money in any bank, let alone in a mobile money wallet. So, this campaign has come at an opportune time to turn around the situation; we salute the RBM,” he said.

TA Chigaru added that he will take the responsibility of sensitizing his subjects on the DFS during various meetings in which he will be in attendance.

Chifundo Nsambo, from TA Chigaru, is now ready to transition to using a mobile money wallet because of the various benefits it offers.

“I am a businesswoman at Mdeka Trading Centre and for so long, I have been keeping my money under the pillow. To me, that was my safest place, but today, I have learnt that it's risky to do so because the house can catch fire or anything bad can happen to it," she stressed.