MANAonline
DIOs, PROs are key in public sector reforms implementation
By Rose Cross Mahorya
Mzuzu, July 15, Mana: Public Sector Reforms Management Department (PSRMD) has underscored the need for District Information Officers (DIOs) and Public Relations Officers (PROs) to understand the public sector reforms programme which government was implementing.
PSRMD’s Director of Reforms responsible for Information, Education and Communication, Suzgo Khunga made the remarks in Mzuzu on Monday during an orientation workshop for DIOs and PROs in the northern region.
She said the work of DIOs and PROs was very important in ensuring that activities under public sector reforms are bringing positive impact.
Khunga highlighted a number of positive developments that have been implemented by institutions which she said both DIOs and PROs need to get familiar with.
"For reforms implementation to bear positive impact, there is need for proper two-way communication between implementing institutions and the public which are receiving agents.
"However, in all this, DIOs’ and PROs’ job of communicating is at the centre stage, hence the need for them to understand these reforms," the Director said.
During the meeting, participants were presented with the Department's Communication Strategy under review for them to appreciate and share their views on the same.
One of the participants, District Information Officer (DIO) and Spokesperson for Likoma District Council, Ireen Mseteka said engaging them in the reforms implementation process was very important because as officers who speak on behalf of the institutions, they need to be aware of reforms being implemented by their institutions.
"As communicators, we need to be aware of our roles in enforcement of the reforms our institutions are working in because access to information is very key in ensuring that the reforms become successful.
"The orientation has been an eye opener as I am now able to pin point my role as DIO in as far as implementation of reforms is concerned," she added.
MACRA intensifies consumer rights awareness
By Fostina Mkandawire
Salima, July 15, Mana: Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) has warned the public against using unregistered courier companies when sending and receiving goods saying this was one way of safeguarding them from theft.
Speaking in Salima district on Sunday, during an awareness campaign on consumer rights, obligations and the phasing out of physical scratch cards, Consumer Affairs Manager at MACRA, Hudson Mkwapatira warned that once parcels get lost, it would be difficult to trace such courier companies.
He expressed worry over the increase of unregistered courier companies playing their businesses across the country, which he described as illegal.
"As a regulator, it is our role to legally register every courier company that wants to be conducting courier businesses. This is the case because we want to protect consumers and their goods since entertaining such companies puts the customer at risk of losing their goods," Mkwapatira said.
He said it was MACRA's responsibility to safeguard consumer rights and obligations; therefore, they have intensified sensitization campaigns across the country to ensure that the public is aware of emerging issues in the Information Communication Technology (ICT) industry.
The Manager mentioned the phasing out of physical scratch cards on December 31, 2024 as one of the issues that consumers need to be aware of and that they would be using digital means for purchasing airtime or data bundles.
"Consumers need to know how they will continue purchasing airtime when the scratch cards phase out, we are therefore working hand in hand with telecommunications service operators so that the transition should be smooth," he said.
One of the consumers plying his Airtel money business at Kamuzu Road in the district, Davison Amidu commended MACRA for the awareness saying it was important for customers to be educated on their rights and reporting channels when they meet challenges.
"It is good that they have provided us with means of reporting our grievances to them because we do face different challenges, therefore we are now aware of how to protect ourselves from scammers online and also in our everyday activities," he said.
Senior Chief Kalonga said bringing such campaigns to the people shows how seriously MACRA takes the welfare of the public and requested if the campaign could be extended to remote areas so that there could be a wider reach of the audience.
MACRA is conducting a nationwide mass campaign on ICT consumer rights and obligations as well as the phasing out of physical scratch cards.
YOWORI reaches out with SRHR4ALL Project
By Wellington Sibale
Neno, July 15, Mana: Young Women Rise (YOWORI) has launched Sexual Reproductive and Health Rights for All (SRHR4ALL) project in Neno District aimed at promoting easy access to sexual reproductive health services among young people.
Speaking during the Project’s presentation on Monday, YOWORI Executive Director, Mirriam Chilemba said the 12-month project aims at providing the youth access to family planning methods and other sexual reproductive health services.
“Our main objective is to educate young people, particularly on the issue of safe abortion and the project will disseminate comprehensive SRHR information and provide support for those who have undergone unsafe abortions,” she said.
Chilemba said YOWORI’s interventions in Neno target adolescent girls, young women and men aged between 10 and 24.
She said the services would be extended to any woman needing SRHR services, including post-abortion care, adding that the goal was to reach out to at least 3,000 youths with comprehensive SRH services and messages.
The Executive Director added that 40 youth leaders from all the five Traditional Authorities (TAs) in Neno, eight from each TA would serve as demand creation advocates and referral pathways for girls and women requiring post-abortion care services.
She emphasized that the project’s success largely depends on the support from stakeholders, including partners and government entities.
“We are working with other partners and the district youth network to mobilize youths to participate in this project,” Chilemba added.
She was quick to clarify that the project does not contradict with Malawi’s law, as it focuses on supporting those who have had unsafe abortions rather than promoting abortions.
“It is not in conflict with the law because we are not promoting abortions; we aim at supporting those who have had unsafe abortions to decrease deaths caused by unsafe procedures,” she said.
District Youth Officer (DYO) for Neno, Ian Sukali said the project would help the youth become aware of the SRH services available in health facilities.
“The project will promote SRHR for the youth, raising awareness about the available services in health facilities, which will help reduce pre-marital pregnancies and post-abortion related cases,” he said.
Neno Police Child Protection Officer, Austin Kamwendo said providing the youth with sporting activities, entrepreneurial and vocational skills and access to family planning methods was essential in protecting girls from unwanted pregnancies that may lead to unsafe abortions.
In 2021, Parliament withdrew an Abortion Bill from the Order Paper following opposition to the proposal to liberalize the country’s laws, which only allow abortions when the mother’s life is at risk.
MDF commits to managing disaster
By Lekereni Chinkhota
Salima, July 15, Mana: Malawi Defence Force (MDF) has stressed its commitment to equip its new junior officers with disaster management skills, as a way of helping the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) on disaster management and response.
The remarks were made by College Commandant, Col. Enoch Ntonya on Monday, at the Command and Staff College in Salima during the official opening ceremony of Junior Command and Staff Course 5 of 2024.
He said MDF has integrated disaster management education as a way to help people when disasters hit the country as well as to work hand in hand with the civilians on what to do during chaotic times.
“We want our officers to start understanding disaster management at the tactic level so that as they grow they already have a grasp of whatever they are supposed to do and how they are supposed to do in supporting government during disaster,” Ntonya said.
The College Commandant added that, “As Staff College, we believe that disaster management is not the responsibility of the military or DoDMA alone, it is a whole government approach so what is required of us is the integration of military efforts and civilian efforts."
MDF Commander Land Forces, Major General Chikunkha Soko noted that the staff college was doing a commendable job in training junior officers.
“After four years of opening this institution, we have managed to maintain good standards to the extent that most of the countries in the SADC region want to send their students here because of the reputation we have built and the services we deliver,” he said.
Soko has urged the newly registered students to adhere military values as a way of maintaining good reputation of the college.
He emphasized discipline, planning, sacrifice, teamwork and unwavering dedication from the students for them to sail through their training.
The Junior Command and Staff Course 5 of 2024 have registered 30 students with 23 local students and seven international students from Botswana, Eswatini, Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia.
Ministry engages 4,200 auxiliary teachers
By Martha Simchimba
Lilongwe, July 15, Mana: Ministry of Education has said through Malawi Education Reform Programme (MERP), it would recruit 4,200 Auxiliary Teachers on a one-year academic contract.
According to the Press release dated July 15, 2024, signed by Secretary for Education Dr. Mangani Katundu, which Malawi News Agency (Mana) has seen, the Auxiliary Teachers would be drawn from the Initial Primary Teacher Education (IPTE) Cohorts of 14, 15 and 16.
Confirming the development, Ministry of Education, Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mphatso Nkuonera said IPTE 14, 15 and 16 teachers who are willing to take up the temporary teaching positions are expected to report in respective workstations on September 1, 2024 for 2024-25 academic calendar.
"The Ministry has adjusted the honoraria for auxiliary teacher posts by 50 percent from K80, 000 to K120, 000 per month. A list of eligible schools for auxiliary teachers has been sent to all district education offices," he stated.
Nkuonera said the engagement of Auxiliary Teachers forms part of the efforts by the government to reduce the pupil-qualified-teacher ratio across the country.
An Education expert from Mzuzu University, Douglas Nyirenda applauded the government for the initiative saying it would reduce the teacher-pupil ratio, which was very high in the Southern Africa Development Committee (SADC) countries including Malawi.
He said it was sad that the teacher-pupil ratio was currently at about 120 pupils per teacher, which was not favorable and conducive to effective learning.
"The initiative by the government to recruit additional teachers will help teachers to have a sizeable number of pupils and have more attention that a teacher can give to learners. It will increase more time for remedial support that a teacher can give to learners," Nyirenda noted.
He added that the increase in the honorarium by 50 percent would motivate auxiliary teachers.
The engagement of Auxiliary Teachers is one of the components of MERP project is constructing 10,900 classrooms and 1,000 sanitary blocks across the country, training school leadership for effective school management, engaging learner mentors as well as disbursing School Improvement Grants for day-to-day school operations.
Malawi Government, World Bank As Well As Global Partnership Fund MERP for Education.
MACRA open week in Blantyre
By Evance Chisiano
Blantyre, July 15, Mana: Minister of Information and Digitalization, Moses Kunkuyu opened Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) Open Week with the first open day being held at Mount Soche Hotel in Blantyre.
During the open day, the regulatory authority interacted with ministry officials, current licensees, prospective licensees, consumers and other players in the digital and telecommunication industry to highlight MACRA’s mandate and key development projects.
Speaking on Monday, Kunkuyu said MACRA’s Open Week was dedicated to the players in the digital and telecommunication sector to create interactive space and share ideas that should contribute to development of the industry.
Within the Open Week, MACRA will hold similar open days in Lilongwe and Mzuzu and pledged to roll it down to communities to get feedback from the consumers who use digital and communication services from other providers, which are regulated by MACRA.
Kunkuyu, therefore, said the open week was crucial, as it will help in fostering vibrant ICT to drive Malawi socio-economic development.
He encouraged those that patronized the open day to share with MACRA areas requiring improvement for the sake of effective collaboration in the telecommunication sector.
“In line with Malawi 2063, MACRA is doing a lot in the rural areas such as the introduction of Connect-A-School Project in various public education institutions,” he said adding that a number of ICT labs are being constructed in community day secondary schools to promote use of ICT services and the provision of Wi-Fi internet connectivity.
“Under the Universal Service Fund, MACRA will enhance access to broadband and ICT in public education institutions and this will eventually address internet connectivity gaps,” he added.
During the event, MACRA and players in the telecommunication sector discussed a number of areas including currier service in Malawi, Malawi Postal Service’s recent retrenchment and suspension of coach services, update in Connect-A-School Project, issues to do with Electronic Transaction and Cyber Security Act and Data Protection Act.
Kunkuyu disclosed that MACRA is also looking forward to the other Bill of which when it becomes a law will help to create stable legal framework in the digital and telecommunication sector observing that sanity in the digital and telecommunication sector will only come if there will be regulations.
MACRA Director General, Daudi Suleman said MACRA will continue with the open days to enhance interaction with players in the digital and telecommunication sector and consumers so that they should understand the regulator’s mandate and laws that govern MACRA.
“MACRA works within the laws. There are some pieces of legislation that also need a lot of awareness and knowledge. MACRA will continue to engage a wide range of stakeholders to sensitize them on a number of Acts so that they should understand better the regulatory authority,” Daudi said.
Namisusa Children Ministry distributes tracts for gospel effort
By Alex Banda Kachingwe
Blantyre, July 15, Mana: Namisusa Seventh Day Adventist Children Ministry under Chiwandira District conducted a parade to inform people around Kampala-Manase in Blantyre, about a two-week gospel effort which started on Sunday evening July 14.
The youths distributed tracts along the way carrying detailed information about the gospel effort.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency (MANA) during the parade on Sunday, Namisusa Children Ministry Leader, Beatrice Mthyoka, encouraged people around Kampala-Manase to come and witness what the youth have brought to them through the gospel effort.
“Our hope after this gospel effort is that a lot of people will learn more about Hope in Christ and dedicate their lives fully to Jesus Christ,” she said.
District Pastor for Chiwandira, Benson Machaka, said preaching is one of the good methods to spread good news from the Bible to the whole world.
He encouraged Seventh-Day Adventist youth to take part in spreading the word of God.
Machaka said evangelization is in line with the Church’s 2024 gospel theme dubbed ‘I will go.’
He said gospel efforts play a vital role towards enhancing community and national development by fostering peace and unity among people.
“The people who fully understand the will of God will not harm each other or steal from one another since God forbids such immoral behaviour hence this effort is very important,” he said.
Group Village Head Kampala hailed Namisusa Children Ministry for the gospel effort which is being conducted in his area.
GVH Kampala said this kind of crusade is very important as it brings people together and share their experiences in Christ the Lord.
“A community with God fearing people has much peace and harmony. People tend to shun evil behaviour and embrace good character acceptable in the sight of God,” he said.
The gospel effort which will incorporate young preachers and health lessons will be held under the theme: ‘Hope in the Last Days.’
Farmers urged to practice independence amidst climate change
By Lekereni Chinkhota
Salima, July 15, Mana: Director of Agriculture Services for Salima District Council, Enford Kanyimbo, has urged farmers in the district to practice smart modern ways of agriculture in order to achieve resilience, as the country is experiencing climate change that is affecting crop production.
Kanyimbo made the remarks over the weekend after touring different sites with support from African Development Bank to appreciate the impact of El Nino, which has resulted in low crop production for most farmers in the district.
“El Nino affected all sectors of production in the district and farmers of all categories were affected. We urge these farmers to rely and improve their irrigation system so that they should build resilience," he said.
He said, through irrigation, farmers can be able to cultivate twice or three times a year which can greatly improve food security.
Kanyimbo hailed the support African Development Bank (ADB) is rendering to the citizens of the district and the fisheries service which has led to the construction of Chilambula landing site.
“The site will provide drying and cleaning environment for fish and storage rooms. It has created employment and achieved nutrition security through fish products that provide over 70 percent of body proteins we use in the country. This will help us, as a district, to export fisheries products and create employment for our people,” he said.
Director of Transition States Coordination Officer for ADB, Yero Baldeh, appreciated efforts farmers are taking to cope up with climate change.
“I appreciate the farmers’ steadfastness, eagerness and commitment to achieving resilience. Our services as ADB are for the people, we hear their point of view, challenges they are facing and what is happening in order to bring services needed to them,” he said.
ADB has assured citizens from Salima of its commitment to continue rendering support through Sustainable Fisheries, Aquaculture Development and Watershed Management (SFAD-WM) project being implemented in the district.
Esther Manja, a farmer at Mafuka Scheme, from Ngoma Village of Traditional Authority Kambalame in the district hailed the visit as encouraging because farmers were able to voice out their problems to both government and its partners.
“Rain fed agriculture did not benefit us much because we experienced dry spells before our crops started producing. The crops withered that left us with nothing in our homes. Irrigation is our only way of survival,” she said.
ADB entourage toured Malawi Mangoes Farm, Mafuka Irrigation Scheme and Chilambula landing site to appreciate various activities being undertaken to empower farmers to achieve resilience.
Chinamwali CCAP graduates 6th cohort in men’s ministry
By Evance Chisiano
Zomba, July 15, Mana: Chinamwali Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) of the Zomba City Presbytery on Sunday graduated eight men into the congregation’s men’s ministry amidst concerns of low enrollment of members to the ministry.
The 6th cohort of Lazarus Kamwana, Dr. Adrian Mhango, Patrick Chirwa, James Nkhoma, Amos Konyani, Lawrence Msiska, Steven Banda and Lionel Chikopa graduated into the ministry after more than six weeks of training under the slogan ‘iron sharpens an iron’.
Chinamwali CCAP Men’s Ministry Chairperson, Patrick Kaudzu, expressed concern over low men enrollment into the ministry observing that most of them shun the ministry for unspecific reasons.
“We were expecting that every deacon and church elder should be in the men’s ministry by virtue of being in those positions,” he said.
Moderator for Chinamwali CCAP, Rev. James Mingu, prayed for the newly graduated men to serve the church with total dedication and undivided devotion.
He thanked the eight for enrolling into the ministry and for completing their training that prepared them to serve the church better.
Representative of the newly graduated cohort, Lionel Chikopa, thanked Chinamwali CCAP for enrolling and training them to become irons, which he said, are expected to be instrumental in church affairs.
“Expect more from us. We have been trained to serve the church better and we pledge to serve with dedication,” he said.
Cohort one started in April 2012 with an enrollment 19 that graduated in August the same year while cohorts two to five graduated between 2022 and 2024.
Men’s Ministry at Chinamwali CCAP was introduced in 2021 and has 48 registered members.
MUM to celebrate World Music Day
By Beatrice Bangula
Blantyre, July 14, Mana: Music Union of Malawi (MUM) will on August 29, 2024 join the rest of the world to commemorate World Music Day in Lilongwe.
MUM General Secretary, Tonney Chitimatima told Malawi News Agency (Mana) in Blantyre Sunday that the celebrations were supposed to take place on June 21,2024 but rescheduled to August 29,2024 as a mark of respect and solidarity during the 21 days mourning period for the departed Vice President, Dr. Saulos Chilima and the eight others.
“The postponement was necessary, in line with honouring the memory of those we have lost and to allow the nation to grieve appropriately,” he said.
Chitimatima added that, “This is the day for all musicians and all music fans; therefore, all of them are welcome to this event and are requested to support us both financially, technically or through guidance,” he said.
MUM President, Vita Chirwa disclosed that the commemoration would commence with a vibrant and colorful parade in the streets of the Capital City celebrating the influence of music to bring people together.
“The parade will be followed by a big free outdoor concert featuring a variety of exciting musical performances,” he stated.
A Seasoned music promoter, Jai Banda said celebrating World Music Day was a step in the right direction by recognizing the contribution of music to people’s lives.
“I wish this could’ve started way back. The power of music to human beings cannot be underestimated since it impacts in every aspect of life, be it in times of sorrow or joy,” he wished.
World Music Day is a global event and is celebrated on June 21 annually.
However, this will be the first time for Malawi to celebrate this day under the theme: “Harmony in diversity: celebrating the unifying power of music.”
