MANAonline
Thyolo District Council Lauded for Quality Infrastructure
By Yamikani Yapuwa
Thyolo, July 2, Mana: Executive Director for the National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC), Kondwani Santhe, a delegation from the World Bank and officials in Ministry of Finance’s, on Tuesday visited Thyolo District Council to appreciate projects being implemented under Governance to Enable Service Delivery GESD)
Speaking after touring Namatuni and Mtambanyama Health Posts, Santhe commended Thyolo District Council for the high-quality infrastructure projects.
“We are impressed with the quality of the infrastructure here for both GESD as well as other projects,”
“The projects here are well-constructed and demonstrate excellent planning” said Santhe.
He hailed the council for reserving space within the project site at Namatuni Health Post for future expansion, which he said shows foresight and strategic thinking.
Thyolo District Commissioner, Hudson Kuphanga said the council is commitment to ensure that infrastructures built are of high standards to meet people’s expectations.
"We will continue to follow the required guidelines so that projects in the district stand the test of time," he said.
Kuphanga attributed the council's success to unity among sectors involved in project implementation.
The joint monitoring visit was meant to evaluate progress and impact of the Performance-Based Grants (PBG) funded projects in Thyolo District.
NLGFC satisfied with active community participation in CS-PWP in Blantyre
By Petro Mkandawire
Blantyre, July 3, Mana: National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC) Cluster Coordinator for the South, Henry Hunga, has expressed gratitude over communities’ active participation in various interventions under Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CS-EPWP) sub catchments of Blantyre.
He expressed the appreciation during a tour of Linjemesi catchment in Traditional Authority (TA) Makata and Chilambalare catchment in TA Kapeni in Blantyre.
He said structures which communities are constructing under the programme in most micro catchments will reduce risks of natural disaster, improve water conservation thereby improving food security.
He was hopeful that communities will continue adopting best practices in catchment conservation for improved livelihood as CS-EPWP was meant to create visible, durable and quality assets within micro catchments that should improve household food security.
The monitoring team visited the micro catchments to assess quality of assets and number of sub projects being implemented in the current circle, assessing implementation of works in line with the programmme calendar.
The team toured Linjemesi and Chilambalare micro catchments to assess number of participants and see programme achievements that can help improve CS-EPWP implementation.
“We have witnessed what communities are doing and this is an assurance that there will be sustainability beyond the programmme support. We have seen durable and high quality assets. l can confirm that all sub projects under CS-PWP in Blantyre are being implemented in line with agricultural guidelines as well as project plains,” Hunga said.
He said chances of extending the programmme are very high as CS-EPWP is there to build community capacity to respond to effects of climate change.
Chilambalare Catchment Management Committee Secretary, Bernard Banda, said CS-EPWP has helped most farming households to realize good harvest after constructing check dams and digging swales which slow run-off and in turn protecting crops from being washed away.
“We have benefited a lot since the introduction of CS-EPWP. We are now growing crops and harvesting more because we are able to retain and harvest water for irrigation. This was not the case before the introduction of this programme,” he said.
Chilambalare catchment, which has some areas under natural tree regeneration, gully reclamation, contour maker construction and river bank, is comprised of 1,010 participants with 257 hectares of land that covers Manjombe, Jamusoni and Mchere villages in TA Kapeni whereas Linjemesi catchment has 568 participants with 377.5 hectare under natural tree regeneration, gully reclamation, contour maker construction and river bank protection.
CS-EPWP is being implemented by NLGFC in all districts of the country with funding from World Bank.
Four arrested over illegal mining activities
By Joel Phiri
Mzimba, July 3, Mana: Police in Mzimba have arrested four people for allegedly being involved in illegal mining activities at Chikosera Village in the area of Traditional Authority Chindi in the district.
Mzimba Police Station Deputy Public Relations Officer, Constable Maria Banda, identified the four as John Vasco, 27, from Traditional Authority (TA) Ngabu in Chikwawa; Abudla Lattif Bato, 31, from Namwera Village, TA Jalasi in Magochi; Lingford Makamo, 61, from Gomani Chirwa Village, TA Chindi in Mzimba and Emanuel Phiri, 25, from Dinawanga Village, TA M'mbelwa in Mzimba.
According to Banda, the four were arrested after police received a report that some people were indulging in illegal mining.
"Following the tip off, we sent detectives from our office, in the company of mining officers, who managed to arrest the four. Investigations are still under way to arrest others," said Banda.
The four will appear in court soon to answer charges of conducting illegal mining activities which contravenes the Mining Act.
Rumphi District Hospital plans to produce own food
By Manasse Nyirenda
Rumphi, July 3, Mana: Rumphi District Council Director of Health and Social Services, Dr Arnold Jumbe, says the facility plans to start producing its own maize and rearing livestock in the next farming season as one way of supplementing government health budget.
He disclosed the plans Tuesday during a Parliamentary Committee on Health visit to the facility to appreciate nutritional service provision to patients.
“Government funds will never be enough and as a facility we need to do something to support government’s efforts as part of our reform areas,” Jumbe said.
He added that the facility's paying section will also start providing maternal services to those who can pay to raise more funds in order to improve healthcare provision at the facility.
In an interview, team leader of the Committee, Eurita Valeta, said there have been allegations that in some health facilities patients only get one meal a day.
She said as one way of establishing facts, various teams have been dispatched to different health facilities in selected districts to assess the situation.
"We will be meeting Ministry of Health on Thursday to brief them on our findings and map the way forward," she said.
She commended Rumphi District Hospital on their plans to start producing their own maize and rearing livestock which, she hopes, will improve patients wellbeing at the facility.
Rumphi District Hospital started operating in 1970 and currently serves as referral facility for the district.
It provides services to at least 250 patients a day.
The district has a population of about 254,000 according to National Statistical Office (NSO) projections.
Mulanje youths hold candle light in honour of Chilima
By Angella Salijeni
Mulanje, July 3, Mana: Youths in Mulanje held candle light service at Mulanje Park Stadium in honor of the late Vice President Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima and eight others that died in a plane clash at Chikangawa Forest in Mzimba on June 10.
Speaking during the candle light on Monday, President of the newly formed People’s Development Party (PDP), Kondwani Nankhumwa, advised youths to be fearless and strong as Chilima was and use his philosophy in politics.
“UTM members should safeguard their party by not moving to other parties just because Chilima is gone. You should come up with a leader who will continue where Chilima left,” he said.
UTM General Secretary, Patricia Kaliati, thanked the youth in Mulunje for organizing the candle light in honour of Chilima and assured them that UTM is still active though their founder is gone.
UTM Director of Youth, Penjani Kalua said: "I am very happy to see youths mourning and celebrating the life of Chilima. This is an encouragement that his ideas will grow into the youths and l am sure the youths will embrace the slogan; Osaopa! Osatopa! Osafooka!"
One of the youths in Mulanje, Jones Mponda, was excited to be part of the candle light that celebrated the life of late Chilima whom he described as a model for the youths.
"I am excited that I have celebrated the life of Chilima. I envy his life as l learnt more from it,” he said.
Chilima will fondly be remembered with his Chichewa proverbs which he used to say during political rallies across the country.
“I will remember Chilima as someone who used to excite the youths with his proverbs," said one of the youths that attended the candle light, Pemphero Mkweu.
Chilima became Vice President in 2014 to former president Prof. Peter Mutharika in the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) led government and to President Dr Lazarus Chakwera when he assumed office in 2020 under Tonse Alliance administration following fresh elections.
US$53m SAPP II crucial for MW2063 Agenda – govt.
By Kondwani Magombo
Lilongwe, July 0, Mana: Minister of Agriculture, Sam Kawale, says the newly launched US$53 million (approximately K91.65 billion) Sustainable Agriculture Production Programme (SAPP II) is in line with the Malawi 2063 (MW2063) on agricultural transformation, as the programme has a strong focus on agricultural commercialization.
Kawale made the observation when he launched the Second Phase of the Programme at Malingunde Extension Planning Area (EPA) in Lilongwe on Tuesday.
He further observed that the seven-year International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) SAPP II, whose development started in 2023, will complement the World Bank Funded Agriculture Commercialization (AGCOM) in achieving the MW2063.
SAPP II is targeting to commercialize those farmers that are just graduating from being subsistence.
“On the other hand, AGCOM targets farmers that are able to mobilize resources to commercialize their agricultural production but cannot afford to meet the other requirements for credit as is demanded by the financial institutions.
“In this way, the agricultural commercialization drive is more inclusive and forms a continuum,” he said.
The minister noted that SAPP II will invest in capacity building initiatives as it will, among others, facilitate partnerships between producer farmer organizations and the private sector both for input and output market penetration, as well as foster opportunities for groups to access mainstream finance.
The programme targets 80,000 smallholder households in Dowa, Balaka, Lilongwe rural and Mzimba. It will equip farmers with the tools and knowledge to tackle food insecurity, boost wealth creation and improve livelihoods of rural communities.
IFAD Country Representative to Malawi, Bernadette Mukonyora, concurred with Kawale saying, like SAPP I, the second phase of the programme aims to further contribute to reduction of poverty in rural areas by empowering rural women, men and youth to participate in the sustainable transformation of agriculture.
Mukonyora said the programme’s efforts will lay the foundation for the commercialization of smallholder farming systems by strengthening farmer organizations, promoting market linkages and value addition and establishing a Farmer Challenge Fund to support both farm and off-farm enterprises.
“The launch of SAPP II marks a significant step towards achieving Malawi's vision of becoming a wealthy, self-reliant and industrialized upper-middle-income country by 2063,” said Mukonyora.
“Let us work together to ensure that this project not only meets but exceeds its goals, transforming the lives of smallholder farmers and contributing to the sustainable development of this beloved nation,” she added.
Mukonyora pledged IFAD’s commitment to rural transformation through various programmes aimed to address development needs of rural communities in Malawi.
On the SAPP I, which was implemented in Chiradzulu, Blantyre, Balaka and Lilongwe, Mukonyora said the programme made notable progress as it saw beneficiaries experience a 28-percent increase in income from crop production compared to non-beneficiaries.
She noted that food insecurity among beneficiaries was significantly reduced, leading to improved crop and livestock productivity and better nutritional outcomes due to enhanced crop yields, diversification and nutrition activities introduced by SAPP.
CHREAA enhances Malawian Prisoners’ skills and mental health care
By Lisa Lamya
Blantyre, June 3, Mana: Centre for Human Rights Education, Advice and Assistance (CHREAA) has attributed economic independence of ex-prisoners to its Prison Education Project (PEP) being implemented at Zomba Maximum Prison.
Speaking to Malawi News Agency (MANA) on the progress of the project, which equips inmates with vocational skills, CHREAA Executive Director Victor Mhango stated that this year’s cohort saw 47 prisoners graduating compared to the past two years when 23 and 25 prisoners graduated respectively.
“We are happy that the number of prisoners acquiring vocational skills has increased over the years; these skills are going to be useful throughout their lives. We usually follow them up after they are released and it is good to see them starting up their own businesses,” Mhango said.
Besides vocational skills and training, PEP has a mental health component for both prisoners and prison officers which, according to Mhango, also bears good results.
Sociologist, Dr Phillip Kapulula said vocational skills are crucial for inmates.
He commended CHREAA for implementing the project at Zomba Maximum Prison.
He, therefore, suggested that the programme should also explore to include a psychosocial aspect.
“Whilst there is funding for running the skills programme, why can’t we explore other dimensions of life that can also add value so that when people are out of prison they should change their behaviour,” Kaplula said.
He expressed hope that the psychosocial aspect, coupled with the acquired skills, can help them sustain a way of living.
Welfare of patients saddens Committee
By Yamikani Yapuwa
Thyolo, July 3, Mana: Parliamentary Committee on Health has expressed concern with reports of inadequate meals provided to patients at Thyolo District Hospital caused by insufficient funding.
Speaking after a visit to the Hospital on Tuesday, Chairperson for the Parliamentary Committee on Health, Dr. Matthews Ngwale said patients are only receiving one meal in the morning and nothing for the rest of day.
“We cannot continue like this. The first medicine for a patient is the food they eat and if we take away that food, we are taking away 80 percent of their chances of recovery.
“We observed one patient who said that during his two weeks’ admission to the hospital, he has only received one meal per day,” he said.
Ngwale emphasized the need to increase the budgetary allocation to patient’s food, stating that the current K 6 million per month was insufficient to provide nutritious food necessary for patient’s recovery.
District Commissioner (DC) for Thyolo, Hudson Kuphanga said delayed funding has contributed to the food issue, adding that suppliers have stopped delivering food due to outstanding debts.
“It is my plea to the committee to ensure that there is timely funding to hospitals,” he said.
Kuphanga disclosed that the hospital owes Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) K200 million and asked the Ministry of Finance to consider a bailout, warning that it would be disastrous if ESCOM disconnected power supply to the facility.
“Additionally, the hospital has no perimeter fence, which poses a security risk,” the DC noted.
Thyolo District has 28 health facilities and a district hospital which serves as a referral point.
Do Your Part Initiative donates to Chibavi football team
By Esther Ndhlozi
Mzuzu, July 3, Mana: Mzuzu- Do Your Part Initiative which Mzuzu based organization, Tuesday donated football boots, jerseys, body lotion and clothes to Chibavi All Stars’ Under-23 Football Team in Mzuzu City.
Speaking at Chibavi Ground during the presentation ceremony of the items, National Communications Officer for Do Your Part Initiative, Andrew Mhone said the donation was made to motivate young people in both sports and education.
He added that the organization believes that the donation would encourage young soccer players to focus on their talent and education as the two elements should go hand in hand.
“We aim at promoting childhood development, thus why we have donated to Chibavi All Stars Under -14 Football for their both physical and mental development.
Some of these young stars do not have jerseys and football boots as a result, they fail to come play soccer because, they do not have the appropriate gear for it.” Mhone said.
He added that the organization promotes sporting activities amongst young people in the Mzuzu City in where young people are at risk of engaging in immoral behaviour just as in other urban settings and that sports can make occupied, hence refraining from health risky practices.
“Most young people in areas such as Chibavi end up engaging themselves in alcohol and substance abuse after knocking off from school. Hence sports will be an alternative of spending their time after school,” Mhone hoped.
Head Coach for Chibavi All-Stars Under 24 Football Team, James Mhango said he was grateful for the donation.
“This is a relief to the team and I urge you to continue assisting upcoming and young local football teams across the city. The donation will definitely boost the team’s performance,” he pointed out.
Chitipa elects new Council Chairperson
By Aliko Munde
Chitipa, July 3, Mana: Chitipa District Council Tuesday elected Councilor for Wenya Ward, Ronald Kayira (Malawi Congress Party - MCP) as its new chairperson.
Kayira was elected unopposed.
He replaces Mahowe Ward Councilor, Toweracharo Munyenyembe.
In his acceptance speech, Kayira said he would work with all stakeholders in cementing good working relationship and bring development in the district.
“We have to work as one to continue developing our district of Chitipa. The good working relationship between councillors and the secretariat must continue for the smooth implementation of various developmental projects in the district,” he said.
District Commissioner (DC) for Chitipa, MacMillan Magomero assured the newly elected Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of secretariat’s support in discharging their duties.
He asked the two to collaborate with the District Council staff for the smooth implementation of the developments in the district.
“We expect a mutual working relationship because we are here to foster government agenda. The key thing is to serve the people of Chitipa.
“We have to continue accelerating development in the district and achieve the Council's mandate,” Magomero added.
Councilor for Yamba Ward, Wedson Sinkhonde (MCP) was elected as Chitipa District Council Vice Chairperson with nine votes, beating UTM's councillor, Thomson Kaponda who got two votes.
