MANAonline
Government advocates for meaningful collaboration
By Gift Chiponde
Lilongwe,22 August, MANA: Deputy Minister of Health, Hon. Halima Alima Daud, has emphasised the need for strengthen collaboration between Malawi and international allies, specifically from India, to address the critical challenges within the nation's healthcare infrastructure.
In her address at the 2024 India-Africa Business Conclave in New Delhi, Daud stressed the urgent need for investments and partnerships to improve the accessibility of healthcare services in Malawi.
She indicated that despite significant advancements in healthcare provision, Malawi continues to face substantial obstacles in ensuring universal access to essential health services. Daud pointed out the significant underfunding of Malawi's health system, with an annual per capita health expenditure of only $40—less than half of the $86 recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for achieving comprehensive health coverage.
Then Minister said this financial deficit jeopardises the quality of healthcare and contributes to a life expectancy of just 64 years, along with high rates of preventable diseases such as malaria and non-communicable conditions.
She indicated that Malawi heavily depends on imported pharmaceuticals, procuring 90% of its medications from external sources stating this reliance has resulted in frequent shortages of drugs and inadequate medical supplies, exacerbating the challenges faced by the healthcare sector. Daud revealed that the country's pharmaceutical market volume currently stands at $121 million, with $14 million allocated to oncology drugs.
While acknowledging the challenges, Daud outlined the extensive reforms underway in Malawi's healthcare sector, emphasizing that the government is actively pursuing the decentralization of healthcare services, the establishment of interconnected healthcare systems, and the integration of digital advancements.
"Central to these reforms are the Health Sector Strategic Plan III and the National Health Financing Strategy, both aimed at driving improvements in the sector,"Daud articulated.
Daud also highlighted several key areas where Malawi is seeking collaboration and investment, including Medical Equipment and ICT infrastructure, Pharmaceutical Products, Research and Development, Digital Health, Health Financing, and Infrastructure Development.
Daud urged Indian enterprises and international partners to seize the opportunities presented by Malawi's ongoing healthcare reforms.
"Malawi is steadfast in its commitment to enhancing access to superior healthcare and achieving Universal Health Coverage. We invite our partners, particularly from India, to collaborate with us on this journey for the mutual benefit of all stakeholders, “she said.
Ministry of Education, USAID launches National Teacher Training
By Memory Kutengule Chatonda
Blantyre, August 22, MANA: Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Thursday launched National Teacher Training Programme targeting 23,685 Standard 1 and 2 teachers from 5,919 schools across Malawi.
The training will be conducted in all 522 Teacher Development Centers from August 19 to September 6, 2024.
Speaking during the programme launch, at Limbe Teacher Development Center in Blantyre, Director of Quality Assurance Services Prof. Golden Silimba said teachers will be trained on five core reading components for effective lesson delivery to improve language and reading proficiency of learners.
“These include teaching techniques, effective use of time, effective use of the teacher's guide and learners book and other materials and effective use of code-switching with the mother tongue as a support mechanism for Standard 1and 2 learners struggling with English, “ he added
Silimba said development is a continued effort in response to the National Reading Assessments 2019 and 2024 preliminary results, which indicate that almost all Standard 2 learners in Malawi fail to meet the internationally defined minimum proficiency standards in reading Chichewa and English.
USAID acting Deputy Mission Director Jill Jupiter Jones said it was impressive to learn that the training sessions were taking place in all 522 Teacher Development Centers across the country to equip teachers with appropriate skills and knowledge to effectively teach the learners.
She said that by using the curriculum and supplementary materials provided to the teachers and expressed optimistic that they will help yield better educational outcomes for the learners.
“As USAID, we are proud to be part of this initiative which will help to ensure that 30 percent of learners in Standard 2 achieve early grade reading proficiency by the year 2027. We believe that strong foundational learning for children results in empowered and productive future citizens,” she added.
She therefore expressed USAID's commitment to continue supporting Ministry of Education in the implementation of the National Reading Programme through procurement, distribution of textbooks and other instructional materials as well as training educators and administrators to ensure that teachers provide lessons consistently and effectively.
Speaking on behalf of teachers, Alice Golozera from Kapeni Demonstration School hailed Malawi Government and USAID for proving the National Reading Programme, saying this was an ideal and timely intervention.
Golozera added that teachers were committed to advance skills to effectively deliver better educational outcomes for Standard 1 and 2 learners.
The National Teacher Training is supported by USAID's Next Generation Early Grade Reading Programme (NextGen).
Malawi Civic Space Dialogue: A Platform for Engagement Between CSOs and Government
By Kondwani Banda and Paul Madise
Lilongwe, August 23, Mana The Malawi Civic Space Dialogue has been launched today at the Bingu Convention Centre in Lilongwe, with Minister of Information and Digitalisation, Moses Kunkuyu, describing the event as a testament to the collective commitment to fostering dialogue on the critical issues that shape the future of Malawi and Africa.
In his keynote speech, Kunkuyu emphasized the vital role of civil society in advocating for and facilitating the opening and expansion of civic space.
“Through collaboration with government and development partners, the Civil Society in Malawi continues to advocate and facilitate opening and expansion of the Civic space, the arena where individuals and groups come together to express their opinions, influence governance, contribute to the development of their communities,” he said.
The Minister commended the independence of the Malawi judiciary, which plays a crucial role in safeguarding civic space and upholding freedoms of expression, association, and assembly, noting that the executive, under President Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera's leadership, is committed to deepening democracy.
However, he acknowledged that the digital age poses both opportunities and challenges to civic space, including cybersecurity risks.
In his remarks, Chief Justice, Rizine Mzikamanda, also commended the Malawi Judiciary for being one of the model judiciaries in Africa, enforcing the rule of law, and human rights impartially, in defense of constitutional democracy. He therefore urged all stakeholders to ensure the continued judicial independence in the country.
Charles Kajoloweka, Director of Youth and Society, highlighted the significance of the event in creating a platform for engagement between Civil Society and the three arms of government.
“We think that by working together with the legislature, judiciary and the executive, we can address most of the concerns that Civil Society continues to raise,” he said.
The aim of the dialogue is to take stoke of Malawi’s progress in entrenching and promoting civic space, identify the challenges and exchange ideas on how the challenges faced by the Republic on this front can be addressed.
Mapale Health Center opens paying wing
By Maranatha Chima
Mzuzu, August 23, Mana: Mapale Health Center in Mzuzu City has opened an open wing within the facility with the aim of enhancing health care service delivery to better serve the public.
According to Lovemore Kawayi, Senior Health Promotion Officer for Mzimba North District Health Office revenue that will be generated through paying services will compliment on resources that government channels to the facility.
"This will enable us to improved infrastructure, medical equipment which will translate into improved healthcare service delivery.
It will also assist us to improve the quality of free services since the local generate fund will be channeled to drugs and supplies procurement for both the paying and free services," Said Kawayi.
Kawayi added that currently the paying wing is offering general outpatient services, such as dental, eye, orthopedic, medical reports and laboratory services and will later on start offering antenatal and maternal services.
He however said that the introduction of the facility will not in any way affect delivery of free services.
" We have not changed anything in terms of the way we have been delivering free services. If anything, we are anticipating improved free service delivery besides enhancing health workers’ motivation," he said.
According to Luwiza Misasi, who was a client seeking out patient department services at the facility, said the introduction of the wing will reduce congestion of patients as they will be at liberty to either go for paying or free services.
Another health service client, Luke Mkandawire said that he was pleased for the introduction paying services at the facility as the initiative will reduce pressure on free services and client will be served on time.
The paying facility provides an alternative for clients who can afford to pay for healthcare services and charges for such services depends on the service one is seeking.
Chitipa children asks duty bearers to promote quality education
By Andrew Gondwe
Chitipa, August 23, Mana: Children in Chitipa District have asked duty bearers to enhance their participation in promoting quality education in the district.
Glyn Manda 14, of Lufita Village in the area of Senior Chief Mwabulambya in the district was speaking Thursday at Lufita Community Ground during Day of African Child Commemoration.
Manda the nation can easily attain Malawi 2063 if there is collaboration amongst duty bearers promoting high quality and inclusive education.
“The theme of this commemoration is ‘Promoting Quality and Inclusive Education in Malawi’ and this can be materialized of children's right to education is observed and promoted,” said Manda.
He added that most children facing challenges such as inadequate parental care resulting into forced and child marriages hence compromising their interest to remain in school.
“Let me appeal to parents and community members to develop keen interest in guiding and counseling children to concentrate on education so that they develop into productive citizens,” he said.
Principal Education Officer for Chitipa District, Brair Simfukwe said that children's right to education can be enjoyed through provision of inclusive education.
“My fellow duty bearers and parents let's work hand in hand in supporting children with their needs for them to excel in education,” said Simfukwe.
District Social Welfare Officer for Chitipa, Humphreys Mwalughali said that the commemoration gives an opportunity to raise enhanced awareness to community about their rights and duties to various issues that in child education.
“More children in Chitipa district are being abused in several ways. The children are being sexually harassed and entering early marriages while others are trafficked to bordering countries like Tanzania,” he said.
The commemoration ceremony was organized with financial support from Chitipa District Council, Chitipa District Council, World Vision Malawi, Momentum, Lusubilo Organization, Thembi Initiative and Tubepoka Initiative among others.
Mwanza District Council calls for joint effort in child protection
By Brian Wasili
Mwanza, August 23, Mana: Mwanza District Council held commemoration of Day of the African Child at Inkosi Kanduku Maseko’s where the local authority called for enhanced collaboration among child protection stakeholders to address all issues that affect children’s wellbeing in the district.
Mwanza Council, Vice Chairperson Kayisi Chimbalanga who was guest of honour at Kanjedza Primary School ground said there was need to deal with all factors that contribute to children’s failure to complete education citing forced marriages and unconducive learning environment and lack of parental support.
Chimbalanga also bemoaned tendency of some parents that deny children with disabilities opportunity to education and he observed that some parents confine children with disabilities in in doors at the expense of their right to education, denying them early childhood development in the process.
Mwanza District Social Welfare Officer, Mary Msindwa told Malawi News Agency that defilement, child marriage and pregnancies, lack of parental care and lack of wheel chairs and other assistive devices for children with disabilities were some of the factors that affect child wellbeing in the district.
“We work in collaboration with partners such as the Malawi Police Service, judiciary, civil society organizations and Malawi Council for Disability Affairs (MACODA) to address these challenges. MACODA provides us with heel wheelchairs to ease mobility challenges of children with disabilities,” she added.
One of the learners that attended the Day of African Child commemoration, Victoria Chiotcha told Mana that the event was relevant because it called together various stakeholders to reflect on issues that affect children in district citing child neglect and forced marriages as some of stumbling blocks to child education.
“Through various messages about child care and protection provided here some parents will start taking care of their children including those with disabilities,” she added.
Mwanza District Council and partners commemorated the 2024 Day of the African Child under the theme: Promoting Quality and Inclusive Education for All Children in Malawi, Act Now.
Campaign for Female Education (CAMFED), World Vision Malawi, Find Your Feet, Evidence Action, Community Action for Sustainable Development Organization (CASDO), Modern Stationary and Mwanza Civil Society Organizations network were some of the partners that supported the 2024 Day of the African Child commemoration in Mwanza.
Mikozi creates space for creatives
By Lisa Lamya
Blantyre 23 August 2024, Mana: In a space of two year’s co-founder of Mikozi Network, an online entertainment platform, Bright Chiligo has built Mikozi Creative Studios at Chigumula Township in Blantyre, a facility which will help create globally competitive content.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency, Chiligo said they needed space for artists to create content of high standard.
“There is a high potential for growth in Malawi’s music industry but the only set back we had was production tools that can help Malawian artists shine out there. In the digital era, it is easy to penetrate the global market and we believe this studio is the solution”, he added.
Award winning artist Onesimus was the first artist to perform at the studio on August 21, 2024.
Meanwhile several artists have thrown their weight behind the new studio describing it as a gift to the art industry.
On his Facebook post founder of HD plus Creations Gift Sukali popularly known as Sukez praised Chiligo for the facility.
“Congratulations Bright Chiligo and the entire Mikozi team, your journey of putting art at the forefront of business and elevating the entertainment industry is truly commendable. I remember when you first shared the vision, and seeing it come to fruition is incredibly inspiring”, read part of the post.
In 2020, Mikozi Network organized studio live sessions to bridge the gap between arts and the corporate world, this initiative saw various artists signing ambassadorship deals among other opportunities.
Aspiring marginalized groups say time is now to rise up in politics
By Martin Chiwanda
Machinga, August 23, Mana: Marginalized groups that aspire to contest in elective positions in the 2025 General Election have called on electoral stakeholders including Women Legal Resource Centre (WOLREC) and Oxfam to play a role in raising awareness on the need to vote for more women, young people and people with disabilities for inclusive democracy and governance.
The aspiring contestants made call on Thursday in Machinga when WORLEC and Oxfam held an engagement meeting with the women, youth and people with disabilities who are aspiring for positions of ward councilors and members of parliament in the 2025 elections.
Umali Sumani who is an aspiring ward councilor Chikweo Ward in Machinga South East Constituency said most of the electorates feel that marginalized population including people with disabilities cannot represent them well in parliament or in the full councils.
“We have been disregarded whenever we declare our interest to contest in elective positions. Most people feel we have nothing to offer by simply looking at our disabilities,
“These people need to know that people with disabilities, like me have the constitutional right to participate in politics and people with disability can also contribute to any development. We therefore need stakeholders to sensitize the electorates so that they should understand our potentials despite us having physical disabilities,” Sumani adds.
The aspirant reminded people that attended the engagement meeting that people with disabilities are capable of bringing positive change to their communities once voted into the elective position.
“We are capable of bringing development to community even more that those that are seen to be physically abled. There is a need to engage the electorates, traditional leaders and political structures so that they should recognize us,” he says and observes that most of the leaders and political structures fail to provide fair level playing field for marginalized groups due to stigma.
Jane Mandeule, an aspirant Member of Parliament for Machinga Likwenu on Democratic People’s Party (DPP) ticket said the stakeholders’ engagements were crucial platforms in preparing women, youths and people with disability to contest in 2025 elections.
She bemoaned negative attitudes of some political party leaders towards the marginalized population, saying they defeat women, youths and people with disability’s desire to contest in elections.
Mandeule also said that women, youths and people with disabilities can ably contribute to meaningful development of their respective areas as well as the country once given right platforms and resources and opportunity to contest in elections.
“We are mostly challenged on the part of resources. Political campaign needs a lot of resources and this is a limiting factor for most of the marginalized groups,” she adds.
WORLEC Executive Director, Maggie Kathewera Banda acknowledged the concerns raised by the aspirants and said WORLEC has already started engaging political parties to open up for the marginalized groups for support.
“The issues raised are genuine. WORLEC has already started engaging top political party leaders to give room to the women, youths and people with disabilities. We want to work with the media so that the information we have should be disseminated wider to ensure that things change for the better,” she says.
WOLREC in partnership with Oxfam is implementing a project called; Promoting Gender Transformative and Youth Inclusive Democracy in Malawi with financial support from European Union and Oxfam Ireland within a period, November 1, 2023 to March 31, 2027.
The project seeks to enhance meaningful participation of women, youth and marginalized groups in political processes and decision making positions in Malawi.
The project is being implemented in seven districts of Rumphi, Mzimba, Salima, Dedza, Machinga, Mulanje and Nsanje targeting 42,768 women, 15,724 young people comprising of 9,434 females and 6,290 males of 18 to35 years and 4,403 people with disabilities comprising of 2,642 females and 1,761 males.
The project seeks to reach 314,474 community members across the seven districts as the consortium intends to work with six major political parties with representation in parliament, namely Malawi Congress Party, DPP, United Democratic Front, United Transformation Movement, Alliance for Democracy and Peoples Party.
Promoting Gender Transformative and youth Inclusive Democracy in Malawi project will also engage with traditional leaders, male champions, Departments of Disability, Ministry of Gender, Community development and Social Welfare Ministry of Youth among others.
The project has four outcomes which are; Increased commitment and action to adopt and enforce legal and policy frameworks related to women, youth and other marginalized groups’ participation in politics and decision making, inclusive and gender transformative political party regulations and practices that include women, youth and other marginalized people’s representation
The four outcomes also include equal participation at all levels of women, youth and persons with disabilities to ensure they have capabilities and empowered to participate in politics, governance processes and decision-making positions apart from ensuring that women, youth and persons with disabilities have improved access to economic opportunities that enable them to contest and be viable for decision making positions.
Undermining court judgements fueling conflicts in Karonga
By George Mponda
Karonga, August 23, Mana: Karonga District Peace and Unity Committee (DPUC) has raised concern over the growing number of conflicts in the district emanating from undermining of court judgements.
Speaking Thursday during a media peace building engagement meeting with Karonga media fraternity organised by the Evangelical Association of Malawi (EAM), Karonga's DPUC Secretary Aaron Mwenelupembe revealed that since November 2022 to April 2024, the district has recorded almost 100 conflict cases.
Mwenelupembe said; "There are individuals who are showing a culture of disrepect to the rule law since when the courts pass judgements on cases of land disputes, chieftaincy wrangles and witchcraft accusations, they still go on to act in defiance of the judgement leading to conflicts."
"We recorded 16 cases of conflicts due to this in the area of Senior Chief Kilipula, 14 in Senior Chief Mwakaboko, 20 in Senior Chief Wasambo and 16 cases in the area of Paramount Chief Kyungu. Mostly, they involved property grabbing by the deceased relatives, chieftancy wrangles and witchcraft accusations," he added.
Mwenelupembe emphasized that fostering a culture of respect for the rule of law is crucial in maintaining peace and stability in the district and he called on the journalists to help in this endeavour.
On his part, Chairperson of Karonga Press Club Adams Wundaninge pledged to make sure that journalits in the district help encourage communities to embrace court rulings as a means to resolving disputes amicably.
"Journalists have the power to use the media as a peace building tool by reporting factually without sensationalising issues which in most cases mislead the people. We have to be impartial and maintain media ethics when reporting on peacebuilding and conflict-related issues," said Wundaninge.
On his part, Fumbanani Mwale EAM’s Advocacy Officer for Karonga, said the media has an important role to play in maintaining peace as we approach next years general election.
“This peacebuilding meeting was very essential for Karonga district which is very volatile and the media should play a major role raising awareness about peace and the consequences of conflicts in communities,” Mwale said.
The meeting was organised by the Evangelical Association of Malawi under the 'Churches United for Peace and Justice and Electoral Governance' project with funding from Bread for the World-Protestant Development Service.
SDG Acceleration Fund project targets Youth and women in Nkhotakota.
By Damiano Thengo
Nkhotakota, August 23, Mana: The Malawi Peace and Unity Commission says the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Acceleration Fund phase 2 project, called Border Districts and Community-Based Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding is targeting the youth and women because of their vulnerability to conflicts in the district.
Speaking during a training session for officers in the district on Thursday, Commissioner for Malawi peace and Unity Commission, Bishop Mary Nkosi said, the project puts much effort into the youth knowing that young people are instrumental in bringing development projects and that they need to be oriented on the important strategies which bring peace and unity in their communities.
"The youth are future citizens of Malawi, they are very instrumental in bringing peace to their nation but can also be easily deceived especially during political campaign times, as they vandalize and bring confusion and violence, so we want to make sure that the youth are engaged in knowing their role in peace and building the economy of Malawi," said Inkosi.
Nkosi stressed that women have more responsibilities to shoulder in their families as such when conflicts erupt in the communities, women are mostly affected both psychologically and physically.
Malengachanzi Area Development Committee Vice Secretary, Juma Kaipa commended the Commission following the initiative and said peace and unity is a major pillar of development in any economy.
In his closing remarks, Traditional Authority Kalimanjira of Nkhotakota encouraged participants to fully utilize and apply the knowledge that they have acquired to conflict situations happening in their areas saying this will assist in bringing peace and unity in their real-life community situations.
Government is implementing the SDG Acceleration Fund phase 2 project targeting 1100 community members in Nkhotakota district with financial aid from the Irish government through UNDP.
