MANAonline
LL-City Council commits to development projects
By Elia Chibwe
Lilongwe, August 17, Mana: Lilongwe City Council says it is committed to ensuring that development projects taking place within the city are completed on time by providing funds whenever needed.
Speaking after a media tour, on Friday in Lilongwe, Mayor for the city, Councilor Esther Sagawa said the commitment is in line with the need for delivery of quality works as they address challenges the contractors are facing.
"We all know that in every work there are challenges as presented by the contractors, but we will make sure that we provide the needed support so that they deliver a good job.
"We are committed to make sure that we finish the projects and therefore have funds to see the projects through” Sagawa said.
Sagawa said she was impressed with the status of projects from Msambachikho and Mphonongo bridge, among other projects.
"Today we were visiting some of projects that we have within Lilongwe City and we had a delegation comprising Mayor and deputy Mayor of Blantyre City, among other officials.
Mayor for Blantyre City, Councilor Joseph Makwinja said he learned a lot from the visit and hoped to replicate the lessons in Blantyre.
"I am impressed with what Lilongwe Mayor is doing. We have inspected more than seven projects which are almost complete” he said.
The one-day-media tour started from Area 38 at Msambachikho where Lilongwe City Council has constructed a school block, to area 2 where renovation of Bombe street is underway. before proceeding to area 12 where the council is renovating a street, among other places.
The development projects are being supported by the Malawi government, according to Sagawa.
Fresh registration for 2025 elections
By Tione Andsen
Lilongwe, August 17, Mana: Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has disclosed that it would undertake a fresh registration of voters and would use new equipment and system which has been specially procured for the purpose.
MEC Chairperson for MEC, Justice, Annabel Mtalimanja disclosed this Friday during meeting with development partners, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Media held to demonstrate the voter registration process using election management device (EMD) at Bingu International Convention centre (BICC) in Lilongwe.
She said fresh voter registration help the Commission have accurate figures of registered voters owing to that fact that it conducted constituency and ward boundary re-demarcation exercise as a result of the review of boundaries of the two.
Mtalimanja noted that the review of boundaries moved some voters and centres from one constituency or ward to another.
The Chairperson said this means that voters that registered in 2019 may need to be reallocated to their new wards and constituencies.
“This cannot be achieved effectively through voters’ transfers alone or the updating of the existing voters’ register. The other benefit of a fresh registration is that it will eliminate deceased voters in the voter register, thus ensuring accuracy and integrity of the register,” she explained.
Mtalimanja added the Commission has always involved political parties, CSOs and media in its processes regarding the procurement, delivery and functional capabilities of the voter registration equipment and system.
She said the Commission has taken delivery of the whole consignment of equipment including all the necessary accessories and consumables.
“Representatives of political parties and the media witnessed the arrival and the warehousing of the consignment. In terms of the actual EMDs, the Commission has purchased a total of 6,500 units,” the Chairperson remarked.
She pointed out that demonstrating the voter registration process and functionalities of the EMD was central in attaining better and credible elections.
“The technology underlying the EMDs represents a significant enhancement in our operations in terms of modernization of the electoral process, efficiency and cost-effectiveness. You will recall that in recent past elections, the Commission was using devices described as Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) Kits,” Mtalimanja said.
She said while these have served us well, the Commission has transitioned to the more advanced EMDs for the voter registration process for 2025 General Election.
“It is our sincere expectation that the use of the EMDs and its system will ensure that the Commission generates a credible voters’ register free from multiple registrants and registrations obtained without due verification of eligibility in terms of age and citizenship,” the Chairperson hoped.
She said the EMDs and the systems would play a crucial role in improving the voter registration process by automating various aspects of the process.
Mtalimanja observed that the adopted process would facilitate the collection of voter information, including personal details, biometrics, and photographs.
She said it would assist the Commission in coming up with modalities to enhance, planning, inclusivity and the packaging of civic and voter information.
MEC Chief Elections Officer, Andrew Mpesi said involvement of all stakeholders in the electoral process was vital because it help to eliminate some doubts and misunderstanding.
He said delivery of credible elections largely depend on the participation of all key stakeholders involved in the electoral processes.
IOM moves to advance mobility health security
By Moses Nyirenda
Lilongwe, August 17, Mana: International Organization for Migration (IOM) Malawi Chief of Mission, Nomagugu Ncube says her organization remains committed to advancing mobile health security in the country.
This follows a recent release of the findings of population mobility mapping which IOM conducted in the country's three districts of Mangochi, Salima and Nkhata-bay.
The mapping results revealed an increased rate of disease transmission such as Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STIs) due to increased number of people who migrate to the lakeshore districts during fishing season.
Speaking on the sidelines of the breakfast meeting which IOM organized on Friday in Lilongwe to discuss issues of migration health with its stakeholders, Ncube said with the results of the survey, her organization is committed to advancing mobile health security in the country.
“IOM is an intergovernmental organization and Malawi is one of the countries where we are working and supporting government on issues of migration health.
“Therefore our commitment still persists and we remain committed to advancing Malawi's agenda on mobile health security,” Ncube said.
She added that, IOM will continue working with government and its other stakeholders to mainstream and integrate migration and migrants in national health programming.
She also said her organization is eager to ensuring that health services in the country are migrants responsive and are able to address their needs.
Ncube also said as IOM they want also to help in creating a demand for health services amongst the migrants through raising awareness on their rights and how they can access services and utilize them appropriately.
According to her, their mission as an organization is to create a welcoming environment for migrants on issues of health while advancing mobility health security in the country.
“We are looking at strengthening or creating an enabling environment for migrants to be able to access services including capacity building among the migrants on how they would access the health services.
“We are also looking at engaging local stakeholders to be able to reach out to the migrants to deal with issues of stigma and exclusion of migrants from services,” she said.
Ministry of Health Deputy Director responsible for reproductive health, Hans Katengeza applauded IOM for its commitment to promote migration health security in the country, saying that the gesture is complementing government's efforts aimed at addressing health issues in the country.
Blantyre DHO to renovate Chilomoni Health Centre maternity wing
By Alex Kachingwe
Blantyre, August 17, Mana: Blantyre District Health Office (DHO) has secured funds from AMECA Trust to renovate Chilomoni Health Centre maternity wing in an attempt to provide enough accommodation for women who seek maternal health services at the facility to ensure safe motherhood.
Following the development, Blantyre DHO held a sensitization meeting at Chilomoni Health Centre to inform community leaders on the forthcoming project, and a Memorandum of Understanding it has signed with Mitsidi Health Centre to allow maternal cases from Chilomoni Health Centre to access maternity services at the facility, as Chilomoni maternity wing will be temporarily closed from August 26.
Speaking during the meeting, Blantyre District Health Promotion Officer, Chrissy Banda said the expansion of the maternity wing would be of great importance as it will increase bed space at the facility.
Banda said the community sensitization meeting will help to spread the message to a wide range of maternal mothers in Chilomoni and surrounding areas to avoid delays on women accessing maternity delivery services that would result into serious maternal complications.
In her remarks, Trinity Kaliwamba, Facility In-charge for Chilomoni Health Centre hailed the project, saying it will improve maternity delivery services at the centre.
Kaliwamba said besides the renovation of the maternity wing, there will be a renovation of dental studio which is a positive agent in improving dental services at the facility.
On her part, Group Village Head Luya pledged to disseminate correct information to her subjects.
GVH Luya said she has welcomed the project to renovate the maternity wing at Chilomoni Health Centre, describing it as very important since it will help a lot of women access maternity services from Chilomoni, Mbayani and Chemusa.
The expansion project will commence on September 2 and is expected to finish in a space of three months.
Three bodies recovered in Nsanje canoe accident
By Robert Nayeja
Nsanje, August 17, Mana: Authorities in Nsanje have recovered three bodies out of the six that were missing when a canoe they were sailing in capsized after it was hit by a hippo at Chingondo in the area of Traditional Authority Ngabu in Nsanje District.
One of the officials from Nsanje District Council, Patrick Sipuni said the bodies were recovered on Friday.
He added that the search of the missing person is still underway.
According to the District Council Chairperson, Mike Kafalachi, the canoe had 11 people on board coming from the Malekeza side where people mostly go to do farming activities.
Kafalachi said the accident happened on Thursday August 15 around 2 pm and only five people were rescued.
Nsanje District Police Station Public Relations Officer, Agnes Zalakoma said the three bodies recovered are of Yanjanani Stanford, 30, Dofiya John, 45, both from Mkuziwaduka Village and a canoe operator, Isaac Faela, 30, from Sekeni Village all from Traditional Authority Ngabu in the district.
Journalists urged to report child labour issues
By Joseph Ligowe
Blantyre, August 17, Mana: Chief Labour Officer in the Ministry of Labour, Francis Kwenda has said negative effects of education, lack of decent work for parents, climate change, cultural norms and Poverty are the major factors fueling child labour in the country.
Kwenda who is also Head of Child Labour Unit, said this on Friday in Blantyre during the closing of a two-day media training on legal and policy framework, action plan and reporting mechanism on child labour issues.
The training was aimed at building capacity of the media on how they can help in combating child labour cases.
Kwenda said child labour causes discomfort on both national and community level, resulting into lack of skilled personnel, criminology and prostitution, as such journalists are stakeholders in bridging the gap between child labour sector and the community.
“This training is designed to equip media professionals with the requisite skills, knowledge and inspiration required to effectively contribute to child labour elimination in the supply chain of the country.
“As ears and eyes of people, the media has to compel ethical, impactful media content on child labour and produce reports that engage and advocate towards change,” said Kwenda.
He said child labour is very common in agriculture, forestry and fishing followed by community, social and personal services.
He said the southern region has the highest prevalence of child labour of about 44% followed by the northern and central regions at 34 percent each.
One of the participants from Ndirande FM, Noel Mkwaila commended the Ministry of labour for the training, noting that it is the duty of the media to co-ordinate and promote quality control measures on awareness and sensitization messages through storytelling, and act as a link between stakeholders and communities in mainstreaming issues related to child labour.
“Issues of child labour can affect the economy of the country, as journalists it is our role and we have to take full responsibility in awareness against the evils of child labour. If we are to combat child labour, we have to provide accurate information and protect the rights of the child by ensuring accountability which will help prevent and address the vice” he said.
The 2015 National Child Labour Survey which was published in 2017 indicated that 2.1 million representing 38 percent of children aged 5-17 years are involved in child labour; whereby, more children aged 5-17 years are from rural areas than urban.
MRCS makes strides in youth empowerment
By Willy Kadewere
Chikwawa, August 17, Mana: Malawi Red Cross Society (MRCS) through community resilience project is making strides in ensuring that young people in Malawi are empowered.
This was disclosed in Chikwawa during the closing ceremony of a youth camp called: “Camp 24,” a meeting of all students on MRCS bursary scheme from Mangochi and Chikwawa districts.
Speaking to Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Friday, MRCS president, Innocent Majiya expressed satisfaction over this year’s camp as it shows inclusion, unlike in the previous camps which involved girls only, this year’s camp has been unique by involving both girls and boys.
“This year’s Youth Camp was special and shows inclusion as reflected under the theme: “United and equal partners in overcoming our challenges.” This theme gives an equal opportunity to both girls and boys in our society to be shaped and access services equally for a better future,” Majiya said.
Majiya said through the project, they are able to provide capacity building to communities so that they should be resilient to situations, as such youths are equally empowered to make informed decisions.
Chikwawa District Commissioner representative, Gertrude Jumbe applauded MRCS for organizing the activity which involved the youth, saying through the camp, sessions on life skills and mental health have been learned as such youths must support and transform their communities.
“We commend MRCS for organizing Camp 24 that supports inclusion, it is our hope that the knowledge that has been imparted to our learners will be used to support and transform their communities,” Jumbe said.
One of the Form 3 students who attended the training from Mitondo Community Day Secondary School, Catherine Gangu emphasized the significance of having youth trainings, saying by coming together, young people share problems they encounter in their communities and also provide solutions.
Gangu pledged to make use of the knowledge acquired during the training to achieve her goal in life.
The camp brought together 100 students from Mangochi and Chikwawa, each district represented by 50 students.
In Chikwawa, the project will be implemented for four years in Traditional Authority Makhuwira.
ACB opens office in Mchinji
By Vincent Khonje
Mchinji, August 17, Mana: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has opened its first district office in Mchinji with a call for a collective fight against corruption.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, ACB’s Acting Director Hillary Chilomba said the fight against corruption should be a collective responsibility.
“Having ACB offices primarily in cities has given the impression that the fight against corruption is concentrated in urban areas. But now, with this office here in Mchinji, we hope that people will help the Bureau in our efforts to combat corruption," said Chilomba.
Chilomba expressed optimism that the presence of the ACB in Mchinji would empower local communities to take an active role in reporting and preventing corruption.
Traditional Authority Ndawambe, who was present at the ceremony, welcomed the establishment of the ACB office in the district.
“The Bureau has come to help people, and we must seize this opportunity to report any corrupt activities,” he said.
The new office in Mchinji marks the first time ACB has established its presence at district level.
The Bureau has also announced plans to open more district offices, with Karonga and Mangochi earmarked the next locations.
The launch was spiced up with a football match between Villa FC and Kanalero FC.
NICE tells teachers to be agents of change
By Solister Mogha
Zomba, August 17, Mana: National Initiative for Civic Education (Nice) Trust in Zomba has urged secondary school teachers to be agents of change.
Speaking on Friday during a day-long orientation on mindset change, NICE District Civic Education Officer for Zomba, Kondwani Neba said teachers who are stakeholders have a crucial role of spreading messages that would assist in changing people’s mindset.
Neba said as the country is implementing various developmental programmes, it was important that issues of mindset change are popularized and adopted by the populace.
“The workshop is basically aimed at orientating teachers on various issues that would greatly promote mindset change.
“Our expectation is that after this training, teachers will establish civic education hubs in schools that will be responsible for the advancement and promotion of mindset change activities,” said Neba.
Some of the topics discussed during the workshop included corruption and integrity which were facilitated by officers from the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).
Head teacher for Sadzi Community Day Secondary School, Rose Chizumeni commended NICE for the training, saying it was educative.
Chizumemi concurred with Neba that mindset change is a big challenge in the country and promised to use students and other school sessions to spread messages that would add value and change people’s way of thinking.
“Apart from introducing civic education hubs, we will also conduct sessions with parents through parent-teacher association meetings and discuss issues that are of national importance,” she said.
Head teachers and their deputies from various schools within Zomba urban attended the training.
GAYO collaborates with local organization for a healthier future
By Mtisunge Gwedeza
Blantyre, August 17, Mana: Girls Activist Youth Organization (GAYO) in partnership with Her Liberty Organization on Friday launched a new project called; enhancing reproductive health outcomes for women and girls in Zomba to eradicate rising cases of unsafe abortions in the district.
This is due to about 300 - 500 cases of unsafe abortions reported by Africa Brief in 2023, alleging that Zomba District Hospital Office reports the figures in each quarter annually.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Friday, GAYO Programme Manager, Gilbert Mbwana said his organization is targeting the area of Traditional Authority Malemia because of increasing numbers of cases, saying that from January to June, 2023 they had 62 cases while in 2024 in the same period, 73 cases had been reported.
According to Mbwana, a research found out that the problem is caused by limited understanding of reproductive health and rights, inadequate information and access to modern contraceptives, reluctance to open discussions of these matters, cultural beliefs and limited youth dialogues.
“Due to this, we aim to raise awareness on consequences of unsafe abortions to 2 000 young people by the end of 12 months, prevent unsafe abortions practices among 500 adolescents, women and girls, increase awareness among 1 000 to 5 000 people and youth access to sexual and reproductive health and rights services by 60 percent in 12 months.
“We are going to partner with Zomba DHO for the project’s success and involve the community, leaders and stakeholders. This also includes government line ministries (health, youth, gender education, information and police), civil society organizations and community development department,” Mbwana said.
Her Liberty Organization Project Manager, Kettie Mikwala told Mana that the partnership is to reach as many people’s lives in different districts.
“Our aim is to advocate for safe and healthier environment for women and girls by bringing out lived experiences of unsafe abortion practices and increasing awareness and to promote young people’s urgency to access reproductive health even after the project ends by building good relationships between them and health providers around them,” Mikwala said.
The partnership of Her Liberty and GAYO was inspired by similar priorities of both parties and long history of working together; thereby, teaming up to maximize each other and jointly tackle fundraising opportunities to help the society.
