By Rennie Tembo & Andrew Mkonda

Lilongwe, July 6, Mana; Communities in Lilongwe have hailed government for its plans to gradually phase out usage of cash to digital banking and electronic transactions services.

Speaking Friday during awareness campaign organized by government through the Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM), Senior Group Village Nthumba of Traditional Authority (TA) Kabudula said the initiative would assist to curb fraud and money laundering among others.

He said that, “With digital transactions, people, especially farmers will no longer be carrying huge sums of cash to and from the bank where in most cases, farmers have been robbed their cash and others even losing their lives.

“This electronic system will help individuals to manage their finances more effectively, such as paying their utility bills while in their homes without losing any money on transport,” Nthumba said.

He urged his subjects to embrace the digital banking services saying it was in line with government blue print of Malawi 2063.

A Shop owner in the area, Patrick Saulo thanked government for the initiative saying he would no longer be carrying huge sums of money when he wants to purchase some goods in town.

He asked government to consider sealing a deal with mobile service providers and banks so that they reduce the charges on digital transactions that people are currently paying.

Digital Financial Services Coordinator for Lilongwe and Kasungu, Dr. Ella Kangaude expressed satisfaction with the overwhelming patronage of the people.

She said many people would like to graduate from use of cash to digital system.

“What we have noted is that people are not completely blank on digital finance services, but they just want to gather more information and knowledge about the system,” Kangaude added.

The DFS awareness campaign is taking place on pilot phase in Chikwawa and Machinga in southern region, Lilongwe and Kasungu in central region and Karonga and Chitipa in the northern region.

By Wanangwa Tembo

Kasungu, July 6, Mana: National Bank of Malawi (NBM) has said most of challenges that Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) face in the course of their businesses are a result of lacking information about opportunities available in the banking sector.

The Bank’s Head of Retail Banking Division, Oswin Kasunda said this on Saturday during an SME customer interaction session in Kasungu.

He said SMEs are the drivers of the economy contributing about 40 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) hence must be empowered with financial information that could be used to make important business decisions.

“We are excited to have come to meet one of the segments of our customers which we consider as very important because of its critical role in the economy.

“SMEs need information. They must develop keen interest to seek information which can help them make good decisions that can grow their businesses,” Kasunda said.

He said in the face of global occurrences that bring about economic shocks, businesses must be innovative enough to survive such calamities.

The Head of Retail Banking said, “We have faced natural disasters like cyclones, droughts and at some point there was COVID-19 which heavily affected our businesses and the effects are still being felt today.

“But the question is: when that happens, how do we move forward. This is where we need to be innovative enough to find solutions.”

Kasunda said SMEs must develop trust in NBM which he said has various solutions for their financing needs.

A representative of the SMEs, Chifundo Mwafulirwa, applauded NBM for the interaction saying it was an eye opener on the many opportunities available at the banks that could be exploited to grow their businesses.

“One important issue that has been raised is access to loans. We have challenges to accessing loans but through this interaction, we have learnt about the several financing options that are available for us.

“The other issue concerns forex. We fail to access forex in good time and this affects our businesses especially when we want to import something,” she said.

The interaction highlighted non-payment of loans, lack of planning and managerial experience, poor record keeping and lack of understanding financial information as some other major challenges common to most SMEs.

The session which was conducted under the theme ‘Synergy in success: building financial milestones together’, was organised to act as a feedback forum for both the Bank and the SMEs.

By Vincent Khonje

Mchinji, July 6, Mana: Mchinji District Council has received a significant boost in its environmental conservation efforts with the launch of the "Restoration of Upper Bua River Catchment" project.

The initiative, supported by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), aims to implement effective management strategies for Mchinji's ecosystems, particularly focusing on the restoration of the upper Bua River catchment area.

According to Chief Environment Officer from the Environmental Affairs Department, Mphatso Kalemba, the project would focus on implementing activities within the Mchinji Forest Reserve and selected surrounding communities.

“The key objective is to effectively manage Mchinji Forest and support local government institutions and communities to enhance conservation and sustainable use of forest resources.

“This will help maintain and restore biodiversity and ecosystem services in community forests and communal lands,” she said.

District Commissioner (DC) for Mchinji, Lucia Chidalengwa expressed their gratitude for the initiative.

She highlighted the challenges her office faces regarding forest management, particularly issues related to customary land and forest reserves.

"Chiefs frequently visit my office to report on the destruction of forests. The introduction of this project is a significant relief for the council. The conception of the project by the people of Mchinji assures that it will have a meaningful impact on protecting the Bua River from its source to its endpoint,” Chidalengwa said.

Traditional Authority (TA) Kawere pledged the community's full support.

“We will work hand in hand with the council to achieve the project's goals. We aspire to see our forests and the Bua River in good condition, ensuring a sustainable environment for future generations,” he said.

The Project, which spans from May 2024 to May 2028, is expected to significantly improve conservation efforts, sustainable use, and the restoration of biodiversity.

The Project’s grant is US$921, 508.

By Doreen Chiwalo

Mwanza, July 6, Mana: Limodzi Foundation (LIFO), a local Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) with funding from International Republican Institute (IRI) has sensitized community leaders in Mwanza on government’s intention for introducing various development funding windows to the district councils.

The Organization highlighted that some of the objectives government introduces various funding windows was to ensure prudent expenditure of the funds for the benefit of all community members in the district.

Speaking during the meeting conducted at Thambani in Traditional Authority (TA) Govati in the district on Friday, LIFO Director, Petros Mtseka described the meeting as critical.

He said the orientation was aimed at empowering the communities with knowledge on how funding windows such as Constituency Development Fund (CDF), Local Development Fund (LDF), District Development Fund (DDF) and Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) funds are generally meant for facilitation of development projects in their respective areas.

“Now that the knowledge gap has been covered it translates that community members through their leaders will be able to take stock on development activities done and take action in case there is dissatisfaction on how the funds have been used,” Mtseka said.

TA Govati’s Area Development Committee Chairperson, Sebastian Kachipapa commended LIFO for the intervention, saying it was an eye opener.

“We did not know that we had a responsibility of providing checks and balances over these funds but now we will be watchdogs to each other to ensure that no individual benefits from the funds other than developing our area,” he said.

The Sensitization was conducted in Mwanza West attracted church representatives, the business community, persons with disabilities including those with albinism.

The intervention is expected to roll out to the other constituency of Mwanza Central.

CDF is a source of funds that is made available to a Member of Parliament to facilitate minor development projects in their respective constituency which is now pegged at K200 million per constituency while the LDF and DDF are inter-governmental fiscal transfer mechanism through which local authorities can have access of resources for local development projects.

On the other hand, GESD funds are disbursed through the National Local Government Finance Committee on performance based approach to local councils.

By Luckia Akim

Zomba, July 6, Mana: Malawi Network of Older Persons (MANEPO) has said there was need for the country to make deliberate efforts towards the support of the elderly during emergencies.

Speaking on Friday during World Elderly Abuse Awareness Day at Gymkhana Club in Zomba, Manepo Executive Director, Andrew Kavala said experience has shown that during disasters, the elderly are not given the necessary support and that there are no proper emergency interventions.

He said older persons just like any other person have the right to equal treatment and support and that the senior citizens deserve maximum care.

“MANEPO’s core duty is to advocate for the rights of the elderly and ensure that they are living in a conducive environment. This is why we always make noise and strongly speak for change,” Kavala said.

He described the Day which is commemorated on June 15 as crucial since it aims at highlighting the plight of elderly persons and the challenges they face in their daily life.

The Executive Director said the day provides an opportunity for players involved in the fight for the rights of the elderly to measure their contributions while strategizing on how best to safeguard their rights.

“World Elderly Abuse Awareness Day is organized to look at the key issues older people face and what needs to be done to ensure they are living in a peaceful environment,” he said.

Kavala expressed gratitude to the media for creating a safe environment for older persons through their reports and appealed for continuation of such commendable support.

He disclosed that from January, 2024, 68 cases of abuse and 13 murders of older persons have been registered mostly due to witchcraft accusations.

The Director noted that the trend was worrisome and that it calls for collaborated efforts.

Assistant Superintendent of Police for Zomba Police Station, Victim Support Unit, Nickson Chibondo said the Police implemented the Witchcraft Act to protect older persons, raise awareness and respond to attacks.

He said people must report any abuse that the elderly were going through in their respective localities.

Group Village Head (GVH), Lovemore Mtawira said community leaders have the role to promote and protect the rights of older persons.

Cecilia Kalimbuka, a survivor of elderly abuse, shared her story of being accused of witchcraft and facing domestic abuse after her husband's death.

“When my husband had passed away, my children constantly pressured me to leave on the grounds that I am a witch. I feel trapped and scared and there are many others in a situation similar to mine,” she retorted.