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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.   

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.

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.

By Vincent Khonje

Mchinji, July 3, Mana: After years of facing the daunting challenge of crossing Chithumba River, a place that is wet throughout the year, a bridge has been constructed to ease mobility for surrounding communities.

The river stood as a barrier between the communities and essential services that are available in nearby Ludzi.

A resident of Chithumba, Steven Charles said the difficulties they faced on the stream forced them to travel long distance to Ludzi in search of services.

"Before the bridge, crossing the river was a struggle. We had to wade through the water, which was dangerous, especially during the rainy season but now with the bridge, we can easily reach church, schools, the hospital, the market, and the maize mill in Ludzi,” he said.

Councilor for Mkoma Ward where the bridge is, Martha Dzanja, said people suffered a lot because the place used to have a lot of water and cut communication for people from over five villages.

“The bridge is very important as it has connected the villages to some amenities. Ludzi is strategic as it provides essential services to the people, but also those from Ludzi have farming fields across the bridge,” she said.

The crucial infrastructure was made possible through the efforts of the Mchinji District Council and the support of the Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) initiative, a World Bank-funded programme.

Director of Public Works, Ellis Tembo said the Council has worked hard to ensure most of the projects have been done.

“The Council has completed most of the GESD projects and handed them over to the public. The Chithumba Bridge is one of the key achievements and people are benefiting,” he said.

GESD, through its Performance-Based Grants (PBG), provides Councils with the necessary funds to embark on such transformative projects.

These grants are awarded after Councils meet certain Minimum Access Conditions (MACS), ensuring that the resources are used effectively and transparently.

The Bridge was constructed to a tune of K30 million.