MANAonline
President Chakwera leaves for Malawi
By Arkangel Tembo in Washington DC
Washington DC, October 3, Mana: President, Dr Lazarus Chakwera has left Washington DC in the United States of America after attending the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
He was seen off at Dulles International Airport by Malawi's Ambassador to the United States of America, Justice Esme Chombo, Brigadier General Nyamali and other government officials from both Malawi and USA government.
While in New York, the President attended several meetings that included, the Summit of the Future and the high-level meeting on the Miombo Forest Declaration.
The Malawi leader delivered a national statement during the UNGA and general debate to mobilize global support for Malawi's developmental priorities.
During his address at UN General Assembly, Chakwera called for a collective approach in dealing with many challenges facing Malawi and other developing countries.
The President while in USA held bilateral discussions with other heads of states and governments, leaders of International organizations and investors among others to continue advancing Malawi's diplomatic relations and economic partnerships.
Some of the Heads of State that the President met, include the President of Lativia, Ireland and the Secretary General for the United Nations, Antonio Gutteries at the UN headquarters.
The President hosted the second Malawi Partners Conference 2024 which brought together prominent global figures and investors who discussed the future and long lasting food security in Malawi.
The Conference was attended by among others Mozambican President, Felipe Nyusi and African Development Bank (AFDB) President, Akinwumi Adesina, who announced the grant of K95 billion to Malawi of which K1 billion is meant for the purchase of food for those affected by hunger through the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DODMA).
In Washington DC, the President met the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank and USAID heads at their respective headquarters where he appreciated their unwavering support to Malawi.
The 79th session of UNGA was being held under the theme: Leaving no one behind: Acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations.
SCT beneficiaries urged to join savings and loan groups
By Salome Gangire
Neno, October 3, Mana: Social Cash Transfer (SCT) beneficiaries in Neno District have been urged to join Savings and Loans (VSLs) as it is a springboard to economic empowerment and wealth creation.
Neno District Community Development Officer (DCDO) Rabton Dyeratu appealed Wednesday at Lusingwi in the area of Traditional Authority Symon during sensitization of Social Protection for Gender Empowerment and Resilient (SP-Gear) project.
He said the project would like to inculcate a culture of savings among the communities, especially those on SCT so that they should be self-reliant when the time for graduation comes.
“No money is too small to save and one by one makes a bundle. Therefore, we are encouraging you to join VSLs and start saving some of the money you receive so that you start the journey to economic independence,” Dyeratu said.
He said one of the strategic objectives of SP-GEAR project is to enhance resilience and livelihoods of women and girls from vulnerable households through economic empowerment hence the need for them to join VSLs.
Dyeratu said they are impressed with the positive response the SCTP beneficiaries have shown as they have so far managed to mobilize 109 SLGs against their target of 163 SLGs of SCT beneficiaries and the exercise is ongoing.
District Social Welfare Officer responsible for Social Cash Transfer Amos Chandilanga said the programme is designed to provide targeted support that not only enhances their economic status but also strengthens their resilience to crises, shocks and disasters.
Chandilanga said beneficiaries will therefore be trained in business management and other skills so that they can add value to the social cash transfer money they receive by joining VSLs so that they can multiply what they receive.
“The program is targeting 163 savings and loans groups across the district, that is 3493 beneficiary households,” Chandilanga said.
He said the formulated groups have been trained in SLG methodology, finance, literacy and group dynamics so that they can manage their groups.
“We are also trying to empower them socially so that they should be able to know the journey of life and community-based social protection workers have been trained in the journey of life so that they can train the community beneficiaries,” he said.
A SCT beneficiary from Sarafosi Village in the area of Traditional Authority Symon said she has joined VSL because of the numerous benefits she has witnessed in the lives of those involved and she would also like her life to be transformed.
The SP-Gear project is being implemented in Mzimba, Ntcheu, Balaka, Chikwawa, Mulanje, Mwanza, Neno, Nsanje and Zomba Districts with funding from the European Union (EU) and the Government of Ireland, in partnership with UNICEF.
Over 100 VSL groups formed in newly established catchments in Thyolo
By Yamikani Yapuwa
Thyolo. October 03 Mana: In a major milestone for financial inclusion and community development, close to 100 Village Savings and Loans (VSL) groups have been formed in the newly established catchments of Namileme and Mkudzi Mpenda in Thyolo District.
Speaking on Wednesday at Namileme Catchment where COMSIP is training community facilitators from the groups, District Community Development Officer for Thyolo, Joseph Banda said the groups comprising of participants of the Climate Smart Public Works Program (CSPWP), aim to promote a culture of saving and investing.
“It is hard for local people to borrow money from banks, but by joining these groups, they will have easier access to funds when emergencies arise,” said Banda.
Banda said that the training aligns with Malawi’s Agenda 2063 pillar number one, fostering a shift in mindset toward group collaboration and saving money earned from the CSPWP.
COMSIP Officer for Namileme Catchment Fedda Jusa said they want participants of the climate-smart programme to understand that even small savings can grow significantly over time.
"By fostering a savings culture, we show them the possibilities that open up when they take control of their finances," said Jussa.
Jusa added that the training is designed to empower participants by giving them practical tools for financial independence.
“The training is not just about saving money, but also about learning how to invest it wisely. This will help the participants grow their savings, meet basic needs, and even plan for their children's future by affording school fees,” added Jusa.
The Climate Smart Public Works Programme Desk Officer Francis Yohane said the training has long term benefits to both the participants and the project as a whole.
“These catchments have potential to thrive under the VSL model. The participants will not only gain financial literacy but also practical skills, such as making manure, which will boost agricultural productivity.
"By empowering them in this way, we ensure sustainability beyond the lifespan of CSPWP projects.” said Yohane.
One of the facilitators Ethel Balani described the training as very significant as it will help them manage the groups that have been established.
“We have learned a lot about how to manage savings groups effectively. This training has equipped me to empower others in my community to save and invest for the future,” she said.
Another facilitator, Lasmo Mangani said apart from saving money, the groups will also be able to impart knowledge on manure making which will result in improved food security.
"This is more than just savings; it’s about improving livelihoods across the board,” he added.
COMSIP is conducting the training under the Social Support for Resilient Livelihoods Support (SSRLP), a five-year Government of Malawi project funded by the World Bank where they build the capacity of beneficiaries of Social Cash Transfer (SCT) and Climate Smart Public Works Program (CSPWP) to instill in them the culture of saving and investment, and effect mindset change.
FHS to promote sexual reproductive health in Balaka
By Albert Mulizakamba
Balaka, October 03, Mana: Family Health Services (FHS) through Umoyo Wathu Project has called for collaborative effort among all parties in Balaka to combat Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and promote Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights Services (SRHRS) for Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW).
FHS Chief of Party for Umoyo Wathu Program, John Munthali, made the sentiments Wednesday in Balaka when presenting the project to District Executive Committee (DEC) members, stressing the innovative approaches adopted in the program would enhance healthcare delivery and address GBV in the district.
He said: “Our main objective is to raise awareness about sexual reproductive health rights (SRHR) and family planning services among youths and marginalized groups, including people living with disabilities."
Munthali further revealed that many girls under the age of 18 face various forms of GBV due to limited access to SRHRS in their areas.
"The program aims at assisting Balaka District by providing various health services, particularly in family planning and SRHR, especially in remote areas," he stated.
He added that the program will involve training of health workers in 19 health centres to deliver long-term family planning services, educating communities about SRHR and family planning, and providing cervical cancer screening services through outreach clinics.
Director of Planning and Development for Balaka District Council, Chris Nawata, commended the program as timely.
“The district will adopt a concerted effort among various parties, including the District Health Office to transcend the aim of this programme,” he said.
Nawata therefore called for local authorities to welcome the development with a positive mindset, adding that such initiatives complement government efforts to fulfill universal health coverage.
The Umoyo Wathu program will also equip the youth with economic skills and train mother groups to disseminate Family Planning Services (FPS).
The project is funded by the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) of the British Government and will be implemented for four years in nine districts including Balaka.
Government urges Authorities to embrace Decentralization
By Gift Chiponde
Lilongwe, October 2, Mana: Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture Richard Chimwendo Banda has emphasized the need for various ministries, departments, and agencies to devolve their powers to councils for effective implementation of decentralization, which is critical in the realization of Vision 2063.
He made the remarks on Wednesday, during the official launch of the National Decentralization Policy (NDP) under the theme "Deepening Decentralization” in Lilongwe.
The Minister stressed that the policy is an upgrade of the first edition policy, which was launched in 1998 and had some gaps in enhancing decentralization.
He stated that this new policy will address critical gaps, including financial discipline, increasing availability of resources at Local Councils, community participation, and ensuring that councils effectively implement works assigned to them.
He also stated that by devolving powers to local councils, the government will be able to operate effectively, reducing inconvenience and inconsistency in service delivery to citizens in the country, and ensuring that people are aware of what is happening in their country.
He also stressed that the policy would provide a framework for monitoring and evaluating how local councils are performing.
He stated that the policy will provide a platform for the Central Government to assess the performance of various councils emphasizing the importance for all authorities to embrace decentralization.
In his remarks, United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) Representative Shadrack Omol commended the government for the launch of the second edition of the NDP policy, stating that the policy will help to improve and address various challenges faced in the previous policy.
He highlighted that the launch of the policy signifies the government's commitment to embracing decentralization, which can enhance efficiency in service delivery in the country.
Omol stated that UNICEF will continue to support Malawi through the national budget and technical support to ensure the effective implementation of the policy.
MEC rectifies challenges encountered in pilot voter registration
By Aliko Munde
Chitipa, October 2, Mana: Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has disclosed that they have managed to sort out the problems the commission encountered during the pilot voter registration exercise, which was held in September this year.
MEC Commissioner Caroline Mfune, disclosed this on Wednesday in Chitipa District during sensitisation meetings for civil society organisations, traditional and religious leaders in the district in readiness for the fresh voter registration exercise for the 2025 general elections.
Mfune said that MEC learned a lot during the pilot voter registration and it was good that they carried out the exercise.
“We encountered some problems for sure. But the good thing is that we have managed to sort out all the problems we encountered. For example, we had problems with cameras as they could not capture registrants within three to five minutes if they were dark-skinned or old.
“I want to inform Malawians especially people here in Chitipa that there will be no problem. It was right and fundamental that we had the pilot voter registration because had it been we did not carry it, those problems could manifest in the actual voter registration,” Mfune said.
She further said that the meeting targeted traditional and religious leaders to give them firsthand information so that they could disseminate the same to their subjects in communities and churches to clear any misconceptions and myths.
Reverend Honest Mwenisung of Chitipa Evangelical Lutheran Church, applauded MEC for targeting religious leaders as major stakeholders in the forthcoming general elections.
Mwenisungo, who is also Chairperson for Pastors Fraternal in Chitipa district, said that their role as religious leaders is to sensitise their members on the importance of voter registration.
“As religious leaders, we have a big role to play in sensitising our members to register and even vote during the forthcoming general elections,” Mwenisungo said.
Senior Chief Mwabulambya said he would sensitise his subjects on the importance of voter registration and their right to vote.
The first phase of voter registration starts from 21 October to 3 November 2024, while the second phase starts from 9 to 22 November and the third phase starts from 28 November to 11 December 2024.
MV Chambo re-introduced on Lake Malawi
By Ireen Mseteka
Likoma, October 2, Mana: Businesspeople and mere commuters in Likoma have applauded the re-introduction of a Mozambican MV Chambo on Lake Malawi, saying the development will sort some of the water transport-related challenges.
In an interview Wednesday, a mobile banking operator, Emmanuel Saidi at Mbamba said the coming of the vessel will reduce travel time and passenger congestion in the only reliable MV Ilala
“MV Ilala which starts from Khobwe in Mozambique and operates once a week from Likoma to Nkhata Bay, in this case, takes a long time for one to go to the mainland and come back to the island.
However, MV Chambo sails from Nkhatabay on Wednesday and returns the following day in the morning and this means that we can buy merchandize from Mzuzu today and return home from following morning,” said Saidi.
Another business operator, Monica Samueli commended government for negotiating with the Republic of the Government of Mozambique for the vessel to operate between Likoma Island and Nkhata Bay.
The captain for MV Chambo who did not disclose his name said that he could not comment on the vessel’s schedule until he meets with his Malawian counterparts in Nkhata Bay for schedule drawing finalization.
Recently Public Relations Officer for Ministry of Transport and Public Works, Watson Maingo said that MV Chambo used to provide passenger services on Lake Malawi but stopped in 2019 due to Covid-19 when borders in the country were closed.
Mother arrested for assaulting five-year-old daughter
By Yanjanani Mendulo
Chiradzulu, October 2, Mana: Police in Chiradzulu are keeping in custody a 32-year-old woman identified as Fainess Gobola for assaulting her five-year-old biological daughter accusing the little one of eating relish meant for supper.
Chiradzulu Police Spokesperson, Cosmas Kagulo, told Malawi News Agency (Mana) that the incident occurred on September 30, 2024, at Matandika Village, Traditional Authority Mpama in the district.
“When the suspect discovered that her daughter had eaten the relish, Gobola put her daughter in a sack and began to beat her. Fortunately, the village chief and other well-wishers heard the child’s cries for help,” he said.
According to Kagulo, the suspect is a single parent who relies on piecework for her living, adding that on the day of the incident, she left her daughter home with nothing to eat while she went out looking for work at Tomasi market.
“On her return, she discovered that the relish she had left for supper was missing and the victim admitted to having eaten it out of hunger. She therefore put her daughter in a bag and began beating her ruthlessly," said Kagulo.
He said police were investigating the incident and had arrested Gobola for assault.
Gobola comes from Aliyenda Village, Traditional Authority Chitera in the district.
National Children's Commission appeals for financial support
By Sellah Singini
Lilongwe, October 02, Mana: National Children's Commission ( NCC) has appealed for financial support from partners and stakeholders to assist the commission in its institutionalisation and the discharge of its mandate.
Commissioner Julia Chimuna who is one of the commissioners of NCC appealed on Wednesday in Lilongwe during the stakeholder’s engagement meeting between the commissioners for the NCC and stakeholders from government and Non- Government Organizations (NGO’s).
Chimuna said, currently the commission is looking for almost three billion Kwacha for its operations.
She said the money raised will help the commission in discharging its mandate and making sure that it serves children in the country effectively and elevates their lives.
"The three billion will be divided into two parts. The first part is the institutionalisation of the commission and two billion kwacha is needed for that. The second one is specifically focusing on discharging of the commission's mandate, which is for the next six months and one billion kwacha is needed for that,” Chimuna said.
"The figure appears quite huge, but when we look at the issues that are in the children's sector right now, they're very bad. And also Malawi is rated poorly in terms of Children's Services," she added.
In his remarks, Deputy Director for Child Affairs in the Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare Justin Hamela said the commission will help in the coordination, enforcement and also holding different partners accountable in the delivery of services towards children.
"As you are aware, what led to the establish of the commission is the motion that was raised in parliament where it acknowledged the challenges that children are facing, but also limited services that are there to offer different kinds of services to children,
"so we look at it as a very important institution that would help and support the ministry in providing necessary services to children, " He said.
Hamela added that there is a need for more resources for the actual services at council level, where children are usually available and they are looking for such kinds of services.
Over 1.6 billion disbursed in single phase of SCTP in Nsanje
By Robert Nayeja
Nsanje, October 2, Mana: Over K1.6 billion has been disbursed to 7,000 households in a single phase of Malawi Government, Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP) in Nsanje District as recipients receive K225,000 above according to family size and status of members.
Nsanje District Commissioner, Dominic Mwandira confirmed on Wednesday to Malawi News Agency, saying the just-ended cycle saw households receiving K225,000 while others received more.
“Other beneficiaries received K225,00o while others received as much as K300,000 per cycle," he added and advised the recipients to utilize the money wisely and invest where possible.
“Government has pumped in a lot of resources in various programmes including the Social Cash Transfer Programme," he added
Social Welfare Officer responsible for Social Cash Transfer Programme, Abdulrazack Duwa said despite that the new beneficiaries in the SCTP have only received the cash twice, there was positive feedback from the recipients.
“Some bought food, others have bought iron sheets, and some are investing the money in Village Savings and Loan,” he added and expressed optimism that life of the beneficiary households would improve as some of them were becoming economically self-reliant.
The disparity in cash among recipients occurs due to several factors that include household size and rate of vulnerability, according to Duwa
Nsanje District so far enrolled 7,000 households in the Social Cash Transfer Programme, a Social Support for Resilient Livelihoods Project in Malawi which is meant to improve resilience among the poor and vulnerable population.
The SCTP is also meant to strengthen the national platform for safety nets.
