MANAonline
ECAMA tells government to focus on Trade Not Aid
By Leonard Masauli
Lilongwe, January 10, Mana: Economics Association of Malawi (ECAMA) says government should take a bold step towards focusing on promoting trade and not aid to ensure the economy is transformed and earn more forex for the country.
This was said on the sidelines of a budget consultative Meeting with various stakeholders held on Wednesday at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe.
Speaking when making his contribution at the meeting, an Economic researcher at ECAMA, Lucius Pawa said however, for this to work, government needs to be aggressive to look for market and ensure the country diversify more in producing other commodities such as cotton, apart from tobacco.
"For this to work, Government needs to diversify in producing other commodities that will fetch good Market such as cotton and not tobacco alone. For example, statistics show that in 2020 cotton earned huge sums of money across the globe while Malawi only benefitted $2.2 million.
"This is one area in which as ECAMA we feel that government should do more and be aggressive to look for markets," said Pawa
In his submission, Programme Coordinator at Oxfam, Kondwani Mubisa said it is high time the country required a new diversification strategy that will promote production of more other crops such as macadamia and soya nuts to improve exports.
"We also need to look at Decentralization of registration of cooperatives across the country because this will enable more farmers to join cooperatives and produce more that could in the end improve on exports.
"Government should as well invest more in rural road infrastructure so the farmers can produce more and be able to access markets hence adding value to Malawi's economy," said Mubisa.
However, Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Simplex Chithyola, said despite other challenges, the country expects a gradual economic recovery with a growth of 3.2 percent in 2024 on account of the improvements in the availability of foreign exchange and investments made in the agriculture sector.
The Minister said it is also wealth noting that government is focusing on diversifying economic activities that are aimed at recovering, as well as development of a strategy to protect the economy.
"For example, to develop this economy government has embarked fully on supporting the private sector to venture into MEGA farms through the Malawi Agricultural, Industrial Investment Cooperation to produce for both local and export markets," said Chithyola.
Minister impressed with AIP in Chiradzulu district
By Chilungamo Missi
Blantyre, January 9, Mana: Minister of Agriculture, Sam Kawale is impressed with the progress of Affordable Inputs Program (AIP) in Chiradzulu District where most AIP beneficiaries have managed to buy fertilizer.
Kawale made the remarks in the district on Tuesday when he visited Chiradzulu Smallholder Farmers Fertilizer Revolving Fund (SFFRFM) to appreciate how the selling of affordable inputs is going on in the district.
Kawale was happy to see depots fully stocked with fertilizer saying government is doing a good job to ensure that people have access to affordable farm inputs.
“We have heard from clerks, councilors and the Member of Parliament that AIP went extremely well in Chiradzulu.
“I am happy that almost everyone bought fertilizer and we have so much stock in the warehouses where clerks are waiting for people to come and buy,” said Kawale who later visited maize selling points.
He said government expects a lot of farmers to have good harvest this year saying all the challenges that marred AIP were solved.
He added that people who are currently spreading information that AIP is facing challenges are not aware of the real situation on the ground.
Member of Parliament for Chiradzulu Central Constituency, McTimes Malowa said out of 1900 AIP beneficiaries in the area, 85 percent have accessed their fertilizer and is optimistic that the remaining 15 percent will buy their fertilizer because the depots are fully stocked.
He said: “Going forward, we urge government to consider registering AIP beneficiaries based on Village Head Areas instead of Group Village Heads. This will ensure that every village has enough beneficiaries because the number of beneficiaries was very low in other villages.”
In his remarks, Group Village Head Mbalame hailed government for ensuring that people in his area have access to affordable farm inputs.
He appealed to government to consider increasing the number of beneficiaries in the next farming season so that the area can achieve food security.
Thumba CCAP gets K10m boost
By Wanangwa Tembo
Kasungu, January 9, Mana: Member of Parliament for Kasungu North East Constituency, Madalitso Kambauwa Wirima, has donated K10 million to Thumba Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) to assist towards the roofing of a multi-million new prayer house.
Making the donation on Sunday, Wirima said it was sad to see that Thumba CCAP, which is considered the mother for all CCAP churches in Chamama area was still congregating in an old dilapidated structure.
She said: “Last year when I came for a Women’s Conference here at Thumba CCAP, I heard God talking to me that I must do something. When I went back home, I contemplated on this and decided that I must help.
“I sponsor a football league to the tune of K10 million and I thought it wise that it must be another K10 million for the church. Why not? I was confident because I knew that the same God that talked to me to help will assist me with this money.”
Wirima, who is also Minister of Education, was happy that God has fulfilled the promise she made, thanking the congregation for their courage to embark on a new big church structure.
Receiving the donation, the church minister Reverend Berson Magombo said church members have worked hard and dug deep into their pockets to erect the new structure estimated to cost K100 million.
Said Magombo: “Before devaluation, our budget was around K56 million but now the cost would hit K100 million. This is a lot of money. So, I’m thankful to God for giving us this MP who is always with us.
“As a church we are very excited that our project is nearing completion and we are looking for funds for roofing. I must say that the donation that the MP has made today will go towards roofing of the church.”
The reverend also took time to advise politicians saying they must be people of high integrity and must be true to their word.
“We don’t want leaders who are dishonest and keep changing colours. We want leaders who talk peace and have the welfare of the people at heart. These characters are found in people who fear God,” he said.
Thumba CCAP prayer house was constructed in 1946 and 78 years down the line, the structure stands in a dilapidated shape.
Karonga NGOs embark on cervical cancer lessons to adolescents
By Wakisa Myamba
Karonga, January 8, Mana: Two non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Karonga, Youth Alliance Against Cancer (YOACA) and Fast Network, have embarked on menstrual health and cervical cancer lessons to adolescent girls in the district.
Speaking in an interview after the lessons at Ipyana Teachers Development Centre on Saturday, YOACA co-founder Spain Chimaliro said menstruation is one of the contributing factors to school dropout among girls in the district due to stigma.
He said apart from the lessons, they also distributed menstrual materials to the girls in order to curb stigma and ease economic burden from their parents.
"We have partnered with Fast Network who have given out reusable sanitary pads to the adolescent girls, and we came up with lessons on menstrual health and cervical cancer to impart knowledge on cervical cancer management to the adolescent girls,” said Chimaliro.
He appealed for additional support from other stakeholders, saying his organization would like to extend the lessons and distribution of reusable pads to more adolescent girls in the district.
Primary Education Advisor Robson Kondowe thanked the two organizations for donating the reusable sanitary pads and also for the lessons on health issues, including on sexually transmitted infections and cancer management.
Inkosi ya Makhosi University set to enroll first intake in August 2025
By Joel Phiri
Mzimba, January 8, Mana: Minister of Education Madalitso Kambauwa-Wirima says Inkosi Ya Makhosi M’belwa University in Mzimba is set to open its doors in August 2025 with an initial intake of 500 students.
According to Wirima, the university, formerly known as Mombera, will comprise school of basic sciences, school of veterinary medicine and school of animal science.
Speaking on Monday in Mzimba during a tour of the construction site, Wirima said first phase of construction works that have started at the site will complete in June 2025.
The phase comprises construction of school of basic sciences plus its ancillary structure, consisting of administration blocks, hostels, staff houses, cafeteria, auditorium, multipurpose hall, sports facilities, clinic, commercial complex and waste management systems.
‘‘The university’s construction works will be done in phases till its total completion in 2027. The first phase includes construction of two hostels. These are female and male hostels and will take 18 months. The companies constructing these hostels, Dec Construction company and Paramount Holdings Limited, are expected to complete the construction by June 2025,’’ said Wirima.
Wirima said government is committed and serious to see the construction works of the K190 billion first phase completed so that the first cohort of students starts learning next year.
The cost for the entire university construction, expected to complete in 2027, is pegged at K450 billion and the university will have an enrolment capacity of 10,000 students, according to Wirima.
She said government will ensure funds are made available to ensure works are not interrupted.
Wirima further said that construction and completion of the university will help government in absorbing huge volumes of students looking for university education opportunities.
Managing Director for Paramount Holdings Limited, Prakash Ghedia, said they are geared up for the works and assured the minister the construction works will be done to perfection by the deadline of June 2025.
District Commissioner for Mzimba, Rodney Simwaka, said the council is excited with the resumption of the construction works of the university, as it will help offer jobs to young people and also create business opportunities for people based in Mzimba.
Communities embrace CS-EPWP in Thyolo
By Yamikani Yapuwa
Thyolo, January 6, Mana: People in Thyolo district have expressed hope that trees being planted under Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CS-EPWP) will help to avert effects of climate change that come due to absence of trees.
Speaking during a supervision visit on Friday, one of the participants of the programme under Chimbidzi Catchment in the area of Traditional Authority (T/A) Changata, Mphatso Chandamale, said trees that were planted last cycle look promising since people are now aware of the importance of trees.
"Our area was heavily affected by the Cyclone Freddy with lots of roofs blown away. This happened because we have no trees to protect us from the strong winds.
"But with the coming of this programme, we are sure that in the next three to four years, it will be a thing of the past because the whole area will be covered and there will be protection from strong winds,” he said.
Another participant, Donata Phiri, whose house was damaged by strong winds, said the programme has even inspired her to plant more trees in the hotshots as well as around her house after having a bad experience from the effects of climate change.
"My house is located where wind blows heavily because there is no any tree around. It is against this background that I will plant more trees around my house so that similar incidents can be avoided in future," she said.
Desk Officer for CS-EPWP in Thyolo, Francis Yohane, said it is encouraging to see communities embracing the programme, observing that this is a symbol that people have started owning it.
He added that the second cycle has started well in all the 16 catchments where the programme is being implemented and participants are expected to continue planting trees, as well as carrying out water and land conservation activities.
CS-EPWP, a programme under the Social Support for Resilient Livelihoods Project (SSRLP), is being implemented with support from the Malawi Social Protection Multi Donor Trust funded by World Bank, USAID, Iceland, Ireland, UK-FCDO, EU and Norway.
Cholera outbreaks need long-term solution - Chiponda
By Kumbukani Kondowe
Lilongwe, January 6, Mana: Minister of Health Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda says Malawi needs to identify priority areas for multi-sectoral interventions on cholera to bring a long-term solution to the outbreaks.
Chiponda said this on Friday at Ministry of Health headquarters in Lilongwe during a Presidential Taskforce on Covid 19 and Cholera press briefing organized to update the nation on the status of cholera in Malawi as the rainy season is intensifying.
Chiponda observed that every rainy season the nation talks about cholera outbreak, saying this has to change by working towards permanent cholera control measures and added that the government is committed to the global goal of ending cholera by 2030.
“Identifying priority areas for multi-sectoral interventions is of paramount importance for effective cholera control in Malawi, hence concentrating our limited resources and interventions in areas with heightened vulnerability will enable a more focused and efficient response to cholera threats,” said Chiponda.
She further said there are several other interventions that can be used to bring long-term solution to cholera outbreaks, such as sustained political will and leadership, resource mobilization, community engagement, strengthening coordination and stakeholder involvement, among others.
“As you have observed time and again that the President remains highly engaged and dedicated to the prevention and control of cholera in this country and I, as the Minister of Health, and my colleagues, the Minister of Water and Sanitation, all members of the presidential taskforce and technical experts remain actively alert and involved in the fight against cholera,” said Chiponda.
Chiponda also said that the media are one of the major stakeholders that can be used in combating cholera outbreaks through dissemination of important hygienic messages.
She therefore asked the media to highlight the risk factors for cholera, such as use of unsafe water, poor food hygiene, poor sanitation and low usage of pit latrines, which the public needs to know and prevent at all cost.
Minister of Water and Sanitation Abida Mia added that her ministry is doing all it can to fight cholera outbreaks through provision of boreholes in districts and rural areas so that people can have access to safe and clean water for use.
“My ministry has been engaging with CEOs for water boards to ensure that they provide water to people at all times because water interruptions can also lead to cholera outbreak, as it was the case in last year’s outbreak whereby most people affected were in the cities of Blantyre, Lilongwe and partly Mzuzu,” said Mia.
Currently, the cholera outbreak situation in the country remains very low and sporadic, far much better that at the same time last year.
Merchah to drop new year single 'Wane' on Monday
By George Mponda
Mzuzu, January 5, Mana: Mzuzu based afro-pop artist Merchah, real name Uchizi Salala Msowoya is set to release his first single of 2024 titled 'Wane' on Monday.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana) Merchah, who is signed with Magic Fingers Entertainment LLC co-owned by US-based Malawian Tionge Mhango and Nigerian producer Oluwaseyi Akelere, said the song is about professing love to a man or woman where one can do anything just to be with their soul mate.
"The song speaks of scenarios where one can even drop out of college just to be with the one they love and it also tells of how a businessman can allow his endeavour to start making losses in the pursuit of his potential spouse just to win them. In short the concept of the song is to show that love is so strong," explained Merchah.
"The song was produced by Chawabeats and Drzzbeats from Nigeria. It has also been mixed in Nigeria by Twin Beats Paul," he added.
The 'Naji' hitmaker who likes to sing in Tumbuka language also released two other singles last year titled Vyapachalo and Handede which enjoyed massive airplay.
"In 2024, I'm set to drop my debut project which is an album which I, together with my team have been working on since 2022 and we are happy that we can finally release it," said Merchah.
Official producer for Magic Fingers Malawi, Chawanangwa Ngoma said fans should get prepared for more songs from their artist as compared to last year.
"We have lined up a couple features with Nigerian, South African and Ghanaian main stream artists so fans should be prepared to listen to smashing hits from Merchah,"Ngoma said.
In his remarks, Gift Shaba one of Merchah's fans from Mzuzu said he is looking forward to listening to more music from him.
"He is a very talented musician but unfortunately, we only have a handful of songs from him so am really looking forward to the album which he is releasing this year," he said.
Maula prison moves 58 young offenders for exams preparations
By: Andrew Mkonda
Lilongwe, January 3, Mana: Maula prison has transferred 58 young offenders who are preparing for their Primary School Leaving Certificate, Junior Certificate of Education and Malawi School Certificate of Education examinations to Bvumbwe Young Offenders Rehabilitation Centre in Thyolo district due to lack of learning facilities at the prison.
Malawi Prison Service Public Relations Officer Chimwemwe Shaba confirmed the development on Tuesday in an interview with Malawi News Agency.
Shaba said initially, Maula prison is not supposed to be keeping young offenders, but for those who would like to continue with their education, the arrangement is to send them where there are learning facilities.
One of the Leaders of the young offenders at the prison Dominic Sadick said all students that are supposed to write their examination this year, have not been learning for a long time due to lack of learning facilities at the prison.
“It is a pathetic situation even though we are in prison, we do believe that we still have a right to education as every young Malawian out there. It is disappointing to see that the prison here [Maula] doesn’t have learning facility for young offenders,” he said
Sadick said the situation has been there since August, 2023 when the MPS moved the young offenders from Kachere Rehabilitation Centre to Maula prison.
Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) Secretary Habiba Osman thanked the MPS for considering moving the young offenders where they can pursue their education while in custody.
However, Osman said there is need for MPS to identify a proper facility where they can inhabit young offenders to avoid such situation in the future, which lead to violation of their right to education.
“I feel we need to find a lasting solution to this issues, otherwise moving these young offenders from one place to another may lead to security concerns. Anything can happen in the process and that may also lead to violation of some of their rights, which will be very bad,” she said
Currently, Maula Young Offenders prison has 265 inmates.
Likoma islanders celebrate culture through traditional dances
By Ireen Mseteka
Likoma, January 2, Mana: Traditional dancers in Likoma converged at Mvumu ground on Monday to showcase Malipenga traditional dance in a bid to celebrate and preserve their culture.
Captain for Zomba Boma Malipenga dancers, Joseph Chirwa said the dance performances are held annually on the first and second day of January to celebrate the new year.
“Traditionally, we have been coming together on 1 and 2 January every year for Malipenga dance performances since 1925.
“The purpose is to preserve our culture for future generation to follow suit and maintain culture for the island. We also do it as part of celebrations for the new year,” Chirwa said.
He expressed concern that this year’s performances were poorly patronized due to rainfall.
Secretary for the dance troupe, Dustan Mhone said some people thought the program would be called off because acting Sub Traditional Authority for the area is sick.
