MANAonline
FUM rolls out nutrition project in Likoma
By Ireen Mseteka
Likoma, June 3, Mana: Project Coordinator for Farmers Union of Malawi (FUM), Caswel Kachingwe has said Likoma District is going to benefit from a nutrition focused project which the organization will implement with funding from the European Union (EU).
Kachingwe said this on Monday during a District Executive Committee (DEC) and District Nutrition Coordinating Committee (DNCC) meeting aimed at introducing the project called ‘Nourishing Futures: Empowering Malawi’s CSOs for Sustainable Nutrition.’
“The goal of the project is to strengthen the capacity of local civil society organizations (CSOs) and their networks to advocate for increased demand for food fortification and ensure availability,” said Kachingwe.
He said after a successful implementation of the project, FUM expects a reduction in the number of malnourished and stunted children through enhancing uptake of micronutrients.
Director of Administration and Human Resources for Likoma, Moses Jere said the council welcomed the project, adding it will ensure DNCC work hand in hand with the partners to ensure its sustainability.
“As a council we have the DNCC which is responsible for nutritional issues, so our eyes will be on it. The committee works with partners and report to the district commissioner so that we properly track the progress of the project,” said Jere.
Chairperson for CSO Network in Likoma, Davy Kacholola said the network will be working in partnership with the council and the implementing partners to ensure people in the district benefit from the project.
FUM is going to collaborate with its partner, We Effect, in implementing the project which will run from January 2025 to December 2029.
Kasungu youths challenged to be innovative
By Wanangwa Tembo
Kasungu, June 2, Mana: Deputy Director in the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ketie Mwandira has challenged the youths in Kasungu District to be innovative so that they meaningfully contribute towards achieving the country’s development targets.
Speaking on Monday, during the dissemination of the National Youth Policy to the district stakeholders and youth clubs, Mwandira said the youths have great potential towards the realization of national aspirations such as the Malawi 2063.
“We want to make sure that the youths and district stakeholders are aware of the National Youth Policy so that there is compliance when implementing youth-related development programmes.
“We are saying there is nothing for the youths without them. They must be involved in everything because they are key drivers of the national development,” Mwandira said.
She said the policy, which was officially launched in 2023 and runs until 2028, provides clear direction for successful designing and implementation of youth development programmes in line with Sustainable Development Goals and the Malawi 2063.
“So, we want to see youths that are empowered to contribute to socio-economic development and engaged in policy and programme development, implementation and decision-making processes at all levels.
“Additionally, we want to see increased demand and response to youth needs and improved access to equitable and quality youth services as some of the policy outcomes,” she said.
Kasungu District Coordinator for Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace, Hastings Kalima, called for seriousness amongst stakeholders to ensure that the policy is successfully implemented.
“We should not be known for coming up with good policies and then fail to implement them. It’s a collective responsibility that we have to see to it that the policy is successfully implemented,” he said.
On his part, Francis Zimba of Comfort Youth Club advised his fellow youths to form groups so that they easily access opportunities such as loans, skills and equipment.
The National Youth Policy aims to empower the youths so that they are able to deal with social-cultural, economic and political challenges by creating an enabling environment for them to achieve sustainable personal and national development.
Chitipa CSOs warn against smuggling of sugar, fuel
By Aliko Munde
Chitipa, June 3, Mana: Civil Society Organization (CSO) Network in Chitipa District on Monday warned Meru Filling Station and Simama Sugar distributor against selling fuel and sugar, respectively, to vendors who are smuggling the products to Tanzania and Zambia amidst scarcity of the same in the district.
Chitipa CSO Network Chairperson, Patrick Ziba gave the warning after visiting Meru Filling Station and Chitipa Simama Sugar depot to assess the situation on the ground.
Ziba said the CSOs undertook the exercise to appreciate what was happening on the ground for the district to have fuel and sugar scarcity while neighbouring countries have Malawi sugar.
"We visited Meru Filling Station and Chitipa Simama Sugar distributors so that we can have a friendly chat on the scarcity of fuel and sugar amidst availability of these commodities in our neighbouring countries.
“We appealed to these companies to sell to registered Malawian businesses. We are losing a lot of revenue because for example sugar is smuggled to Tanzania and Zambia without getting Value Added Tax (VAT) and other revenues," Ziba said.
Meru Filling Station Manager, Elita Kaseghe thanked the CSOs for visiting their place, saying the scarcity of fuel is because it takes weeks before it is allocated to the Station.
“We do not sell fuel to be smuggled outside the country. When people come with Jerry cans we seek permission from Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA). But if they are maize mill owners we allow 20 litres of diesel after submitting a business licence,” Kaseghe said.
On her part, Sales and Marketing Manager for Simama Sugar, Beatrice Haonga applauded CSOs for visiting the depot and appreciating how sugar distribution is done.
Haonga said as a sugar distributor, they sell their sugar to registered wholesalers who then sell to retailers.
“We even have plans this month to open outlets at Kapoka, Nthalire and Ifumbo so that business people from those sites have sugar at their doorstep,” Haonga said.
Nsanje launches DDP and SEP
Robert Nayeja.
Nsanje, June 3, Mana: Nsanje District Council on Monday launched the new District Development Plan (DDP) and Social Economic Profile (SEP) after the old ones phased out in 2022.
Speaking during the launch at Red Valley Lodge at the Boma, District Commissioner for Nsanje, Dominic Mwandira said the DDP has more than 15 priority areas in order to address challenges people face in the district.
“We are looking at many areas of development but we have priotised the first 15 which are greatly affecting the community in the district,” he said.
Mwandira said the plan has been aligned with agenda 2063 in order to meet the countries vision.
“Among others, the DDP is addressing the hunger, health and education issues affecting the communities. We will make sure that all stakeholders are implementing their programs and projects in line with the DDP so that Nsanje as a district is contributing to the realization of Agenda 2063,” he added.
Chief Economist in the Ministry of Local Government, Owen Nalivata, who was the guest of honour, applauded the council for making sure that the District Development Plan was launched.
“The document is very critical as it guides operations of the council. This will help the council to monitor progress,” he added.
SCT goes digital in Nsanje
By Robert Nayeja
Nsanje, June 3, Mana: Communities in Nsanje have hailed government for introducing digital payment in social Cash Transfer (SCT) in the district.
Charles Theka, Chairperson for Chilumba Social Cash Transfer Cluster said in an interview on Monday that communities were excited because the initiative was convenient.
“This transition to digital payment will allow recipients to receive their payments securely and conveniently, directly to their mobile phones,” he said.
One of the beneficiaries, Tobias Thenford from Mphamba Village praised the initiative saying it will help to reduce challenges related to time and cost beneficiaries incur when travelling to payment points.
“The shift to mobile payment will help us not to walk long distances to access payment points,” he said.
Another beneficiary, Chrissy Maseya from Jim Village, Traditional Authority (TA) N’gabu said he was relieved from the fear of being attacked by thugs as now the money will be in her wallet without the knowledge of other people including thugs.
“We had to go through the village forest which poses a great risk to the money we receive because mostly people are attacked by criminals.
“During payment, I could go with someone just to feel secure when walking back home after receiving cash from the payment point,” she added.
Falls Msambalima from Chiudzireni Village, TA N’gabu expressed hope that the introduction of social cash electronic transfer will help beneficiaries to receive cash every month unlike in the past where they could stay for months without receiving cash.
Social Welfare Officer Responsible for Social Cash Transfer for Nsanje, Abdulrazak Duwa confirmed that beneficiaries started receiving cash through mobile wallet and this will help to cut operation cost.
“The cost to pay beneficiaries will be reduced and communities will be able to get their money at once unlike the manual payment whereby we could spend so many days making payments,” he said.
Duwa said the initiative will also promote mobile money business opportunities for local people in the district.
Social cash transfer is a social protection program targeting ultra-poor and labour constrained household whereby beneficiaries receive cash with no strings attached to meet their needs.
Nsanje has more than 7000 beneficiaries under the program.
EPA strengthens regulations, penalties on thin plastics.
By Lesnat Kenan
Lilongwe, June 2, Mana: Following the ban on the use of thin plastics in the country, Malawi Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) Director Generalm Wilfred Kadewa, has said the authority has strengthened the regulations and penalties to deter companies from manufacturing thin plastics.
According to Kadewa thin plastics ban was issued to address issues of pollution in water bodies, soils and landscape, and its impact to wildlife and livestock.
He made the remarks during a press briefing on the status of enforcement of the regulations on the ban of thin plastics in Malawi.
Since the ban on manufacturing and use of thin plastics on February 10, 2025, MEPA has been conducting inspections to companies to ensure that they comply with the rules.
"When we conduct our inspections in Lilongwe, Mzuzu and Blantyre cities, we want to check compliance on manufacturing and we have found that majority of manufacturing companies are complying because they understand what the ban means," he added.
He also said there is still al ot of plastics on the market which he said some are imported from neighboring countries.
He further explained that the authority has engaged officials from Mchinji border to check on what is happening to ensure that there is no importation of plastics into our country.
Concurring with Kadewa, MEPA Board Chair, Dr. Robert Kafakoma, appealed to manufactures, retailers and every citizen to support and respect the laws designed to preserve the environment.
He added that the authority encourages the public to use environmentally friendly alternative packaging materials, reusable, recyclable and biodegradable materials such as baskets.
Malawi developed the environment management (plastic regulations) in 2015, in response to the environmental and health problems associated with plastics.
Meanwhile, Malawi will join the globe in commemorating the World Environmental Day on June 5, 2025, and the event will take place in Nkhotakota under the theme "Ending plastic pollution".
Giboh Pearson to launch Phalombe Muzik Band at Migowi
By Mirriam Bwanali
Blantyre, June 2, Mana: Malawian musician, Gift Wedson Pearson, also known as Giboh Pearson, is set to launch Phalombe Musik Band on June 6 at Impala Lodge at Migowi in Phalombe, with Jetu and Joe Gwaladi, among others to spice the launch.
Giboh Pearson of Idzathera Mapenalty fame told Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Monday that the launch of the band is meant to get deep into local music and to inspire young and upcoming artists in Phalombe and across.
“We want to entertain Malawians as well as other countries and we are ready as a band to perform all around Malawi. This will be the first band to be born in phalombe; and this is the reason I say l want to promote local and upcoming young artists in Phalombe and elsewhere,” Giboh said.
Apart from Giboh Pearson himself, Jetu, Jay Cee, Paul Subili, Joe Gwaladi and Nankhuni Kwambiri, will be main artists while B-Wizzy, Mach Zero, Primo, Wap G and Jay Nayah, as supporting artists to spice the Phalombe Muzik Band launch.
The young musician also thanked all his fans for giving him support on his music career.
James Juma Chitsonga, also known as Jay Cee, said he was prepared to give “a massive performance” and he promised music fans to expect, “nothing but great entertainment”
A fan of Giboh Pearson, Mtendele Gama, from Phalombe, said he is looking forward to the band launch, adding that this will be a great motivation to young and upcoming music artists.
Malawi to commemorate World Environment Day and Int’l Day for Biological Diversity
By Nellie Nyirenda
Blantyre, June 2, Mana; Ministry of Natural Resources and Climate Change will host a joint commemoration of World Environment Day and the International Day for Biological Diversity on June 5 at Chongole Primary School grounds in Nkhotakota under the local theme: Harmony with Nature: End Plastic Pollution for Sustainable Development.
According to a statement signed by the Secretary for Natural Resources and Climate Change, Yusuf Mkungula, the joint theme reflects Malawi’s urgent call to restore the balance between human development and the environment by tackling the growing threats of plastic pollution and biodiversity loss.
“The Government of Malawi, through the Ministry of Natural Resources and Climate Change, is implementing several initiatives to restore ecosystems, promote biodiversity, and curb plastic pollution,” the statement reads.
The statement said the ministry is encouraging the public to reduce the use of single-use plastics, adopt reusable alternatives, and recycle plastics and other materials responsibly.
Social commentator, Wonderful Mkhutche, said the local theme is relevant as the day will help the country reflect how use of thin plastic is affecting the biodiversity.
He said the country should put in place systems that should protect the environment from non-environmental friendly practices, including use of the thin plastics.
WORI brings hope to girls in Thyolo
By Dalitso Kampira
Thyolo, June 2, Mana: In a district where 662 adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) underwent unsafe abortions between January and September 2024 alone, the story of one young woman from Traditional Authority (T/A) Bvumbwe puts a human face on a crisis many prefer to ignore.
Mary (not real name), 28, was devastated when her husband denied responsibility for her pregnancy, saying he was not ready since their first child was only three years old.
"He abandoned me to look after myself and the pregnancy,” she recounted.
Feeling trapped, Mary took abortion-inducing drugs and the results were instant and nerve-chilling: she collapsed and if it wasn’t for the swift action by her relatives, she could have been no more.
"But even then, upon discharge, the community fined me K100,000 for breaking local rules," she said.
Mary is just one among many. According to a recent assessment by the Women’s Rights Institute (WORI), the 662 unsafe abortion cases reported in Thyolo signal a growing challenge driven by limited access to Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services, stigma, and poor communication between parents and youth.
“These barriers are pushing girls toward unsafe decisions,” said WORI District Project Officer, Kuunika Kamende. “We are addressing this through a €30,000 project aimed at improving SRH access.”
Another 16-year-old girl from the area, Thoko (not her real name), became pregnant while still in school.
"At first, I feared that my dream of becoming a nurse was shattered. But after delivering my baby, my parents encouraged me to return to school.
“And thanks to the WORI SRHR project, I now understand how to protect myself. I have hope again,” said Thoko, beaming.
Similar sentiments were shared by Yulita Daudi from Chide Village. She described how poverty pushed her into prostitution at just 16 years old.
“I lacked school materials and parental guidance. I turned to sex work to survive,” she said.
Yulita’s turning point came when she was rescued by Lonely Mbalangwe, Chairperson of Kuunika Women Group under WORI and, now, she is back in school and rebuilding her life.
The project’s positive ripple effects have been felt across communities. Traditional Authority Bvumbwe praised WORI for its vital role in reducing early marriages and unsafe abortions, noting that the fear of penalties and rising awareness have influenced behavior change.
“Our girls are more informed now. They understand the consequences of their choices,” the chief said.
Susan Cement, Chairperson of a local mother group, echoed the praise, stating that before WORI came in, it was hard to access SRH services, unlike now when girls can seek help without shame.
According to Cement, the women even formed four groups to help keep girls in school,
“WORI’s efforts have not only improved access to services. but empowered the youth with knowledge,” she said, and continued: “Girls are now well-versed in contraceptive use, and they are actively avoiding risky behavior.”
Peer Educator Bridget Muhome from Group Village Headman Thunga said more initiatives are needed.
“We have made progress, but we must not stop here,” Muhome said.
According to WORI Programmes Officer, Chisomo Phaiya, the SRHR project successfully reached 1,500 AGYW in Thyolo.
“We are proud of the transformation we have seen. The project has phased out, but its impact will continue,” she said.
Thyolo’s Youth-Friendly Health Services Coordinator, Steve Dimba, underscored the importance of a united approach, noting that concerted efforts are needed to tackle issues of unsafe abortions.
“The health sector alone cannot solve this. We need joint efforts to expand youth-friendly services and eliminate the root causes of unsafe abortions,” he said.
As the statistics show, and personal stories reveal, Thyolo is at a crossroads. But through the work of organizations like WORI and the courage of girls who choose to rise above their circumstances, there is hope for a future where every young woman is safe, informed, and empowered.
National youth Summit preparations at an advanced stage
By Austine Kananji
Lilongwe, June 2, Mana: National Youth Council of Malawi (NYCOM) says 2025 National Youth Summit preparations are at an advanced stage.
The event is scheduled to take place at Bingu International Conference Centre (BICC) from the 2nd to the 4th of July.
Speaking during a press briefing held at BICC on Monday, Executive Director of NYCOM, Rex Chapota says the 2025 Summit is on and the preparations are going well adding the event has received an overwhelming response from the youth nationwide and that some partners have committed to support the summit.
“15 partners have committed to support the budget of the summit, and also the confirmation from President Lazarus Chakwera to grace the summit is a great encouragement to the youth agenda of this nation.
“The summit will be an engine for inclusive development, economic empowerment and social cohesion of young people,” Chapota said.
Youth key staff member championing the issues of the National Youth Summit, Doreen Chilije, said in the upcoming summit she expects to have a voicing platform and get a response from relevant authorities.
This year's National Youth Summit will be held under the theme of Harnessing Youth Innovation for Economic Empowerment and Sustainable Job Creation Towards Malawi 2063.
The theme re-enforces the central role of young people in driving innovation, economic transformation and job creation to achieve Malawi`s long-term vision of becoming a self-reliant inclusive.
