MANAonline
WVM to distribute Likuni Phala to Karonga CBCCs
By Patience Harawa
Karonga, May 7, Mana: World Vision Malawi (WVM) is set to distribute 2,026 bags of Likuni Phala, weighing 5 kilograms each, to 41 Community Based Child Care Centres (CBCCs) across Karonga district in a bid to combat child hunger and improve nutrition.
According to WVM District Programmes Manager for Karonga, Hendrix Kalanje, the distribution exercise is part of the Enough Campaign, an initiative aimed at fighting child hunger and malnutrition.
Speaking during the symbolic handover ceremony held at WVM offices in Karonga on Tuesday, Kalanje emphasized the critical need to address malnutrition at an early age.
"The project will be implemented up to 2026 and we will be distributing 5 kilogram bags of fortified porridge, which will benefit hundreds of children, particularly in Lupembe and Mlare areas in the district."
“Malnutrition remains a major challenge in Karonga, affecting children's growth, cognitive development, and school readiness. This intervention is a step towards ensuring that children have the energy and nutrients they need to thrive,” Kalanje said.
District Commissioner (DC) for Karonga, Frank Mkandawire hailed WVM for support, calling it a timely response to food shortages that have hit the district due to prolonged dry spells that affected crop yield.
The DC, therefore, called for continued support from other organizations to ensure that all children in the district have access to food, underscoring the importance of collective efforts in addressing child hunger.
“No single organization can solve child hunger alone. We need strong collaboration among non-governmental organisations, government departments, traditional leaders, and community members. World Vision’s support is a clear example of what we can achieve when we work together,” Mkandawire said.
Project to reduce cholera mortality rate in Karonga
By George Mponda
Karonga, May 7, Mana: Amref Health Africa has launched Phase Two of its Cholera Response Project in Karonga, a four-month initiative aimed at reducing cholera-related deaths in the district, where seven fatalities and 66 cases have been recorded so far.
Presenting the project at a Public Health Emergency Management Committee (PHEMC) meeting Tuesday, Amref's Project Officer Daniel Nansongole said the project aims to eradicate the disease, which has wreaked havoc over the years, especially in border districts.
Nansongole said, “The main purpose of the project is to support the Ministry of Health (MoH) in the reduction of mortality rate as well as the spread of the Cholera pandemic in Malawi, specifically here in Karonga, where deaths and cases were reported."
"We will be supporting the District Health Office (DHO) in all the service delivery concerning the reduction of this pandemic in Karonga. The key stakeholders that will be involved in this project are the MoH themselves as well as the Public Health Institute of Malawi (PHIM), DHO and communities for this project to meet its goals," he added.
According to Nansongole, the project is funded by David lausai and the Placard Foundation through Armref's office in the United States of America to the tune of USD70 000 to implement this project in Karonga and Chitipa.
On his part, Director of Health Services for Karonga District Council, David Sibale expressed gratitude for the project, saying it has come at the right time since United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Cholera funded interventions had ceased.
"Since January, we have been complaining about the pull out of USAID which had crippled our interventions now that this project is coming in to support, we are grateful because it will help us to timely respond to some epidemics, which normally occur here in Karonga District," Sibale said.
Bartender arrested for wounding customer in Karonga
By George Mponda
Karonga, May 7, Mana: Police in Karonga have arrested Walinase Ng'ona, 36, who works as a bartender at Pa Paulo Bar around Ipyana in the district, for allegedly wounding 30-year-old Gift Msiska, who was a customer.
According to Karonga Police Station Public Relations Officer, Margret Msiska, the incident occurred on May 2, 2025 in the evening.
“It has been established that Msiska, in the company of three friends, was at a beer drinking joint when his friends left the place, Ng'ona stabbed Msiska with a broken bottle on the throat, at the back of the neck and head for reasons not yet known,” said Msiska
She said that the suspect then fled the scene and the victim was taken to Karonga District Hospital by a well-wisher, where he is still receiving medical attention.
According to the police spokesperson, Ng’ona was arrested on May 6 by community policing forum members who took him at Ipyana Mobile Police Camp before being taken to Karonga Police Station.
Ng'ona, who hails from Kwiyula Village, in the area of Paramount Chief Kyungu in Karonga, is expected to appear in court soon after completion of paperwork to answer a charge of unlawful wounding contrary to Section 241 of the Penal Code.
Two nabbed for possessing property suspected to have been stolen in Balaka
By Pickson Chipeso
Lilongwe, May 6, Mana: Police in Balaka have arrested two people for allegedly being found in possession of a motorcycle suspected of having been stolen.
According to Balaka Police Public Relations Officer, Gladson M'bumpha said the two, identified as James Akimu Umali aged 22 and Paul James, aged 27, were arrested on Tuesday afternoon of May 6, 2025, at Balaka Bus Depot in Balaka District.
M'bumpha said the arrest of the suspects followed a tip by a well-wisher that the two were possessing a motorcycle and were offering it for sale.
"Upon receipt of the report, Police Detectives from Balaka Police Station led by Inspector Ennaford Kammera followed the matter, leading to the arrest of the suspects in Balaka Bus Depot and the motorcycle was recovered.
"Meanwhile, investigations are in progress to trace the owner of the motorcycle," he said.
James Akimu Umali comes from Kachere Village in Traditional Authority Kachere in Dedza and Paul James comes from Kapalamula Village in Traditional Authority Nsamala in Balaka and they will appear before court soon to answer a charge of being found in possession of property suspected to have been stolen.
Africa to Embrace Science, Technology and Evidence-Informed
By Patience Longwe
Lilongwe, May 6, Mana: Minister of Higher Education Dr.Jessie Kabwila has called on African countries to fully embrace science, technology, innovation, and evidence-informed decision-making as essential pillars of development.
In her remarks at the 2025, Evidence for Development (Evi4Dev) conference in Nairobi, Kenya, Kabwila emphasized the need for African leaders and development stakeholders to take ownership of the continent's transformation agenda by investing in locally grounded solutions based on data and innovation.
“Africa is facing severe climate impacts, fragile health system, youth unemployment, rising debt, and diminishing international development finance.
“The continent has a lower higher education enrollment rate of just 9%, compared to a global average of 38%, and limited investment in research and development, standing at around 0.5% of GDP,” she said.
Kabwila also emphasized that data and evidence are essential for building institutions that deliver for the people and respond to their real needs.
“By embracing evidence-informed decision-making, Africans can create wealth and achieve responsive governance”, she said.
She, therefore, highlighted the need to address the gender and women's question, ensuring that development methods are engendered and inclusive.
"The future of Africa must be shaped by African knowledge, African solutions, and African resolve.
“Higher education is not just a path to jobs, it is the engine of Africa's development,” said Kabwila.
The Evi4Dev Conference brings together researchers, policymakers, development agencies, and civil society leaders from across the continent and beyond to discuss the role of data, evidence, and innovations in Africa's development.
Amref Health Africa embarks on Cholera response project in Chitipa
By Aliko Munde
Chitipa, May 6, Mana: Amref Health Africa has introduced a four-month Cholera response project in Chitipa District.
Speaking Tuesday when he briefed Chitipa District Health Management Committee and Public Health Emergency Management Committee, Project Manager for Amref Health Africa, responsible for Cholera Response Project Phase 2, Young Samanyika, said the project seeks to prevent future Cholera outbreaks in the district.
Samanyika said the intervention is aligned to Malawi National Cholera Plan (NCP) and the Health Sector Strategic Plan III (HSSP III).
He said, among others, the project aims at enhancing the district's capacity in preparing and handling public health emergencies.
“This project will run for four months but we appreciate that there are also other public priorities such as MPox at the moment and we will take advantage of the resources meant for this project to control MPox,” said Samanyika.
Director of Health and Social Services for Chitipa District Council, Dr. Jollings Kasondo, described the project as timely when the district is struggling with a spate of Cholera outbreaks.
"We are very grateful for this project as it will contribute to enhance disease surveillance,” said Kasondo.
The district has since September 16, 2024 reported 62 Cholera cases with two deaths.
The US$ 100,000 (approximately K175 million) project is funded by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation through Centre for Disease Control (CDC) and will be implemented in Chitipa and Karonga districts.
Nkhata Bay District Council provides relief food to disaster survivors
By Janet Masamba
NKhata Bay, May 6, Mana: Nkhata Bay District Council on Tuesday distributed bags of maize to 50 households, which were affected by heavy rainstorm, which hit the district since Saturday damaging houses and property.
According to Spokesperson for Nkhata Bay District Council, Chisomo Kambandanga, the affected households are located in various areas under Senior Chief Mkumbira in the district.
Kambandanga said the initiative aims at mitigating some of the challenges that affected households are facing as they strive to cope up with the situation and return to normal life.
"Upon receiving reports of the damage, we conducted an assessment and verification exercise and established that about 50 households were affected in this area.
“These households had their houses damaged and lost food stuff in the process, hence the intervention through which we are providing a 50 kilogram bag of maize, plastic pails and plates,” said Kambandanga.
He said the Council also received reports of damaged crop fields from the areas of senior chiefs Timbiri and Mkumbira, traditional authorities Fukamalaza and Kabunduli and results on the extent of the damage would be released soon.
One of the beneficiaries of the relief food, Magret Mkandawire, was thankful to the Council for turning to their rescue.
Another beneficiary, Robert Msiska, commended the Council for the intervention, saying the maize would help sustain food supply during the difficult time.
Chairperson for Mkumbira Area Development Committee, Mavuto Kaunda, said the support will go a long way in helping the affected households recover from the devastating effects of the disaster.
MRCS flag week to mobilize resources for disaster response
By Lesnat Kenan
Lilongwe, May 7, Mana: Malawi Red Cross Society Director of Programs and Development, Gloria Kunyenga, has announced that the Society will conduct a Flag Week aimed at mobilizing resources to respond to different disasters that happen in the country.
She made the remarks at the Central Office of Information in Lilongwe on Tuesday during a press briefing.
"It is a week that aims at mobilizing resources to help the Society carry out its work throughout the country.
“We are going to roll out activities such as blood donation to raise money to support us covering some issues such as transport when distributing items to vulnerable communities,” she added.
She said the funds raised will also support government's efforts in responding to disasters in a timely and efficient manner.
She further said that although the Society receives support from different donors and partners, the money raised serves as a startup in responding to emergencies.
The society is expecting to raise at least K200 million during the Flag Week.
Malawi has been experiencing different emergencies such as floods, drought and COVID-19.
Kunyenga, therefore, expressed gratitude to President Dr Lazarus Chakwera, who is MRCS patron for his support to the society.
The flag week will be held from May 8 to May 17, 2025 under the theme "On the side of Humility".
President Chakwera is expected to launch the flag week on Thursday at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe.
Malawi, UAE sign MOU on mining, education, diplomacy and trade
By sheminah Nkhoma
Lilongwe, May 6, Mana: Malawi and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on mining, trade, education and diplomatic training as one way of strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries.
President Dr Lazarus Chakwera and Deputy Prime Minister, who is also Minister of Foreign Affairs of UAE, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, witnessed the signing on Tuesday at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe.
Speaking after the signing of the agreements, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nancy Tembo, said the MoU signifies Malawi’s 2063 for the country to have a stable economic growth.
She said, Malawi and UEA have good relations from which the two countries would benefit from each other.
“The President has been engaging with different countries on how they can develop this country; so, the signing of these agreements shows the commitment which the President has to make Malawi a better country,” she said.
Tembo further stated that government will ensure that all these MoUs are properly worked out on ground not just on paper.
The visit of the Prime Minister follows President Chakwera's trip to the UEA last year.
While in UAE Chakwera engaged with various government officials where he took advantage of the discussions to sell the Agriculture, Tourism and Mining (ATM) strategy to them.
UAE's economy is the 3rd largest in the Middle East with a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of US$415 billion.
Court adjourns Kaliati’s case
By Santos Zefania
Lilongwe, May 6, Mana: The Lilongwe Chief Resident Magistrate Court has adjourned to May 26, 2025, the case involving Patricia Kaliati, an advisor to the United Transformation Movement (UTM) President. Kaliati is facing charges of conspiring to assassinate President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera.
In an interview on Tuesday in Lilongwe, Chief Resident Magistrate Austin Banda said the state has brought forward 15 witnesses, two of whom have already testified, while the remaining are expected to do so on May 26, when the case has been adjourned.
“The first witness’s testimony was found lacking in credibility, as the court noted the individual appeared to be aligned with the accused and therefore may not have been truthful,” said Banda. “However, the second witness provided credible evidence, having recorded a conversation with Kaliati during a meeting at her residence in Area 44.”
Additionally, Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officer McLucky Kamphandila, who testified as the second witness on behalf of the state prosecutor, stated that in mid-October 2024, he received information alleging that a group of individuals, led by Patricia Kaliati, were plotting to assassinate President Lazarus Chakwera.
Kamphandila revealed that Patricia Kaliati had close proximity to President Lazarus Chakwera, as they were part of the same government, which, in his view, could have made it easier to carry out an assassination. After following up on the matter and finding the information credible, he summoned Kaliati to his superior, where she was alleged to have planned the assassination between February and June 2024, in Area 44, where she resides.
Kaliati, who is currently out on bail, pleaded not guilty on April 8 to charges of conspiring to assassinate President Chakwera. She was arrested in October 2024 in connection with the alleged plot.
