By Patience Longwe

Lilongwe, April 30, Mana: The Malawi Electroral Commission (MEC) has developed a comprehensive Election Dispute Resolution (EDR) framework to enhance the management and resolution of electoral complaints, petitions and disputes ahead of the 2025 general election.

Speaking during a press briefing on Wednesday at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC), Chairperson for the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), Anabel Mtalimanja said the framework aims to strengthen Malawi's electoral dispute resolution mechanism, ensuring they are effective, functional and responsive to electoral realities.

"The framework incorporates both mechanisms provided for under electoral laws and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods, promoting efficiency and flexibility in resolving disputes" she said.

She added that the MEC will collaborate with other relevant institutions to resolve disputes beyond its jurisdiction, ensuring that all electoral grievances are effectively addressed.

"The Commission remains committed to transparency and stakeholder engagement, encouraging leaders to seek clarification directly from the MEC whenever in doubt," she said.

Ntalimanja has urged political leaders and social media influencers to exercise caution and responsibility in their public statements relating to the electoral process.

" It is important to refrain from making unverified claims and spreading misinformation, which can erode public trust in democratic institutions," she emphasized.

She, therefore, encouraged all stakeholders to engage constructively, communicate responsibly and uphold the value that bind the nation together.

The development of the EDR framework is a significant step towards promoting electoral integrity and stability in Malawi. By working together, the MEC and stakeholders can ensure that the 2025 general election is conducted in a free, fair, and transparent manner.

By Robert Nayeja

Nsanje, April 30, Mana: Traditional leaders in Nsanje have noted that Members of Parliament in the district often fail to fulfill their campaign promises due to a lack of coordination with community-level development structures.

Traditional Authority Nyachikadza made the remarks on Tuesday at Red Valley Lodge, where the Women’s Legal Resources Centre (WORLEC) and Oxfam engaged traditional and faith leaders in Nsanje in discussions on social accountability and peaceful electoral processes ahead of the September 16 elections.

Nyachikadza said most members of parliament work with political structures once voted thereby ignoring development structures.

“As a result, community involvement in Constituency Development Fund (CDF) projects is minimal and there is no transparency,” he added.

He said the development structures are better placed to identify the needs of the people as compared to political structures.

Group Village Head Nyanthumbi from Senior Chief Tengani also observed that some areas within constituencies are more developed than others, attributing this disparity to Members of Parliament neglecting areas where they did not receive strong voter support.

“This is worrisome because people are denied the most needed development infrastructures or attention simply because they did not give more votes to the member of parliament,” he added.

WOLREC Programmes Officer, Ireen Mtonga said the meeting drew all nine traditional authorities and one key faith leader to a dialogue on social accountability in their respective areas.

Mtonga added that many communities have expressed concerns about their Members of Parliament failing to deliver on campaign promises, noting that the dialogue aimed to offer solutions to these community concerns.

“We also encourage community leaders to support women, youths and people with disability as Malawi prepares for general elections in September," she added.

Nsanje District Commissioner, Dominic Mwandira said the engagement was crucial as it will help the district to hold peaceful elections.

He therefore urged traditional and faith leaders at the meeting to promote peace in their respective communities.

With funding from the European Union, WOLREC and Oxfam are implementing a project on; Promoting Gender Transformative and Youth Inclusive Democracy in Malawi.

The EU funded project aims at promoting inclusion of women, youth, and marginalized groups to meaningfully participate in political and decision-making structures and processes.

By Prisca Promise Mashushu

Lilongwe, April 30, Mana: The Media Institute of Southern African (MISA) Malawi Chapter has expressed gratitude towards the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) for it’s financial contribution towards 2024 World Press Freedom Day which will take place in Mzuzu on May 3.

Speaking during the sponsorship handover at Msonkho house in Blantyre on Wednesday, MISA Malawi National Governing Council member, Chikondi Kasambara, explained that the support will enable them reward excellence in business reporting which is crucial for the development of the country.

“This support is directed towards this year’s commemoration of World Press Freedom Day, which will be held in Mzuzu under the theme ‘Media for an Informed Electorate’. By selecting this theme, MISA Malawi acknowledges the significant role that media plays in an election year.

“In the time when the role of the media is more critical than ever, your generous contributions will facilitate this crucial gathering but also empower the media in Malawi to continue its vital work. Your belief in our mission reinforces the importance of a free and independent press, essential for a well-informed electorate and a thriving democracy,” she explained.

She further acknowledged MRA’s unwavering support and commitment to the principles of press freedom and responsible journalism saying it has been instrumental in making World Press Freedom Day celebrations in Malawi a resounding success.

MRA Acting Head of Corporate Affairs, Wilma Chalulu explained that through accurate and fact based journalism, the public can truly appreciate and understand issues concerning the institution thereby promoting good relationship among the two.

“To support the day and the role MISA Malawi has, MRA continues to invest in the media by holding annual tax training workshops designed to equip journalists with knowledge required to report accurately and confidently on tax, fiscal policy, and economic governance.

“We view our relationship with the media as a strategic alliance, one rooted in our core values, fairness, integrity, service excellence, and transparency,” she added.

By Yankho Kandio

Salima, April 30, Mana: The Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) on Tuesday emphasized on the importance of building resilient communities through capacity building and sharing of risk information to communities.

The sentiments were made during a capacity building of officials from Salima District Council and stakeholders on a project called Risk-Informed Development for Resilience (RID4R), marking a significant step towards enhancing disaster preparedness and resilience at the local level.

Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Director for Resilience Development at DoDMA, Heston Manjoka said the RID4R Project replaces the previous DRM4R initiative, shifting focus from infrastructure development to capacity building within councils and communities.

“This new project is largely focused on the software part, building capacity of councils and addressing gaps identified in the implementation of the previous DRM4R project,” he said.

Manjoka said Salima was selected among the five councils including Dedza, Nkhotakota, Mzuzu and Zomba Cities due to its vulnerability and limited partner presence in disaster risk management.

“We want to level the playing field so that less-recognized districts like Salima also have the same capacity and information as areas that receive more attention, such as Nsanje or Phalombe," he added.

He said Salima will also benefit from the national multi-hazard risk assessment, allowing the district to identify and address its own specific risks.

Director of Agricultural Services, Enford Kanyimbo emphasized on the importance of the RID4R Project in bridging information gaps and ensuring inclusive participation.

“This project is here to make sure risk information is made available to communities; Salima has 12 Traditional Authorities (TAs), but only two will initially be covered. It’s our responsibility to ensure that all stakeholders in the district are engaged and informed," he said.

District Disaster Risk Management Officer for Salima welcomed the initiative, citing the district’s exposure to multiple hazards.

“Salima is prone to flash floods, dry spells, strong winds, and outbreaks of pests and diseases,” she said. “We are ready to implement this project to strengthen the capacity of our communities in disaster preparedness and resilience.

The RID4R Project is expected to transform disaster risk management at the grassroots level by decentralizing planning and empowering communities with relevant data and tools to mitigate and respond to disasters more effectively.

The total budget for the RID4R is USD2.7 Million (Approximately MK4.7 Billion), funded by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government and is designed to be flexible so that additional resources can be mobilized during the four-year period.

By Patience Longwe

Lilongwe, April 30, Mana: The Minister of Mining, Kenneth Zikhale Ng'oma has outlined plans to transform the sector through legislative reforms to increase transparency and investment in technology.

In his remarks on Tuesday during the closing day of the 2025 Malawi Mining Investment Forum, Ng'oma emphasized the importance of a robust regulatory framework to ensure proper management of the mining sector.

"We need to be transparent and accountable in the mining sector by including the involvement of the Malawi stock exchange in the announcement of mineral discoveries.

“It is also important to establish a clean laboratory to prevent the smuggling of mineral samples and ensure that Malawi has control over its own resources," he said.

Ng’oma also pledged to introduce tougher laws to regulate the mining sector, ensuring that investors add value to Malawi’s minerals locally rather than exporting raw materials.

He, therefore, revealed plans to investigate past mining contracts to ensure that they are fair and beneficial to Malawi.

"This move aims to protect the country's resources and promote a win-win situation for all parties involved," he said.

The government’s vision for the mining sector emphasizes the importance of transparency, accountability, and responsible investment.

"By implementing reforms, Malawi aims to maximize the benefits of its mineral wealth and promote sustainable economic development," he said.

By Wongani Mkandawire

Nkhotakota, April 30, Mana: African Parks which manages Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve, says it collected a total revenue of about K106 million last year from the tourism area.

This was disclosed on Tuesday during the park's 18^th Joint Liaison Committee meeting held in Nkhotakota district council chamber, involving District Commissioners, Chiefs, and other stakeholders from Kasungu, Ntchisi, Nkhotakota, and Mzimba districts, which surround the reserve.

Park Manager, David Nangoma, said this is attributed to more local and international tourists that are visiting the reserve since additional animal species were translocated into the reserve.

“Traffic to the reserve increased since we added additional animals, and this has positively increased the turnout of tourists, both local and international,” said Nangoma.  

Chairperson of the joint liaison committee, Inkosi Khonsolo of Mzimba District, said the meeting was crucial as it served as a platform for Africa Parks and the various stakeholders to report on progress made in the implementation of various initiatives, challenges faced, and possible solutions moving forward.

Meanwhile, Nkhotakota District Commissioner, Ben Matengeni Tohno, has commended African Parks for its continued commitment to wildlife conservation, saying thriving tourism activities in the reserve shall enable the council to move Nkhotakota from a Boma to a tourism city.

“We embrace African Parks and provide them with the necessary support so that they are successful in pushing the tourism agenda of the local authority, which we believe will help Nkhotakota District become a tourism city in the future,” added Tonho.

By Wongani Mkandawire

Nkhotakota, April 30, Mana: Malawi Economic Justice Network (MEJN) on Tuesday donated to Chididi Mother Group and Our Hope Youth Club in Nkhotakota district six sewing machines and other related accessories to aid them in their various activities relating to the communities they serve.

Coordinator for MEJN, Mike Mpanda, said the donations were made in consideration of the charity work that the two groups have been doing in collaboration with MEJN in climate resilience and afforestation program.

Mpanda said that they learnt that the groups needed the materials to aid them in their other activities like vocational training and carpentry needs.

“The two groups have been involved in a lot of charity work, and we felt they needed a boost in activities that help them raise funds to support the work that they do. That is why we thought of donating the sewing machines and carpentry equipment as the best way to support them,” said Mpanda.

District Youth Officer, Aberson Mwale called on the beneficiaries of the materials to manage them with care and ensure they reap lasting impacts from the donation.

He bemoaned the tendency of failure to maintain the donations and wait for continued handouts in the management of these donations, which he said would lead to losses.

Elizabeth Chilonda, Chairlady of the Chididi Mother Group, expressed immense gratitude for the donation, saying they are overjoyed as it will enhance their efforts to support the community. The donation will enable them to provide school uniforms and sanitary pads to underprivileged girls more effectively. She added that the arrival of the machines will boost their capacity for mass production, allowing them to reach even more beneficiaries.

By Rosalia Kapiri

Lilongwe, April 30, Mana: The Government of Malawi has officially launched the 2025/2026 Community Development Month (CDM) initiative, reigniting the self-help spirit among Malawians and empowering communities to take charge of their development through collaboration, mindset change, and local resource mobilization.

In a press briefing held on Wednesday at the Ministry of Gender in Lilongwe, Minister of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, Jean Sendeza, officially launched the 2025/2026 Community Development Month (CDM) implementation season, emphasizing the government’s renewed commitment to grassroots-driven development and reduced dependency.

“I am pleased to be part of the Government of Malawi’s commission on the implementation of Community Development Map (CDM) initiatives. This initiative is designed to build capacity in our communities to meaningfully participate in development efforts that directly benefit them,” said Sendeza.

Established in April 2023 and formally launched in November 2024 alongside the National Community Development Policy (2024–2030), the CDM initiative promotes a spirit of self-reliance in line with Malawi’s Vision 2063, particularly under the Human Capital Development and Mindset Change enabler.

Sendeza highlighted the worrying decline of community ownership and participation in development work over the years.

“The self-help spirit has declined substantially with the rise of the dependency syndrome. People now wait for money or aid before taking part in projects like road maintenance, school construction, or sanitation,” she noted.

She further pointed out that uncoordinated efforts by stakeholders have confused communities and led to inefficient use of resources.

“Some organizations entice communities with incentives, while others rely on voluntary participation. This inconsistency hampers sustainability,” she said.

The CDM initiative seeks to reverse this trend by fostering coordination among stakeholders and encouraging communities to contribute resources — including labor, materials, and funds — toward local projects. Over 4,600 projects have been completed since the pilot phase began in 2021, including school blocks, bridges, health shelters, and sanitation facilities.

In the upcoming 2025–2026 fiscal year, communities across the country have already planned more than 4,500 projects.

“This proves that the self-help spirit is being adopted,” said Sendeza.

To ensure the success of CDM, the government has empowered the Ministry to work with other key sectors including the Ministry of Information, Civic Education and Digitalization, and the Ministry of Local Government. Together, they will spearhead awareness campaigns, establish partnerships with NGOs and development partners, and enforce quality and standards in implementation.

“This is a reform area where no one is left behind,” declared Sendeza. “The Community Development Month is helping us rediscover and harness the lost glory of self-help by empowering communities to take charge of their development.”

She concluded with a strong call to action: “I therefore call upon all stakeholders to join hands. Let us entrench the spirit of self-help and achieve the noble goals of Malawi 2063.”