MANAonline
MANAD to open a sign language training centre in Nkhata Bay
By Chisomo Kambandanga
Nkhata Bay, October 21, Mana: Acting Director of Malawi National Association of the Deaf (MANAD), Malonje Phiri has said the organization plans to open a sign language training centre in Nkhata Bay to address challenges encountered by deaf children in the district.
She was speaking on Monday in Nkhata Bay when she closed a three-day training for parents and Nkhata Bay District Council officials on sign language.
Phiri said that most teachers and other stakeholders in delivery service setups cannot communicate through sign language, hence the idea to open the centre.
"We have trained various government departments such as Health, Education and Police on how they can serve the deaf through effective reciprocal communication.
We, therefore, invite those interested to attend sign language classes once the centre is opened next year so that we minimize communication barriers with deaf people," said Phiri.
Chairperson of Parents of the Deaf in Nkhata-Bay, Jonathan Hara commended MANAD for the training.
“We are however waiting for the centre to be opened as this initiative will ensure that our children access education, health and other social services that will make them become reliable citizens of this country, " Hara added.
Director of Administration for Nkhata Bay District Council, James Tembo said the training has been an eye opener to many, attributing to be a catalyst towards achieving inclusive development.
Climate Smart Public Works Hypes Up in Nkhotakota
By Wongani Mkandawire
Nkhotakota, October 21, Mana: Communities in Nkhotakota say Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Program (CSEPWP) has improved livelihoods and restored the environment, benefiting them in return.
Speaking to Malawi news agency on Monday, Weluzani Jolamu from Kwenda village in Bua catchment in the district says money earned from the program has been a lifeline for his family over the years.
"This money from Climate Smart Works has allowed us to meet our basic needs and even start saving for the future," he explained.
Jolamu added that in addition to the financial benefits, the CSEWP has also had a positive impact on the environment. The project also emphasizes on forest management efforts and has resulted in increased access to firewood and shade around their villages.
Eliza Phiri from Chilingali catchment says the benefits are huge and that her community appreciates works like gully reclamation and the creation of water harvesting swales which were unknown to them but now they depend on these methods during farming to yield bumper harvests.
District Community Development Officer for Nkhotakota, Ellina Lukasi emphasized the importance of the CSEWP as a component of the social support for resilient program that has empowered communities to take ownership of their development and improve their livelihoods and resilience to climate change behaviors.
“This program is a shining example of how communities can address both economic and environmental challenges around them. By providing financial support, promoting sustainable land management practices, and fostering community empowerment, the government is through the program, making a lasting impact on the lives of people in the district,” added Lukasi.
Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Program is part of the social support for resilient livelihood program funded by the World Bank and multi-donor trust fund.
NICE rallies youths to register for 2025 elections
By Wanangwa Tembo
Kasungu, October 21, Mana: National Initiative for Civic Education (Nice) Public Trust Programmes Officer for Kasungu, Pilirani Chaguza has appealed to youths in the district to register in large numbers so that they vote in the next year’s general elections slated for September 16, 2025.
The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has started the first of the three-phased voter registration and in Kasungu; the exercise is scheduled to be conducted from 9 to 22 November.
Speaking Sunday during an awareness and sensitization rally at Kamphungu in Kasungu West Constituency, Chaguza said the forthcoming elections are a chance the youths must utilise this exercise to shape the future they desire to have.
“Voting is one of the rare moments that guarantee citizen participation in shaping the democratic destiny of a nation. This is your chance as youth to take part in making a very important decision for your country.
“Remember that the more people participate in elections, the stronger the mandate that is given to those elected as leaders, and the more confidence and trust given to them and the systems they operate under. So we must register and vote,” Chaguza said.
He said the new electoral laws demand that a person must register with the National Registration Bureau to qualify as a voter hence asked the youths to make sure they register for citizen identification.
Chaguza also sounded a warning against the perpetuation of violence, calling for peace and tolerance in all the stages of the elections.
“We must refrain from being used as agents of violence. Youths must be champions of peace,” he said.
Speaking earlier, Group Village Head Serenje encouraged women and girls to go beyond mere voting, urging them to contest as candidates so that they acquire leadership positions.
“For girls and women, your participation in elections must not be limited to voting. This is our opportunity to also contest as candidates,” he said.
Serenje said traditional leaders have a big role in ensuring that there is peace in the electoral process hence asked his fellow chiefs to champion political tolerance.
MEC is conducting voter registration in three phases from 21 October to 11 December this year and NICE is mobilising people for the exercise.
MEJN trains media practitioners on social accountability and protection programmes
By Ernest Mfunya
Mangochi, October 21, Mana: Malawi Economic Justice Network (MEJN) over the weekend trained Mangochi-based media practitioners to build their capacity so that they should ably inform, educate and communicate to people in the rural areas about issues to do with social accountability and social protection programmes.
MEJN, Programmes Coordinator, Mike Banda said journalists should always play a crucial role in reaching out to citizens with adequate information on governance and other issues of national importance so they should demand their rights from duty bearers who should be accountable to the citizens.
Banda said this during a one-day training workshop in Mangochi where MEJN tackled, media ethics and how best the media can come up with programmes that should help citizens participate in various social protection programmes the government implements.
“Malawi moved from a time of one media house. We now have a lot of media houses and practitioners, as such, we organized the training workshop to discuss media ethics and how best media practitioners can come up with programmes that should help communities to participate in various development activities,” he added.
Banda said that media has the potential to reach out to rural masses who mostly participate in social protection programmes.
In his remarks, National Director of Media Institute for Southern Africa (MISA) Malawi Chapter, Aubrey Chikungwa appealed to the media practitioners to play an advocacy role to push for positive change by engaging policy makers to exercise transparency and accountability for socio-economic development.
According to Chikungwa, MISA Malawi is expected to roll out a project that focuses on raising community awareness of development projects taking place in rural areas to track progress, including a project involving community radio stations.
One of the participants, a producer at Umoyo Community Radio Station, Daniel Jackson, commended MEJN for organizing the training saying it was insightful, as it will help the media practitioners produce programmes that will inform citizens in rural areas on governance, transparency and accountability on social protection programmes.
"The workshop was insightful as we gained knowledge on how to produce programmes that can help inform communities about various government programs so that they understand what is happening in their community. This will help them to hold duty bearers accountable on various issues," he added.
Government is currently implementing various social protection interventions such as Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP) and Malawi Watershed Services Improvement Project (MWASIP) and Climate Smart-Enhanced Public Works Programme (CS-EPWP)
MEJN is implementing the project in Mangochi called Fighting Inequalities with technical and financial support from NORAD, the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation through Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) and Danish Church Aid (DCA)
The project seeks to reduce economic and social inequalities by enhancing citizens' participation in policy-making processes.
Mangochi District Council launches participatory forest management plans
By Lyte Ali
Mangochi, October 20, Mana: Mangochi District Council has launched a participatory forest management plan to take communities on board in planning and implementation of strategies that will help to bring back forest cover thereby protecting biodiversity for communities improve livelihood
The launch took place over the weekend at Mtakataka Community ground at Traditional Authority Chowe. Senior Chief Chowe welcomed the participatory forest management plan, saying this was the right approach to preserving the remaining forest and recovering lost forest cover in the district.
He said forest management was a collective responsibility, adding that community participation through enforcement of bylaws was an important measure to address deforestation.
Senior Chief Chowe said bylaws and other Acts will surely bring perpetrators to book and further appealed to fellow chiefs in the district to exercise their authority by being at the forefront of enforcing bylaws so that their subordinate chiefs and subjects are environmentally conscious and responsible enough in conserving and protecting forests
"Let us take ownership of our forests and work together to preserve them for future generations. As chiefs, we must help to sensitize our subordinates to recognize the value of our forests beyond just timber and charcoal,
“Forests also provide us with clean air, water, and food. It is our duty to protect them,” Chowe said as he addressed those who attended the launch.
He warned that those found cutting down trees irresponsibly will face consequences, emphasizing the need for collective action against all human activities that destroy forests, citing encroachment into protected forests and village forest areas for charcoal and timber production.
Speaking at the event, Assistant District Forest Officer at Mangochi District Council, Mangochi, Mary Kamanga said that the district intends to empower local communities to manage their forests effectively, ensuring tree regeneration and conservation of natural resources.
She explained that participatory plans will guide community-level forest management structures in sustainable forest management and utilization.
“Many forests in the district have been heavily depleted, leading to numerous problems, including loss of livelihoods. As such, through the participatory plans, in the next five years we want to recover all community forests with more trees, both through natural tree regeneration and new plantings," Kamanga said.
Mangochi District Council, Chairperson, Councilor Abdullah Yusuf hailed the initiative, saying this was crucial measure to conserve the environment in line with Malawi’s development aspirations.
To deal with land degradation the council chair added that communities should be responsible enough to conserve the forests for numerous benefits.
Policewomen network donates to learners
By Richard Kagunda
Kasungu, October 20, Mana: Central East Police Region Women Network has donated various items to Chilanga Inclusive Primary School in the area of Senior Chief Kaomba in Kasungu District as part of Mother's Day celebrations.
Speaking in an interview after donating, Liness Kamanga, Chairperson of the group, said they decided to celebrate Mother's Day by doing some charity that would bring smiles to the faces of the needy learners at the school.
"We thought it wise to spare our time and come here to donate the items to the learners so they feel some motherly love from us. We are police officers but also mothers because we are women and feel like it is also our duty to give the little we have to the learners.
"We know that what we brought here today is not enough to cover the gap because these learners need more stuff but we hope they will be assisted in the meantime," Kamanga said.
The donated items worth K1.5 million included maize, soya pieces, plates, sugar, salt and soap.
Commissioner of Police responsible for Central Eastern Region, Rhoda Manjolo encouraged the learners to work hard in class for them to fulfill their dreams despite facing challenges.
"We know that you face countless challenges during your studies but I urge you to remain strong and always aim at achieving your dreams.
"In the police service we have officers with albinism who accomplished their mission because they worked hard in school and that is just one example to let you know that you can be whoever you want to become in life if you work hard in school," Manjolo said.
Head teacher for the school, Chicco Kamphandila expressed gratitude to the women's group for the donation.
"We are very grateful for what policewomen have done because we lack a lot of things at our school and this donation has come in time.
"We urge more well-wishers to emulate this good gesture. Let them come around and donate items to our learners. We need desks as well as teaching and learning materials," Kamphandila said.
Chilanga Inclusive Primary School was established in 1954 by the Dutch Reformed Church with the name Chilanga School for the Blind but is now under the Church of Central African Presbyterian (CCAP) Nkhoma Synod.
Government to reach more Malawians with MAREP
By Andrew Mkonda
Lilongwe, October 20, Mana: Minister of Energy Ibrahim Matola says government will continue connecting electricity to many trading centres across the country through the Malawi Rural Electrification Program (MAREP), as one way of improving livelihoods.
Matola made the assurance on Saturday at Kacheta Trading Centre in the area of Traditional Authority Chadza in Lilongwe during the commissioning of MAREP phase 9 electricity at Kacheta Trading Centre,
“Energy is the driver of the economy. It is an enabler; hence bringing electricity to this area is a milestone in transforming the livelihood. As you have also seen here, there is a historical Ngala mountain which will now be attracting people to see it, hence boosting the tourism sector,” he said.
Matola said it is President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera’s vision to see the lives of the people more especially those living in rural areas to access amenities aimed at transforming their lives.
Member of Parliament for Msozi North who is also Minister of Trade and Industry Sosten Gwengwe thanked the government for bringing electricity in the area which he said will boost small-scale business.
“I am so happy with this development. I want to assure people of this area that the government will continue to provide developments such as the construction of bridges, classroom blocks, clinics and many more,” he said.
One of the business people, Jonathan Malembo thanked the government for the initiative saying it will boost business activities in the area.
It is anticipated that 360 houses will be connected to electricity in the area.
Ministry of Energy targets 460 sites in MAREP phase 9 across the country and in the meantime it has managed to complete and commission 237 centres countrywide, representing 67 percent.
President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera commissioned the Malawi Rural Electrification Programme (MAREP) phase 9 on 24th September, 2024 in the area of Group Village Nguluwe under Traditional Authority Mbenje in Nsanje district.
Government to reach more Malawians with MAREP
By Andrew Mkonda
Lilongwe, October 20, Mana: Minister of Energy Ibrahim Matola says government will continue connecting electricity to many trading centres across the country through the Malawi Rural Electrification Program (MAREP), as one way of improving livelihoods.
Matola made the assurance on Saturday at Kacheta Trading Centre in the area of Traditional Authority Chadza in Lilongwe during the commissioning of MAREP phase 9 electricity at Kacheta Trading Centre,
“Energy is the driver of the economy. It is an enabler; hence bringing electricity to this area is a milestone in transforming the livelihood. As you have also seen here, there is a historical Ngala mountain which will now be attracting people to see it, hence boosting the tourism sector,” he said.
Matola said it is President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera’s vision to see the lives of the people more especially those living in rural areas to access amenities aimed at transforming their lives.
Member of Parliament for Msozi North who is also Minister of Trade and Industry Sosten Gwengwe thanked the government for bringing electricity in the area which he said will boost small-scale business.
“I am so happy with this development. I want to assure people of this area that the government will continue to provide developments such as the construction of bridges, classroom blocks, clinics and many more,” he said.
One of the business people, Jonathan Malembo thanked the government for the initiative saying it will boost business activities in the area.
It is anticipated that 360 houses will be connected to electricity in the area.
Ministry of Energy targets 460 sites in MAREP phase 9 across the country and in the meantime it has managed to complete and commission 237 centres countrywide, representing 67 percent.
President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera commissioned the Malawi Rural Electrification Programme (MAREP) phase 9 on 24th September, 2024 in the area of Group Village Nguluwe under Traditional Authority Mbenje in Nsanje district.
Thyolo District Agriculture Development Office launches agricultural trophy
By Ben Bamusi
Thyolo, October 20, Mana: Thyolo District Agriculture Development Office has launched a K12.6 million intra Extension Planning Area (EPA) Agricultural Trophy for Matapwata and Dwale EPAs.
The competition is meant to boost macadamia, fish and dairy farming as well as agroforestry among smallholder farmers in the area of Traditional Authority (TA) Boyd.
Speaking at the launch on Friday at Naveya Ground, Thyolo North Member of Parliament, Ephraim Nayeja, commended the initiative saying it will enhance productivity by encouraging farmers to adopt modern farming methods while embracing soil and water conservation for sustainable agriculture.
“Farmers will work in their farms competing and at the same time increasing their yield,” said Nayeja.
He urged government to introduce additional value chains and create market opportunities for farmers.
Thyolo District Chief Agriculture Officer, Mphatso Kafuwa, said the competition will reward farmers with farm inputs and technology thereby promoting agricultural innovation.
She called on stakeholders for financial support to sustain community led initiatives.
The initiative's pioneer TA Boyd explained that this begun in 2021 after observing low crop productivity due to poor farming methods and limited land.
“Since then, farmers have experienced improved yields and attained greater food security,” said Boyd.
Model farmer in banana, fish, and dairy farming, Charles Buledi, shared how farming has transformed his life, earning him about K400,000 per month from dairy farming thereby improving household income.
He encouraged other farmers to take farming as a business for improved livelihood profits.
Karonga business community wants to benefit from mining deals
By George Mponda
Karonga, October 20, Mana: Karonga based bussiness persons have asked the acting District Commissioner (DC) Frank Mkandawire to ensure that mining deals signed by the council should benefit those doing business around the district.
The business persons led by their Chairperson, Peter Ngwire Viyuyi said this, Saturday when they held an engagement meeting with the DC to air out their concerns over mining deals.
Addressing the meeting, Viyuyi said; "From previous experiences with companies which had mining deals in our district like Paladin, the business as well as the Karonga community in general did not benefit a lot.
"Now we have heard that Lotus Resources Limited will be reopening Kayelekera mine and we have seen coasters which have come from Lilongwe ferrying people to and from the mine so we are worried already because Karonga also has buses which can do this job."
He said they are also worried with the lack of Karonga based people who have so far been employed at Kayelekera Uranium Mine and demanded to know the contents of the Community Development Agreement (CDA).
In his response Mkandawire hailed the business people for choosing dialogue over conducting violent demonstrations.
"Indeed Lotus Resources Limited has taken over Kayelekera Uranium Mine and they will reopen it soon. The council held meetings with Lotus officials and we emphasised that the Karonga communities should benefit from this mine," he said.
"Currently, the company has signed a Mine Development Agreement with the Government of Malawi and the acting Director of Planning and Development at the council held meetings with their Community Engagement Officer who assured us that they will conduct separate meetings with various stakeholders like business people, journalists, Chiefs, Civil Society Organisations and Council Officials before signing the CDA."he added.
Mkandawire assured the business people and Karonga residents that all mining deals struck with the council will be transparent and beneficial to them.
Lotus currently holds an 85% interest in the project, with the Malawian government owning the remaining 15%. The mine’s majority ownership was previously held by Paladin Energy.
