By Lesnat Kenan

Lilongwe, May 12, Mana: Minister of Agriculture, Sam Kawale, has described the 7^th Africa-Wide Agricultural Extension Week (AAEW) Malawi 2025 as a landmark event that will help transform Malawi’s economy by fostering collaboration and partnerships among stakeholders across the agricultural value chain.

He made the remarks during the opening of the 7th Africa Wide Extension Week Malawi 2025, on Monday at Crossroads Hotel in Lilongwe.

"The event is a platform for developing knowledge and skills related to the rebranding of extension services and discussing key policy issues affecting Agricultural Extension Advisory Services (AEAS).

"The goal is to share ideas how we can help our extension workers as well as extension services to develop agriculture sector,” he stated.

Kawale further explained that he is pleased that Malawi is taking a bold step in transforming the agriculture sector by having new agriculture advisory policy and embracing the use of technology for increased productivity and commercialization as aligned with the Malawi 2063 vision.

He also said that Malawi is eager to learn from other countries in order to have an inclusive agriculture sector.

The Minister further praised the organizing committee, sponsors and development partners for organizing this year's AAEW.

In his remarks, MAFAAS Board Chairman, Charles Masangano, expressed his gratitude to Malawi's government Minister of Agriculture and the organizing committee for the support to this year's AAEW.

He said the event is an important platform for learning from professionals and building relationship with investors for a better Malawi.

The AAEW has brought together various players in the agriculture sector, including government officials, policy makers, agricultural extension professionals, researchers, private sectors representatives, development partners and farmers.

The event is organized by the Malawi government in collaboration with the African Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (AFAAS) and the Malawi Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (MAFAAS) and it will be held from 12 to 16 May, 2025.

The theme for this year's AAEW  2025 is "Rebranding Extension for Enhanced Public /Private Sector Driven Commercialization, Industrialization, and Inclusive Food Systems".

By Sheminah Nkhoma

Mchinji, May 12, Mana: President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera has emphasised the importance of having more nurses and midwives as they contribute to the health care of many Malawians.

Speaking on Monday during the Commemoration of International Nurses Day at Nkhwazi Admarc Ground in Mchinji, Chakwera appreciated the efforts which nurses put to help people in different hospitals across the nation.

He said the government is constructing over 200 health posts to improve access to healthcare services in rural areas, which will also contribute to job creation.

“As government we are proud of having our nurses and midwives in our hospitals because our country cannot go forward without your health support,” he noted.

Chakwera further stated that the government will continue to support nurses by providing quality education to ensure the country has well-trained and experienced healthcare professionals.

“People in rural communities should have access to quality education, as such we are working on having good nursing facilities where people will be trained and educated so that they provide better health services,” said Chakwera.

President of National Organisation of Nurses and Midwives (NONM), Shouts Simeza,  commended government for recruiting more nurses and midwives in the country.

Simeza stated that it is important for the country to invest in nurses to build a resilient healthcare system.

He said for credible work to be done by nurses they need to be promoted and trained as it provides them with motivation to keep on the hardworking spirit.

Minister of Health, Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda urged nurses and midwives to be responsible for their work.

“My ministry has received alot of complaints about the way you misbehave to patients, I am urging you all to stop this kind of behavior and you should treat all patients equally and seriously,” she said.

At the ceremony, President Chakwera presented awards to nine performing nurses and midwives.

The day was being held under the theme "Our nurses our future. Caring for nurses strengthens economies".

By Prisca Promise Mashushu

Lilongwe, May 12, Mana: The Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Colleen Zamba, has emphasized the importance of ethics, accountability, and transparency in the civil service.

Speaking at the launch of the Public Service Fellowship Programme in Lilongwe on Monday, Zamba highlighted the need to invest in young professionals and fresh graduates to ensure they serve Malawians with integrity.

She further explained that the Public Service Fellowship Programme, under the Emerging Public Leaders (EPL) platform and Government of Malawi, aims to shape young individuals who are about to enter the civil service.

“We aim to promote integrity by training young professionals to serve with integrity and uphold ethics in public service while focusing on the next generation of leaders.

“We will further encourage accountability and transparency in government departments and agencies by developing a community of public servants who prioritize national service over personal needs,” explained Zamba.

The programme is a collaborative effort between the Government of Malawi and the Mastercard Foundation, which is also implementing similar initiatives in Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Kenya.

 “The first cohort of almost 35 young professionals has been assigned to various ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to learn and contribute to public service leadership and governance,” she said.

One of the Public Service Fellowship members, James Gwanda, expressed gratitude for the programme, stating that it has helped them understand how to serve the community with integrity and work effectively in government departments.

By empowering young professionals, the programme aims to improve public service delivery and promote good governance in Malawi.

By Prisca Kasache

Mangochi, May 12, Mana: Minister of Information and Digitalisation, Moses Kunkuyu has called on journalists across the country to uphold ethical standards in their reporting ahead of the September 26, 2025 tripartite elections, saying the media should play a vital role in safeguarding good governance and democracy.

The minister made the call in Mangochi on Monday at the start of a two days’ workshop for District Information Officers (DIOs) and managers of community radios, on election reporting, organized by the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Digitalisation.

Kunkuyu said journalists are critical in information dissemination, as such they should remain professional, ethical and impartial to ensure that the information they disseminate is accurate, balanced, and free from bias.

“The media does not only cover politics, but also provides a platform for citizens to voice out their views and opinions. As such, we would want reporters to be responsible in reporting,

“As we are approaching the elections, journalists should remind themselves that elections are sensitive, and the information they share should not lack anything,” he added.

The Minister said government is committed to upholding freedom of the press to ensure that journalists operate in conducive work environment

In his remarks, Board Director for MACRA, Isaac Songea, encouraged journalists to stay professional when reporting on the elections, urging them to be mindful of the content they broadcast and write.

He said there should be proper mechanism in place to filter out obscene and hate language that has potential to incite violence or offend public morals.

Held under the theme; Rethinking community broadcasting and ethics ahead of September 2025 elections, the workshop drew DIOs and radio managers and reporters from community radio stations across the country to equip them with skills and knowledge for ethical and professional election reporting ahead of the September 26 tripartite polls.

Maureen Kawerama from Mangochi based Dzimwe Community Radio said the election coverage workshop was ideal and relevant considering that journalist play a bigger role in reporting elections.

“The workshop is ideal, we need a lot of additional knowledge on elections as we head for the polls in September,” she said.

Among others, Mzimba, Bembeke, Kasungu, Chivomerezi, Rumphi Chanco, community radios attended the election reporting workshop at Sunbird Nkopola.

The workshops discussed topics such as; Upholding ethical standards in electoral coverage; the watchdog role of Media Council of Malawi, Digital broadcasting and the 2025 elections; combating disinformation in the age of social media, Training for the truth; strengthening journalistic capacity ahead of 2025 elections.

Renowned facilitators; Moses Kaufa, Executive Director of Media Council of Malawi, Benson Linje from the British High Commission were among those that made presentations at the two days training workshop.  

By Patience Longwe

Lilongwe, May 10, Mana: Newly elected Member of Parliament (MP) for Lilongwe Mude Area, Dr. Mphatso Jones Boti, emphasized the significance of voting in shaping the community’s future.

He urged residents to cast their ballots on September 16 for President Chakwera and himself.

Speaking during a rally on Saturday at Kabudula Primary School playground, Boti highlighted his commitment to collaborating with government agencies to unlock development projects, including the National Investment Forum (NIF) program.

“The big message is to tell them to vote for President Chakwera and elect me as a member of parliament for this area.

 “I believe that this initiative can bring substantial benefits to the community,” stated Boti.

Boti also ensured people in the area that he would plead with the government to advocate for a nearby police unit to enhance security.

Senior Chief Kabudula made a call to the government to bolster security at the Kabudula trading center due to increased theft.

“My call is for the need of our police presence, as the current security detail is stationed in Nsaru, which is far and inadequate”, he said.

Minister of Labour Peter Dimba called for the party's Unity, stating that they will run the campaign as a united front.

“We are showing a sense of unity, we’re going to run this campaign as a united front, a united force together as Malawi Congress Party”, he said.

Dimba also praised President Chakwera’s leadership, citing significant development initiatives and a commitment to unity and inclusivity.

By Evance Chisiano

Zomba, May 11, Mana: Domasi Presbytery of the CCAP, Blantyre Synod held their annual general meeting (AGM) on Saturday at Mifumo Church where delegated were called upon to be ready to serve the church, to remain united in body and spirit, device ways and means of mobilizing financial resources to fulfil the synod’s mission of proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ for the salvation of mankind and to advance social righteousness and wellbeing.

The AGM opening dwelt on the book of Isaiah, chapter 6, verse 8, where Isaiah offered himself to be sent, thereby demonstrating his commitment to God’s mission

To this effect, Synod Deputy General Secretary, Rev. Baxter Maulidi stressed the need to members of the CCAP to remain committed to serving the Lord and to grow the church in line with the synod’s mission.

He also appealed to AGM delegates and their respective churches to pray for the annual synod AGM scheduled for August, saying, “Let us remain united and let us pray for the forthcoming synod annual general meeting that will be held soon,”.

In an interview, later, Rev. Maulidi said Blantyre Synod of the CCAP has a strategic plan that guides it to explore business opportunities, citing the idea to establish bottled water plant and production of wine that should generate income for the synod to remain financially stable.

“The synod is in the processes of establishing business entities such as production of bottled water. We already purchased machine to have our own water,

“We should also consider the idea to produce our own wine for Holy Communion other than importing,” he added. 

Various presbytery-level departments ranging from parish, music to education church and society, presented reports to the meeting reflecting how they performed in 2024, the year under review.  

Senior Elder of the CCAP, Blantyre Synod, Sam Muheke, also called for unity between congregants and moderators, church stations and presbyteries to ensure that CCAP, Blantyre Synod, move in the right direction to achieve its mission.

Leading by example, Muheke offered K500,000 to Domasi Presbytery and pledged to help in the construction of Domasi Presbytery office.

A delegate, Violet M’baya, Session Clerk at Mafufuni CCAP described the 2025 Domasi AGM as very well organized, saying delegates received minutes of previous AGM well in advance, giving room to fruitful deliberations.

“We received minutes of the previous AGM well in advance, we deliberated very well, and we contributed very well to the discussion. This is very commendable on our part,” she added, saying this was contrary to previous AGMs

Delegates to the Domasi Presbytery AGM included church moderators, presbytery executive members, heads of departments, committees’ chairpersons, session clerks of churches within the presbytery, youths, women representatives and moderators' wives.  

Other notable figures at the Domasi AGM were Emeritus Blantyre Synod General Secretaries, Rev Daniel Gunya and Rev. MacDonald Kadawati.

By Chisomo Kambandanga

Nkhata Bay, May 11, Mana: Minister of Mining and Member of Parliament for Nkhata Bay South Constituency, Kenneth Zikhale Ng'oma has gone unopposed in the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) primary elections.

The primary elections were held on Sunday at Chifira Ground in the district.

Two sitting ward councillors for MCP, Mauka Chirwa of Tukombo Ward and Laban Job Chirwa of Mbamba Ward also went unopposed.

In his remarks, Zikhale Ng'oma thanked his constituents for their trust and pledged to continue developing his constituency if re-elected.

 Meanwhile, the party's primary elections in Nkhata Bay Central constituency have ended abruptly due to misunderstandings between supporters of Raphael Mhone and Changa Kaunda, who are vying for the Member of Parliament position.

The party is expected to set another date to conduct these primary elections.