By Evance Chisiano

Blantyre, October 5, Mana: Malawi Communication Regulatory Authority (MACRA) Friday donated 15 HP brand computers to Blantyre Teachers College whose computer lab had three computers against 540 students.

Receiving the new computers, Head of Language Department, Charles Office thanked MACRA for donating the computers saying this was a timely gesture when the college was in dire need of computers.

“We only had three computers in our lab against 540 students. Our present curriculum emphasizes computer use,” he said, adding that the situation denied many students the opportunity to computer literacy which is key in the modern teaching profession,” he said.

The donation of computers to Blantyre Teachers Traning College (TTC) was the last in the series of donations after similar donations to ten TTCs that included, Phalombe, Karonga, Machinga, Chiradzulu and St. Joseph in Dedza.

President of the Students Representative Council at Blantyre TTC, Prince Kwabwere also thanked MACRA for the computer donation and pledged that students will take good care of the computers considering that the college had an acute shortage of computers at the expense of students' ICT knowledge.

He however called on other organizations to donate more to satisfy the need for computers at the college.

“We thank MACRA for providing us with the computers. We however appeal for other organizations to come in because demand for ICT knowledge is still there,” he added.

A second-year student, Martin Chikumba recalled that it was difficult to use the three computers that were in the computer laboratory such that most students were denied an opportunity to acquire computer knowledge.

“Things will now improve with this donation. Let us graduate with computer knowledge because some primary schools have computer gadgets and it will be unfortunate if we go to such schools while computer illiterate,” he added.

MACRA Procurement Officer, Alfred Chibwana said Connect a TTC initiative was part of MACRA’s commitment to roll out ICT in education institutions.

The Connect a TTC initiative was implemented with support from Universal Service Fund which enabled the communication regulatory authority to donate 150 computers to 10 teachers' training centres across Malawi.

“Computer knowledge among the teacher training college students will now be transferred to primary schools,” he said and disclosed that Blantyre TTC was the last teacher's college to receive computers through the Connect a TTC project.

On January 18 2024, Minister of Information and Digitalization, Moses Kunkuyu presided over the donation of 15 computers to Phalombe Teachers College as part of the Connect a TTC initiative.

By Isaac Jim

Blantyre, October 5, Mana: Government through Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (ADMARC) has expressed interest to start processing and add value to various farm commodities it buys from farmers.

In an interview with Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Friday, ADMARC’s Public Relations Officer, Theresa Chapulapula said the government’s main objective of transforming the country’s economic landscape by moving from an importing to an exporting nation is among the reasons for the new development.

“ADMARC has found out that customers often buy maize to process at mills. Recognizing the higher demand for maize flour, we aim to directly fulfill this consumer need,” she said.

Chapulapula added that the initiative will help to improve nutrition and food security including providing economic benefits to the local farmers in the country.

“This initiative will help to improve nutrition and food security by increasing access to locally produced nutritious foods, reducing dependence on imports, and supporting local farmers. Maize flour that will be sold will be fortified which will assist in the nutrition value of the maize consumption.

“This will help to increase income for farmers by providing them with a stable market for their crops, ensuring they receive fair prices for their produce,” she added.

Agriculture expert, Tamani Nkhono Mvula supports ADMARC's decision, stating that selling raw products does not provide much value to the company.

“Value-added products like maize flour will be easier to sell and can reach a wider market,” he said.

By Benedicto Maguda

Blantyre, October 5, Mana: St. Charles Lwanga Catholic Choir under St Charles Lwanga Parish in Zomba Diocese will on Sunday launch an audio album titled Pitani Kalalikileni at Banja Loyera, Chilinde Parish in Lilongwe.

Speaking with Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Friday, Edward Lino Kalemba, who is the choirmaster, said preparation are underway for the worship day.

“As a choir, we are preparing for this very important day because we want to make it unforgettable. We are happy because the guest choir on this day will be St Johns Msamba Choir 1,” he said.

Kalemba said they have decided to name the new album Pitani Kalalikileni to inform other gospel singers and all people to go in different parts of the country to preach the gospel of the Lord.

“There may still be other areas where people have not heard the gospel, that is why we are telling our fellow choristers and other gospel singers to continue preaching the word of God,” Kalemba said.

The album, which has 12 songs, will be available in CDs and flash discs with Ndikupembedza inu, Mulungu wathu wopatsa, tiimbire lero, Mkulu wa Ansembe onse, and Miphakati as some of the songs.

“Some of the songs are from our Catholic hymn and prayers book. We are hoping that these songs will lift up the hearts of listeners,” he said.

He said the choir is launching the album in Lilongwe because they wanted to engage people from the district and to open up new relationship.

Supporting choirs that will be present on the day are Chanco Alumni, Bunda CSO, all choirs from Mtima Woyera Deanery and others from Lilongwe Archdiocese.

By Prisca Mashushu

Lilongwe, October 5, Mana: Ministry of Health is set to provide mental health services and professionals to primary, secondary and tertiary education institutions as one way of dealing with mental health issues in the country.

Ministry of Health Public Relations Officer, Adrian Chikumbe, said in an interview that the Ministry has decided to provide the service in education institutions due to the increased number of mental health cases in the country.

He said there is a great need for psychosocial support and government intends to identify primary and secondary school teachers that should be able to provide counselling and physiology first aid if an unusual behaviour is noted on children.

“Government is already providing counselling services to people in different health centres in the country and materials have already been distributed in all these centres to help people in dealing with mental issues.

“We are also doing mental health awareness in different parts of the country. For example, on October 10 every year, the country commemorates mental health awareness day,” he said.

Mental health expert, Chiwoza Bandawe, commended government for the positive attitude towards mental health in the country.

“Government attitude towards mental health has shifted greatly recently, a development which can help to construct more health facilities, train more qualified mental health professionals and introduce more faculty that deals with it to ensure more health professionals in schools, churches and hospitals.

“There is need for awareness starting from community levels to help people understand that it’s ok to have mental issues and open up to the right personnel to avoid increase in number of suicide cases in the country,” said Bandawe.

He, therefore, encouraged government to work with stakeholders such as community and church leaders as well as the media by introducing more mental health programs that can help people to be understood, obtain knowledge and be aware of mental health issues.

By Lekereni Chinkhota

Salima, October 5, Mana: Salima District Council in collaboration with the Women's Legal Resources Centre (WOLREC) and OXFAM has engaged women leaders to address challenges they face and identify solutions in a bid to promote women's participation in political activities and decision-making.

Speaking during a women’s assembly held at Rivermark Lodge in Salima on Thursday, Salima District Council Director of Human Resources, Grace Kamtande, expressed concern over the low representation of women in decision-making platforms, which she said undermines their voices.

 Kamtande said it is unfortunate that women are not active in patronizing various political positions as well as supporting one another to assume such roles that would give them a platform to voice out issues that concern them.

"As a district, we are not doing well in terms of representation for women, youth, and people with disabilities in different platforms to voice their concerns and contribute to solutions,” Kamtande said.

She said the Council wants inclusion so that their voices are also heard and issues that impede them are solved.

Kamtande attributed the poor representation to women’s lack of confidence and guidance, stressing the need for empowerment and awareness.

She explained that many women underestimate their potential, believing their roles are confined to domestic duties.

“Lack of awareness and sensitization is leading to poor representation. Women need to understand themselves that they have potential and WOLREC as well as OXFAM are helping them realize that,” she said.

She, therefore, urged women to take up leadership positions to make a positive impact not only in their homes but also across the nation.

A representative from Pemba Area Development Committee, Edrina Kenamu, praised WOLREC and OXFAM for creating a platform where women can express their concerns.

She emphasized that women need to be more active in decision-making as male leaders often overlook issues affecting them.

“We have realized that when men represent us, many of the issues important to women are not addressed. This assembly has empowered us to begin taking leadership roles and influence change in our communities,” Kenamu said.

She encouraged women to support fellow women aspiring for political positions such as councillors or Members of Parliament to ensure their voices are heard and uplift one another.

The assembly brought together women from all circles of life in all the traditional authorities in Salima with a special focus on members of Community-Based Organizations, women’s forums and other community groups.

The goal was to inspire more women to take on leadership roles and drive positive change.

By Solister Mogha

Zomba, October 5, Mana: National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) on Thursday engaged community leaders in Zomba to discuss the organization’s aspirations and challenges in the course of disbursing loans to the underserved population.

NEEF Chief Executive Officer, Humphrey Mdyetseni, said the meeting was a follow up to the previous meeting held in April this year where it was agreed that quarterly meetings should be conducted for updates.

“Sharing experience is of paramount importance hence this meeting. From this meeting, we expect to have constructive ideas that will improve NEEF operations,” he said.

Zomba City Mayor, Christopher Jana, hailed NEEF for organizing the meeting, which, he said, would iron out some of the impending challenges for people to access loans.

He observed that there is a lot that needs to be addressed despite NEEF’s contribution in empowering Malawians economically citing delays in disbursing loans to applicants.

“Sometimes we wonder if NEEF is really meant for Malawians.  It takes long for people to access loans and this is an issue that needs to be addressed,” Jana said.

Jana, therefore, expressed hope that NEEF will take into consideration all the concerns raised during the meeting for the benefit of the underserved Malawians that aspire to be economically stable through NEEF loans.  

Members of Parliament in Zomba, ward councilors, chiefs and business people were among those who attended the meeting.

So far, NEEF has disbursed K237 billion and the repayment is at 81 percent.

NEEF is a government owned microfinance institution whose mission is to economically empower ordinary and underserved Malawians