MANAonline
Local authorities urged to be closer to people
By George Bulombola
Mzuzu, August 30, Mana: Deputy Minister for Local Government, Unity and Culture, Owen Chomanika, Thursday urged local authorities to take central government close to the people by ensuring quality service delivery for improved access to social amenities.
Chomanika was speaking in Mzuzu when he opened a tow-day quarterly coordination meeting for local authority drawn from the north including Nkhotakota and Kasungu district councils.
He said central government has never been local and that local authorities are there to manifest government’s development initiatives for the benefit of local communities.
“Local authorities work through local structures as such they play in leading role in transforming the country through implementation projects under various sectors,” said Chomanika.
He then called for well-coordinated and team working spirit amongst all players who include directors, controlling officers who are either District Commissioners (DC), Chief Executive Officers, councilors, members of parliament (MP) and traditional authorities to ensure sanity in the council’s management and operations.
“This meeting has therefore been organized for the local authorities to reflect how the councils are performing.
There are some problems surrounding lack of commitment to duty by some members of staff, we have departments that are not talking to each other and all these challenges are issues of coordination, hence the meeting,” he said.
Chomanika also expressed concern over some non-functional positions as the assigned officers are incompetent and that some are too busy in what is not under their job descriptions besides increased executive absenteeism.
“I therefore advised all players in local authorities to be patriotic and as public officers, they need to serve the public. Everyone should work within to the expectations of his/her roles.
“We are running away from a situation where a council chairperson feels is more like a (DC) and a DC feels more like an MP. A director of finance working like a procurement officer and procurement officers behaves like a directors of public works,” he said.
Chairperson for National Local Government Finance Committee, Richard Chapweteka said local authorities have had challenges in financial management and that the issue continues to be addressed through officers’ trainings and recruitment of qualified officers.
“In this meeting we want to reflect on what we need to improve service delivery and encourage each other to sustain the gains we have made so far such as increased financing to councils, councilors introduced on payroll, financing of construction of city and town roads and increased financing to social support programmes,” said Chapweteka.
However, Chapweteka expressed over underutilization of resources by councils, saying the challenge emanates from late commencement of procurement processes as councils wait to start the process until they have the money into their bank accounts thereby impacting negatively on projects’ implementation.
“My advice to avert this issue is that councils should start procurement processes before the money is in their accounts as they already have plans and budgets and know what they would like to do in a given financial year,” he added.
DC for Chitipa, Mac Millan Magomero said absenteeism and incompetency by officers in councils could be ascertained as true as some of them take their work as usual.
“That aside, for the first time in the history of the country, local authorities have attained clean audit reports,” said Magomero.
Ministry of Mining says it will soon open state of the art laboratory
By Christina Mkutumula
Lilongwe, August 30, Mana: Ministry of Mining says the country will soon have state of the art laboratory where all analysis of mines will be done.
Director of Administration in the ministry Andrew Chisamba told Journalists on Thursday, that the opening of the laboratory is waiting for few final touches to be done which is expected to take a month or so.
“The laboratory is almost functional now and the equipment is being mounted, a few things are remaining like to construct vents in the laboratory for equipment that requires vents, and soon we will roll out,” he said.
He said the laboratory is beneficial to the country as it will now be analyzing its samples within and not sending them elsewhere.
“This laboratory is of benefit to Malawians because in the past we used to send samples outside for analysis but now we will be able to do that ourselves.
“This will cut on forex for the services that we used to pay and also will cut on the time that it took for us to get analysis results. This will have an impact on the process of Mining in the country,” he said.
Chisamba further explained that the state-of-the-art laboratory is the first of its kind in this part of Africa as neighbouring Zambia and Tanzania also send to other countries to have their mines analysed.
“This means that we have not created something for ourselves as a country, but also for our neighbours who will be sending their mines to be analysed in Malawi,” he said.
Responding if the country has enough minerals, Chisamba said Malawi has more minerals especially critical minerals which are used for clean energy production saying as the world is moving towards clean energy, there are critical minerals which are currently in high demand and Malawi has to utilize that.
Ministry of Land handovers land registration certificates to communities
By Solister Mogha
Zomba, August 30, Mana: Ministry of Lands on Thursday handed over customary estate ownership certificates to the people of Senior Chief Mlumbe in Zomba.
This makes community members genuine owners of the land and is a step towards curbing community land disputes.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, Director of Human Resources in the Ministry of Lands, Francisco Zimba said by registering land, community members have the freedom to develop their land without limitations and that the process would reduce cases of land grabbing.
Zimba said according to the new Land Law, community members are encouraged to register their land, which is one way of protecting loss of land even in times of death.
“Land registration is one of the important processes that will, apart from promoting ownership of the land, also help people to care for their land knowing any damage on it will have direct effects to them. This will be very different from the current status where people do not care to what they can do with the land because they feel it does not belong to them," Zimba added.
He said it is the wish of the Ministry of Land that more people register their land for a legal biding land ownership.
Senior Chief Mlumbe hailed the ministry for fast tracking the land registration process, which he said, would reduce land disputes and other related cases.
“Issues of land boundaries have been some of the challenging situation to us. I am proud that with the certificates, chiefs will have no pressure of handling land disputes," the senior chief said.
One of the beneficiaries, Esnart Symon said by registering her land, she is assured of full ownership and that no one would come threatening her.
“I am excited because finally, I have become owner of my land. My children and grand grandchildren are assured of the land,” she added.
Jonathan Kanyangalazi from the Malawi Watershed Services Improvement Project (MWASIP) which has supported the ministry of lands carry out the exercise said it was exciting that finally the much awaited process has been completed.
Kanyangalazi said during project assessment period it was discovered that many families were failing to take part in sustainable land management activities because they did not own any land.
This, he said prompted them to support the land registration process with hope to attract more into sustainable land management interventions.
“All we expect from them in massive contribution in sustainable land management activities knowing that they have their land where they can do several land management activities, “he said.
In Zomba, the exercise started in the area of Senior Chief Mlumbe.
First round concludes in Gateway Netball League
By Tione Andsen
Lilongwe, August 30, Mana: First round games for K40 million Mpico sponsored Gateway Mall Central Region Netball League games are expected to wind up this coming weekend.
According to General Secretary of the League, Daniel Chigowo, teams are expected to conclude the first round by playing games at Gateway Mall Netball court on Saturday, August 31, 2024.
With the big one which involves Civonets against Young Eagles as they will be battling it out for the second position on the table.
He told Malawi News Agency (Mana) Thursday in Lilongwe that the conclusion of the games would spell out clearly as to which teams are fighting for the title and which one are battling for relegation.
“We are very happy to report that Mafco Soldiers fulfilled their fixtures last weekend where they were able to play against Sharp shooters and Blue Eagles Sisters,” Chigowo revealed.
He said it was worrisome that the Salima netball outfit, Mafco Soldiers some two weeks ago were unable to fulfill their fixtures as a results they donated points and baskets to others teams in the league.
“When they returned they managed to beat struggling Sharpshooters by 59 baskets to 14 and they lost to current league leaders, Blue eagles Sisters by 35 baskets to 15. With the win the move on the ladder from position eight to seven with five points,” the General Secretary explained.
A Netball follower from Ntandile in Lilongwe, Anne Phiri noted that Boma, Immigration and Sharpshooters need to do something in their last games in order to raise their points and remain relevant.
She said the points tally their have collected from eight games are not encouraging and this is putting them on an awkward position.
“The bottom three teams are not looking good and these teams they need to jack up as they are not here just to fulfill their fixtures. We need teams that will compete in such leagues not that will only participate and donate points anyhow,” Phiri fumed.
Currently, Blue Eagle Sisters are topping the chart with 16 points from eight games and they are seconded by Young Eagles with 14 points from the same number of games while Civonets are third with 14 points on the same games played.
League results of August 25, 2024
Dyna Queens 35 Young Eagles 44
Sharpshooters 14 Mafco 59
Immigration 16 Vanessa 50
Lioness 36 Civonets 37
Blue Eagles Sisters 35 Mafco 15
Weekend fixtures for August 31,2024
Boma vs Immigration@ 9: 00 am
Vanessa Sisters vs Sharpshooters @ 10:30 am
Dyna Queens vs Lioness @ 1:00 pm
Blue Eagles Sisters vs Boma @ 2:30 pm
Civonets vs Young Eagles @ 4:00 pm
LWT launches sourcebook to promote wildlife, environmental education
By Moses Nyirenda
Lilongwe, August 29, Mana: Lilongwe Wildlife Trust (LWT) has launched a sourcebook on wildlife and environmental education for primary schools which seeks to promote wildlife and environmental education in the country's primary schools.
The sourcebook among other things is tackling issues about waste and water management, how people would interact and relate with animals as well as forest conservation.
Speaking after presiding over the launch of the sourcebook at LWT's Environmental Education Centre in Lilongwe on Thursday, the Secretary for Education in the Ministry of Education, Dr Mangani Katundu applauded LWT for the sourcebook.
“The sourcebook will not only benefit the learners in terms of the environment but it will also enhance their ability to think and solve ethical dilemmas associated with wildlife and environmental conservation,” Katundu said.
He added that the sourcebook will also assist learners to attain skills, knowledge, competences and attitude that are in line with environmental conservation that would make them appreciate the value of wildlife, environment and natural resources that the country possess.
He also said the sourcebook would also enable the pupils to understand their role in protecting the wildlife and human from catastrophes associated with environmental degradation and climate change.
Katundu further added that the ministry will make use of the sourcebook in primary schools in order for the learners to learn more about wildlife and environmental conservation.
“We are going to incorporate the sourcebook in primary schools so that pupils should gain more knowledge about wildlife and environmental conservation,” he said.
Also speaking at the launch of the sourcebook, LWT Director of Programmes Dorothy Tembo Nhlema said that as LWT they decided to come up with the sourcebook after observing a limitation of wildlife and environmental education in the national education curriculum.
“When we looked at the curriculum we realized that it is little lean in terms of wildlife and environmental education and when we engaged the Ministry of Education the they agreed that indeed primary school curriculum is limited in terms of wildlife and environmental education.
“This prompted us to develop the sourcebook so that it should be used in primary schools for wildlife and environmental education,” Nhlema said.
LWT has developed the sourcebook with support from Nyika Vwaza Trust, Born Free Foundation as well as Tusk and the first copies of the sourcebook will be distributed in 16 primary schools across the country, according to Nhlema.
Natural Resources and chiefs sign MOU on conserving and restoring natural resources
By Martin Chiwanda
Machinga, August 29, Mana: Ministry of Natural Resources and Climate Change says traditional leaders are critical stakeholders in conserving and restoring natural resources within their communities because they are highly respected and capable of enforcing by laws.
Principal Secretary in the ministry, Richard Pelekamoyo made the remarks in Balaka when traditional leaders from seven districts were signing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Climate Change to prepare a climate resilient future for generations in their respective areas.
Pelekamoyo said there was need for collaborative efforts from all stakeholders to address effects of climate change, which has negatively impacted Malawi in various aspects.
He added that chiefs are critical stakeholders whose influence and powers can help in conserving and restoring natural resources, promoting sustainable agriculture and other means of sustaining livelihood within their communities.
“Chiefs play vital role in protecting natural resources because they are respected by their subjects. They have powerful voice, very crucial in natural resources management,
“Their authority and influence enable them to mobilize support for effective governance and sustainable practices,” he added.
Senior Chief Makanjira of Mangochi and Traditional Authority (TA) Nkula of Machinga applauded government for recognizing the role traditional authorities play in natural resources conservation.
Makanjira pledged total commitment to enforce by laws that are meant to help conserving natural resources in his area.
On the other hand, TA Nkula said he will enforce the already formulated by-lays in his area to ensure that forests and other natural resources are protected for the benefit of present and future generations.
The signing of MOU between Ministry of Natural Resources and Climate Change and the chiefs as initiative to conserve natural resources was an activity by Malawi Watershed Services Improvement Programme (MWASIP) funded by the World Bank.
The chiefs that came for the signing of MOU were from Machinga, Neno, Balaka, Blantyre, Zomba, Ntcheu and Mangochi.
Environmental experts bang heads on integrated landscape management
By Fostina Mkandawire
Salima, August 29, Mana: Environmental experts from Thursday convened in Salima district to develop actionable strategies to address critical issues in landscape management and agricultural productivity.
The three-day multi-stakeholder meeting has been organized by the Ministry of Agriculture in partnership with the Centre for Agriculture and Biosciences International (CABI).
Principal Secretary of Irrigation Services, Engineer Geoffrey Mamba has called for integrated approaches to restore the country's degraded landscape.
He said the country is currently struggling with land degradation hence developing actionable strategies for managing and restoring the environment is vital.
"We need to build a shared understanding of landscape restorative approaches by identifying key priority areas," he said.
Mamba emphasized that the solutions that will emanate from the meeting are a proactive step towards mitigating adverse weather conditions like El Niño, as well as combating recurring threats such as Army Worm infestations, which have plagued the nation in recent agricultural seasons.
He noted that effective landscape management is essential for ensuring food security, clean water, and reduced carbon emissions.
Global Director for Invasive Species at CABI, Hariet Hinz reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting Malawi’s environmental and agricultural reforms.
Hinz underscored the need for countries to come up with integrated approaches to address the challenge of low yields posed by climate change.
She observed that the country has huge bare land that needs interventions such as climate-smart agricultural methods and land restorative methods such as natural tree regeneration.
The meeting has drawn international experts in environmental management to share experience, lessons and develop actionable strategies.
CABI is actively involved in several key projects in the country, including the PlantwisePlus initiative and the Malawi Digital Plant Health Service (MaDiPHS), all aimed at strengthening the nation’s agricultural resilience.
Radiotherapy services, a game changer in health services delivery
By Andrew Mkonda
Lilongwe, August 29, Mana: Head of Infrastructure Development in the Ministry of Health Dr. Sanderson Kuyeri has described the K10 billion magnificent radiotherapy center at the National Cancer Center (NCC) at Kamuzu Central hospital in Lilongwe, as a game changer in health service delivery in the country.
Kuyeri made the remarks Thursday in Lilongwe during a media tour of the facility which
he said will be operational by the second week of October 2024.
“This is a game charger. As you may be aware the country has been sending patients to South Africa, Tanzania, India, and Kenya for treatment and the government has been spending over $2 million (about K3.4 billion) per year, which is a huge amount of money. But now those services will be done right here,” he said.
Kuyeri said once fully functional, the facility will have four bunkers for radiotherapy and two bunkers for black therapy, which he said is a huge milestone in the treatment of cancer in the country.
“It has been a long journey, but we are now happy that we have reached this far. As of now, the installation of modern equipment has already been done and we are expecting that next week, we will be commissioning the equipment,” he said.
Kuyeri further said once operational, 80 percent of the patients will be treated within the country except those who may have complex conditions.
Malawi registers over 18,000 cases of cancer annually and presently, the country provides oncology, including chemotherapy and palliative care services for cancer clients.
The National Cancer Center is being constructed with funding from the OPEC Fund for International Development and Malawi Government.
Stakeholders Unite to Push for Safe Abortion Law Reform in Malawi
By Patience Kapinda
Lilongwe, August 29, Mana: Theatre for a Change (TfaC), a local non-governmental organization, hosted a stakeholders' meeting to discuss the proposed Termination of Pregnancy Bill.
The event brought together religious leaders, government officials, civil society organizations, and community members to advocate for safe abortion options.
TfaC Fundraising and Grants Manager, Ulala Kondowe, emphasized the need for collaborative efforts to move the bill forward, citing the health implications of unsafe abortions.
"We believe that by working together, we can prevent unnecessary pressure on the health system and ensure that women and girls have access to safe abortion options," Kondowe said.
Participants acknowledged the challenges in passing the bill, given the sensitive nature of the topic.
However, they expressed optimism that involving community members and stakeholders would help build momentum for the cause.
Christopher Biton, a participant from Luanar's Human Ecology Department, stressed the importance of engaging all stakeholders, including children, to raise awareness about safe abortion.
"We need to design good messages for them and ensure that we are saving lives," Biton said.
TfaC Agent of Change, Christopher Gumunda, shared the organization's approach to addressing resistance from the community through drama and radio presentations.
"We use scenarios that resonate with people's lives, and it's helping to change their perspectives," Gumunda said.
The meeting concluded with a sense of determination among stakeholders to continue pushing for the amendment of laws to allow for safe abortion options. With a united front, they believe they can win the battle and save lives.
Women and girls in Balaka encouraged to embrace cervical cancer self-test
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On her part, Health Promotion Officer for Balaka District Hospital, Mercy Nyirenda said since the inception of the self-testing initiative in January, the district has seen an increase in people demanding to be screened.
Nyirenda, therefore, asked for an escalation of the initiative to all health centres across the district.
“From January to June this year Nandumbo has screened 626 women and Phimbi has screened 547 women which is a good development compared with the past trends.
“This project will increase awareness on the need for cervical cancer screening targeting women of childbearing age; thereby, detection of the disease in its early stages and this will reduce admissions due to cancer and in the long run reduce disease burden in the district,” she said.
Nyirenda, however, urged everyone in the district to work together in encouraging women in the childbearing age bracket to come in large numbers for screening, saying cervical cancer does not show signs in its early stage and the only way to be safe is to come for screening.
