By Josephine Chipofya

Lilongwe, March 12, Mana: National Planning Commission (NPC) has urged young people to implement Malawi 2063 agenda actively, emphasising their central role in shaping the country’s long-term development vision.

NPC Director General, Thomas Munthali, made the remarks in Mponela during an orientation meeting for the new Youth Core Advisory Panel.

"Malawi 2063 is youth-centric. We are talking of 40 years to meet the vision aspirations, and it is crucial that young people actively participate in both its formulation and implementation," said Munthali.

He also expressed gratitude to the first cohort of the Youth Core Advisory Panel for their contributions in coordinating the formulation of Malawi 2063.

Meanwhile, Williot Lumbe, Director of Programmes at the National Youth Council of Malawi (NYCOM), acknowledged the efforts of the first cohort despite facing various challenges.

"There were challenges along the way, but as pioneers, they played a crucial role. There was a lot of learning, even though coordination was sometimes difficult, and meetings were disrupted due to COVID-19," said Lumbe.

One of the outgoing members of Youth Core Advisory Panel, Patience Khembo, emphasized the importance of youth involvement in national development.

By Sylvester Kumwenda

Dowa, March 11, Mana: Partners implementing Savings and Loan Groups (SLGs) interventions in Dowa have been urged to promote collaboration in order to improve both SLGs activities and lives of the poor and vulnerable people in the district.

Chief Community Development Officer in the Ministry of Gender, community development and social welfare, Aubet Mkwawira, made the remarks on Tuesday during a meeting with organisations implementing SLGs interventions in the district.

He said SLG activities have a potential to transform people’s lives, and are fast being adopted both in urban and rural setups. Also, more partners are integrating SLGs in their activities, hence the need to improve coordination.

"As one of way of harmonizing our work, we need to improve collaboration. So the meeting aims at strengthening district SLG network by sharing experiences, and for us to present current direction on SLGs from the central government, and explore how best we can move forward together.

"But we also want to enhance mapping of partners. We would like to know which partner is conducting which SLG activities and where they are, this will also improve coordination as we develop our Management Information System," said Mkwawira.

Mkwawira said the evolution of SLG from Village Savings and Loan groups was crucial as VSLs faced challenges like unclear framework for guidance which resulted in both poor coordination, capacity building and linkages to financial service providers.

"Now we have one approach which is SLGs, and we expect improved standards, harmony and sanity, and as such we have SLG guidelines for all partners.

"One key component we would like to see is data generation and management, as such we also need to have a harmonized data collection tool to guide our activities," he said.

Amongst others he said these will also improve transparency and accountability.

He however said there are still other challenges facing coordination amongst partners implementing SLGs including inadequate sensitisation on SLGs, resistance from some partners in having a harmonized approach in SLGs, and lack of resources to support district network meetings.

In his remarks, Senior Technical Advisor, Monitoring Evaluation and Learning at Care International, Clement Bisayi, said collaboration will also enhance information sharing which is crucial for the success of SLGs.

"We have success stories under SLGs but we also have some sad stories happening. For example, when members are joining an SLG, they have expectations that SLGs will help them change their lives and acquire various skills in financial management.

"But we are also aware of others who have lost assets, families disrupted due to their participation in SLGs. So, we also need to look at all these and learn from each other how we can minimize these issues," said Bisayi.

Bisayi also urged the partners to strategize how they can use the data they have to influence financial institutions to come up with products which can help the groups, without the services being exploitative.

In her remarks, District Community Development Officer for Dowa, Stella Mvalo, said the district is recording success in SLGs, both under government and non-governmental affiliation.

She said the district has 14 notable partners like World Vision, World Relief, COMSIP Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works project, TAPP/TRANSFORM, Feed the Children, Invest in Early Years project and GENET amongst others, which are actively involved in SLGs.

"Currently in total we have 2,999 groups and 60,678 participants in SLGs. Of these, 44,841 are females, and 16,233 are males. In terms of revenue, these groups currently have total savings and share outs of over MK2.972 billion as of December 2024.

"So from this, we can see that SLG interventions in the district are working out well, but we need to strengthen our coordination with partners," she said.

By Thom Ali

Lilongwe,  March 11, Mana: A delegation from the governments of Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia has gathered in Lilongwe from March 10^th to 14^th, 2025, for the 9^th Tripartite Meeting of the NACALA Development Corridor Management Committee to discuss ongoing activities related to the development of the NACALA Corridor.

Speaking during the official opening of the meeting , Secretary for Ministry of Transport, Eng. David Mzandu stressed that the meeting will among others review progres of the project,  provide an opportunity for delegates to consolidate collective efforts and forge a shared vision for the future.

"By adressing transport costs, eliminating trade barriers, and fostering competitiveness,  we can unlock new markets, and economic opportunities for our member States, both within the region and beyond, through the NACALA Corridor,” Mzandu emphasised.

He further challenged the participants to formulate actionable plans that yield tangible benefits for all member states along the NACALA Corridor.

Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Transport and Logistics for Mozambique, Ambr'osio Adolfo Sitoe, said the government of Mozambique  takes the transport and logistics sector as a priority, because at  national level,  efficient mobility of people and goods is essential.

"Mozambique participates in the  Development of the NACALA project with the responsibility and expectations of consolidating the long awaited bases of the development and expansion of trade and connectivity in the southern region. The ultimate goal is to achieve rapid and safer commercial transaction and transportation of people and goods to and from neighbouring countries,” he said.

Sitoe added that the Mozambique delegation has come to Malawi to, among other things, report on key achievements of the Corridor at this stage, including the operations and potential capabilities, address challenges, and propose improvements for the NACALA ports.

He further commended the World Bank Group for its continued efforts to support southern region governments in making the project viable, financing digital trade,developing ICT systems, strengthening transport infrastructure and improving border management systems among others.

The Word Bank funded project, commenced in the year 2021, and is expected to be completed in 2027, will among others , reduce transport costs and enhance regional trade coordination between the three Nations.

By Vincent Khonje

Mchinji, March 11, Mana: In response to escalating child welfare challenges, stakeholders in Mchinji have come together to develop strategies for enhancing child protection.

The district has been grappling with issues such as child trafficking, underage children loitering on the streets and engaging in crime, a lack of safe homes, and widespread child abuse within households.

Speaking in an interview on Tuesday, Mchinji Director of Planning and Development Martin Pindankono said the council has observed a rise in cases affecting children's welfare and protection.

"This is not an issue for one institution alone—everyone has a role to play. We need to come together and identify what each stakeholder can do, both individually and collectively, to safeguard our children's future," said Pindankono.

During a technical working group meeting that brought together government departments, civil society organizations, and law enforcement agencies such as the police and the judiciary, discussions focused on strengthening coordination and collaboration.

Mchinji Police's Child Protection Officer, Joe Kapenda, said most of the challenges stem from family structures, where children are often forced onto the streets instead of being in school.

"We are handling an increasing number of cases where children are being used in criminal activities, often due to a lack of parental guidance or abandonment. We are trying to address this issue, but we also face challenges such as mobility, as children need to be assessed in their homes," he said.

A representative from the judiciary, His Worship Fred Juma, decried the lack of 'child panels', which provide guidance on child-related offenses.

"Child panels are supposed to be available at magistrate courts and should include a traditional leader, a teacher, a medical professional, and a faith leader. Although this is stipulated in the law, they are not in place," said Juma.

The stakeholders agreed on several key issues, including ensuring that social reports on children's cases are available to the courts, mobilizing resources, establishing child panels in courts, and conducting a sweeping exercise to remove children from the streets.

By Wongani Mkandawire

Nkhotakota, March 11, Mana: The World Food Programme (WFP) in collaboration with the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education on Tuesday launched a three-year Home-Grown School Feeding Program in Nkhotakota District with support from the Government of Iceland.

Speaking during the launch at Nkhotakota LEA primary school, WFP's Acting Country Director, Simon Dehnere, said the project aims at ensuring that primary school learners have nutritious and diversified diets throughout the academic year. He said this has been done to create opportunities for farmers surrounding the schools and promote sustainable practices by using locally grown food and clean energy solutions.

Head of Mission for the Embassy of Iceland, David Bjarnason, said his government will continue supporting the education sector in the country adding that the program will motivate the learners to stay in school whilst improving their nutritional status.

Speaking at the same function, Deputy Director for School Health, Nutrition, HIV and AIDS in the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Maureen Maguza Tembo commended government of Iceland for supporting the program saying it will improve quality education in the district.

Nkhotakota District Council Chairperson, Councilor Charles Chimzukuzuku, said this is a welcome program and commended Iceland embassy’s commitment in the development of basic services in the district.

The program with a total budget of MK3 billion is targeting 10 primary schools including Nkhotakota LEA - a facility dedicated for learners with special needs in the district.

By Yamikani Sabola

Mzuzu, March 11, Mana: Minister of Higher Education, Dr. Jessie Kabwira has expressed satisfaction with progress of the construction works for an Entrepreneurs Training and Incubation Center (ETIC) at Mzuzu University (MZUNI) campus in Mzuzu.

Kabwira was speaking on Tuesday when she visited MZUNI campus to inspect progress of the project, which once completed, is expected to unleash the potential of youths through formal and informal skills transfer.

She said she was impressed that despite some challenges, the project, which started in November last year, has reached 10 percent completion rate.

“If in such few months we can see this kind of development, it shows that the contractors are fully committed to their work.

“Despite the rains, they have managed to reach this stage and they have made it clear that they would have been very far if it was not for the rains,” Kabwira said.

She said apart from being an investment in higher education, the project had created employment for Malawians, noting that all the people from the top management to the labourers were Malawians.  

Kabwira disclosed that, once completed, the ETIC will enable MZUNI to enroll 2, 000 more students, saying government understands that the country cannot develop or achieve Malawi 2063 without higher education.

“Government understands fully that success has to be constructed along education lines, especially higher education. This project will make MZUNI very pivotal in human capital development.

“Much more important, we are going to be dealing with entrepreneurship here. In other words, we will be training people to become entrepreneurs who will not be waiting for someone to employ them. They will actually be employing others, hence creating more job opportunities,” she said.

Projects Manager for the contractor, DEC Construction Limited, Ellard Malonda said he was optimistic they will complete the project in time, saying currently they are within schedule.

“We have set up the building, we have done excavations and we have also cast concrete footings and the bases. Now we have also done the columns. We now want to have walls for the foundation and then the slab,” Malonda said.

Among others, the ETIC will include a 500 seat lecture theater, 16 laboratories dedicated to artificial machinery, data science, ICT for development, internet, hardware and networking, energy and testing center.

The project is being funded by the World Bank through the International Development Association to a tune of US$100 million.

By Elia Chibwe

Lilongwe, March 11, Mana: The consequences of climate change are evident through dry spells, cyclones, and erratic rainfall. For a country whose economy heavily depends on agriculture, this poses a significant blow to the economy, farmers, and the entire population, who continue to feel the harsh impacts of nature. 

To counter these effects, farmers must understand and adopt modern farming technologies and agricultural diversification to ensure food security and foster commercial farming in the face of climate change. 

The promotion of commercial farming and agricultural diversification has always been a key focus for Malawi's leader, Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera.

For instance, in 2022, during a visit to Karonga, he encouraged farmers to grow new seeds like sesame to add value to the country's economy and transform livelihoods.

While, in 2023, Chakwera appealed to the ILOVO Group to diversify their value chain in Malawi to include other crops for the benefit of both Malawians and the company itself. 

The Minister of Agriculture, Sam Kawale, has also previously emphasized crop diversification as a critical strategy to mitigate hunger and achieve food security in Malawi.

In 2023, during the commemoration of World Food Day and Africa Food and Nutrition Security Day at Senior Chief Mwanza’s area in Salima, Kawale stressed the importance of practicing agricultural diversification.

He pointed out that dry spells, cyclones, and heavy rains caused by climate change are significantly affecting the country's economy, highlighting the urgent need for farmers to embrace agricultural diversification. 

Recently, the President of the Farmers Union of Malawi (FUM), Manesi Nkhata, said that her team is actively promoting agricultural diversification on the ground. 

She expressed FUM’s vision for farmers to achieve increased incomes and more resilient livelihoods. 

"Agriculture continues to be affected by climate change, global pandemics, and international conflicts. FUM has, therefore, intensified the promotion of agricultural diversification among its members to help farmers sustain their livelihoods when one agricultural enterprise is affected by these factors. 

"Agricultural diversification enables farmers to earn a living even when other agricultural ventures fail due to unforeseen circumstances. It also assists them in multiplying their sources of income," Nkhata explained. 

She further highlighted that while the government is in the process of developing an agricultural diversification strategy, FUM has recognized the need to start preparing farmers to embrace the concept now. 

Recently, the Farmers Union of Malawi in Mzimba District (DFU) demonstrated a commitment to advancing agricultural diversification in the district. 

During a local engagement, the Chairperson for Mzimba South DFU, Dan Kaunda, noted that farmers in the district have realized the importance of diversifying their agricultural production to increase incomes and build more resilient systems. 

He mentioned that farmers are moving away from relying solely on cereal crops. Instead, they are venturing into banana production, beekeeping, fish farming, and sunflower cultivation. 

The Head of Agribusiness for the Farmers Union of Malawi praised farmers for adhering to various training programs and technical advice provided by FUM and other stakeholders. 

According to Nkhata, FUM is actively engaging farmers across every district, promoting agricultural diversification as a key strategy for addressing climate change-related challenges.

By George Mponda

Mzuzu, March 11, Mana: Police in Karonga have arrested Victor Msukwa, 34 for allegedly taking part in the murder of Christopher Ngonya at Kasewe Village in the area of Traditional Authority Mwakaboko in the district.

According to Public Relations Officer for Karonga Police Station, Margret Msiska, police arrested the suspect on March 9, 2025 following a tip from the public.

“According to investigations, Ngonya's son died after a short illness on January 23, 2025 and community members started accusing him of having bewitched his son.

“On January 25, 2025, after the burial ceremony, some villagers mobilized themselves and took Ngonya into a bush 10 meters away from his house and he was never seen again," said Msiska.

She added that a well-wisher on January 27, 2025, led police to the scene of crime where the body was exhumed in a decomposed state.

"It seems on this fateful day, Ngonya was assaulted, burnt and buried with banana suckers planted on top of his grave,” she explained.

Msukwa is the third suspect to be arrested on the same issue following the arrest of Gift Chawinga, 24 and Emmanuel Mwandambo, 34 in February.

Police in the district appeal to people to provide them with information that can lead to the arrest of the remaining suspects who are currently on the run.

Msukwa is expected to appear before court to answer a murder charge which is contrary to Section 209 of the Penal Code.

The suspect hails from Mwenilera Village in the area of Traditional Authority Mwakaboko in Karonga.

By Aliko Munde

Chitipa, March 11, Mana: Chitipa District Council, on Tuesday approved a K22 billion budget for the 2025/2026 fiscal year.

The budget has been revised upwards from last year’s financial plan which was about K19 billion.

Chairperson for Chitipa District Council Finance and Audit Committee, Saidi Lwanja, said that the budget has been pegged at K22.974, 329, 479, representing an increase of 15 percent.

He attributed the budget increase partly to inclusion of new projects in the budget.

“The budget has been increased because we have included new projects and these projects include Regional Climate Resilient Project, Health Centre Rehabilitation Project besides increased wage bill,” Lwanja said.

The Chairperson of the Chitipa District Civil Society Organization Network, Patrick Ziba, described the budget as a positive investment in development.

“The budget is good but there is need for the council to prioritize infrastructure development, health and education,” Ziba said.

By Brenda Nkosi

Blantyre, March 11, Mana: To control the sky-rocking prices of goods on the market, government is considering introducing an Essential Commodities Bill that will state how much basic and specific goods should be sold.

Minister of Trade, Vitumbiko Mumba said this on Tuesday when he toured Small and Medium Enterprises Development Institute (SMEDI) centres in Phalombe and Blantyre Chatha.

The Minister said price capping is difficult because Malawi is a liberal market but said at the moment the economy is divided.

“Without trade or industry there is no economy. The industry at the moment is divided as we have the black market economy and formal market. We need to work on these divisions,” said Mumba.

The Minister alleged that the promotion of the black market is not by Malawians.

“The people behind division of the economy are the ones behind the unfair price adjustments that the country is experiencing,” he said.

The Minister said the Sugar Bill was drafted because of such problems as the producers have no control beyond distributors.

The Minister therefore said we need to grow SMEs and local industries so they own the market and called them to improve on standard, quality and consistency.

“Cooperatives should first market their products in Malawi before we talk of exporting. It is our responsibility as a country to provide a favourable market for them against international products,” he said.

Acting Chief Executive Officer for SMEDI, Chezani Otaniele said they are working on improvement of products.

“We are missing out a lot because of standard, quality and quantity. An example is at our leather factory, we fail to meet the demand of boots for the Malawi Defense Force which is a missed opportunity in business,” he said.