MANAonline
DPSR engages public sectors
By Pempho Nkhoma
Blantyre, July 18, Mana: Department of Public Sector Reforms (DPSR) on Wednesday engaged southern region public institutions and parastatals to discuss a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) supported Public Sector Innovation Policy.
Director of Public Sector Reforms at DPSR, Sibusiso Jere said the department brought together government institutions in the southern region to discuss and approve the policy, which will facilitate innovations in the public service.
“We are trying to work faster so that we can launch the policy by December this year,” the director added.
Jere explained that the policy will act like guidelines to the institutions in terms of capacity building, funding, legal framework, coordination and management as well as promoting innovative culture.
“We noted that other organizations have already started the innovations. The policy will now provide a framework to guide all those innovations,” he said.
The Public Sector Innovation Policy is being supported by the UNDP and it will be implemented for a period of five years.
Consultant, Jane Kathyola presented the Public Sector Innovation Policy to participants to allow their inputs such that they brought in some points.
A participant from Blantyre City Council, Assistant Director of Culture Leisure and Environmental Services, Lallior Justin Nakhupe commended the DPSR for engaging the public institutions into the discussion, which he said, was necessary.
“It is a good initiative, it will encourage spirit of innovativeness in the public sector and this will help to develop Malawi,” he said.
The meeting brought together public institutions including Malawi Revenue Authority, Electricity Generation Company of Malawi and Blantyre City Council among others.
Similar consultative meeting was held on July 11 in Mzuzu and another one will take place in Lilongwe on July 19 this year.
MHRC launches its 2024-2025 strategic plan
By Patience Longwe
Lilongwe, July 18, Mana: Chairperson of the Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC), Chikondi Chinjoti has disclosed that the MHRC aims to promote and protect human rights with a more results-oriented approach to investigations.
In an interview on Wednesday in Lilongwe, she revealed that the Commission plans to lobby for K 8 billion to implement their strategic plan.
“Currently, as a Commission, we are underfunded. We are receiving less than 35% of the funding we project as necessary to fulfill our mandate,” Chinjoti said.
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative, Azhar Malik noted that this launch marks a significant milestone for the country’s key national human rights institution.
“Within this framework, the UNDP has partnered with the MHRC to strengthen its institutional capacity to respond to human rights violations and protect Malawians from impunity,” he said.
Chairperson of Parliamentary Legal Committee, Peter Dima emphasized that the strategic plan would provide essential guidance for the MHRC's work.
GIZ for sustainable development
By Priscilla Phiri
Lilongwe, July 18, Mana: After nine years of successful implementation of a Food and Nutrition Security Programme (FNSP) designed to promote nutrition and food diversification in Malawi, GIZ Team Leader for FNSP, Dr Martina Kress said the outcomes of the project’s implementation would go beyond the project's life span as the programme concludes.
The Team leader said this at a learning event for Animal Source Food Programming which was organised by GIZ on Thursday, in Lilongwe.
Speaking at the event, Kress highlighted that through good partnership and structures laid out in the years of implementation, GIZ has been able to implement long lasting and sustainable impact in the catchment areas of its project.
“As we look back at many years of implementation of our nutrition programme which was designed to make people eat more diverse diets particularly to mothers and young children,
We have worked with our political partners, the department of nutrition in the Ministry of Health and through the structures that they have laid over the years, we were able not to just implement our project in the moment but to ensure that whatever we have implemented has an impact beyond the project’s life span,” she said.
Kress pointed out that throughout the years of implementing the FNSP project, GIZ has had an ample time to learn, question and analyse the outcomes of the project to be able to achieve its success.
“When you have a project that has taken so long you have an ample time for learning. The idea was never to design something that we would then implement without questioning what we started with,
But rather to design something and while we implement we check on it to see if we are achieving the desired outcome,” she explained.
Kress expressed confidence in the project’s outcomes that they would remain sustainable even after the project concludes.
One of GIZ's partners in the FNSP project, representing Ministry of Health, Deputy Director for Department of Nutrition, Kondwani Mpeniuwawa commended GIZ for the initiative by saying it aligns with the country’s health agenda in Malawi 2063.
Principal Nutrition and HIV/AIDS Officer at Dedza District Council, Lottie Makina revealed that GIZ’s FNSP project remains an exciting prospect and still has a lot to offer to Malawian households.
“The project still has a lot to offer by helping the people to take livestock as part of their daily diet, because many people keep livestock for income generation neglecting its relevance in reducing malnutrition,” he said.
Meanwhile, GIZ’s learning event is still under way and it is set to close on July 19, 2024.
GIZ has been implementing the FNSP project and livestock production together partners with funding from the German Development Cooperation.
The project has been implemented in Dedza and Salima districts.
ACB and MLC to protect whistle blowers
By Elia Chibwe
Lilongwe, July 18, Mana: Anti-Corruption Bureau and Malawi Law Commission have disclosed that they are developing new legislation law as an effective tool in protecting whistle blowers from victimization and intimidation by society.
In an interview after a Press briefing on Thursday in Lilongwe, Acting Director General for ACB, Hillary Chilomba said that protecting whistle blowers would play a vital role in fighting against corruption in the country.
“We are making strides to come up with legislation that will be used as effective tool. What we are saying is that fighting against corruption is not actually supposed to be left out to ACB but actually it is supposed to be left to each and every citizen.
“That’s why we are saying we need to protect a whistle blower and in this case those people who got information that they need to expose and after exposing, we have to investigate. If there is evidence we are supposed to protect,” he said.
Chilomba added that ACB was making stride in fighting against corruption in the country as the number of cases are being reported for investigation.
Director for Law Reform in Malawi Law Commission, Mike Chinoko said the new law would offer whistle blowers protection against victimization and oppression in the country.
“Whistle blower is potentially a witness because we do not have a specific law addressing the protection of whistle blower matters in Malawi,” he said.
Chinoko divulged that the laws that were enacted do not go further in actual protection of the whistle blower.
“We do have some laws about whistle blowing such as Financial Crimes Act, Corrupt Practices Act, Public Officers Declaration of Assets Act, Business Interest and liability Act and Access to Information Act but all they do is to mention that someone can make a report on corruption, on financial crimes,” he singled out.
Director of Corruption Prevention, Mary Phombeya said once the law was completed, ACB would raise awareness to public and guide it on how the law would be used for them to have the accurate knowledge.
She said the law would open great opportunity for the society to be free from pressure and desperation.
The law is expected to be launched in the end of this year.
Eastern Region vendors hosted at Chikoko Bay
By Bishop Witmos
Mangochi, July 18, Mana: President, Dr. Lazarus Chakwera has assured small-scale business entrepreneurs in Eastern Region of his support to cushion them from unfavourable conditions negatively impacting their businesses.
He made the statement on Thursday evening at Chikoko Bay State Lodge in Mangochi where he hosted the small-scale business community from Eastern Region.
Chakwera acknowledged awareness of external economic situations and climatic weather conditions that have negatively affected small-scale businesses across African region.
The President expressed excitement to be part of the gathering, inviting vendors to share challenges they face.
“I am excited to be amongst you here as I invited you in order to hear for myself challenges that you are facing,” he said,
“However, I am aware of some of these challenges. You may be aware that my government has plans to cushion these challenges and some are waiting for procurement procedures,” Chakwera added.
He said government programmes like the National Economic Empowering Fund, which would continue providing immediate solutions to vendors’ challenges.
The Malawi Leader asked people in the eastern region to continue supporting his government.
Vendors from Zomba, Ntaja, Machinga, Liwonde, Balaka, Nsanama, Mangochi Municipal and Monkey Bay attended the event.
The vendors raised issues like Tropical Cyclone Freddy and drought, which have left them destitute.
Chairperson for Zomba Vendors Union, Ayatu Chidothi expressed excitement for the opportunity to interact with the President, acknowledging previous lack of such access.
He observed the challenges small and medium entrepreneurs were facing due to climatic conditions but thanked the government for providing loans to cushion them from the shocks.
Chidothi requested for revision of the loan conditions to benefit business people and asked local government through councils to construct modern market shelters across the region.
Amended Act to create conducive market environment-CFTA
By Andrew Phiri
Balaka, July 18, Mana: Competition and Fair Trading Commission (CFTC) has said the amendment of Competition and Fair Trading Act (CFTA) of 1998 to new Act of 2024 will help create and promote a conducive environment for local businesses and consumers in Malawi to enjoy their rights on trading activities.
CFTC Chief Analyst for Consumer Affairs, Augustin Nyirenda said this on Wednesday in Balaka during the awareness engagement meeting with district council stakeholders on the amendment of the CFTA Act.
Nyirenda said the new law which became operational on July 1, 2024 has been established to align with recent developments in the enforcement of competition and consumer protection law; hence, reflecting current market dynamics such as technology.
"Previously, the law had provisions that were difficult to enforce because of their ambiguity and predictability.
"But in the new law, we have brought in several provisions that are trying to adapt with the recent times to ease the business competition and consumer protection in Malawi such that enforcement has been made easier and predictable," he said.
Nyirenda, therefore, urged all businesses to avoid anti-competitive and collusive trading practices, saying this violates consumer rights.
He said: "The new law has also extended to the protection of consumer rights such that it encompasses more categories of consumers.
"For example, some businesses deliberately withhold goods to create scarcity and overpricing, this new law has power to demand a monetary fine of 10 and 5 percent of gross annual turnover from companies and individuals engaging in such misconduct respectively.
Balaka District Council Assistant Trade Officer, Chifundo Kambwembwe thanked CFTC for the development, saying it will help the council to regulate business operations in the district.
Kambwembwe, however, asked the commission to bring in more parties in the awareness of the newly amended Act.
"We do hope that this will not be the first and last time they are coming to enlighten us on this law but that they will be constantly monitoring how traders and consumers are benefiting from this law," she said.
CFTC was established under the CFTA of 1998 mandated to encourage competition, promote efficiency and protect Malawian consumers in the economy and the amendment of the Act is an attempt to meet international standards in the enforcement of competition and consumer protection.
Media plays vital role in social protection- PS
By Leah Malimbasa
Blantyre, July 18, Mana: Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Gender and Social Welfare, Dr. Nertha Semphere Mgala has said the media plays a crucial role in advancing various interventions on social protection and women empowerment.
Mgala was speaking on Thursday in Blantyre during a media orientation on Social Protection, Gender Empowerment and Resilience (SP-GEAR) project, a new intervention aimed at addressing the multifaceted challenges faced by women and girls, ensuring they have better access to social services and economic opportunities.
"Your coverage can bring to light the struggles of beneficiaries and showcase the transformative impact of social protection programmes," said Mgala.
Mgala said by effectively disseminating information about social protection, journalists can mobilize resources and inspire action necessary for the project's sustainability and expansion.
"Through collaborative efforts with the media, we can ensure that these initiatives reach those who need them most," she said.
United Nations Children Fund (Unicef) Social Protection Specialist, Montse Penjuan concurred with Mgala and advised participants to continue being active players in the projects.
One of the participants, District Information Officer for Mulanje, Alex Chitwere said involvement of the media from the early stages of the project is a good approach because it will enable the media follow the implementation of SP- GEAR and collaborate with other stakeholders for the project to succeed.
“This will give us an opportunity to track the impact the project has made and we will be able to bring out positive stories from the beneficiaries.
“It is important that in the course of project implementation they should make deliberate efforts to fund communication activities in the districts where the project is being implemented,” he said.
The Ministry of Gender with support from the European Union and Government of Ireland
through UNICEF, is implementing the SP-GEAR and by integrating gender empowerment into the social protection framework, the project aims at building resilience and create a more equitable society.
Apart from orienting the participants on the new project, the Ministry also presented an overview of other existing social protection programmes.
Minister for labour assures quality workers for Israel
By Naomi Langisi
Lilongwe, 18 July, MANA: Minister of labour, Agness Nyalonje has assured the government of Israel that Malawi will send quality workers to fill the 500 job openings in Israel.
She made the assurance during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the labour deal between Israel and Malawi which took place at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe on Thursday.
Nyalonje expressed gratitude to Israel stakeholders that took part in training Malawian Central Recruitment Team and District Labour officers to offer transparent recruitment during this period.
“They have been trained on various approaches to ensure fair and ethical recruitment of migrant workers for the labour export program.” Nyalonje said.
She the government of Malawi acknowledges that labour export provide employment opportunities for the youths and contributes to the development of countries of origin through investments, skills and technology transfer.
Israel`s Director of Bilateral Agreements and Foreign Workers Administration, Population and Immigration Authority (PIBA), Raisin Sasson Shirley encouraged Malawian agricultural workers to utilize the opportunity, saying they will be receiving same benefits as Israel workers.
“The gross salary is $1500 per month, this is without social benefits that the workers receive and we encourage people to come and learn high methods of agriculture” She said.
Shirley emphasized that recruitment will be free from illegal fees and people should only pay the fees that appears on the website of ministry of labour in Malawi which was agreed between the two countries, adding only the best workers will be selected.
The government of Malawi through ministry of labour will conduct a country wide full scale interviews of shortlisted candidates from 22nd to 26th July 2024.
Mwanza One Stop Border Post to fast track international trade
By Brian Wasili
Mwanza, July 18, Mana: Government has renewed its commitment to ensuring that international traders do not spend much time to transact trade and process travelling documents at the country’s border posts to effectively grow the country’s economy through cross-border trade.
Minister of Trade and Industry, Sosten Gwengwe was speaking in Mwanza on Wednesday during the handover of Mwanza One Stop Border Post (OSBP) from National Roads Authority (NRA) to the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
“The main objective of constructing this facility is to facilitate speedy service delivery particularly clearance of goods and travellers entering or exiting the country through the border,” said Gwengwe.
he expressed optimism for quality service delivery and dedication of members of staff at the OSBP because of the state-of-the-art working environment furnished with modern equipment.
Six government departments and agencies such as the MRA, Immigration, Malawi Bureau of Standards, agriculture, police and health with Trade and Industry as lead ministry are housed under one modern structure to enhance coordination.
The K5.5 billion OSBP facility is a World Bank funded project facilitated by the government and construction work commenced by a Chinese - China Geo Engineering Company through the NRA in 2021.
In an interview, Mwanza District Council Chairperson, Bellon Kasambwe said the appearance of the district has been transformed because of the facility.
“Mwanza is a major entry point into the country; therefore, there is need for modern facilities like the one opened today,” said Kasambwe.
A seasonal cross-border business person from Mangochi, Ali M’bwana commended government for facilitating the construction of the facility, saying it matches with modern times requirement for better time management as this is crucial in trade.
“I am grateful because in the past I used to spend a lot of money on food and accommodation here waiting for clearance but now it is time saving as everything will be conducted under one roof as is the case in our neighbouring countries,” said M’bwana.
Earlier, Senior Chief Nthache hailed government, saying the construction of the facility created employment opportunity for community members in his area.
“Some people will be selling their commodities to those who will be working here that will promote economic empowerment among the community surrounding this area,” said Nthache, pledging to safeguard the facility through creating awareness to his subjects against vandalism.
NCD alliance calls for greater media coverage
By Hastings Yobe
Lilongwe, July 18 - The Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) Alliance has called on the media to play a more significant role in raising awareness about NCDs in Malawi.
Speaking at a media workshop in Lilongwe, Dingaan Mithi, a representative of the alliance, emphasized the need for increased media coverage on NCDs, its causes, and dangers.
"There is a huge role that the media has to play in bridging the information gap on NCDs, causes, and dangers, by reaching a wider audience in the country," said Mithi.
He said the media has a critical role in advocating for effective policies and preventive measures.
"As the media, there is need to advocate for effective NCD policies and preventive measures amongst Malawians in the communities where we come from." Said Mithi.
Virinyu Dzimbiri, a journalist from Dzimwe Community Radio in Monkey Bay, said the workshop was enlightening and plans to incorporate NCD topics into her future programming. "
To most of us journalists present here, the issue about NCDs was new, but after this training, we will be able to put emphasis on NCDs since we now have an understanding of such.
"For example, apart from writing stories for radio, I also produce programs that feature women and the youth, and with this new information, it means I will be adding NCD topics to my future programming,” Dzimbiri said.
The NCD Alliance, is funded by the World Diabetes Foundation and other partners in health and works with the Ministry of Health to address the growing concern of NCDs in Malawi.
