MANAonline
Chakwera hails the solidarity Malawi shares with neighbouring countries
By Sellah Singini
Lilongwe July 16, Mana: President, Dr. Lazarus Chakwera has hailed the unwavering support and solidarity Malawi continues to enjoy from its neighboring countries.
He made the remarks on Tuesday when he attended the opening of the Holy Mass for the Sub-Region Catholic Bishops Conference of Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe at the Inspector General’s parade ground at Area 30 in Lilongwe.
Chakwera said Malawi experienced neighbourly solidarity and support during its devastating moments caused by COVID-19, Cyclones and among others.
“As a country, we experienced neighbourly solidarity when we received support during the COVID-19 pandemic that claimed the lives of thousands and plundered our economy. We felt the solidarity when we received support following the devastation caused by cyclone Ana and Gombe,
“And we felt neighbourly solidarity this past month as we have been mourning the tragedy passing of our late Vice President who died in a plane crash alongside eight others,” the President added.
Chakwera thanked the Catholic Bishops for their prayers and wish them a fruitful deliberation during the conference.
President of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi, Archbishop, George Tambala said the conference aims to provide a platform for the Bishops from these three countries to share insights, engage in meaningful discussions and collaborate on matters vital to the growth and development of their local churches.
He said it was an opportunity for them to strengthen their bonds and unity as they navigate the challenges and opportunities that lies ahead of them.
“This conference is not just a platform for dialogue and not a talking show but a space for mutual learning and inspiration,” Tambala said.
He urged the delegates to approach the deliberations with an open heart and minds seeking the common ground on different perspectives.
According to Tambala, the conference is the second one to happen following the first one that happened in 2020 in Zambia.
The Conference will be held in Salima at Sigelege beach resort from 15 to 19 July under the theme “Collaborating to Enhance Pastoral Unity, Gospel Proclamation and Solidarity in the Sub- Region Amidst Shared Challenges.”
Machinga residents embrace digital financial transactions
By Martin Chiwanda
Machinga, July 16, Mana: People in Machinga have realized that digital banking and payment channels provide rural populations with access to formal financial services that may not be readily available in their respective communities.
The residents made the observation in an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana) as government through the Reserve Bank of Malawi conducted an awareness campaign in the district encouraging people to embrace electronic transaction platforms.
Ngulumia Village Development Committee Chairperson, Moses Mlanga, said apart from promoting access to formal financial services, it helps promote financial inclusion by giving people in the community the opportunity to save, borrow and manage their money more effectively.
Mlanga noted that using digital payment methods eliminates the need for rural populations to travel long distances to access traditional banking services as they can conveniently make payments, transfer money and conduct other transactions in the comfort of their home or local points of service.
He however, asked the government and other stakeholders to put more effort in sensitizing the local masses as this can benefit small businesses and farmers by enabling them to reach a broader customer base and engage in e-commerce activities.
Another community member, Mathews Umali said communities stand to benefit greatly from embracing digital financial transactions as it can reduce fraud and theft.
On his part, Traditional Authority Mizinga urged chiefs in the district to be in the forefront in ensuring that people embrace the initiative.
“Community leaders are crucial in embracing digital finance transactions because they can build trust and understanding among community members. Like what I am doing in my community, we are mandated to educate people about the benefits and safety of digital financial services,” said Mizinga.
Even students see that transacting using digital financial service platforms is convenient, safe and efficient compared to traditional cash payments, according to James Lysana, a student at Machinga Teachers Training College.
“We can easily pay for tuition, books and other expenses without carrying large amounts of cash. This reduces the risk of theft and allows for greater financial control. It also offers transparent transaction histories, making it easier to track expenses and manage budgets,” he said.
Digital Financial Services (DFS) Supervisor for Machinga, Andrew Chafwala said communities are patronizing the awareness campaign, which is a positive indication towards people’s willingness to embrace digital finance transactions.
The DFS awareness campaign is taking place on a pilot phase in Machinga and Chikwawa in the southern region, Lilongwe and Kasungu in the central region and Karonga and Chitipa in the northern region.
CS-EPWP a game changer to natural disasters
By Petro Mkandawire
Blantyre, July 16, Mana: Project Facilitator for Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CS-EPWP) in Blantyre, Aubrey Jazza has urged community members to adopt and embrace climate smart project as a way of addressing the interlinked challenges of food security and climate change.
Jazza said this on Tuesday during a supervision of Lenjemesi Catchment area in Traditional Authority Makata which was aimed at assessing technical guidelines, watershed logistics and assessing if all sub projects are being implemented in line with agricultural seasonality.
He said the increase in flooding has resulted in communities having less water available for food production as such community members should be optimistic in CS-EPWP to improve their economic well-being and treat run-off to reduce pollutants.
“CS-EPWP helps to keep soils from eroding, preserve land fertility and save local plants, smart water management conserves water supplies by lowering unnecessary consumption and respond to adverse climate change situations; hence, community members have to invest and take the programme seriously,” said Jazza.
He however, expressed gratitude over community’s active participation in various interventions under CS-EPWP sub catchments. He also called upon people to work closely together in conserving the environment, noting that it helps to boost the economy of the country.
The tour of Lenjemesi Catchment was also meant to assess the number of beneficiaries, quality of assets, programme achievements and implementation of works in line with CS-EPWP mandate.
In a separate interview, secretary for Lenjemesi Catchment Management, Shadrick Batamus said the catchment area covers 377.5 hectares with almost 1876 families benefiting economically from the programme.
Batamus said through various CS-EPWP developments, participants earn money which is paid after completing a 24 day cycle and the project has greatly reduced risks of natural disasters and improve water conservation in their farms.
“Check dams and swales have enhanced the availability of irrigation water and helped in the slow running of water that prevents our crops from floods, as such we are happy with the programme since we are now able to feed our families, buy clothes, buy farm inputs and as we are talking, I have bought yellow solar through wages from CS-EPWP,” said Batamus.
CS-EPWP in Blantyre has 17, 107 participants in 15 catchment areas whereby 10 areas are model catchments with 500 hundred participants and currently with funds from the World Bank over K130 million has been utilized on the implementation of CS-EPWP.
Expert calls for good hygiene practices as Cholera outbreak ends
By Lisa Lamya
Blantyre, July 16, Mana: Malawian Health Ambassador, Maziko Matemba has said the country needs to ensure it adheres to good hygiene practices in order to halt Cholera.
Matemba was reacting to a declaration by the Ministry of Health through the Public Health Institute of Malawi that as of July 10, Cholera was no longer a public health concern.
“This is good news for the country, we always say that Cholera is preventable as such we should strive to maintain good hygiene so that Cholera does not resurface,” Matemba said.
A statement from the Ministry of Health made available to Malawi News Agency (Mana) indicated that the declaration has been made because the country has not registered any confirmed cases of Cholera from identified suspected cases.
Moreover, the statement said the declaration is in line with the public health surveillance guidance for Cholera by the Global Task Force on Cholera Control and the World Health Organization alert response systems for public health threats.
“Since 3rd March, 2022, when the Cholera outbreak was declared, Malawi has been battling with a protracted outbreak registering a total of 59, 376 cases and 1, 772 deaths due to high numbers of reported cases,” read part of the statement.
Due to high numbers of reported cases, President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera declared a National Public Health Emergency on December 5, 2022.
Following the declaration, there was intensified implementation of preventive and control interventions, which significantly reduced Cholera, cases and led to the declaration of Cholera outbreak as no longer a National Public Health Emergency on August 5, 2023.
Despite the reduced numbers of Cholera cases, the country still registered sporadic cases from high-risk districts. For instance, a total of 286 cases including three deaths were reported from November 1, 2023 to June 5, 2024.
In light of this, the country continued implementing intensive surveillance and control measures at community and facility levels to completely halt the outbreak.
Government committed to improve welfare of persons with disabilities
By Thom Ali
Lilongwe, July 15, Mana: Minister of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, Jean Sendeza, says government is committed to improving the welfare for persons with disabilities in the country.
The minister made the remarks during the official opening of the Global Disability Forum hosted by World Vision Malawi at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe held from 15th to 19th July 2024.
Sendeza said that government is making efforts in implementing policies to provide a conducive environment for persons with disabilities.
She called upon various stakeholders to support the implementation of disability programs and services in the country.
World Vision Director of Operations, Charles Chimombo indicated that the Global Disability Forum will provide a platform to discuss and reflect on challenges being faced by people with disabilities in the country.
The forum has brought together foreign dignitaries from 11 countries, representatives from the public and private sectors, and the academia among others.
FAM to provide new video on status of BNS
By Tione Andsen
Lilongwe, July 15, Mana: Ministry of Youth and Sports has said Football Association of Malawi (FAM) would send new videos of the state of Bingu National Stadium (BNS) in Area 48 in Lilongwe.
Public Relations Officer (PRO) for the Ministry, MacMillan Mwale said on Monday in Lilongwe said that Confederation of African Football (CAF) had indicated that BNS was suspended for all CAF engagements due to poor state of the pitch.
“We understand an official from Senegal on CAF assignment during the world cup qualifiers between Kenya and Ivory Coast last month took some video of the pitch which were showing that the pitch was on poor state,” he said.
Mwale said that, “The Ministry has managed to install new substitute benches as recommended by CAF and the new seats are comfortable to seat on. We will no longer be required to be paying over K 9 million as fine for using those old seats when hosting CAF games.”
He said FAM would generate new video on the status of the pitch for CAF inspection team to see and review their decision to suspended the stadium as indicated.
The suspension of Bingu Stadium came to light when CAF had released names of the stadiums to host CSAF champions league in the 2024/2025 football season and BNS was not amongst them.
The news about the suspension of the stadium went wrong signals to FCB Nyasa Bullets who are set to host Red Arrows of Zambia in the first leg of CAF Champions League preliminary round on August 16, 2024.
However, Acting Bullets Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Albert Chigoga has indicated that the club needs to have a plan B on the venue in case the decision remains the same from CAF.
“We will be exploring other avenues and option two will still remain key to us and we are still preparing to host Red Arrows of Zambia,” he added.
Women Heart Foundation to organize a fundraising
By Memory Khutuliwa
Mangochi, July 15, Mana: Women Heart Foundation on Monday organized a summit called women in business with the aim of creating, connecting and conquering ladies through business at Sunbird Nkopola Lodge in Mangochi.
Founder of Women in Business Organization, Faith Banda thanked all the people who came and supported the event and for those who supported the event by buying a ticket but did not show up.
“I’m very happy because the event we had been waiting for has happened and the event was more than I expected. We have been equipped with different skills from our guest speakers,” she said.
One of the guest speakers, Esther Chabuka urged women to connect themselves into business and that they should sponsor each other when doing business.
“When doing business choose good friends who can sponsor your business not those who can take your things without paying back the money. Cultivate friends who can give you business ideas,” Chabuka who is known as Ida Chicker Chabs among her peers said.
She added that women should look for businesses which match with their start-up capital and avoid investing in business or incurring loans that they will not be able to service.
Another guest speaker, Clara Kamlomo said women could start a business with the material they have at home, citing availability of cookers, fridges and others which would help them to support their family.
“When doing business, learn to respect the customer because they are our bosses and learn to produce good products because it attracts customers, let’s go for whatever we want in life,” she added.
Kamlomo encouraged women to invest by buying land or a house that would help them in future and they have to ignore lifestyles that destroy money.
In her remarks, Dorothy Kingston popularly known as Cash Madam who was the guest speaker applauded Women in Business Heart Foundation for the summit, noting that it indeed had the potential of connecting women, creating and conquering through business interactions.
She said the platform would help the women to build, thrive and grow entrepreneurial skills in their daily lives.
“As we know that when we are supported by men, we become victims in society because people believe that success is predominantly by men which is a lie,” Kingston challenged.
She asked women not to look down on themselves but to work hard regardless of prevailing culture and norms.
Ministry celebrate new episcopal
By Memory Khutuliwa
Blantyre, July 15, Mana: Fountain of Life of God Ministries International on Sunday welcomed and celebrated newly consecrated Archbishop, Martha Maliro, Founder and President of the Church.
During the celebrations, Resident Pastor, Austin Waliyala Samuel said they are thanking God for what he did to his church by exalting the Archbishop into another dimension.
He thanked the entire Bishops who consecrated Bishop Maliro to Archbishop.
“As a Resident Pastor, I thank all for the effort and support which has made the event colorful,” Samuel said.
He added that all the Pastors including himself will work according to God’s will, noting that where God is involved victory was always assured.
“God does not look at our weaknesses when sending us, in our weaknesses God will be our strength,” Pastor added.
Samuel has since urged all the members of the church and non-members to honour and respect the ministry of the archbishop.
One of the administrators, Arnold Muonja thanked the church for the support they gave to the event.
He particularly recognized all the Pastors and Intercessors for the prayers they had during day and night for the success of the event.
“As an administrator, I asked the church to work dedicatedly so that as our archbishop is taken into another dimension, we also ask God to take us into a new level,” Muonja said.
Fountain of Life of God Ministries International started in 2010 and has eight District Chapters with 15 pastors and prophets.
DIOs, PROs are key in public sector reforms implementation
By Rose Cross Mahorya
Mzuzu, July 15, Mana: Public Sector Reforms Management Department (PSRMD) has underscored the need for District Information Officers (DIOs) and Public Relations Officers (PROs) to understand the public sector reforms programme which government was implementing.
PSRMD’s Director of Reforms responsible for Information, Education and Communication, Suzgo Khunga made the remarks in Mzuzu on Monday during an orientation workshop for DIOs and PROs in the northern region.
She said the work of DIOs and PROs was very important in ensuring that activities under public sector reforms are bringing positive impact.
Khunga highlighted a number of positive developments that have been implemented by institutions which she said both DIOs and PROs need to get familiar with.
"For reforms implementation to bear positive impact, there is need for proper two-way communication between implementing institutions and the public which are receiving agents.
"However, in all this, DIOs’ and PROs’ job of communicating is at the centre stage, hence the need for them to understand these reforms," the Director said.
During the meeting, participants were presented with the Department's Communication Strategy under review for them to appreciate and share their views on the same.
One of the participants, District Information Officer (DIO) and Spokesperson for Likoma District Council, Ireen Mseteka said engaging them in the reforms implementation process was very important because as officers who speak on behalf of the institutions, they need to be aware of reforms being implemented by their institutions.
"As communicators, we need to be aware of our roles in enforcement of the reforms our institutions are working in because access to information is very key in ensuring that the reforms become successful.
"The orientation has been an eye opener as I am now able to pin point my role as DIO in as far as implementation of reforms is concerned," she added.
MACRA intensifies consumer rights awareness
By Fostina Mkandawire
Salima, July 15, Mana: Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) has warned the public against using unregistered courier companies when sending and receiving goods saying this was one way of safeguarding them from theft.
Speaking in Salima district on Sunday, during an awareness campaign on consumer rights, obligations and the phasing out of physical scratch cards, Consumer Affairs Manager at MACRA, Hudson Mkwapatira warned that once parcels get lost, it would be difficult to trace such courier companies.
He expressed worry over the increase of unregistered courier companies playing their businesses across the country, which he described as illegal.
"As a regulator, it is our role to legally register every courier company that wants to be conducting courier businesses. This is the case because we want to protect consumers and their goods since entertaining such companies puts the customer at risk of losing their goods," Mkwapatira said.
He said it was MACRA's responsibility to safeguard consumer rights and obligations; therefore, they have intensified sensitization campaigns across the country to ensure that the public is aware of emerging issues in the Information Communication Technology (ICT) industry.
The Manager mentioned the phasing out of physical scratch cards on December 31, 2024 as one of the issues that consumers need to be aware of and that they would be using digital means for purchasing airtime or data bundles.
"Consumers need to know how they will continue purchasing airtime when the scratch cards phase out, we are therefore working hand in hand with telecommunications service operators so that the transition should be smooth," he said.
One of the consumers plying his Airtel money business at Kamuzu Road in the district, Davison Amidu commended MACRA for the awareness saying it was important for customers to be educated on their rights and reporting channels when they meet challenges.
"It is good that they have provided us with means of reporting our grievances to them because we do face different challenges, therefore we are now aware of how to protect ourselves from scammers online and also in our everyday activities," he said.
Senior Chief Kalonga said bringing such campaigns to the people shows how seriously MACRA takes the welfare of the public and requested if the campaign could be extended to remote areas so that there could be a wider reach of the audience.
MACRA is conducting a nationwide mass campaign on ICT consumer rights and obligations as well as the phasing out of physical scratch cards.
