By George Bulombola

Mzuzu, December 24, Mana: As individuals and organizations tend to be busy preparing parties for them to get together with their loved ones during Christmas and New Year Festive Seasons, Mzuzu Police, Tuesday held a knowledge and information sharing on child protection for young people drawn from various schools within Mzuzu City.

Speaking during the closing ceremony of a day-long session at Zolozolo Secondary School, Officer in Charge for Mzuzu Police Station, Donnie Chionda said that children form the foundation of any society, hence the need for stakeholders to promote child protection and abuse programs.

Besides young people, the event was also attended by teachers, community-based organizations, community leaders and parents from surrounding areas the targeted schools.

“As parents, guardians and community leaders, we share a moral and legal obligation to protect children from harm. This includes protecting them from abuse, neglect, exploitation and other vices that can hinder their growth and development. Children are also major players in this drive,” said

He said that child protection is not just a duty for law enforcement agencies but it calls for a shared responsibility, hence the need for communities, families, and education institutions to work together in creating a safer and healthier environment where children can thrive.

“The role of Malawi Police Services in child protection is to promote the safety and security of children, prevent child abuse, investigate cases of exploitation and bring offenders to justice. Our Victim Support Unit is always ready to assist children and families in distress through the provision of counselling and support services,” he said.

He added that efforts of law enforcers can only succeed through partnerships saying that community members play a crucial role in identifying risks and reporting child abuse cases.

“I, therefore, urge stakeholders to be teaching children about their rights and the importance of speaking up when they feel unsafe, promote positive parenting practices to ensure that homes are safe spaces for children,” added Chionda.

Chairperson for Mzimba North District Child Protection Committee who is also responsible for Mzuzu City, Dr. Nthezemu Kamanga described the engagement as essential in addressing child protection and abuse, elements which he said put children's lives at risk.

“Festive seasons are a prime time to sensitize children so that they avoid engaging themselves in behaviors that would lead to the destruction of their future and lives.

While we are celebrating Christmas and New Year, these learners and students should not engage in immoral behaviours under the pretext of celebrating, otherwise, some may end up being pregnant and in contact with sexually transmitted infections and eventually drop out of school,” said Kamanga.

Deputy Head Teacher responsible for academics at Zolozolo Secondary School, Winnie Nyondo, commended Mzuzu Police Station for holding the child protection and abuse knowledge and information sharing session for stakeholders including learners and students.

Nyondo said the initiative will go a long way in enhancing child protection and abuse hence promoting learners’ and students’ retention in schools for quality education.

By Evance Chisiano

Chiradzulu, December 24, Mana:  Vice President, Michael Usi has called on Chiradzulku District Council and other local authorities in the country to do thorough registration of vulnerable people to reflect true pictures of those that deserve to benefit from Lean Season Food Insecurity Response programmes and other social protection programmes

Usi made the call on Tuesday at Chingoma Primary School ground, Traditional Authority Mpunga where he monitored relief maize distribution to vulnerable households as the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DODMA) distributed bags of maize.

“Let us do proper work to register all people who deserve to receive humanitarian support. I know some other people deserve to be registered for humanitarian assistance,” the Vice President added.

He therefore called on people in Chiradzulu to openly tell their problems to authorities so that their problems can be addressed on time.

“Be open enough to tell those in authority your problems. We are here to solve people’s problems,” Usi said and commended Traditional Authority Mpunga for openly telling her subjects problems in the face of the current food situation.

He said was impressed that Traditional Authority Mpunga explained openly the extent of hunger situation in her area where the food situation is critical.

Traditional Authority Mpunga has since called on government to increase the number of people who should benefit from the Lean Response Food Insecurity programme and other interventions that should improve people's livelihood citing Social Cash Transfers and Climate Enhanced Climate Smart Public Works Programme.

She said the food situation in her area is worse as most households have nothing to depend on other than handouts while repeatedly calling for the authorities to increase more households for the relief food.

“There are many households that deserve relief food. It is just unfortunate that some deserving households are not registered to receive relief food,” Traditional Authority Mpunga added as 3,873 people are expected to receive food in her area.

DoDMA Commissioner, Charles Kalemba said the department was aware of the food situation in the country and was mandated to provide food assistance to affected households through Lean Season Food Insecurity Response progrmme, which is currently taking place in drought-affected districts.

Before visiting Chiradzulu, the Vice President also monitored the Lean Season Food Insecurity Response Programme in Mangochi, Balaka and Zomba on Monday and Tuesday.

He said DoDMA is working according to Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee (MVAC) reports that show the food situation in the country.

“We will continue providing relief maize to affected households,” Kalemba assured people in Chiradzulu.

Chiradzulu District Commissioner, Francis Matewere discloses that 26,413 people in the district need humanitarian food assistance.

The Vice President is expected to visit Chikwawa on Thursday to monitor relief food distribution.

By Pickson Chipeso

Lilongwe, December 23 Mana; Farming Access for Rural Markets Smallholders and Enterprises (FARMSE), in conjunction with Opportunity International Malawi, launched a tree-planting initiative at Nsinja.

Speaking at the event in Traditional Authority Masula, in Lilongwe, on Monday, Opportunity International Malawi's Project Coordinator, Vitumbiko Lungu Moyo, emphasized the importance of environment-friendly practices.

"We plant trees based on environmental climate training conducted with Community-Based Financial Institutions (CBF) in Nsinja.

 "We encourage tree planting at both community and national levels, as well as promote environmentally friendly businesses among CBF, also known as village banks," she said.

Moyo noted that Nsinja's proximity to Dzalanyama Forest,as a charcoal-producing area, presents an opportunity for sustainable practices.

She said they are encouraging village banks to adopt businesses that benefit the climate and environment.

According to FARMSE District Project Coordinator, Brown Phulusa, this is a positive event, especially considering the rampant deforestation and it offers an opportunity to demonstrate the importance of tree planting and environmental conservation.

Phulusa emphasized that participants, including CBF members, will take part in planting one or two trees and learn how to care for them from forestry experts. By doing so, they will understand the value of tree planting and become ambassadors for environmental conservation.

He stressed that climate change is a pressing issue, citing frequent droughts, floods, and dry spells as evidence.

"Tree planting helps mitigate the effects of climate change and slows it down. Trees act as a buffer zone, absorbing carbon dioxide and reducing greenhouse gases. They also facilitate rainwater infiltration, reducing surface runoff during heavy rainfall," he said.

Phulusa concluded that events like this are crucial in promoting environmental awareness and encouraging communities to take action against climate change.

The councillor for Nsinja ward has expressed gratitude to FARMSE and Opportunity International Malawi for organizing a tree-planting event, highlighting the importance of restoring damaged natural resources in Nsinja and across Malawi. He emphasized that tree planting is the key to reviving these resources.

This event follows the launch of the National Tree Planting initiative in Mzuzu by Vice President Dr. Michael Usi, which aims to promote reforestation and environmental conservation from December 15, 2024, to April 17, 2025. The councillor's remarks underscore the critical role that tree planting plays in mitigating the effects of climate change and preserving Malawi's natural heritage.

By Agatha Kadzinje

Blantyre, December 24, Mana: Ashraful Aid International Humanitarian Organization has intensified road safety measures for Kabaza operators in Blantyre to help minimize accidents and ensure safer rides during this festive season.

The organization has donated 1,000 reflective vests and 3,000 reflector tapes to Kabaza operators from Makhetha, Kameza, Chinsewu, Ndirande, Limbe Central, Chirimba, Kapeni, Bvumbwe, Soche, Mpemba, Mbayani, Bangwe, and Njamba ranks.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony held at Njamba Freedom Park in Blantyre on Monday, Ashraful Aid’s Country Director, Abbas Panjwani, emphasized the importance of using safety gear to reduce accidents.

Panjwani said that Kabaza is an essential means of transport, just like any other, and operators must protect themselves to ensure the safety of their passengers.

“In recent years, Kabaza has become increasingly popular among Malawians, especially during festive seasons. Therefore, ensuring the safety of operators is crucial to saving precious lives,” he said.

Panjwani encouraged the summoned Kabaza operators to not just keep the vests but should make them part of their uniform.

He disclosed that Ashraful Aid has partnered with Quarry King, Easy Pack Limited, Build Africa, Speed Courier, and Hisco to implement this initiative.

Blantyre Police Urban Traffic Officer, Superintendent Cassim Symone, highlighted that most accidents involving Kabaza operators are avoidable and are often caused by their failure to follow road safety rules.

“Many accidents occur because Kabaza operators speed unnecessarily and lack the proper safety gear, making them avoid traffic police. Operators must prioritize road safety for their own good and the safety of others,” said Symone.

He urged Kabaza operators to register their motorcycles with the police to enhance recognition and facilitate assistance in case of accidents or other issues.

“Registration should be a priority for anyone starting a motorcycle business. It not only provides an identification record but also aids in insurance claims in case of accidents,” Symone explained.

Symone commended Ashraful Aid’s initiative, expressing hope that the provision of safety gear would help reduce road accidents in Blantyre.

“We expect operators to wear the safety gear provided, including helmets for both themselves and their passengers,” he added.

One of the Kabaza operators, Jones Steven, expressed gratitude for the donations, noting that they would help reduce incidents of robbery and accidents.

“This initiative will improve our safety and that of our customers. I encourage my fellow operators to report accidents to their rank chairpersons and the police for effective assistance during and after the festive season,” Steven said.

He condemned the behaviour of drinking and smoking while on duty, emphasizing that such actions compromise safety on the roads.

He called on the government to reconsider the high fees for registration and insurance, pointing out that many operators do not own the motorcycles they use and cannot afford these costs with their current earnings.

By Tabbu Kitta Kauye

Zomba, December 24, Mana:  For the first in many years, the people of Chisi Island in Zomba now have electricity, thanks to the 46.2 Kilowatt Min grid that the government in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have constructed.

Speaking after the inauguration of the Mini-grid, 58-year-old resident Olida Mitungwi, expressed joy with the development saying their lives have completely transformed.

"I cannot believe that Chisi Island has electricity now, I have longed to see this day, and I am glad I am alive to finally witness this groundbreaking move.

"Travelling to the mainland every time we needed services that required electricity, was a risk, because lake winds are not stable, at the same it was expensive, now I am glad that we can do everything on the island,” said Mitungwi.

Mitungwi also lamented the difficulties of travelling on the lake to access services like maize milling and how they were forced to throw maize flour in the lake when wings were strong.

In his speech, Minister of Energy Ibrahim Matola said the construction of the Mini-grid is testimony to Government's commitment to increase universal access to sustainable electricity for every Malawian.

By Bishop Witmos

Mangochi, December 23, Mana: Malawi`s President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera has emphasized that his government is committed to ensure Malawi-s economic growth, despite challenging weather conditions that the country is currently facing.

He was speaking to a mammoth crowd upon arrival at Mangochi boma, on his way to Chikoko Bay State Lodge,

The President said that through various projects, his administration is dedicated to improve food security, infrastructure development, as well as providing economic opportunities to Malawians.

‘‘The First Lady and I are excited to receive warm welcome by people in Mangochi. As you are aware, my administration has demonstrated commitment to uplifting livelihoods of Malawians through various development projects. However, I am aware of challenges that Malawians are facing due to the effects of climate change.

‘‘We are so touched whenever we see victims of cyclones, let us not lose hope, you have a government that considers the welfare of its citizens,’’ said Chakwera.

He therefore assured people in Mangochi of continued development by his administration to satisfy their development aspirations.

‘‘My administration has achieved a number of projects in Mangochi, such as the Nkhudzi-Bay water supply system, which is supplying water to many households across the district. We have constructed the Cape Maclear road that will assist to boost tourism,” he said, adding that his government has also done a lot in the health sector, citing constructing health facilities such as the Makanjira Rural Hospital which will help to improve the wellbeing of the communities.

Chakwera said government was also embarking on the Makanjira road project whose funds have already been sourced and commended development partners for supporting various projects.

The President also said he was excited to see the mega farm initiative becoming a reality in Mangochi, where farmers have started practicing large-scale winter irrigation farming.

He appealed to young people in the country to refrain from engaging in political violence, saying that has no place in a democratic Malawi.

‘‘There are some people that would like to cause political violence, and they consider youths as a tool for such acts. I am therefore urging the youths to refrain from such.

“Let us continue to live in harmony. We are one nation,’’ Chakwera said.

In his remarks, Secretary General for Malawi Congress Party, Richard Chimwendo Banda commended President Chakwera for his commitment to unite Malawi, saying that will help the country to prosper.

Traditional Authority Mapira thanked government for embarking on relief maize distribution to vulnerable households under the Lean Season Food Insecurity Response Programme underway in the district.

He observed that the response will assist people currently facing food shortages and said so far a number of households in the district have already received the relief food.