MANAonline
Kasungu District Council plans MK363m emergency health response
By Richard Kagunda
Kasungu, November 26, Mana: Kasungu District Council health authorities have planned to source MK363 million to operationalize a strategy devised to prepare and respond to health emergencies such as cholera, which traditionally cause havoc during the rainy season.
Unveiling the plan to stakeholders on Tuesday, Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response Coordinator for Kasungu District, Chrispine Thomo said the best approach to deal with outbreaks is to prepare for them.
“To win the war against health emergencies like cholera, we don’t have to wait until we register a case. We just have to prepare, putting resources together and executing the devised strategy,” Thomo said.
The response plan outlines enhanced community awareness and sensitization campaigns on preventive measures, along with training for health personnel on emergency management and preparedness activities.
“A word to the communities out there is that the rainy season is here. Let us make use of the information we get on prevention, especially for waterborne diseases like cholera and diarrhea which spread fast during the rainy season,” Thomo said.
Senior Health Surveillance Assistant at Kasungu District Hospital, Dickson Mbewe appealed to stakeholders and well-wishers to help in mobilizing resources.
“We urge partners to support this exercise because we know we cannot do this alone.
“Already, we have intensified awareness messages and would like to get to every corner of the district using various approaches so that everyone gets the message and stays safe from diseases,” he said.
In the 2022/23 season, Malawi was heavily hit by cholera registering close to 59, 000 cases with at least 1, 768 fatalities before it was declared ‘no longer an emergency’ early August 2023.
While Kasungu did not register alarming cases during the previous outbreaks, the district has always been on alert and actively involved in the Tipewe Kolera campaign through which authorities have been disseminating messages on prevention and control, targeting local leaders and the community at large.
Health Promotion Officer for the district, Catherine Yoweli said in an interview that the health office also carried out house inspections in communities checking the availability of proper sanitary facilities and intensified surveillance of cases.
In 2024, cholera resurfaced in September, about two months after it was declared over, with Chitipa and Karonga districts reporting the most cases.
At least six people have died in the lakeshore district of Karonga, which has reported 49 cases while the neighboring Chitipa District has registered 61 cumulative cases with two fatalities.
Salima District Education Office calls for collaboration to enhance school performance
By Yankho Kandio
Salima, November 26, Mana: The Salima District Education Office has called for collaboration among various stakeholders in the education sector to enhance learners' performance in the Primary School Leaving Certificate of Education.
Some of the contributing factors to poor performance have been attributed to learner absenteeism, teacher absenteeism, lack of motivation, and lack of teaching and learning materials.
Speaking on Monday during a district stakeholders’ meeting to map solutions on learner's performance, Principal Education Officer, Eliam Banda highlighted that coordinating and collaborating is the best way to improve performance.
"Collaboration and coordination are critical because if there is no collaboration and coordination, there will be a high concentration of interventions in one area while others are neglected, such as Chilumba and Chitala, where there is no organization working with the schools,” Banda stated.
He also underlined the importance of involving more partners, stating that government alone cannot solve all challenges.
Despite the challenges facing the district's performance, Banda expressed hope that things are changing because Salima had moved from number 32 to number 25 on the national level.
Chairperson of the District Education Network, George Kanyemba said various intervention measures have been put in place, such as meetings with parents and guardians.
"We need to identify and discover feasible solutions to this situation. There are also plans to visit underperforming schools to identify areas for improvement," he said.
Care Malawi, Kindle Orphan Care, Ndimoyo Palliative Care, were among the organizations that were present at the meeting.
President Chakwera opens Malawi-EU investment forum
By Martha Rukunya
Lilongwe, November, 26, Mana: President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera has today officially opened the three days Malawi-European Union (EU) Investment Forum 2024 at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe.
Speaking at the function, the president highlighted that the forum main aim is to cement the investment partnership with EU member states, paving the way for Malawi's economic development.
"Malawi has great potential in agriculture, tourism, and mining, providing opportunities for European member states to invest. Additionally, the reforms implemented by the government further enhance this potential," Chakwera said.
The European Union Ambassador to Malawi, Rune Skinnebach, emphasized on the EU's strong commitment to investing in Malawi.
"We aim at advancing the EU’s Global Gateway Strategy in alignment with Malawi's development priorities, unlocking investment opportunities that drive sustainable, inclusive, and resilient growth," he said.
In his remarks, Deputy Director General for International Partnerships, European Commission, Myriam Ferran outlined that EU is committed to remain a steadfast partner in Malawi's development.
"Our partnership is built on shared values: respect for human rights, commitment to sustainability, and a belief in the transformative power of trade and investment,” she noted.
During the function, three agreements were signed: the grant agreement which will enhance energy policy performance, implementation agreement which will strengthen public financial and economic management (PFEM) and Ratification of commitment for financing the AGCOM 2.0.
These agreements will pave the way for European investors to engage in various ventures in Malawi, contributing to the country’s economic growth.
Exciting Castel Challenge Cup Round of 16 Matches Set for Tomorrow
By Alinafe Kapatamoyo
Lilongwe, November 26, Mana: The Castel Challenge Cup Round of 16 is well underway with two exciting fixtures set to take place tomorrow 27th November.
Bangwe All Stars will meet Fomo FC at Balaka Stadium, while Karonga United will go head-to-head with Moyale Barracks at Karonga Stadium.
Both games are expected to be closely contested, with each side eager to make a statement and advance further in the competition.
Bangwe All Stars, who have shown impressive form in the tournament so far, will be hoping to secure their place in the quarter finals at Balaka while Fomo FC, on the other hand, will be looking to upset Bangwe All stars and continue their strong run in the tournament.
At Karonga Stadium, Karonga United will be aiming to build on their solid performances in the earlier rounds as they face the experienced Moyale Barracks, The Barracks, known for their tactical discipline and strong squad, will be determined to secure a win and progress to the next stage.
Will Bangwe All Stars and Karonga United live up to expectations, or will Fomo FC and Moyale Barracks cause an upset?
As the Round of 16 unfolds, the pressure is on, and only 90 minutes of football will decide which teams will advance to the quarter-finals.
Blantyre City Council to plant 1.1 million trees
By Alex Mlanga
Blantyre, November 26, Mana: Blantyre District Council, Forestry Officer (DFO), Noel Moyo says the council, through the forest sector is expected to plant over 1.1 million trees seedlings during this year’s forestry season.
Speaking in an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana), Moyo said the exercise will begin mid-December and ends mid-April 2025.
He added that despite some challenges, such as droughts, the past forestry seasons had been successful.
‘’We had drought which affected us but at least 65% to 70% of the seedlings we planted last season survived,’’ said Moyo.
The DFO expressed optimism that this year’s tree planting season will be more successful due to good rains and he encouraged communities to work with the forestry extension staff in their respective areas during the forestry season.
Communities are expected to plant tree seedlings in their homes, farmlands and other areas that require afforestation to ensure vegetative cover.
Executive Director of Coordination Union for the Rehabilitation of the Environment (CURE) Charles Mkoka said community participation in forestry season was a good initiative in helping to conserve the environment, address issues of land degradation and promote biodiversity.
He added that afforestation also improves ground water recharge, regulate water flow in rivers and reduce the risk of floods.
‘’By planting million trees, this initiative aligns with global climate actions goals, contributing to carbon neutrality and sustainable development for Blantyre District,’’ said Mkoka.
Blantyre District Council planted one million trees in the 2023/2024 forestry season which started on December 15 to April 15 per the forestry calendar.
Over 41,860 farmers to benefit from AIP in Blantyre
By Memory Chatonda
Blantyre, November 26, Mana: At least 41,860 farmers are expected to receive farm inputs in Blantyre through the Affordable Input Programmme (AIP) currently underway in the district, as 26 selling points would be operating to serve the beneficiary farmers.
Crops Officer for the Blantyre Agriculture Office, Linda Msiska has told Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Tuesday that the district has already established 26 selling points where beneficiary farmers should buy one bag of NPK weighing 50 kilogrammes, one 50 kilogrammes of Urea, and one packet of 5 kilogrammes of maize seed.
“So far, the programme has started on a positive note as the district has been allocated 26 established markets, unlike last season when there were only 20 established markets. This will help ease congestion at selling points. Our target is to ensure that about 41,860 farmers get the inputs,
“In terms of the costing, for one bag of either 50 kilogrammes of NPK or Urea, the beneficiary is contributing K15, 000 only, while the government is shouldering the market difference. For one pack of 5 kilogrammes of cereal seed, the government is contributing K4, 300, and the farmer pays the market difference," she said.
Msiska singled out the mismatch of beneficiary names and IDs as the only challenge faced the programme face, adding that that such case were being referred to the AIP secretariat for assistance.
One of the beneficiaries from Lunzu, Mary Soko, expressed gratitude to the government for supporting the farmers with the inputs and she pledged to use the inputs to increase crop production as opposed to selling.
The AIP in the country is meant to make agricultural inputs more affordable and accessible to farmers.
The programme's goals include increasing agricultural production, helping poor farming households, improve nutrition status, and to build a healthy population.
On October 14, 2024 President, Dr. Lazarus Chakwera launched the 2024/2025 AIP at Dzundu Primary School ground in Neno.
Access to financial resources remains a corners stone
By Tione Andsen
Lilongwe, November 25, Mana: Government has admitted that access to financial resources remains a corners stone to transformation.
Minister of Trade and industry. Sosten Gwengwe said this during the launch of Grants programme under Southern Africa Trade and Connectivity Project (SATCP) ay Crossroads Hotel in Lilongwe.
He said provision of tangible financial support particularly to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) would unlock the country’s economy.
Gwengwe said the grants would empower the SMEs to produce value added products that would be competitive at regional markets.
“We need to address the bottlenecks facing value adding process and provide alternatives that are long lasting” the Minister added.
He pointed out that the private sector involvement in the implementation of SATCP remains key and needs to play a vital role in helping in financing.
The Minister viewed that the key to the success of the loans would depend on the SMEs that would be reached out and saying there was need to reach out to new one so that they should benefit too.
He urged 15 participating councils to make use of the grants in order to consolidate the issue of promoting value chains.
Gwengwe thanked the World Banks for granting Malawi a 50 percent grant from the US$ 150 million loans to be implemented in the SATCP.
World Bank Senior Private Sector Specialist, Efrem Chilima said the World Bank was keen to ensure that value addition and commercialization in the agriculture sector was promoted.
He said there are number of projects the Bank was implementing in the country in order to commercialize the agriculture sector in order to achieve economic growth.
Malawi-EU Investment Forum to boost economic growth
By Charles Nkhoma & Martha Rukunya
Lilongwe, November 25, Mana: Minister of Trade and Industry, Sosten Gwengwe, has announced the inaugural Malawi-European Union (EU) Investment Forum, set to take place at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe from November 26 to 28, 2024.
Speaking at a press briefing in Lilongwe on Monday, Gwengwe highlighted that the forum aims to solidify investment partnerships with EU member states, paving the way for increased foreign investment and driving Malawi’s economic growth.
“This partnership will open up new opportunities for local Malawians, with a focus on three key pillars: Agriculture, Tourism, and Energy. This forum is also a call to action, encouraging stakeholders to work together to attract investment and unlock Malawi’s economic potential,” he stated.
EU Ambassador to Malawi, Rune Skinnebach, said the forum is part of on-going efforts of the EU in Malawi of Growing Malawi together (Kukuza Malawi Limodzi) campaign and the EU Global Gateway Strategy.
“The Investment Forum serves as a stepping stone for the roll out of the Global Gateway EU-Africa investment package which aims to foster strong, inclusive and sustainable growth across Africa by promoting green and digital transitions, infrastructure development, and human capital growth. The forum offers a vibrant platform for potential investors and project owners to engage and collaborate,” he said.
The Malawi-EU Investment Forum marks a significant milestone in strengthening economic ties and attracting transformative investments to Malawi.
It underscores government commitment to fostering sustainable growth and creating opportunities for its people through strategic international partnerships.
President Dr Lazarus Chakwera is expected to official open the forum on Tuesday.
Chakwera condemns vandalism of ESCOM resources
By Prisca Promise Mashushu
Lilongwe, November, 25 Mana: President Dr Lazarus Chakwera has condemned vandalism of ESCOM resources saying it is retrogressive to the company's efforts to make Malawi a free blackout country.
Chakwera made the sentiments on Monday during the official launch of the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Project in Kanengo sub-station in Lilongwe.
“I would like to appeal to Malawians to avoid vandalising ESCOM resources such as poles, cables and others in order to ensure that everyone has access to electricity hence the police should investigate all vandalism cases that are happening in the country.
“The launch of BESS has been designed to reduce blackouts and cost of electricity by having reliability in electricity distribution to all people of the nation, but it can only happen if people in the country protect ESCOM resources since electricity is for all,” said Chakwera.
Echoing with the presidents sentiments, Minister of Energy Ibrahim Matola, said the launch of BESS is important to boost energy sector that has been facing many challenges including persistent blackouts and vandalism of electricity resources among others.
“A journey of thousands miles begins with a single step and the launch of BESS is just the beginning of many projects that government is planning to provide to the energy sector in order to ensure that all people have access to electricity without facing blackouts, while improving climate change,” he said.
Chairperson for ESCOM, Morgan Tembo, said the launch of BESS will help to improve stability and reliability of the national power grid as it will have the capacity to hold 20 megawatts of electricity.
“BESS will facilitate effective distribution of power, reduce outages and increase access to eelectricity. It will also provide frequency support in case of emergencies when electricity is shut down unaccepectebly,” said Tembo.
The project is expected to provide electricity to natives in different parts of the country by June 2025 and ESCOM has fueled US$ about 2.4 millionn to complete the project.
Tembo has, therefore, warned people who engage in vandalism of ESCOM resources to desist from such malpractice saying it is drawing back development in the country.
Vice President for Africa Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), Joseph Karanja Nganga, explained that the launch of BESS symbolises the spirit of ambition and innovation to ensure that Malawi has access to electricity.
“With energy present in the country, our farmers will be able to use technology equipment when farming and also they will be able to store crops easily. It will help in flourishing business activities; schools can work smoothly and the health sector can improve without having any draws back.
“Our ambition is to work alongside visionary leaders such as President Chakwera in order to fulfil a common goal of having access to energy globally,” Nganga explained.
Nganga said that the launch of BESS is also proof that Malawi can overcome tremendous challenges concerning energy.
The project has been funded by the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), the Malawi government and ESCOM.
AIP promotes self-reliance at household level
By Gift Chiponde and Paul Madise
Lilongwe, November 25, Mana: Residents of Dedza district have been encouraged to make effective use of the inputs they procured through the 2024/2025 Agricultural Input Program (AIP) to achieve self-reliance and create wealth at the household level.
The appeal was made by Village Headman Solowa at the Bembeke Fertilizer depot, who emphasized the importance of the AIP in enhancing crop yields and addressing hunger in rural communities.
"It is important to acknowledge the government’s efforts through the Ministry of Agriculture. As beneficiaries, we have to utilize these initiatives to maximize crop productivity rather than selling them to vendors," said Solowa.
Salowa further urged beneficiaries to adopt modern farming methods to increase yields and that farmers should embrace good agricultural methods for them to realize enough yields.
"As government distributes fertilizer to all Malawians nationwide this season, I appeal to responsible beneficiaries to collaborate with the government in tackling food shortages in our communities," Solowa stated.
In his remarks, Village Group Leader Kadammanja from Traditional Authority (TA) Kamenyagwaza noted that the commencement of the AIP demonstrates government's commitment to reach the intended beneficiaries on time.
"We must recognize government's effort, as they have embarked on mass distribution of AIP resources across the country. This development is very encouraging. However, it is concerning that, some may misuse this initiative. Such malpractices are not tolerated in our communities because they lead to food insecurity," said Kadammanja.
Evijenia Maliteni, a beneficiary from T/A Kamenyagwaza, expressed her excitement after successfully purchasing two bags of fertilizer.
“I hope to harvest enough for my family and even have a surplus that can transform our lives through increased yields compared to last year," she stated.
Maliteni further said she has committed herself to effectively use AIP opportunity as a tool for achieving food security.
