By Chisomo Kambandanga

Nkhata Bay, August 7, Mana: Director General for Malawi Council for Disabilities Affairs (MACODA), George Chiusiwa has urged local councils in the country to take a leading role in advocating and promoting newly enacted Persons with Disability Act, 2024.

Chiusiwa made the remarks on Tuesday in Nkhata-Bay during an Orientation of the new Act to Nkhata Bay District Council officials and other stakeholders, organized by The Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, facilitated by UNDP together with Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC).

Chiusiwa said they are engaging duty bearers in local councils in the country so that they should understand better the content in the new Act and their obligation in promoting the welfare of persons with disabilities.

"Local authority officials need to acquire knowledge and information in as far as this new law is concerned so that they easily safeguard the lives of persons with disabilities under the new law," said Chiusiwa.

Chiusiwa challenged councils to construct infrastructure that can ably accommodate persons with disabilities.

"It is also important that public institutions are provided with resources to make proper adjustment to pieces of infrastructures in order to ensure that persons with disabilities access services,” he added.

Chairperson for Nkhata Bay Disability Forum, McDwelings Nkhoma said the new Act is significant in spearheading improvement to their social-economic welfare as among other things it is advocating for empowerment to persons with disabilities.