MANAonline
Chakwera impressed with Marko Irrigation Scheme in Chitipa
By Aliko Munde
Chitipa, March 12, Mana: President Dr Lazarus Chakwera has described Marko Irrigation Scheme in the area of Senior Chief Mwabulambya in Chitipa District as a game changer in fighting hunger.
Speaking when he visited the area to appreciate the irrigation scheme on Tuesday, Chakwera said the facility is in line with the country’s vision of achieving food security at household and national level.
“Let me thank people of this area for utilizing the irrigation scheme. We have seen that the irrigation scheme has already started improving the livelihood of farming households,” Chakwera said.
President for Marko Water Users Association ((WUA), Wachisa Muyaba applauded government for construction of the irrigation scheme, which he said has improved food security in the area.
Muyaba said that the irrigation scheme, which has 886 farmers, managed to harvest 60 metric tonnes of maize in the last growing season.
Muyaba said the area used to be hunger stricken all year round but it is now food secure with the construction of the irrigation scheme.
“We are able to grow crops three times a year hence farming households are realizing more harvests for food and surplus for sale to earn income for supporting their families,” Muyaba said.
Minister of Agriculture, Sam Kawale said the irrigation scheme has also increased job creation for people in the area.
The K1.8 billion Marko Irrigation Scheme was constructed by Programme for Rural Irrigation Development (PRIDE) project with funding from The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
Solar power key to improving agro-industrialisation
By Monica Tambala
Lilongwe, March 12, Mana: Minister of Energy, Ibrahim Matola, has underscored the need to broaden the scope of sources of energy to create more affordable and sustainable opportunities within the local set up in order to improve the agricultural sector in Malawi.
He said more sustainable and affordable sources of energy would contribute positively to not only the development of irrigation but also livestock production and agro-processing among others.
Speaking at the opening of the Agri-energy Delivery Laboratory at Bingu International Convention Centre in Lilongwe on Tuesday, Matola said government is focused on agro-led industrialisation as it has the greatest scope for sectors that can drive inclusive economic growth and economic transformation.
“Today we are here unlocking issues of access to electricity; not only being connected to the grid but also using the God given natural resources such as solar to make this country go further in value addition.
“As President Chakwera has chosen three sectors in his administration, mainly Agriculture, Tourism and Mining (ATM) to drive economic transformation and all these require energy as their enabler,” he said.
Matola added that government’s removal of some taxes on solar equipment is a right step in ensuring easy access to electricity and affordability of energy for everyone.
Head of the Presidential Delivery Unit (PDU), Dr Janet Banda, said agro-industrialisation, which is the core driver of President Chakwera’s transformation agenda of job creation, wealth creation and food security remains a challenge due to high energy costs, limited grid network and power generation.
“Although strides have been made to curb the challenges like introduction of the special agriculture tariff to enhance access to affordable energy, there are still many users who are not yet connected to the power grid.
“Hence solar energy has become a very crucial source of power in the agro sector. However, there are several challenges associated with solar energy which needs to be thoroughly dissected and analysed,” she said.
She added that there are several solar powered agro-processing cooperatives across the country who are facing challenges of affordability, authenticity and sustainability of solar equipment which the agri-energy delivery lab is meant to find lasting solutions to.
One of the farmers from Mwalamba Cooperative in Mangochi, Falesi Dinesi, said they face challenges in accessing solar power hence the need for a transformer in their area so that they can boost sales in their respective businesses.
The Agri-energy Delivery Lab has been organised by PDU with financial support from Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP).
Japan supports Zomba Police College Hospital in healthcare
By Sellah Singini
Lilongwe, March 12, Mana: The embassy of Japan in Malawi has signed a K60 million grant with Zomba Police College Hospital for the importation of an ambulance to support the delivery of emergency health services in Zomba.
Speaking after the signing ceremony in Lilongwe on Tuesday, Ambassador of Japan to Malawi, Yoichi OYA, said although Zomba Police College Hospital makes a lot of efforts to provide quality health services to police officers as well as to the people of Zomba lack of an ambulance prevents the hospital from dealing with urgent needs.
He said the hospital is unable to cope with sudden changes in conditions, especially for pregnant women and critically injured patients, because it is using general vehicles to transport patients.
“Our development cooperation policy emphasizes the importance of human security, investment in people and human dignity. Japan has demonstrated its commitment to achieving universal health coverage in Africa as committed at TICAD 8 held in Tunisia in 2022. Japan is fully committed to assist Malawi to achieve the goals outlined in MW2063,” he said.
OYA strongly hopes that the provision of an ambulance will contribute to the provision of quality health services to police officers as well as Zomba residents.
He, therefore, urged the hospital to provide required care and maintenance for the ambulance.
The project is funded by the government of Japan under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects.
Deputy Inspector General of the Malawi Police Service, Happy Mkandawire, said the grant has come at the right time saying it will ease mobility challenges the hospital experiences in ferrying patients to Zomba Central Hospital.
“Let me express our profound gratitude to the government of Japan for their timely response at a time the hospital is in dire need of an ambulance. The ambulance will ease mobility challenges in ferrying patients in need of tertiary level health care. This will help in reduction of complications and preventable deaths that occur due to delays in ferrying patients to referral hospitals,” Mkandawire said.
He, therefore, assured the ambassador that the hospital will take all necessary measures in ensuring that the ambulance is put to good use.
Zomba Police College Hospital has a total catchment area of approximately 3,181 and offers health services to an average of 4,000 clients from the nearby surrounding community per month.
Likoma wears new face as first bank opens on the island
By Ireen Mseteka
Likoma, March 12, Mana: First Discount House (FDH) Bank on Monday officially opened a banking facility in Likoma, becoming the first bank to open a branch in the island district.
Speaking during the official opening of the bank, Minister of Finance Simplex Chithyola Banda commended FDH bank for the facility, saying it will help to improve socio-economic wellbeing of people in the district.
“I would like to appeal to people in the district to take advantage of the bank to improve their socio-economic wellbeing through safe keeping of their savings, borrowing to expand their businesses and accessing insurance services in case of eventualities, among others,” said Banda.
He said the bank has shown that it is a true and reliable government partner as it has spearheaded various development initiatives that are aligned with the government vision of turning Malawi into an inclusively wealthy middle income country.
Deputy Governor for Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) responsible for economics and regulation, McDonald Mwale said Likoma has for a long time been denied easy access to financial services due to reluctance of banks to open branches on the Island district.
“As RBM, which is the regulator of the banking industry in Malawi, we have always preached about financial inclusion whereby we encourage financial and banking services to be taken to the people.
“Thanks to FDH. Honestly, this is not a business decision but a decision to serve people. We have been hearing of people putting ATM cards together and sending someone to go and get money for them on the mainland which was very risky,” said Mwale.
Member of Parliament (MP) for Likoma Ashems Songwe said the absence of banks in Likoma District had been forcing people to keep millions of kwachas under their pillows while civil servants could be away for days to access their salaries on the mainland.
Loosening the grasp of divorce, ECD on families
By Leah Malimbasa
Chikwawa, 12 March, Mana: Joyce Maliko from Mastade Village, Traditional Authority Lundu in Chikwawa district is a symbol of the countless challenges faced by many single mothers in the country.
At the age of 27, Maliko has already been divorced twice with three children to look after all alone.
“I have three children; two from the first marriage and one from the second marriage which ended last year,” she explains.
The three children are all aged below 10 and each day the single mother has to deal with the harsh reality of seeing her children failing to attend school due to a lack of resources.
“We are surviving from piecework. I have no one to support me and my children, so whenever I get paid, I buy food just to keep us going but mostly I only afford one meal a day and some days we go without food,” she says amidst sobs.
Abandoned by their fathers, the family is just one thread in the complex tapestry of divorces and child support cases in the country.
Chikwawa District Courts Administrator, Lusekero Msopole says the district has seen a surge in divorce and child support cases in the past two years.
Says Msopole: “The numbers are staggering, with 1 481 divorce cases registered, of which 877 have been concluded, leaving 604 pending.
Child maintenance cases stand at 721, with 374 concluded and 347 pending. Ngwengwe Magistrate court emerges as the epicentre of the crisis having recorded the highest numbers at 610 divorce cases and 384 child maintenance cases.”
According to Msopole, child support is a legal obligation where a non-custodial parent is required to provide financial support to the custodial parent or care-giver of their child or children. It’s intended to cover the child’s basic needs, including shelter, food, clothing, education and medical care.
However, he observes that some parents fail to provide such support to due to financial hardships, lack of awareness or understanding, lack of communication, resistance, incarceration or disability, evasion and lack of enforcement.
Despite the latter forming part of the reasons for failure to provide child support, the law is clear on the issue.
Section 9 of the Childcare, Protection and Justice Act states that where a parent or any other person, who is legally liable to maintain a child or to contribute towards the maintenance of the child, neglects to maintain the child or to make the contribution, the child, parent of the child or guardian of the child may apply against such person to the Child Justice Court for a maintenance order of the child.
The Act further allows relatives of the child, a social welfare officer, a police officer, a teacher, a health officer and any other appropriate person to apply against such liable persons to the children’s court for a child maintenance order.
Section 18 of the Childcare, Protection and Justice Act states that maintenance orders shall be enforced 30 days after the order is made, but a Child Justice Court may, in appropriate circumstances, make an order for a longer period.
It also states on Section 22(1) (a) and (b) and 22(2) of the same Act that it is an offence for failing to provide support to the children and failure to maintain the child can either be liable to a custodial jail sentence or a fine of K50 000.
Chikwawa district social welfare officer Aaron Macheka says it is worrisome that some families face significant risks when divorce disrupts this foundation.
“The consequences extend beyond the emotional toll on children, basic needs become unattainable, social care breaks down, and vulnerable family members, particularly mothers, may find themselves exposed to abuse and exploitation,” he says.
Macheka adds that limited resources, coupled with emotional strain, often hinder the well-being and cognitive growth of young ones.
“The fractured family structure, often marked by a struggling mother, can lead to psychological distress for all involved, perpetuating a cycle of social issues,” Macheka observes.
Mental Health expert, Precious Makiyi concurs with Macheka that divorce takes a toll on early childhood development, creating a challenging environment for children in broken families.
“Divorce can impact early childhood development, influencing emotional well-being and behaviour and the children from the broken marriages may face challenges in forming secure attachments, leading to potential impacts on future relationships,” says Makiyi.
According to Msopole, child support laws play a crucial role in promoting early childhood development by ensuring that children have access to the financial resources and other support they need to thrive during their formative years.
Mostly our courts give orders in the best interest of these children to make sure that child support laws contribute to early childhood development, such as Financial Stability, Access to Resources, Reduced Stress, Parental Involvement and Legal Protection,
He advises: “It is important for parents to comply with child support orders to ensure the well-being and financial stability of their children. If circumstances change, such as a change in income or custody arrangements, it may be possible to apply for a variation of the child support order through our court system.
It’s important for parents to comply with court orders and to communicate any changes in circumstances that may affect the child support arrangement. Failure to comply with a court child support order can result in legal consequences.”
PIH scales up youth corners in Neno
By Wellington Sibale
Neno, March 12, Mana: Partners in Health (PIH) has scaled up youth corners in Neno in a bid to promote family planning and sexual reproductive health rights (SRHR) services among the youth.
PIH Primary Health Care Manager, Issac Mphande, made the remarks on Monday during a review meeting which saw PIH handing over recreation materials to the youth.
He said bringing the youth closer to the service makes it easier for them to access SRHR services.
“We provide different recreation materials such as games like snake and ladders to make the youth busy as they interact with peers and health care providers,” said Mphande.
The initiative is supporting Ministry of Health to address health needs of young people in the district by establishing youth corners to reduce teenage and unintended pregnancies among adolescents.
Mphande said youths are engaged in community dialogue and youth open days to reach out to more youths.
“To make the project sustainable, we have trained health care providers and youth leaders on Sexual Reproductive Health Rights and Youth Friendly Health Services,” he said.
Neno District Youth Officer, Ian Sukali, urged youths to patronize the corners and appealed to partners in the district to join the drive by providing recreation and sporting equipment across all the youth corners.
"PIH has supported with musical instruments. We need partners to come in and support the youth corners with sporting materials so that we should be able to attract young people to attend youth friendly services in large numbers," said Sukali.
He added that youth corners create safe place for adolescents to access SRHR and comprehensive services on sexual gender based violence.
The project is being implemented under the ‘No woman or girl left behind' with funding from Global Affairs of Canada.
PIH has scaled up to eight youth corners in Neno at Dambe, Nsambe, Ligowe, Neno DHO, Magaleta, Zalewa, Chifunga and Matope.
Addressing degraded environment in Mchinji
By Winfrida Kamwana
Mchinji, March 12, Mana: It is no secret that over the years Malawi has been affected negatively by climate change.
The country has witnessed climate that has been highly variable and weather that is very unpredictable.
Droughts and floods have been considered to be a norm appearing almost every year taking the country a few steps back in its economic and developmental growth.
In an era where climate change has brought great mischief among communities in Malawi, different views and actions have been explored to capitulate and resolve such problems.
Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CSEPWP), a component under Social Support for Resilient Livelihood Programme (SSRLP), has been one benchmark in the process of addressing climate change.
Andsen Mvula, chairperson for the Nathyola Catchment Area in Chamveka Village under Traditional Authority (TA) Mlonyeni in Mchinji has hailed CSEPWP for its ability to help communities reclaim the land they lost due to surface run-off.
Through gully reclamation by creating check dams, people in Nathyola have managed to restore degraded land and are able to cultivate on some parts of the land they thought they will never use again.
“Some parts of the land had eroded due to heavy rainfall and since the land was bare as a result of cutting trees to make charcoal, we had problems in cultivating crops on such areas,” explained Mvula.
The focus of CSEPWP is to enhance land resource conservation, afforestation, natural regeneration, and sustainable livelihoods in order to bring resilience to communities’ prone to climate-related shocks and stresses, such as floods, droughts, and extreme weather events.
This is why communities are introduced to ways that can help deal with these climates related shocks.
According to Mvula, Nathyola Catchment Area has not only reclaimed land through check dams in the gullies and planting of bananas in the gullies but the beneficiaries have also been able to dig more than 300 infiltration pits around the Kalenga Matenda Hill to stop water runoff.
This is to help in holding water and preventing it from running down the hill into people’s houses and farms with much force.
Concurring with Mvula, foreman for Kachinga natural regeneration under Luzare Catchment Area in TA Nyoka, Joseph Frederick Phiri stated that afforestation is one major key to bringing back the nature the communities lost.
He explained that not only has the catchment area been able to plant more trees in Kachinga Mountain but they have also made half-moons bunds and planted vetiver grass to control water runoff from the mountain down to the community and the streams.
“People living in this area especially those at the foot of the mountain had challenges during the rainy season because sometimes the water would run down the hill into their houses. Making half-moons or semi secular bunds in the mountain has helped in addressing such problems” said Phiri.
Under CSEPWP, Mchinji district has 20 catchment areas where the climate smart beneficiaries are working on various water and soil conservation initiatives.
Some of the initiatives include caring for natural regeneration, tree planting, gully reclamation, river banks protection, and making contour marker ridges, which in a way brings about a sense of ownership to them since they are working in their own localities.
“The idea of CSEPWP is to equip people with the knowledge of taking care of the environment. We are encouraging ownership and durable and quality structures,” explained Land Resource Conservation Officer Rhoda Njikho.
Njikho highlighted that CSEPWP has helped communities such as Chamveka in reducing natural degradation by increasing infiltration rate and reducing surface run off but at the same time bringing the communities together to work with one mind and one goal.
Climate smart technologies and practices have presented opportunities for addressing climate change challenges as well as for economic growth and development of the agriculture sector.
Recognizing that the economy is tight in this era, the participants of are given an amount of K28 800 as wages at the end of the 24 days’ cycle that they complete the work.
The beneficiaries of CSEPWP were linked to Community Savings and Investments Cooperative Promotion (COMSIP) to instill the culture of savings and investment among the project participants and to increase household incomes and productive assets through diversified investments.
Michael Ziyalula, chairperson for Tikondane COMSIP club in Chamveka Village said being part of the club has aided him become more efficient when it comes to earning money to sustain his family.
“Joining the club has made it easier for me to access loans which I use to buy fertilizer and other needed farm inputs in order to grow my farming business. I have also been able to sustain my household with important stocks and other needs,” said Ziyalula.
Ziyalula said that before the project, it was not an easy task to fend for himself or to be able to buy farm inputs which was frustrating because farming is the only means he uses to sustain himself and his family.
“With the rise in the prices of fertilizer and other farm inputs, it was hard for me to buy the needed inputs. Sometimes I would manage to buy half of what was needed and sometimes I would just let it go because there was no money and no means to earn as much and be able to acquire the needed inputs,” explained Ziyalula.
Alice Joseph Lazaro from Kachinga Village under TA Nyoka is also another participant of CSEPWP working in Luzale Catchment Area and like many beneficiaries she was facing financial challenges to sustain her household and buy needed inputs for her farm.
After working in various projects under the programme, she was able to buy a goat which has now multiplied and is making it easier to access manure for her farm produce.
“The programme has opened doors for me to be able to provide for myself and my family. Working on various projects under the programme I managed to save up some money and later on bought a goat which is now making it easier for me to access manure,” Alice explained.
She further appreciated government for introducing the project to vulnerable communities saying this is not just keeping nature intact and safe but it is also enhancing lives of people in those communities.
In Mchinji there are 20 catchment areas with 19,362 beneficiaries and in the next cycle an additional 3,783 beneficiaries will be added.
CSEPWP will also contribute 140,000 trees to this year’s district target of trees planted which is 3 million trees.
The programme is being implemented through the National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC) and funded by the World Bank and the Social Protection Multi-Donor Trust Fund.
Conservation efforts show promise in Mchinji district
By Monica Banda
Mchinji, March 12, Mana: The Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CSEPWP) District Project Facilitator for Mchinji, Thandie Sukali, has expressed satisfaction with the community's efforts in conserving degraded land in their catchment areas.
In an interview with MANA on Monday, Sukali commended catchment members for their diligent work in implementing conservation measures under the public works programme during a media tour to some of the catchments.
"I have witnessed the dedication of the participants in constructing structures like contour bands, and semi secular bands which will effectively reduce soil erosion and soil degradation in the catchments areas,” said Sukali.
She highlighted the significance of implementing measures to mitigate water runoff, which often leads to soil erosion and the loss of fertile soils.
Yohane Nyirenda, Chairperson of Kamphoro catchment area in Traditional Authority (TA) Kapunula, echoed Sukali's sentiments, emphasising the positive impact of constructing structures like contour ridges, check dams, and half-moons in preventing soil erosion.
"These measures help to retain water in the soil by enhancing infiltration and also safeguards our crops from being washed away as the speed of water is reduced,” Nyirenda explained.
The participants in the programme are given K28,800 as wages at the end of the 24-day cycle.
Diveliyasi Phiri, another member of the catchment, attested to the transformative impact of the programme on her community.
"The income from the programme has also enabled us to establish village banks and loans, facilitating access to essential resources such as fertilizer and education for our children."
Phiri expressed gratitude to the government for implementing the programme and emphasized the newfound awareness of environmental conservation within the community.
"Previously, environmental degradation was rampant, but now, with the CSEPWP, we are committed to conserving our environment and ensuring sustainable livelihoods," Phiri remarked.
CSEPWP aims at improving the quality of life in targeted communities, and has already targeted over 19,362 individuals, providing essential income and fostering environmental stewardship.
The government programme is a component of Social Support for Resilient Livelihood Programme (SSRLP) funded by the World Bank and Social Protection Multi Donor Trust Fund.
Blantyre District Commissioner signs MOU with partners
By Petro Mkandawire
Blantyre, March 12, Mana: Blantyre District Council has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with development partners that implement various projects in the district to ensure proper service delivery to the rural communities.
Blantyre District Commissioner, Alex Mdooko urged the development partners to come up with interventions that will complement the council’s efforts in dealing with illiteracy levels, poverty and other social challenges that compromises livelihood.
The DC made the call on Monday at Blantyre District Council chamber during the District Executive Committee (DEC) meeting where the council also signed the MOU.
He observed many climate change effects that brought about disasters and other livelihood challenges require proper collaboration and development partner’s interventions.
“Be flexible in intervening in the current dry spell situation, farming families are desperate and looking for various interventions from both the council and non-state actors that should solve their food and basic needs for survival,” he said
He said the council will welcome strategies from partners to address issues ranging from illiteracy, disease prevention to climate change induced situations such as prolonged dry spells currently affecting food crop production among farming families in the district.
“We should come up with projects that will help to alleviate problems people are going through. We should fight low literacy levels in our district since the percentage of problems are as a result of illiteracy,’ added Mdooko.
Executive Director for Tsogolo la Ana, Lucy Maunde said signing of MOU with the council provides full mandate and commitments towards the development of the district.
She said Tsogolo la Ana was ready and willing to work with the council in addressing challenges that the communities are experiencing.
“We will work together with much effort to improve communities’ living standards. We are ready to move forward and respond to climate change effects as well as different situations that affect the district.
To deal with illiteracy levels, she added that Tsogolo la Ana will provide desks, staffroom chairs, and books as a way of improving child education on top of constructing primary schools in Blantyre rural.
Some of the development partners that attended the DEC meeting and witnessed the MOU signing included Kachere Progressive Women, Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF), Tsogolo la Ana, One Acre Fund, Macro Impact and other government sectors.
Collaboration key to restore Kuti Wildlife Reserve
By Lekereni Chinkhota
Salima, March 11, Mana: As one way of conserving the environment and protecting natural resources at Kuti Wildlife Reserve in Salima District, Assemblies of God Care has underscored the importance of stakeholders and community members to collaborate in implementing interventions.
Speaking during an interface meeting that took place over the weekend at Kuti Wildlife Reserve, Assemblies of God Care Programs Manager Davis Mtoseni said the meeting was organized to address the chaos that Kuti management has been having with the surrounding communities that led to rampant deforestation.
“As Assemblies of God Care, we are satisfied and thankful that the meeting has been fruitful. The resolutions made have impacted us as an organization because we want the relationship between communities around and Kuti management to be stronger.
“The meeting has come on time to calm down the chaos that has been between human and wildlife situation over the years, and the resolutions made will help us to move forward,” he said.
Mtoseni further said their goal is to conserve and protect what is available and restore what has been lost, citing that natural resources help people achieve various interventions easily.
Concurring with Mtoseni, Acting Director of Natural Resources and Environment, Adam Jason, said it is important to take care of the wildlife reserve which has benefits to present and future generations.
“This meeting is a very beneficial one because it will help us conserve what is left in our wildlife reserve as we know that Kuti is under threat of extinction because people are cutting down trees illegally and without following any procedure,” he said.
In his remarks, Senior Chief Kalonga expressed joy that his communities have been welcomed again in the reserve and he promised to work together with the Kuti management.
“We reviewed the situation of Kuti to prevent the continuation of the careless cutting down of trees in the reserve. The problem arose when the Kuti management did not want us to participate in the activities that they were doing.
“The eviction of the chiefs that happened opened doors for people to start destroying the reserve. But as of today, with the new management in place, we are sure that our involvement will restore the glory that we have lost in the past years,” he said.
Kuti Wildlife Reserve Manager Allan Ellof said the reserve offers tourism attraction, adding that, going forward, he will be involving the surrounding communities to work hand in hand with them to prevent future chaos.
“We will talk directly to the people in the communities not using intermediaries because we believe communication is the strong driver to make us work with each other. We want to have a fruitful relationship with the communities by providing them with new forms of energy,” he said.
The meeting accommodated all stakeholders responsible for facilitating the conservation agenda of the wildlife reserve, which is experiencing rampant deforestation.
Assemblies of God Care, through the Malawi Conserve Project, which is being implemented around the wildlife reserve, sponsored the meeting.
