MANAonline
Ungweru organization clocks two decades of its existence
By Martin Mailosi
Mzuzu, November 8, Mana: Ungweru which is charitable non-governmental organization based in Mzuzu City, on Friday celebrated its two decades of its existence in working with various sectors of people.
According to Praise Kajogolo-17, a resident of Mzuzu City, he has acquired computer skills and data analysis through trainings which are offered by the organization.
“The organization has also changed our mindset towards entrepreneurship and enhanced our analytical reasoning in finding solutions to challenges affecting our businesses and communities.
We have also attained effective communication skills and how we can protect ourselves from falling victims to scammers in this error where almost everything is going digital,” said Kajogolo.
Kettie Phiri-16 who also lives in Mzuzu, commended Ungweru organization for drilling young people in various areas such as Information Communication Technology (ICT) tailoring and designing, business management among others.
According to the Director of Ungweru Organization, Sam Phiri, the institution has branches in Mzimba through which it engages young people in initiatives geared at improving their livelihoods, environmental protection and enhancing community resilience to climate change shocks.
“Our interventions are tailor made to suit youth empowerment approaches in various fields and I am pleased to say about 15,000 young people have graduated and awarded certificates in different fields since the establishment of this institution twenty years ago,” said Phiri.
During the day, the institution’s workers and students conducted a cleanup exercise around the surrounding of the organization’s campus area to motivate people to participate in the promotion of sanitation and hygiene in their areas.
The organization has this year awarded certificates in ICT to 70 students.
Engineer Mumba urges youth to be interested in affairs of the country
By George Bulombola
Mzuzu, November 9, Mana: Engineer Vitumbiko Mumba has urged young people across the country to be interested in the affairs of the country.
Mumba was speaking on Friday in Mzuzu during the signing ceremony of a three year-MK45 million sponsorship of Northern Zone Basketball League which he has financed to promote Volleyball in the northern region and the country as a whole.
Taking advantage of the ceremony, Engineer Mumba said that the youth do not take pride in the affairs of the country, hence due to lack of such an interest leads them to embark on undesirable behaviors.
“Young people are supposed to be innovative, must come up with innovative ideas which can be refined in consultation with other stakeholders for financing. This can in a long run make youths economically active.
I have a passion for volleyball hence raising the sponsorship from MKl5 Million to MK45 million and besides this, I support this drive as also a platform through which various stakeholders can be engaging the youth on different issues for the country’s development,” said Mumba.
To ensure that the volleyball teams are provided with conducive playing environment for the game, Mumba urged authorities in volleyball arena and others to identify land for construction of volleyball court in Mzuzu.
“I am going to pay for the land and construct the court in partnership with other stakeholders so that, together we contribute to the development of the sport in the region and the country as a whole,” said Mumba.
General Secretary for Basket Ball Association of Malawi, Peter Gomani, commended Mumba for the sponsorship which he will contribute to unlocking of hidden volleyball talent, hence enhancing development and populace of the sport.
“We don’t take this for granted We therefore assure Engineer Mumba that we will be accountable and encourage reporting at every level to safeguard what you have given us,” said Gomani.
Silver Strikers face Nyasa Big Bullets in Airtel Top 8 final
By Alinafe Kapatamoyo
Lilongwe, 9th November, Mana: The stage is set at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe as Silver Strikers take on Nyasa Big Bullets today in the highly anticipated Airtel Top 8 Cup final.
This marks the second time the two teams have faced each other in the final of this tournament. Last year, Silver Strikers were defeated by Nyasa Big Bullets in a penalty shootout, with Bullets claiming the title.
Will Nyasa Big Bullets successfully defend their title as reigning champions? 90 minutes of play will determine who appears as the winner of the 2024 Airtel Top 8 Cup.
Digital skills training key to unlocking future innovators and entrepreneurs
BY Paul Madise
Lilongwe November 09, Mana: Manager of Hello School Program at Malawi University of Business and Applies Sciences (MUBAS) Innovation Hub, Tamara Chitawo says Hello School Programs remains focused on developing a digital literate and skilled workforce, a critical aspect of achieving sustainable economic development.
Chitawo told Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Thursday 7th following the successful graduation of children in the fifth cohort of the Hello Tomorrow Innovation Hub stipulating that by equipping kids between the ages of 6 and 17 with programming skills is directly contributing to the country’s aspirations of becoming a technologically advanced nation.
She further articulated that empowering young learners to engage with stem education from an early age will enhance their problem solving abilities preparing them for the digital future.
“By proving foundational coding and programming skills, we are helping to create a pool of future innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders in technology-paving the way for a digital-driven economic growth across the country,” she said.
Chitawo also disclosed that since the inception of the Hello Tomorrow program, close to 200 kids have graduated with skills in various fields including, web development, and basic digital skills.
According to Tamara Chitawo, a number of strategies have been put in place to ensure Hello Tomorrow programmes are more accessible underscoring outreach initiatives to rural areas to ensure that children in remote areas also benefit from the programmes further increasing the collaboration with organizations that provides funding for underprivileged background kids to actively participate.
“Currently, we are also working with schools, local communities, and other stakeholders to raise awareness of the program and create pathways for children who might otherwise not have access to these opportunities,” she said.
“Hello Tomorrow program is not about teaching technical skills, but it is also about inspiring young minds to dream big and pursue careers in fields they may not have otherwise considered. Our long-term vision is to help create a generation of problem-solvers, innovators, and entrepreneurs who can tackle challenges in various sectors such as health, education, and agriculture. We are committed to continuing our efforts and partnerships to make sure that no child is left behind when it comes to gaining the skills needed to succeed in the 21st century,” explained Chitawo.
However, Chitawo acknowledged infrastructure constraints resulting in limited number of student accessing Hello Tomorrow programs and inadequate funding to facilitate the expansion of the program as other challenges facing the implementation of the initiative.
Previously during the closing programme of the third cohort at MUBAS, Chisomo Sambakunsi one of the parents acknowledged that through the programme children have learnt programming skills as well as developing other capabilities.
Apart from the Hello Tomorrow Program, the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences Innovation Hub also offers Digital Skills training designed for both professionals and youths, emphasizing proficiency in Microsoft Office Packages and Data Management aiming at enhancing productivity, improve data handling capabilities, and equip participants with essential digital competencies required in today's technology-driven world.
Society of Anesthesiologists to hold fundraising dinner and dance
By Milcah Mathias
Blantyre, November 9, Mana: Society of Anesthesiologists (SOA) Malawi will host a dinner and dance at Amaryllis Hotel in Blantyre on November 15 to raise about MK110 million for 2024 College of Anesthesiologists East, Central and Southern Africa (CANESCA) Annual Regional Conference to be held in Blantyre from December 4 to 6.
The 2nd Annual Regional Scientific Conference will take place at Sunbird Hotel, Blantyre, Malawi, under the theme; Strengthening Anaesthesia Education, Workforce and Well-Being in Africa.
SOA President, Dr. Delia Mabedi told Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Friday that the annual regional conference is aimed at advancing anaesthesia, perioperative care, pain management, and intensive care in East, Central, and Southern Africa.
She therefore appealed to all stakeholders as well as corporate institutions to attend the fundraising dinner and dance and encouraged them to donate any amount towards the December international conference.
“Our budget is quite a lot, about MK110 million, so we need to raise anything towards the budget. We are doing it to fundraise for the conference that we are having from 4 to 6, December. From a range of our activities, we will have examinations on December 4, graduation on December 5 in the morning and in the evening we will have the conference which will end on the December 6,” she added.
Some of the highlight of the fundraising dinner and dance, include a live performance by Armstrong Kalua who is popularly known as African Butter, Onesimus of the romantic hit ‘Controller’, which won Song of the Year Award in the Music Video Africa Awards (MVAA) 2024.
Mabedi who serve as Chief Anesthesiologist at Zomba Central Hospital, said that during the event, anesthesiologists will give a short glimpse of what they do to raise awareness of the profession.
“The SOA is a professional body that was formed to promote the welfare of anesthesiologists. We also train more anesthesiologists on the ground,” she added.
SOA has members in government hospitals, providing health care, promoting education to doctors and other professionals as well as ensuring that safe, high-quality anaesthesia services are available to all Malawians, according to Mabedi.
An anesthesiologist is a physician specializing in giving drugs or other agents to prevent or relieve pain during surgery or other procedures on top of having a wider range of practices that extend beyond anaesthesia for surgery to include pain management and intensive care.
Court finds former police officer a case to answer
By Emily M'mangisa
Zomba, November 8, Mana: Principal Resident Magistrate Court in Zomba has found former police officer Twalick Mpaweni with a case to answer on two counts namely; having sexual intercourse with a minor and aiding a suspect to escape from lawful police custody at Kachulu Police Post in Zomba.
Principal Resident Magistrate, Martin Chipofya made the determination on Friday after the state paraded over 12 witnesses against Mpaweni who until the offence was stationed at Kachulu as police sergeant.
Vitumbiko Mbizi from Women Lawyers Association (WLA who) represented the girl expressed satisfaction with the court's determination, saying justice is on its way.
Mpaweni is being accused of having sexual intercourse with a girl aged 14 and aiding the minor to escape from lawful police custody
Principal Legal Aid Advocate, Hanleck Ching’anda who represented the accused said the courts' decision was anticipated but said will fight on.
“We will parade three witnesses and we are certain that these will punch holes in evidence provided by the state,” he added.
Sergeant Mpaweni was arrested for allegedly having sexual intercourse with a minor at Kachulu in August 2023.
The court heard that Mpaweni had sexual intercourse with a minor in exchange of freedom after the latter was booked for theft.
The court further heard that after having sex with the minor, Mpaweni provided a police flag to the girl for warmth after the midnight release from the cell.
The Principal Magistrate Court set November 27 for the defense to parade its witnesses.
PWP participants gear up for forest replenishment in Mchinji
By Vincent Khonje
Mchinji, November 8, Mana: As part of the Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CSEPWP), micro-catchments in Mchinji district have set up tree nurseries to support afforestation activities during the current season in the district.
With the seasonality calendar pointing to afforestation activities in the implementation of the programme, participants are establishing the tree nurseries after previously working on soil and water conservation interventions.
One of the forepersons from Puye Catchment in Traditional Authority Matuwamba, Emmanuel Sandikonda, said that they have established tree nurseries in readiness for afforestation interventions during the rainy season.
“In the nurseries, we are raising tree seedlings that we want to plant during the rainy season to help recover forest cover and reduce water runoff in the area,” said Sandikonda.
At Mwimbi catchment in T/A Simphasi, the chairperson of the management committee, Benson Geresomo, said the community came together to establish a tree nursery so that they should have enough seedlings for planting as the rains start.
“As a community contribution in the implementation of the programme, we spared our time to establish the nurseries and raise more seedlings so that we plant the trees on a large area of land, since most of the land here is bare,” said Geresomo.
District Forest Officer for Mchinji, Fortune Mwafulirwa, said she was impressed with how the programme participants have prepared for the next phase of continuous implementation.
Mwafulirwa said the preparations are going on well, as evidenced by the presence of forest nurseries in all the micro catchments across the district.
“My advice to all participants is to continue caring for their nurseries by following all the silviculture operations, and advice given to them by forestry extension workers in their respective micro catchments,
“The communities should also focus on caring for natural regenerating trees. They should also formulate bylaws and forest management plans for proper management of their respective woodlots and trees that will be planted,” said Mwafulirwa.
Some of the local species that are being raised include Nsangu, Ntangatanga, M’bawa, and Mthethe
Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CSEPWP) is a component of the Social Support for Resilient Livelihood Programme (SSRLP –Tidzidalire) supported by the World Bank and the Social Protection Multi-Donor Trust Fund.
NRB ready with second phase of MEC voter registration
By Prisca Promise Mashushu
Lilongwe, November 8, Mana: The National Registration Bureau (NRB) says it is ready to register and provide proof of identification through National Identity Cards to all citizens during the second phase of the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) registration exercise.
Principal Secretary for the Ministry of Homeland Security, Mphatso Sambo said this during a press briefing at Capital Hill in Lilongwe on Friday.
He said citizens who do not posses’ National IDs should register in all centres for easy registration in preparation for the upcoming general elections.
“NRB is encouraging all citizens who are above 16 years to register in all centres allocated and also all those above 18 years are eligible to register with the Malawi Electoral Commission in order to vote in the 2025 general elections.
“All those who have lost their ID cards or have not yet received them will be directed to NRB desks for assistance before registering to MEC in all centres,”Sambo explained.
He also noted that in the first phase of voter registration, those who had lost their cards were successfully verified for registration.
However, he cautioned Malawians against attempting to re-register at MEC centres, as this could disrupt and delay the identification process.
“Citizens should note that only those above 18 who are already registered with NRB are the ones eligible to register for voting and all those already registered under MEC are discouraged to re-register to avoid distracting and delaying the identification process.
“NRB is present at all MEC registration centres to assist citizens with the processes," he said.
Unsafe abortions among girls in Thyolo raise alarm
By Yamikani Yapuwa
Thyolo, November 8, Mana: A recent assessment conducted by the Women’s Rights Institute (WORI) has revealed that at least 662 adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in Thyolo procured unsafe abortions between January and September this year.
The findings shared during a dissemination meeting on Thursday, underscored challenges in accessing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, including limited privacy, cultural beliefs and inadequate communication between parents and young people.
Reacting to the findings, WORI Thyolo District Project Officer, Kuunika Kamende observed that the barriers have contributed significantly to the rise in complicated abortions in the district.
She stressed the need for stakeholders to collaborate in addressing the challenges.
“Our goal is to improve access to SRH services by August next year under a €30,000 project. This will involve engaging various stakeholders to tackle restrictions and foster dialogue,” said Kamende.
Thyolo District Hospital Youth-Friendly Health Services Coordinator, Steve Dimba echoed the concerns, emphasizing the critical role of collective efforts in addressing the problem.
“The health sector alone cannot solve the issue of early pregnancies. We need coordinated actions to enhance uptake of youth-friendly services and address the underlying factors contributing to unsafe abortions,” Dimba said.
The assessment which focused on Bvumbwe Health Centre and other district health facilities underscored the urgency for interventions to protect adolescent girls and young women from the dangers of unsafe abortions.
Data key to decision making – Finance Minister
By Patience Longwe, Charles Nkhoma and Alinafe Kapatamoyo
Lilongwe, November 8, Mana: The Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Simplex Chithyola Banda, Friday officially launched the Power of Data initiative in Lilongwe
The Power of Data initiative is an extensive programme designed to utilise data to enhance decision-making processes, improve operational efficiency, and drive innovation across various sectors of the economy.
The minister said the initiative will aid in assessing sectoral needs, forecasting economic trends, and optimizing resource allocation, promoting fiscal responsibility and guaranteeing that every kwacha spent supports Malawi’s sustainable growth.
“It will enhance our ability to monitor progress toward the Malawi Vision 2063 and it will serve as a critical tool in our commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals,” said Banda.
Chithyola Banda among others also highlighted three key pillars of the initiative: strengthening data infrastructure, building data literacy and capacity, and promoting greater accessibility and transparency of data.
He further underscored the significance of the programme, noting its potential to improve resource allocation, enhance decision-making, and foster innovation in both public and private sectors calling for close collaboration between all parties to build a data ecosystem that benefits everyone.
Said Chithyola: “I have faith that by working together, we can bring about long-lasting change and open fresh avenues for social and economic advancement.”
Also speaking at the event, the Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Collen Zamba, emphasised the transformative potential of the data initiative in providing valuable insights that could shape future trends and accelerate development.
She stressed the importance of policymakers remaining vigilant and ensuring that policies are aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a clear focus on achieving meaningful progress by 2030.
“As we have heard today, better data is the indispensable scaffolding that supports progress across all Sustainable Development Goals and is one of the means of implementation that we are showcasing today across the High Impact Initiatives,” adding that “reliable and responsive data is essential in achieving socio-economic and development goals. Data gaps result in missed opportunities.” she said.
Commissioner of Statistical at the National Statistics Office (NSO), Shelton Kanyanda, said that data helps policy and decision makers especially in government to understand complex issues that they would find difficult to comprehend and understand.
Adding voice to the initiative, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) deputy country representative Ezizgeldi Hellenov, said the UN family and other agencies ‘will work together with the Government of Malawi to take further power of data.’
The initiative is expected to be a cornerstone in Malawi's efforts to modernise governance and create an evidence-based framework for sustainable development.
United Nations resident coordinator for Malawi, Rebecca Adah-Donto was among the high level delegates at the launch event.
