MANAonline
Minister for innovative solutions
By Monica Tambala
Lilongwe, March 6, Mana: Minister of Mining, Monica Chang’anamuno, has underscored the need for long lasting innovative solutions that transcends traditional boundaries by aiming not only to provide power but also empower communities in Malawi.
She was speaking on behalf of Minister of Energy, Ibrahim Matola, during the launch of the Energy Delivery Laboratory at the Bingu International Convention centre (BICC) in Lilongwe on Wednesday.
Chang’anamuno said energy, being the driving force behind industrial growth, education, health care and economic empowerment, needs long lasting solutions that foster sustainable progress.
She said it is high time for Malawi to pool a collective intellect to devise strategies that not only tackle existing hurdles but also fortify the sector against future uncertainties.
“The projects initiated under this vision are not mere endeavours; they are pathways to creating jobs, fostering economic growth and ensuring food security for our nation.
“Access to energy stands as a pillar of societal development. This is not only about electrification but also eradicating energy poverty and ensuring equitable access for all,” she said.
Head of Presidential Delivery Unit (PDU), Dr Janet Banda, said the weeklong energy sector lab session has brought together relevant decision makers who share a collective commitment of advancing energy landscape in Malawi.
“This week’s assembly serves as an opportunity to assess the current project status, address challenges and chart a course towards a more robust and energy enabled future of the nation.
“Access to energy stands as a cornerstone of societal development. It is the driving force behind industrial growth, education, health care and economic empowerment as espoused in the 7th Sustainable Development Goal,” she said.
Banda is hopeful that the deliberations will provide strategies to enhance energy accessibility and explore innovative solutions to the identified challenges.
Secretary for Energy, Alfonso Chikuni, said the goal is to achieve 1,000 megawatts by 2025 and achieve 50 percent electricity access by 2030.
However, Chikuni said currently the goal is being hindered by procurement, coordination as well as lack of capacity challenges.
“A project is as good as the project managers. However, we lack capacity for project management, financial negotiations and project planning.
“We just have to innovate in terms of sourcing materials internally and improving capacity for the local manufactures so that we can have materials locally,” he said.
Country Lead for Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), Dr Collen Zalengela, said their organisation is providing PDU with a grant of US$1.5 million to support delivery of energy and agri-energy projects in Malawi with the expectation that bottlenecks in energy projects will be dealt with.
Chakwera inaugurates innovation hub
By Tikondane Vega
Blantyre, March 6, Mana: President Dr Lazarus Chakwera has expressed government’s commitment to turn visions into reality saying it is the only way for Malawi to move forward in innovation and technology for improved economy.
Chakwera said this Wednesday at the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS) in Blantyre during the official launch of the University Innovation Pod (UniPod).
The primary goal of UniPod is to provide vital support to young innovators by offering state of the art infrastructure for innovation prototyping, experimentation and doing small scale manufacturing.
The President said the opening of the hub will help many university students, youth outside universities and other Malawians with innovative ideas to prove their capacity in venturing into technology thereby making them productive and self-reliant.
“We commend United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for providing US$2 million for UniPod. Though it has been established at the institution of higher learning, the hub is for everyone with skills for different products.
“I, therefore, urge youths in the country to make use of the facility. Turn your ideas and skills to a final product that can be sold out there,” he said.
Minister of Education, Madalitso Kambauwa Wirima, said the hub will turn Malawi into an innovative solution country where its landscape will change for the better.
Wirima said the hub will enhance economic growth and enable the country achieve the Malawi 2063.
“This will provide inclusivity since it will not only look at education but also creative ideas and innovations,” she said.
Vice Chancellor for MUBAS, Associate Professor Nancy Chitera, said UniPod is a significant innovation in Malawi that will provide several solutions the country has been lacking for long.
Chitera said the launch is a clear indication that Malawi has capabilities to do more in innovations as the initiative has potential to open opportunities for entrepreneurs and several stakeholders.
“The hub is beyond academic boundaries since great ideas will be processed into reality and help the country achieve its goals. It is in line with MUBAS motto thus; Innovate, Create and Generate.
“It is part of our growth as a university in fostering innovations. What we need is to enable the country to be self-reliant through different innovations,” said Chitera.
She disclosed that, through digital technology, MUBAS started with small scale manufacturing that are, currently, used in Malawi, adding that with the new development, people will no longer send innovations outside Malawi for design.
Assistant Secretary General and Africa Regional Director for UNDP, Ahuna Eziakonwa, said the initiative follows President Chakwera visit to New York two years ago where he asked for the innovation hub which her organization assured to do.
Eziakonwa said UNDP will continue to work hand in hand with Malawi as it has demonstrated seriousness in technology and innovations.
“UNDP believes ideas come from people and there is need for such to be fulfilled. Universities like MUBAS should be equipped. Our vision is that UniPod should be everywhere in Africa.
“We believe this can transform lives and Malawi at large. The launch today marks the prosperity for Malawi,” she said.
UniPod comprises of several key spaces including collaborative ideation space, design laboratory, business nursery, among others.
Displaced people at Jenda in need of food aid, roofing materials
By Joel Phiri
Mzimba, March 6, Mana: At least 431 people at Jenda Trading Centre in Mzimba are in need of roofing materials and food aid following destruction of their houses last week.
The people, particularly those residing at Section 10 location, had their houses destroyed by heavy rains that fell in the district for four consecutive days leaving some houses totally demolished with others partially destroyed.
In an interview on Tuesday, Acting Relief and Rehabilitation Officer for M’mbelwa District Council, Jacob Mkandawire, said the situation rendered the people homeless hence the need for help.
“We sent our team which established that over 431 people were affected. Most families lost their food and are in need of immediate food aid for survival and also roofing materials to reconstruct their houses,” said Mkandawire.
Mkandawire said they have already alerted the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) and Malawi Red Cross Society on the need for relief.
According to Chairperson for Section 10 location, Jita Hara, most of the families that lost their houses have been accommodated in well-wishers’ houses.
“After the disaster, we identified houses where we allocated the affected families. We have, for instance, a single house housing four or five families,” said Hara.
Hara asked well-wishers to donate to the affected families tents and roofing materials for reconstruction.
“We know that where many families are sharing a single house, sanitation is always compromised. As such, we don’t want them to continue sharing houses for long for fear of diseases that may sprout due to lack of hygiene in the homes,” said Hara.
According to Hara, two young people sustained injuries when the houses collapsed.
HTD Limited owner to reconstruct a mosque in Karonga
By George Mponda
Mzuzu, March 6, Mana: Owner of HTD Limited which deals in cars, Abdul Harris Sadik, has donated K20 million towards reconstruction of a mosque which partly collapsed due to an earthquake in Karonga.
One of the walls of the mosque, located in Sadala Village in the area of Paramount Chief Kyungu, collapsed after an earthquake struck the area in December, 2023.
Speaking on behalf Abdul Harris Sadik, during a ceremony where a contractor was introduced to community members on Tuesday, Zubeir Ahmad from Muslim Education Movement of Northern Malawi said Sadik decided to construct a new mosque at the site of the old one in memory of his late parents.
Ahmad said; "When the wall of this mosque collapsed, Muslims who worship here and Member of Parliament (MP) for this area, Frank Mwenifumbo, approached us to rehabilitate the mosque and my uncle, Sadik, offered to do it.
"So he donated K20million for the reconstruction of the mosque in the first phase and then later, a house for the imam and a madrassah connected to electricity and water, will also be built within the premises," he said.
Frank Mwenifumbo said as a member of Sadala Village, he saw the need to lobby for rehabilitation of the collapsed mosque.
"I went out of my way to ask for wellwishers and one of the people who responded is Sadik. I am very grateful and I am happy that he has addressed the lack of a decent mosque in Sadala Village. I pray that villagers will embrace this project," said Mwenifumbo.
Imam for the mosque, Amin Bilali, thanked Sadik’s gesture saying it is a sign of brotherhood that exists among Muslims.
“We are thankful that a stranger has decided to construct a mosque, a house for imam and a Madrasah in our village,” he said.
Chief lauds police housing project
By Wanangwa Tembo
Kasungu, March 6, Mana: Traditional Authority (TA) Chisinga of Kasungu has lauded government for constructing modern staff houses at Chisinga Police Unit saying they will help improve security at the district’s western boarder trading centre.
Chisinga said the two houses, constructed through Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) funds to the tune of K72 million, will help attract police officers to work in the area thereby consequently boosting security.
In an interview on Tuesday the chief said, being a border area, Chisinga Trading Centre needs more police officers to help deal with cross boarder activities hence the need for more houses.
He said: “You are a police officer and your landlord is implicated in criminal activity, how would you deal with that? When law enforcers stay in rented houses, security can be compromised. This is why we laud government, through the Council, for constructing these houses.
“This is a border area and we receive so many strangers some of whom may have committed various crimes in their country. It is only the police who can determine whether they are criminals or not, but for them to do that effectively, they need to be in good numbers and staying in a good environment.”
Chisinga expressed hope that government would construct more houses to accommodate officers of other departments present in the area such as Immigration and Citizenship Services and Malawi Revenue Authority.
Kasungu District Council Director of Public Works, Davie Chigwenembe, said apart from Chisinga, more staff houses have been constructed at other police formations in the district such as Kamboni and Kapelura using GESD funds.
“For Chisinga, we understand that it is a border area so it will need more of such houses to accommodate more staff so that there is good security.
“Very soon we will procure furniture for the offices and also drill a borehole for a reticulated water system to supply the police unit and the staff houses,” he said.
Businessperson, Eluby Zimba, who orders maize flour and various soft drinks from Zambia applauded the housing project saying the presence of more police officers in an area makes traders feel safe to concentrate on their businesses.
Chisinga Trading Centre lies about 60 kilometres north-west of Kasungu boma and about 10 kilometres to the Malawi-Zambia border.
Council applauds partners for support to flood survivors in KK
By Innocent Chunga
Nkhotakota, March 6, Mana: Nkhotakota District Council has hailed provision of relief items from the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA), Embassy of Iceland, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and other development partners for supporting the recently affected flash flood survivors in the district.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Tuesday, Spokesperson for the Council, Wongani Mkandawire, said people who are living in the twelve camps in the areas of Senior Chief Kanyenda, Mphonde and Traditional Authority (TA) Malengachanzi are receiving relief items.
He said DoDMA, Embassy of Iceland, Ethanol, Illovo Sugar, and other local and international development partners have supported the survivors through the Council.
"Our local partners and organizations, including international partners such as the World Health Organization (WHO), are still assisting us in many ways,” said Mkandawire.
WHO has provided essential drugs to carter for the affected people for three months and the Embassy of Iceland has made available K14 million for the purchase of various relief items.
He expressed concern that the current condition of the M5 Road at Kaombe and Dwangwa has impacted on service delivery making transportation of relief supplies difficult and hindering the movement of emergency response teams, among others.
Mkandawire, said the flood disaster continues to impact the affected areas despite reduction in water levels in some areas, but said efforts to mitigate the situation and provide aid in the affected communities are ongoing.
"Improvement in weather conditions has allowed rescue and relief teams to access previously inaccessible areas and providing assistance to those in need," he added.
Mkandawire emphasized that Malawi Defense Force (MDF) are working tirelessly to locate and save individuals stranded particularly in Dwangwa.
According to DoDMA, the recent floods have affected over 14,000 people; displaced about 8,000 and claimed six lives at Dwangwa in Senior Chief Kanyenda in the district.
MRA upbeat about more people operating export warehouses
By Robert Katuli
Lilongwe, March 6, Mana: Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) says it is expecting more people to operate export warehouses government introduced last year to curb tax evasion and smuggling of farm produce.
MRA Head of Corporate Affairs, Steven Kapoloma, said this Tuesday when the Authority toured some of the customs controlled export warehouses in Lilongwe.
He said more businesses are now coming to MRA to get licenses to own and operate the warehouses.
“We are overwhelmed by the number of people that want to own and operate export warehouses. Because those that were the pioneers of these warehouses have reaped the benefits, more people are coming into their warehouses and using them to export,” said Kapoloma.
He further said the initiative has improved processes of monitoring and following up of farm produce export proceeds, hence ensuring a clear tracking, from buying the commodities from the farms to exporting them through the borders.
“We are able to track the movement of the produce from the farm gate to export warehouses to being exported outside this country.
“So, we are able to track down the quantities as they are getting into and out of the warehouses. This is a very good control measure in as far as export proceeds are concerned,” added Kapoloma.
James Nyasulu, Warehouse Manager for African Commodities Trading, one of the export warehouses MRA inspected, hailed the initiative saying it has raised their business to higher standards.
“Before the warehouses, our standards were a bit diminished because we didn't have time to grade the products.
“However, with the warehouses, we now have time to bring in the commodities, grade them and export,” he said, adding their commodities have never been turned down for quality reasons as it was the case before the warehouses.
Rachel Banda, an accountant for Giant Sprouts Ltd, an Export and Import company that owns a groundnuts export warehouse along the Bypass Road in Lilongwe, concurred with Nyasulu, saying the warehouses are a real deal.
She said: “Before the warehouses, we could not take good care of our products like we do now. There was no good security and there was a lot of damage to the goods, as such we were making losses.
"With the warehouse, there has never been a time when we lost any goods. The quantity that we bring in is the same quantity that we export. We stock huge quantities because of the warehouse.”
Apart from Giant Sprouts Ltd and African Commodities Trading, MRA also inspected Wahida Investments, another export warehouse in Lilongwe.
Chakwera inaugurates International Blantyre Cancer Centre
By Glory Msowoya
Blantyre, March 5, Mana: President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera on Tuesday inaugurated the Blantyre International Cancer Centre treatment facility, the first of its kind marking a significant step in accessing health care services.
President Chakwera has since urged stakeholders to join forces in addressing pressing issues of cancer within the country.
He said the opening of the facility does not only signify a huge achievement but also a beacon of hope for countless individuals grappling with the disease.
“My government has plans to construct more cancer hospitals in the country to ensure that all cancer patients have access to treatment within our borders.
"Currently, we are implementing the National Cancer Control Plan, intending to ensure that by 2030, every cancer patient receives treatment here in Malawi.
“Reaching this far, the construction of Cancer Centre in Lilongwe is at an advanced stage, with all materials already purchased and by September of this year, the Centre will be operational,” he said.
Chakwera, therefore, commended collaborative efforts of government agencies, international partners and other organizations for ensuring that the vision for Malawi to have cancer Centre’s are being fulfilled.
He acknowledged the longstanding challenges Malawi has faced in combating cancer from limited resources to outdated treatment facilities.
The president stressed that the establishment of the modern cancer treatment Centre signifies a commitment Malawi has in addressing health-related challenges.
In his remarks, Dr. Thomson Mpinganjira, Chairperson for the Board of Trustees, International Blantyre Cancer Centre emphasized that the Centre stands as a pivotal turning point for healthcare in Malawi and it will remove exorbitant costs associated with seeking treatment abroad.
Mpinganjira said the first phase of the facility has already absorbed K9.6 billion and shall soon start second phase of the project.
“Building a cancer hospital is a way for me to help people not to go through what I experienced when my late wife was diagnosed with cancer. Cancer is a very difficult disease and it is recommended that you should access the treatment at home with family.
“I would like to assure patients and their families that they are not alone in their battle against cancer. I am here to ensure that cancer care is not only possible but also readily available to all in need," Mpinganjira said.
Representing the Minister of Health, Richard Chimwendo Banda, who also oversees the Ministry of Local Government, Unity and Culture said the opening of the facility will provide comprehensive cancer care to Malawians.
“This facility has come at a time when Malawians are starving with cancer with an estimated 17, 000 cases occurring each year and cancer contributes more deaths in Malawi,” he said.
About 911 households affected by floods in Karonga
By George Mponda
Mzuzu, March 5, Mana: About 911 households in the area of Paramount Chief Kyungu have been affected due to over flooding of North Lukuru River in Karonga following heavy rains for the past few days.
Acting Director of Planning and Development (DPD) for Karonga District Council, Khumbo Mkandawire disclosed this when Director of Disaster Response and Recovery in the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) Rev. Moses Chimphepo visited camps where flood survivors are currently seeking shelter.
“On February 23 heavy rains affected people along North Rukuru River and as of March 1, we registered a total of 4,555 affected.
And about 516 people are currently living in five camps which have been set up by the council at Zindi African Church, Kambwe, Kalambo," said Mkandawire.
She added that the council has established five camps at Zindi African Church, Kambwe Noil, Kalambo, Kamilang'onga and Mwandosya and the DoDMA has assisted with K2 million for operational costs.
“It is also estimated that about 688.8 hectares of various crops been affected. On relief intervention, the survivors need plates, blankets, cooking oil, maize flour, chlorine, reusable sanitary pads and torches,” she said.
In his remarks, Chimphepo said DoDMA will soon provide some of the needed supplies which are needed in the camps. He advised the council to purchase and provide some of the critical supplies which it can afford as they await further support.
One of the flood survivors, Rose Simchimba appealed for the provision of mosquito nets, blankets and Antiretroviral (ARV) drugs saying people lost their medication to the floods.
Acting District Commissioner (DC) for Karonga Frank Mkandawire has since asked DodMa to construct another dyke on the northern side of North Rukuru river saying the council cannot afford the construction of this permanent dyke, a solution to flooding which occurs annually in the area.
President Lazarus Chakwera is expected to fly over the flood affected area on Monday to inspect the extent of the damage caused.
In the meantime, the Northern Region Water Board (NRWB), Karonga District Health Office, UNFPA, UNICEF, Synod of Livingstonia Development Department (SOLDEV), Paramount Chief Kyungu have donated assorted items to the survivors.
Beating dry spells and hunger with GMO crops
By Leonard Masauli
Lilongwe, March 5, Mana: Most farmers in Malawi continue to face effects of climate change such as dry spell and sometimes prolonged rainfall which cause flooding in some parts of the country, damaging crops in the process.
The year 2023 marked one of the most challenging periods for Malawi, as Cyclone Freddy struck the country, causing widespread devastation to agricultural lands.
A report by Department of Disaster and Management Affairs (DODMA), Farmers suffered immensely with more than 200,000 hectares of crops getting destroyed due to Cyclone Freddy which caused havoc across the country.
In addition to the havoc wreaked by natural disasters, the persistent invasion of fall armyworms further compounds the plight of farmers, diminishing crop yields and exacerbating food insecurity across the nation.
To defeat the worms, some farmers devised traditional means of eliminating the fall army worms such as applying wet soil in the Maize leaves or a solution of pounded Chilli pepper and salt.
Despite the repelling traditional mechanisms, the worms continue to worsen and invade crops year in and year out.
One farmer in Mchinji, Robert Katumbi said aside the dry spells this year, fall army worms have also been intensely tough on crops.
He said he would have lost all his maize to the worms if he had not applied insecticides five times for a month.
“I struggled to eliminate the army worms in my maize garden. I applied insecticides three times to at least lessen their impact, but they keep coming. Luckily, I have managed to save a bigger portion of the maize crop,” said Katumbi.
The incessant invasion of the army worms coupled by other challenges has significantly led to a decline in crop yield, hence contributing to food insecurity.
Could GM crops be the solution?
However, amidst these adversities, could genetically modified (GM) crops offer a viable solution?
The Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) is conducting a Confined Field Trial for Biotechnology Developed maize crop, with an aim to confirm the efficacy of Genetically Modified maize crop in line against leaf-eating insects and herbicides tolerance.
The research, according to the scientists, could be a long-lasting solution against the Fall Army Worms and dry spells and beat food insecurity.
During a visit to some of the Trials, organized by LUANAR and National Commission for Science and Technology (NCST), at the University, the Trial Manager, Kingdom Kwapata said the main objective for the trials are to identify and determine whether the insect resistance particularly Fall Army worms is working for the transgenic maize plant.
Kwapata said looking at the progress, it is evident that the plants that have the Transgenes, the leaves are intact, while those that do not have their leaves have been damaged with the Fall army worms.
“The major benefit for this technology, once done and approved, is that it will increase crop yield and because of that we are also expecting a corresponding increase in incomes.
“As you know, Fall Army Worms are one of the devastating impacts for maize in the country, and now the research has demonstrated that the maize we have are resistant to insects, this is very good news to farmers and the country as a whole,” said Kwapata.
Kwapata said the research will take three to four years because after the confined trial, they will take the trials in other parts of the country to ensure the stability of the genes to see that it is performing the same way as in the confined trials so that there is uniformity across the nation.
Project Manager for Open Forum on Agriculture Biotechnology (OFAB) based in Nairobi, Kenya, Vitumbiko Chinoko, said his organization is supporting technology development particularly the modern technology like the GMO technologies.
“Climate change has significantly affected agriculture and food systems in Africa, and we see population is growing and how the food import bill in Africa is also growing, it is time Africa member states can count on the challenges on the adoption of technologies into the agricultural systems.
“Currently we see those commitments in the agricultural sector, only 10 percent is going into the science and technology and with very little on GM technologies. It is high time for Malawi to embrace these types of technologies to improve on food security,” said Chinoko.
On negative perception about GMO foods, Chinoko said there are a lot of negative perceptions countering the integration and adoption of the technologies into food systems.
Chinoko said Africa is moving in the right direction saying several countries such as South Africa have already adopted the system and very soon Mozambique is also adopting the technologies into their food system.
“We have GMOs in South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia, Nigeria has commercialized maize, Ghana and Burkna Faso have both commercialized cowpeas. By doing so in these countries it means these technologies are good and they are helping farmers.
“All the perceptions and propagandas you hear about GMO foods and all the technologies that can cause cancer are false. These technologies take vigorous processes before they are accepted and given to farmers,” said Chinoko
Chief Research Officer at National Commission for Science and Technology (NCST), Lyson Kampira said Biotechnology has proven the potential of tackling pests especially in maize crop which reduces yield in Malawi.
He said this is why LUANAR and NCST have commenced the Confined Field Trial to promote the technology.
“We are trying to see whether this Biotechnology can help to fight Fall Army worm in Malawi so that we can increase our crop yield.
And having visited the trial site we have seen that the maize crop under GM trial is growing very well and has not been attacked with Fall Army worm while the local variety is heavily under attack,” said Kampira.
Plant Breeder and Genetics expert at LUANAR, Professor Moses Maliro said the introduction of Genetically Modified crop such as maize, ushers in a great solution to food insecurity in the country.
