By Jeremiah Mphande

Mzimba, April 10, Mana: As Malawi heads toward the 2025 general elections, women in Mzimba have welcomed an ongoing awareness campaign by the Women Legal Resource Centre (WOLREC) and Oxfam that aims to rally community support for women, youth, and persons with disabilities aspiring for political office.

The initiative, currently active in several parts of the district, is part of a broader campaign to promote inclusive political participation and challenge long standing barriers faced by marginalized groups.

The commendation was made on Wednesday at Endindeni Trading Centre during a community dialogue organized under the EU-funded project “Promoting Gender Transformative and Youth Inclusive Democracy in Malawi.”

Speaking on behalf of all women forums in Hora Constituency, Chikondi Mtabayira praised WOLREC and Oxfam for paving the way for greater representation of marginalized groups in politics.

She stressed that the initiative is not only timely but necessary for achieving equitable development in Malawi.

“We are extremely thankful to WOLREC and Oxfam for standing with women and youth. For so long, women have been sidelined from decision making spaces, but this project will help us rise with courage and confidence,” said Mtabayira.

Mtabayira, herself a community activist, noted that women face numerous barriers when attempting to contest in elections including lack of campaign resources, deep-rooted gender stereotypes, and limited access to political networks.

She said the project will help tackle some of these barriers by building leadership skills and offering mentorship to aspiring female politicians.

“The inclusion of young people and persons with disabilities is also commendable. It reflects the spirit of true democracy where no one is left behind,” Mtabayira added.

Group Village Head Mulumuzana Yesaya Nkosi, expressed gratitude to the organizations for recognizing the importance of inclusive governance.

“Our role as chiefs is to support the voice of every community member, regardless of gender, age or ability. We’ve seen firsthand how inclusive leadership brings development.

“This program is empowering our people to make informed choices and support capable leaders, especially women and youth,” said Nkosi

District Civic Education Officer for NICE Trust, Aaron Luhanga described the dialogues as critical in transforming mindsets and boosting confidence among underrepresented groups.

“These meetings are helping build the foundation for a more inclusive democracy,” said Luhanga.

“We at NICE remain committed to working with WOLREC and Oxfam to ensure that more women and youth are not just voters, but candidates,” he added.

Currently, only 22% of seats in Malawi’s National Assembly are held by women, according to the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC).

WOLREC and Oxfam aim to significantly increase that figure by the end of the project in 2027.

The project, under the EU-Boma Lathu Programme on Democratic Governance is targeting seven districts of Mzimba, Rumphi, Salima, Dedza, Machinga, Mulanje, and Nsanje.

By Brenda Nkosi

Blantyre, April 10, Mana: Minister of Trade and Industry, Vitumbiko Mumba, has expressed satisfaction with the quality of work done by local industries and has called upon Malawians to support them.

Mumba was speaking in Blantyre on Thursday when he visited House of Men (HoM) Apparel Industries at Ginnery Corner, a garment industry that sews uniforms and corporate wear.

“I am happy that our own industries are sewing quality things. I am happy because we have seen that they have orders from our own institutions like the Malawi Police. We need to grow our industry,” said Mumba.

The Minister, therefore, encouraged all businesses to register with the Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI) so that they have their grievances addressed.

“As much as we hear their complaints as individuals, businesses have more bargaining power if they do it collectively through MCCCI as they are offered a platform to discuss and raise their issues,” he said.

MCCCI Chief Executive Officer, Daisy Kambalame, encouraged the business community to register with the chamber.

“Most businesses don’t realize the role that the chamber plays in speaking on their behalf. When they come together, we are able to see where solutions to their problems are supposed to come from. This brings in better solutions that serves every business player,” she said.

HoM Managing Director, Brenda Chitanda, lamented lack of trust on goods offered by local industries.

“We have had to struggle to win trust that we can deliver quality clothing because we are a Malawi company. This makes business tough because each time you have to prove yourself that you are capable while those you are competing against don’t have such resistance,” he said.

Currently, HoM has 39 people employed some of whom work night shifts.

By Paul Madise

Lilongwe, April 10, Mana: Alliance For Democracy (AFORD) has refuted allegations that its Vice President, Timothy Mtambo, has resigned from the party describing the claims as malicious and merely baseless fabricated propaganda.

The development follows various claims of Mtambo’s resignation from the party due to his absence from strategic negotiations.

Recently, the party’s president, Enock Chihana, undertook negotiations with potential political allies including United Transformation Movement (UTM), United Democratic Front (UDF) ahead of the general elections.

A statement signed by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Annie Amatullah Maluwa, says the rumour is an attempt to destabilize the party’s unity.

“The relationship between Chihana and Mtambo remains strong and intact. These unfounded rumors are a clear attempt to destabilize our party and undermine its unity,” reads the statement in part.

AFORD has assured the nation of the party’s leadership commitment to upholding transparency, honesty and unity focusing on delivering its unchanged priorities.

Malawi will, on September 16 this year, hold tripartite elections where eligible voters will cast their vote for ward counsellors, Members of Parliament and the Head of State.

As the countdown to the tripartite elections continue, on April 8, 2025 four political parties announced the formation of an electoral alliance involving Freedom Party, Peoples Development Part, Peoples Party and Malawi Forum for Unity and Development.

By George Mponda

Karonga, April 10, Mana: Construction of a K97 million Ngerenge Dispensary in the area of Senior Chief Kilupula in Karonga has excited communities who have been traveling long distances to access basic medical care, often facing challenges along the way.

The dispensary, which has been constructed with Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) funds, includes two staff houses to provide accommodation for healthcare workers.

Speaking with Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Wednesday, Grievance Committee Chairperson for Ngerenge Dispensary, William Mapunga, said the facility will bring the much needed healthcare services closer to home.

"People were travelling almost eight kilometres to get to Kiwe Health Centre but once opened, the dispensary will serve as a vital lifeline for the community, providing essential medical care and improving overall health in the communities," Mapunga said.

Echoing the sentiments, Mariana Simutowe from Giliya Village, Senior Chief Kilupula said the dispensary will help a lot of women who trekked long distances to neighboring Kasoba and Kiwe health facilities.

"For many of us, we cannot afford transport which is almost K20, 000 to and from the Health Centres. Things will change now because Ngerenge Dispensary is within a walkable distance," said Simutowe.

Acting Director of Planning and Development for Karonga District Council, Khumbo Mkandawire, said their aim is to implement full package projects, which will improve service delivery in communities by bringing development closer to people.

Mkandawire said: "We have been constructing health facilities with staff houses in areas where people were complaining of long distances, we have also constructed schools in areas which are remote and in the process, we have improved school enrollment in the district."

"When implementing these protects we work together with the communities from the time the contractor is introduced to them to the end. We have project management committees which comprise community members and they help in monitoring the projects to ensure they are of high standards,” she added.

Mkandawire, however, lamented the devaluation of the Kwacha, failure of contractors to complete projects on time and delays in receiving funding from the central government as some of the challenges they faced during implementation.

Fostina Mkandawire

Salima, April 9, Mana: In the heart of Senior Chief Makanjira in Salima District, a quiet but powerful change has unfolded, one that promises to save lives and transform the health landscape for women. For decades, women in this rural area have faced unimaginable hardships when it comes to accessing maternity care.

Women walked up to 20 kilometers, sometimes in labor, to reach the nearest health center. Tragically, some never made it, giving birth on the side of the road or losing their lives due to lack of timely medical attention.

Mbochele Ndaziona, 28 year's old lady from Kwineng'ene Village, narrated her struggles from the past when she was in labour but had to brace the 20 kilometers to reach Khombedza health center.

"It was the most horrific experience in my entire life, to find transportation was a huge challenge at that time because only vehicles were used as transportation unlike these days were motorcycles are locally found, then we had to wait for taxi's which were very expensive," she narrated.

She vividly remembered how she slept on the roadside with her mother by her side waiting for well-wishers to offer themselves to drop her off at the hospital, being her first pregnancy she says it was difficult to recognize the onset of labour pains, hence the delay in traveling to the hospital.

In her words upon reaching the hospital she was assisted fortunately everything went well and she did not encounter any major challenges due to the delay in seeking maternity care, the baby made it in good health.

Litinesi Abdul 30, from the same village also narrates how giving birth was more than a life altering event, it was often a life threatening ordeal. We faced a grueling and sometimes dangerous journey while in labor. The long walk, sometimes with no form of transportation, was a test of endurance and willpower.

But now, there is hope, a new health facility, will alleviate these agonizing challenges. This facility, strategically located within reach of the community, has brought maternity care closer to the women of Senior Chief Makanjira, ensuring safer deliveries and healthier futures for mothers and babies alike.

Summarizing the agonizing ordeals of his people, Senior Chief Makanjira attests that the upcoming health facility is more than just a building, it represents a lifeline to thousands of women who have long been denied the most basic health services.

"With its strategic location, the facility will provide comprehensive maternity services, from antenatal care to safe deliveries, all within the community’s reach. I remember one woman, she was in labor and had no way to get to the hospital,” recalls Makanjira.

He adds: “She walked for hours, but when she finally arrived, it was too late. She gave birth on the road, and the baby didn’t make it. She passed away shortly after.”

For Senior Chief Makanjira, this new health facility is more than just a building it is a testament to what happens when a community comes together to make a difference, when governments, NGOs, and local leaders unite to provide a safer, healthier future for all.

He says these stories were not isolated incidents. The lack of nearby maternity care contributed to high maternal and infant mortality rates in the area, a grim reality that many families had to endure.

“We have seen too many women suffer, too many lives lost, this new facility will make a huge difference. No more women will have to walk miles, risking their lives to get the care they deserve.” he adds.

Esther Chiwenda, a Nursing and Midwifery Technician for Mnema health center, says the facility has been equipped with modern medical equipment, staffed by trained professionals, and designed to provide a welcoming and supportive environment for women during pregnancy, labor, and delivery.

"The facility will also offer postnatal care, ensuring that both mothers and babies receive the attention they need in the critical days following childbirth.

She highlights that the benefits of the new facility extends far beyond just safer deliveries. For women in this community, it means they no longer have to choose between risking their life and giving birth in uncertain conditions.

"They can now look forward to prenatal visits with trained healthcare professionals, reducing the risk of complications during pregnancy, the fear of dying in childbirth is real for many women here, but now, the will be able to deliver in a hospital, surrounded by doctors and nurses," she says.

In addition to maternity care, the facility will serve as a hub for maternal education, equipping women with the knowledge they need to take charge of their health and well-being. Local health workers will be trained to offer guidance on nutrition, family planning, and early child development, creating a ripple effect that benefits entire families and future generations.

In his sentiments, Director of Public Works at Salima District Council, Harris Kumwenda has commended Performance Based Grant (PBG) being supported by Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) for enhancing collaboration and accountability among sectors.

Kumwenda explains how Salima District Council ensures it qualifies for the Performance-Based Grant after being assessed through Local Authority Performance Assessments (LAPA).

Kumwenda cites an example of the first project that Salima District Council implemented through the first grant that the district received under GESD, the K460 Million, Mnema Maternity wing, which is a pride of the district council's strong collaboration amongst sectors.

"Construction of Mnema maternity required essential facilities such as staff houses, a dispensary, water tank and proper toilets, for it to be certified as a proper health facility that can offer quality services to the community," he says.

Mnema maternity wing was officially opened by the Minister of Health Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda on February 16th 2025, heightening the joy of Mnema community, as it is a symbol of progress, compassion, and the commitment to protecting the most vulnerable members of society, mothers and children.

In total about K800 million has been disbursed to Salima District Council for three GESD cycles, from 2021/2022 cycle to 2023/2024 cycle for implementation of various projects including Mnema maternity wing.