MANAonline
Chakwera calls financing facilities to help developing countries
By Arkangel Tembo, New York,USA
New York, September 22, Mana: President Dr Lazarus Chakwera has emphasized the need for financing facilities that are more robust, and inclusive to help catalyse global development in developing countries.
President Chakwera made the remarks on Sunday during the second-day plenary session of the Summit of the Future held under the theme “multilateral solutions for a better tomorrow”.
President Chakwera highlighted the need for leaders to put more effort so that by 2030 they should sustain the hope of young people and build sustainable solutions for the future generation.
“This Summit of the Future is not about us, but about the next two generations and their children. We must make this pact of the future relevant to all generations,” Chakwera stated.
He also indicated the significance of shifting from the provision of aid to the cultivation of self-sufficiency through robust private-sector engagement.
“We must nurture the entrepreneurial spirit of young people by empowering them with local industries,” said Chakwera.
President Chakwera also stated the need to reconfigure multilateral institutions to create a new architecture of global finance that reduces the debt burden of developing countries.
However, president Chakwera expressed deep concern with conflicts around the world that remain unresolved stating the need to seek peaceful resolutions to disputes, for it is evident that the current multilateral system has proven significantly inadequate in resolving conflicts.
The president also indicated that Malawi recognizes the global utility of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in terms of improving productivity and decision-making processes highlighting that the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) are facing significant challenges in coping with the unprecedented technological advancement.
President Chakwera said the global world must make deliberate efforts to improve the capacity of LDCs to reduce the digital divide.
The Summit of the Future which is currently underway in New York, USA will serve as an opportunity for leaders and various players in development to amplify ideas that will allow countries to attain the sustainable development Goals by 2030.
Chakwera calls for global collaboration to boost digital literacy
By Arkangel Tembo, New York, USA
New York, September 22, Mana: President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera has expressed government’s commitment to bridging the digital divide in transforming societies, the economy, and humanity among citizens for an inclusive future for all Malawians.
He made the remarks on Saturday at the UN Summit of the Future on laying the foundation for a digital future for all in New York, USA on the sideline of the United Nations General Assembly.
The President highlighted that his administration's strategic plans for digital transformation include expanding digital infrastructure, enhancing digital literacy, and fostering an inclusive digital economy to ensure that no one is left behind in our digital journey.
President Chakwera stated that Malawi has launched several initiatives as one way of accelerating digital adoption, with support from development partners. The Digital Malawi Project has been instrumental in expanding internet connectivity to public institutions.
“The Last Mile Rural Connectivity and the Inclusive Digital Transformation for Malawi (IDT4M) projects, provide equitable access to digital technologies and foster digital literacy across all segments of society,” said President Chakwera.
He highlighted that Malawi had implemented a Data Exchange Platform that leverages our national ID system as a single point of truth for identity verification, stating that the platform is critical in ensuring seamless access to services, improving efficiency across government, and reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks.
‘’Complementing this, we have also implemented an e-service platform, which now serves as a single point of entry for all government digital services,” said Chakwera.
Chakwera underscored, that Malawi recognises that digital literacy is essential for full participation in the digital economy which has led to the introduction of digital literacy in the county’s national education curricula and providing training opportunities for all age groups.
‘’Our technology hubs, which are training thousands of young people in coding, digital skills, and entrepreneurship, are playing a crucial role in fostering innovation. These hubs are not only incubating new ideas but also creating jobs and driving the growth of Malawi's digital economy,” revealed Chakwera.
The President has appealed for strong collaboration between governments and multi-lateral partners, private sectors, and civil society to invest in infrastructure, education and digital literacy as the country strives to bridge the digital divide.
‘’We call upon the global community to not only provide financial and technical support but also to share knowledge, innovations, and best practices,” said Chakwera.
The summit of the future is an opportunity for Malawi to contribute to global efforts to address challenges and build a more just sustainable future. The summit aims to address the global challenges climate change rising inequalities and the digital divide among others.
MCP to rule beyond 2025-Chimwendo Banda
By George Bulombola
Mzimba, September 21, Mana: Secretary General for Malawi Congress Party (MCP), Richard Chimwendo Banda, Saturday said Malawians have all the reasons to vote for President Lazarus Chakwera come 2025 General Elections.
Chimwendo Banda was speaking at Ngazi Primary School at Ekwendeni in Mzimba during a political rally at which over 100 members of Alliance for Democracy announced their defection to MCP
He said the government under the leadership of Chakwera has gone through several hardships which include disasters among others, but Chakwera has managed to demonstrate that he is a trustworthy leader regardless of the challenges.
“MCP has proved to be a party with members from all corners of the country. This is not a family party. The first president for MCP was from the north, then came Hastings Kamuzu Banda, Gwannda Chakuwamba, John Tembo and the current president, Lazarus Chakwera,” said Chimwendo Banda.
Chimwendo Banda who is also Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture said the government under MCP leadership is implementing development projects across the country, citing among others, construction of 11,000 school blocks in primary schools, M’mbelwa University in Mzimba, state-of-the-art Mzuzu City Civic Offices, and library at Mzuzu University and several others in the southern and central regions.
“Government has raised upkeep allowance for university students from K150,000.00 to K550,000.00, has scrapped off quarter system which was mainly meant to suppress education in the north. The government is also rehabilitating the M1 Road from Lumbadzi in Lilongwe to Chiweta in Rumphi.
“Not every challenge has been addressed and from what MCP has demonstrated in the past few years, Malawians have all the reasons to vote for Chakwera who is president of our party to lead the country for a second term,” he said.
He then pointed out some of the pledges which the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) never fulfilled such as the construction of Mzuzu International Airport whose groundbreaking ceremony took place in 2017.
“Let me also remind you of the killing of 20 people in Mzuzu for protesting against the DPP government but they have never apologized and condoled the deceased families,” added Chimwendo Banda.
First Deputy Vice President for MCP, Catherine Gotani Hara who is also Speaker of the National Assembly commended government for promoting agri-business by ensuring that agricultural produce is sold at profitable prizes thereby uplifting people’s socio-economic status.
“Let me also applaud government for removing pay as you earn (payee) from CCAP pastors under Synod of Livingstonia. The former government was deducting payee these pastors,” said Hara as she called the gathering to continue rallying behind MCP.
Other speakers at the rally included Minister of Homeland Security, Ken Zikhale Ng’oma, and member of the MCP national executive committee, the party’s publicity Secretary, Jessie Kabwira, Musician Dan Lu and former DPP secretary general and Grezelder Jeffrey among others.
SCTP transforms lives of people in Lilongwe
By Andrew Mkonda
Lilongwe, September 21, Mana: Beneficiaries of the Social Cash Transfer Program (SCTP) in the area of Traditional Authority Masula in Lilongwe have hailed government for its commitment to the programme which they say has brought a transformative impact on their lives and economic resilience.
Speaking in an interview on Friday, one of the beneficiaries Filiza Mangalasi from Kagwandipenya cluster in the area of Traditional Authority Masula said before joining the programme, she was struggling to provide necessary things for her family members.
"I am very happy that my life and that of my grandchildren is no longer the same. Previously, I couldn't afford school necessities for my grandchildren, and their future was in danger, but now I can easily pay school fees for my grandchildren who are orphans.
"In order to reduce my economic challenges, I bought some pigs and started a small business which started after joining village bank," she said.
Another beneficiary Sautseni Chitenje, 35, a single mother of four, also thanked government for the initiative saying it has transformed her life and family.
“Before this program, I was struggling to make ends meet, with no proper house to accommodate my four children whose father went to marry another woman. Through this programme, I have managed to build this house with iron sheets,” she said.
Chitenje said she has managed to achieve that because of selling rice and joining Village and Saving Loans (VSL) where she has access to borrowing money to boost her business.
Lilongwe District Council Principal Social Welfare Officer responsible for Social Cash Transfer Sarah Chimodzi said she was impressed that beneficiaries in the district are diversifying income sources and joining savings groups.
“We are achieving this as a district because during our supervision exercises, we always take time to talk to beneficiaries about the goals of the program.
“I am happy because we are moving in the right direction as beneficiaries are now able to do multiple investments apart from just joining village savings banks, which is encouraging,” said Chimodzi.
Currently, Lilongwe district has 29,375 beneficiaries in the Social Cash Transfer Programme. SCTP is Malawi Government’s Program being implemented across the country through the National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC) with financial support from Multi donor Trust Fund and World Bank.
Dedza women say CS-EPWP funds to ease hunger
By Steve Chirombo
Dedza, September 21, Mana: Women in Senior Chief Kachindamoto under Mtakataka area in Dedza district, have expressed gratitude for the money received under the Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Program (CS-EPWP) saying it will ease hunger that has hit their households.
The women made the remarks on Friday when the council was finalizing the disbursement of the funds to the participants of the program.
About 28,870 community members have received money amounting to K38,400 each having worked for 24 days. Their work included the construction of swales, gully reclamation, taking care of natural regeneration, and tree nursery establishments among others.
Lecia Christiano from Kakhome village said she was happy to have received the money and she hoped to buy food for her household.
However, she said unlike in the past, when more people were into charcoal burning, the program has demonstrated that they should be the game changer as vegetation is being restored.
Another woman, Nasoweka Saizi, from the same area said she was grateful to government for being part of the program.
“Our farming activities are now easy because of the way we are taking care of them. They are clear and smart. Our vegetation is even better than before,” she said
Saizi added that the money she received will feed her household and also enable her to get school items for her children.
Mwayiwawo Mathotho, another participant, said the money will likely close some gaps at her home while hoping her children will not be hit by malnutrition.
“Words fail me because I am part of this program. The money I have received today will help me buy food for my family as you might be aware that we had erratic rains in the last farming season which contributed to hunger that is hitting us hard,” she stated.
On his part, Franklin Gomani, Dedza district council, Land Resources Conservation Officer and also CS-EPWP’s Desk Officer said the program is going towards empowering the communities to be financially stable.
Gomani added that participants can buy food items, farm inputs, and school materials for their children.
“In terms of mitigating the effects of climate change or conserving the environment, we have at least done quite a lot, as the areas where we have put structures to harvest and control erosion is quite huge,” he said.
He, however, bemoaned inadequate key personnel and resource constraints, especially vehicles which he said hamper timely supervision efforts.
The CS-EPWP is a component of the Social Support for Resilient Livelihoods and is being implemented under the National Local Governance Finance Committee with funding from the World Bank
NICE calls for strong collaboration between media and district councils
By Golden Kang'oma
Salima, September 21, Mana: As one way of strengthening collaborative efforts between the media and Government officials, National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) Trust on Thursday organized an interface meeting between members of the media and Salima District Council officials.
NICE Trust's Salima District Programs Officer Queen Mataya, said the initiative was important as it provided a platform to discuss issues hindering the media from effectively executing their duties and how to build a strong working relationship with council officials.
"We want to empower the media to effectively report on issues that enhance transparency to address challenges in their working relationship and promote transparency and accountability in local governance," he said.
The engagement meeting was part of the ongoing "Boma Lathu" project which NICE is implementing and is aimed to strengthen the collaboration between the media and the district council.
“One of our interventions under the Boma Lathu project is to support the media in reporting issues that promote transparency and accountability. This interface meeting was crucial for both sides to discuss and resolve any outstanding issues that may hinder their collaboration,” She said
Mataya also expressed optimism that the dialogue would lead to a stronger relationship between the media and the council as the meeting provided a platform for both parties to openly discuss challenges and seek solutions to improve their collaboration.
Salima District Council’s Director of Human Resources and Administration, Grace Kantande, acknowledged the concerns raised regarding access to information and committed to addressing them.
“We have heard the concerns about access to information. Moving forward, we need to meet as management and determine the best way to support our media partners.
"The media is crucial to us, as they provide the information we need daily. We must improve how we share information with them to benefit not only Salima but the entire nation,” Kantande stated.
Director for Salima Governance Network (SAGNET), Charles Mwangupili highlighted the meeting's potential to enhance development projects through improved checks and balances facilitated by a robust media and council relationship.
“This engagement organized by NICE Trust is vital for improving our relationship with the media. It will undoubtedly contribute to better governance by ensuring that development projects are scrutinized effectively,” Mwangopili said.
President Chakwera urges partners to continue assisting Malawi by boosting food security systems
By Arkangel Tembo, New York, USA
New York, September 21, Mana: President Dr Lazarus Chakwera has reaffirmed his commitment to improve food security in Malawi through various interventions including infrastructure development and utilizing skills of various Universities.
President Chakwera made the remarks on the sideline meeting of the 79th United General Assembly (UNGA) at Columbia University on Saturday during the World Leaders Forum which tackled issues of global challenges and cultural perspective.
He noted that Universities are key in supporting government through their research to achieve food security.
Chakwera said, "The issue of food security remains a great challenge to many African countries hence the need for collaboration with various stakeholders. The government of Malawi is doing everything possible to improve food security through irrigation and establishment of Mega farms among others.
The President stressed that through efforts made by his administration, food production will be improving and turn more Malawians into commercial farmers through the introduction of Mega farms.
In addition, President Chakwera revealed that during his tenure of office, he has been declaring Malawi a state of disaster because of climate change effects.
The Malawi leader who is attending UNGA alongside other world leaders and various international organizations said his government has made strides to initiate the Shire Valley Transformation Programme to boost farming production by not relying on rain-fed Agriculture.
In his remarks, Ambassador Ertharin Cousin founder of Food Systems for the Future commended Malawi for its efforts in dealing with food security.
The Columbia University World Leaders Forum is an incredible event that brings together global leaders, policymakers, and thinkers to discuss pressing issues facing nations and the world.
Since its inception, the forum has welcomed over 300 heads of state and governments and international World leaders from 85 countries, making it a premier platform for learning, discussion, and debate.
Also in attendance were the Prime Minister of Haiti, Garry Conille and Ambassador Ertharin Cousin founder of the Food Systems and former World Food Programme Chief Executive Officer.
Journalists advised to remain non-partisan when covering political issues
By Moses Nyirenda
Lilongwe, September 21, Mana: Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Malawi chapter Chairperson, Golden Matonga has advised journalists in the country to remain non-partisan when covering political issues.
Speaking on Saturday during a fun run that MISA Malawi organized to raise funds for the construction of its training centre at Mtolankhani House in Lilongwe, Matonga said journalists should always remain neutral when writing or covering political issues.
“Journalists should adhere to neutrality in all contexts, it is something we have been sharing with our colleagues in a fraternity that we do not want to see any incident where journalists have been involved in partisan politics.
“It is very imperative that we remain neutral just as a referee in a game of football,” Matonga said.
He added that journalists should maintain ethical standards and present the views of all political parties professionally.
He also said that as MISA Malawi they will not protect journalists who might involve themselves in partisan politics.
“As MISA Malawi we will not defend any journalist who is involved in partisan politics supporting one candidate openly or indirectly, we have to remain as neutral as possible and that will inspire confidence from our audiences as well as our journalism,” he said.
Matonga further called upon politicians in the country to help in promoting ethical journalism as well as media freedom.
Also speaking at the fun run one of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Officials who participated in the fun run, Engineer Vitumbiko Mumba said as politicians they will continue working together with the media in promoting media freedom in the country.
MISA Malawi's fun run among others attracted journalists and politicians who had a run from Game Complex to Gateway Mall in Lilongwe.
The event was sponsored by members of various political parties namely: MCP, United Transformation Party (UTM), Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and an Information and Communications Technology (ICT) company, Lab20 Innovations.
Almost 14 thousand Mwanza households assured to receive maize
By Brian Wasili.
Mwanza, September 21, Mana: A total of 13,950 households which have been affected by hunger in Mwanza District have been assured to benefit from the 2024/25 Lean Season Food Insecurity Response Programme which government is distributing to hunger-affected households.
The assurance was made by Deputy Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture Owen Chomanika MP who was guest of honour at the district launch of the programme at Phanda School in the area of Senior Chief Nthache (Mwanza West Constituency) in Mwanza District on Friday.
“It is the government’s commitment to ensure that this programme is rolled out to all districts of the country so that every household affected by hunger is given food,” said Chomanika.
The Minister said that districts of Mwanza, Blantyre and Neno are the top three worst affected by the hunger situation in the country due to various reasons such as El-Nino, which resulted in a dry spell in some areas therefore the government could not wait until the situation got out of control.
The maize distribution exercise is a response to the Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee 2024/25 report which projected that about 5.7 million people in the country would require food aid between October 2024 and March 2025, citing delayed onset of rains, prolonged dry spells and high cost of agricultural input as some key contributing factors.
Under the programme each targeted household is expected to receive 50 kilograms bag of maize per month up to March 2025.
In Mwanza, of the total of 62,777 people that need food support 13,950 households have been targeted for the programme, translating to 5,185 from Traditional Authority (TA) Nthache while 6,108 and 2,657 families are in TAs Kanduku and Govati respectively.
Chairperson for Mwanza District Council Bellon Kasambwe commended the government for considering distributing the maize a month earlier (September) than anticipated when many households in the district are suffering from hunger.
He urged all those who received the maize not to sell or exchange it for beer because doing so would frustrate government’s effort to fight hunger in the district.
Member of Parliament for Mwanza West Constituency, Joyce Chitsulo thanked government for rolling out the programme saying it will address food shortage among some of the affected households in her area and asked for more support from stakeholders to reach out to the rest of the people in need of the food aid across the district.
“It is not that people in my constituency did not grow the staple food but because the rains did not come as expected over the past two consecutive growing seasons,” said Chitsulo
A beneficiary, Joyce Golasi, 62, from Nguteya Village in the area said she has lived on eating mangoes therefore the maize will address the food shortage in her household.
“I will take care of this food so that my children should not suffer because of hunger,” said Golasi.
Health service delivery to improve in Machinga
By Martin Chiwanda and Mike Nambwale
Machinga, September 21, Mana: The delivery of health services in Machinga district’s nine health centres will improve following the commencement of rehabilitation works at these centers.
This follows government allocation of K947 million to Machinga Council for the renovation of health works in the district.
Machinga District Director of Health and Social Services Jones Chise, said on Friday the rehabilitation of the health facilities in the district will improve the quality of service delivery to the citizenry.
Chise said those that are being rehabilitated are the ones that have issues of maternity, water accessibility and under five infrastructures among others.
He said that they were having challenges in the delivery of services in health centres because of the infrastructure as they were not in good shape.
"The purpose of the rehabilitation works is to improve health service delivery within the district. We considered how we provide our services to pregnant women, under-five children but also those who come with various issues in our outpatient department, hence we chose the nine which had problems with that."
One of the health centers to be renovated is the Machinga Health Center which is operating in the old offices of the district council.
Akuzike Mkalie, Machinga health facility in charge, said the rehabilitation works at the center will address the challenges they used to face like shortages of working space.
He said: "This is going to address quite number of challenges we used to face before this project was approved. Prior to this, we used to have limited rooms such that other crucial services were not being offered but now we will have plenty of space hence we will offer services that were not offered."
Traditional authority Nkula whose center falls under his area, said was happy with the development as some rooms will be conditioned to the standards in delivery of quality health services.
He further added that he will make sure that the rehabilitation work goes according to plan and without any setbacks.
"I am happy because the centre is in a small space house, and I asked for consideration on our health centre and finally it has been considered. I will make sure that the project goes well and also this project will provide opportunity to our youths who will be employed and thereby be able to develop themselves," he said.
Currently, the contractors have been handed over to five health facilities namely Machinga District Hospital where a TB ward is to be rehabilitated, Machinga Health Center and Mlombwa Health Center with funds amounting to K99.7 million, K144 million and K44 million respectively.
The rehabilitation works are expected to be completed within the space of two months.
