MANAonline
MPs impressed with payment system to tobacco farmers
By Patience Longwe
Lilongwe, May 28, Mana: The parliamentary committee on agriculture and irrigation is impressed that the payment system which caused hurdles to tobacco farmers and hindered them to access their dues on time has been rectified.
In an interview in Lilongwe on Tuesday, Deputy Chairperson for the committee, Ulemu Chilapondwa, acknowledged the challenges which caused delays to effect payment.
"It was a problem to do with a new system whereby they had one company buying in Malawi Kwacha and the rest in United States Dollars. And for them to bring together that system, they had to rework on it and bring a new system to ensure everything is normal," said Chilapondwa.
He said, as a committee, they are happy with what they have heard from both the Tobacco Commission and Auction Holdings on how they have worked tirelessly to have the system working perfectly for the benefit of the farmers.
Public Relations Officer for Tobacco Commission, Telephorus Chigwenembe, said they are impressed with how the committee took interest on how tobacco trading is progressing this season.
"There were some challenges with information technology systems, human resources officers, banks and also delays in payments from some tobacco buying companies. The good thing is that all these issues have been resolved," said Chigwenembe.
Government commits to improving inclusive education
By Sheminah Nkhoma
Lilongwe, May 28, Mana: Deputy Director for Inclusive Education in the Ministry of Education, Lucy Magagula, says government will continue supporting the education sector in order to diversify education system in the country.
Speaking during the opening of a four-day National Inclusive Education Strategy Review workshop in Lilongwe on Tuesday, Magagula said the review will help reflect the unwavering commitment so that no learner is left behind in line with Malawi 2063 and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
She said the Ministry finds it imperative to promote inclusion of learners with diverse needs through different interventions in education institutions.
“Government realises the need to intervene in the development of inclusive education because they are a lot of special needs students in the country hence the need for effective partnerships to promote the system,” she said.
According to Magagula, primary schools in Malawi have 193,880 learners with special education needs whereas secondary schools have 11,521 and tertiary has 229 students.
“There is need for collaboration and coordination with other stakeholders to develop a new inclusive strategy in line with the inclusive policy which the Ministry is working towards,” she said.
United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Education Office Director, Dr Jill Jupiter Jones, said their organisation shares the same commitments with Malawi Government as it is supporting the implementation of the National Reading Program through the Next Generation Early Grade Reading Activity, also called NRP Nexten, whose goal is to ensure that all children learn to read during the early grades of primary school.
She urged all Malawians and donor partners to continue supporting children with disabilities by bringing projects that can lead to more systematic and sustained improvement to a clear shared national strategy.
Keynote speaker, Jenipher Ngwira, said it is important to embrace inclusive education because they are many children with special needs and disabilities in the country.
Ngwira highlighted that stakeholders and government should have a deep understanding of the concept of disabilities so that they promote inclusion in areas of social, health, human rights and culture.
MEC dates electoral staff ahead of 2025 elections
By Patuma Kachoka
Machinga, May 28, Mana: Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Deputy Chief Elections Officer Harris Potani said electoral staff have a unique role to ensure that next year's general elections are conducted in a free, fair and credible manner.
Potani was speaking Tuesday in Machinga District during a bridging course in electoral administration and voter registration for its members of staff.
He said it was important to hold such training with electoral experts as they are crucial in the electoral process to make the process credible.
"This meeting is important because it will assist the members of staff in their day to day work; for us to serve the Malawian nation better, we want people who are well knowledgeable in their duties.
"So, we want our staff to be on top of the game and if they are excellent in delivery of their work, it means the elections will be free, fair and actually will have credible results," Potani said.
He disclosed that MEC is migrating from the old system to a new system called Election Management Device (EMD) which will be used in most electoral processes, including voter registration.
"For the next registration of voters, we are moving away from the old kit and will be now using the Elections Management Devices. Shortly, we will be recruiting people who will be trained on how to operate these gadgets as we plan for voter registration," he said.
Earlier, Assistant District Elections Officer for Balaka, Davis Konondo, said the training was timely.
"The training will help us to work properly as we are preparing for the elections; the training will give us an opportunity to know the new laws so that we should follow all the new laws that have been approved," Konondo said.
MEC is expected to roll out the voter registration process from September to December 2024.
Proposed legislation to improve ethical conduct
By Levison Lester
Lilongwe, May 28, Mana: Chairperson for Law Commission, Justice John Chirwa, has emphasized the need to legislate Protection of Whistleblower Act, saying this will enhance the culture of reporting malpractices that dwindle individual integrity in the management of public resources.
Speaking during National Validation Conference on the Development of Legislation for the Protection of Whistleblowers in Lilongwe on Tuesday, Chirwa said the enactment of the act will help to deter fraudulent activities in the country.
He further said apart from adequately punishing perpetrators for their actions, whistleblowing will also help nurture the culture of following code of conduct.
"As a democratic nation built on fundamental principles of transparency, accountability and rule of law, adopting legal framework for protection of whistleblowers will foster a safe environment for those who intend to divulge sensitive information on misconduct for the greater good of the country.
"Whistleblowing not only ensures that perpetrators of misconduct are apprehended and punished for their actions, but it also helps to nurture a culture of transparency, integrity and ethical conduct," he said.
In his remarks, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Masauko Chamkakala said the protection of whistleblowers is vital in prosecuting cases, saying people will be able to disclose information of national interest without being intimidated.
He further said the proposed law will not be used for witch-hunting but to promote justice in the course of fighting against corruption.
"DPP is coming in firstly as a policy holder for law reforms, and secondly we provide much needed secretarial services for the law reforms. The law is typically for the protection of whistleblowers in the country. This law will help us to get information which will be used to prosecute cases," he said.
NCST engages Blantyre media on biotechnology
By Evance Chisiano
Blantyre, May 28, Mana: National Commission for Science and Technology (NCST) on Tuesday trained Blantyre-based media on biotechnology in a bid for the scribes to appreciate benefits of various bio-technological researches universities in the country carry out to improve on production and as a control to pests and diseases.
NCST Acting Director of Research Lyton Kampira said media training was part of routine process the commission undertakes with various stakeholders in bio-technology.
“We wanted to engage the media so that when the public discuss issues to do with bio-technology, the media should be able to understand as well and interpret the messages for the benefit of consumers of such media products,” he added.
Kampira said NCST observed that there were a lot of myths, misconceptions and misinformation surrounding bio-technology on food and other crops that need to be clarified by stakeholders, including the media.
He, therefore, expressed hope that the trained media would disseminate right information about bio-technology products in Malawi, regulatory framework for bio-technology activities in Malawi and genetically maize confined field trials currently taking place at the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR).
“We feel you should know more about bio-technology because you are key players in information dissemination,” Kampira said, adding that there was need to inform Malawians on safety of the bio-technology products and its contribution to sustainable agriculture and small-scale farming.
Journalists from Malawi News Agency, Nation Publications Limited, Times Group, Malawi Broadcasting Corporation, Radio Islam, and Mlimi Radio were among those that attended the training workshop.
Mlimi Radio journalist Augustine Mulomole said the training was relevant and informative on issues of bio-technology and genetically modified crops, adding that the knowledge acquired from the workshop will enable the radio to communicate effectively on issues about bio-technology, the mandate of NCST and the role of researchers on bio-technology crop production.
“We will be able to bring to light issues of bio-technology wherever myths and misinformation arise,” Mulomole said.
Others from the academia from Malawi’s higher learning institutions included Professor James Bokosi of LUANAR, who explained on Malawi’s current research on genetically modified maize that will be resistant to army worms attack.
Professor Wisdom Changadeya from the Biological Science Department of the University of Malawi defined bio-technology and explained benefits of biotechnology products, such as a cotton variety currently in use.
NICE engages men in championing women political participation
By Golden Kang'oma
Salima, May 28, Mana: National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) Trust, under its Nthawi Yawo Project funded by United Nations Development Program (UNDP), has employed male champions to encourage women participation in the upcoming elections.
The initiative aims to foster inclusive participation of women in Malawi's political landscape.
NICE District Civic Education Officer Queen Mataya highlighted the strategic deployment of male champions.
"The role of the male champions is to try to change the minds of the people in different areas. In Salima we have about 12 Traditional Authorities (T/As), and each T/A has two male champions whose aim is to garner community support for women in politics," she said.
Mataya emphasized the project's goal of widespread public sensitization.
"Our expectation is that they will reach out to as many people as possible, encouraging support for women in politics. We want to empower women to take part in various positions in the 2025 elections," she said.
Mataya added that the male champions will undergo various training sessions to effectively carry out their roles.
Gender Officer for Salima District Council, Friness Samaliya, stressed the importance of male advocacy in this patriarchal society.
"We are calling on these male champions to spread the message. The campaign period is not yet in, but we want to prepare women to show their interest in politics.
"In a patriarchal set-up where men make most family decisions, it's crucial for these champions to penetrate male-dominated communities and encourage fellow men to support women candidates," she added.
Samaliya further explained the focus on male gatherings.
"If men support women, we will see more women surviving in the political arena in Salima," she added.
Bisalomu Gowa, one of the male champions, expressed his commitment to the cause.
"We are going to work tirelessly to ensure that women's participation in politics increases," Gowa said.
The initiative marks a significant step towards enhancing women's political representation in Malawi, aiming to bring about a more inclusive and balanced political environment.
VP Chilima attends late Mvalo's funeral
By Wanangwa Tembo
Kasungu, May 28, Mana: Mother to businessperson Frank Mvalo and in-law to Justice Minister Titus Mvalo, Agnes Grace Mvalo, has been laid to rest in Traditional Authority Mabilabo’s Emanyaleni Village in Mzimba at a ceremony attended by Vice President Saulos Chilima.
In his eulogy, Inkosi Mabilabo described the deceased as a mother and pillar for many people within and beyond her home village.
"We have lost not just a woman but a mother and pillar that anchored this village and beyond," he said.
Family representative Peter Mvalo also described the late Mvalo as a loving and hard working mother.
"Her departure is a great loss to the family. Her death is a shock to us," he said.
He said Mvalo got sick while in South Africa where she had gone to cheer her sick sister.
He expressed gratitude to the Malawian High Commissioner in South Africa for assisting the family with arrangements to repatriate the body to Malawi.
The late Agnes Grace Mvalo, who worked as a secretary and a teacher before joining NBS Bank, was born in 1946 and died Tuesday last week aged 78.
A dedicated member of the Anglican Church, she is survived by two children and eight grandchildren.
230 megawatts needed to transform mining industry
By Sellah Chunda
Lilongwe, May 28, Mana: Head of Presidential Delivery Unit (PDU), Janet Banda, has said that the mining sector requires 40 percent of the electricity generated from the national grid to support various activities.
Speaking at the launch of the pre-lab meeting held at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) on Tuesday in Lilongwe, Banda highlighted the significant challenges faced by the industry and the need for stakeholder coordination to enhance mineral management in the country.
She noted that despite facing issues such as electricity shortages, political will has been crucial in driving sector transformation.
"The mining sector struggles with inadequate infrastructure, particularly in energy access and roads, lack of capacity, lengthy bureaucratic procedures for obtaining licenses and signing agreements, and insufficient investments.
“We have identified energy access as a key challenge because the mining sector needs at least 230 megawatts, which constitutes 40% of the country's current generation capacity," she explained.
Banda further emphasized government's commitment to transforming the mining sector by establishing cooperatives, signing agreements, and improving the value chain.
Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Mining, Joseph Mkandawire, also stressed the importance of the pre-lab meeting in identifying issues hindering the sector's progress.
He added that the public would benefit from the sector if mining development agreements are advanced.
"There is progress in the mining sector, but it needs enhancement. Kanengo is using our coal, and road construction is utilizing our quarries, which shows progress. Now, we seek companies that will export our minerals. This is why we are advancing mining development agreements for the country's benefit," Mkandawire stated.
WVM, GAYO launch community children’s parliament in Mchinji
By Brighton Thengoliweta Chimsinde
Mchinji, May 28, Mana: A child parliament that was held on Monday in Mchinji District has given children a platform to express their views on different aspects of their lives.
World Vision Malawi (WVM), in partnership with Girls Activists Youth Organization (GAYO), supported the children’s parliament in Mchinji with the aim of empowering children on raising issues that affect them.
GAYO executive director Richard Batch said they decided to support the initiative so that the children are heard.
“Our main aim is to make sure that the district committee should respond to issues that have been raised by children so much so that they should be addressed," said Batch.
During the session, Mavwere-Kapondo Community Children’s Parliamentarians raised issues that were affecting them in relation to high early marriage cases, inadequate learning and teaching materials, rampant cases of child labour, and school drop-out, among others.
A 2022 baseline survey conducted by GAYO found out that 23 percent of the children in Mchinji were not going to school because of issues to do with child marriages and child labour, and Batch said that is why the organization took interest in the initiative to let the children speak out.
In her remarks, WVM Mchinji District Programmes Manager Mereena John said that WVM and GAYO have initiated the parliament as a forum for the children to voice out the issues affecting them in their everyday lives.
“We hope that the children's parliament session will help to transform children's lives in the district because the district decision makers will priorities them in their agenda,” John said.
John pledged to work hand in hand with other partners in an effort of sustaining the community children parliament in the district.
Vice chairperson for Mchinji District Council, who was also the guest of honour, Mickson Chikhutu, assured the children that the council will intervene on issues that were raised during the parliament deliberations.
“We are ready to take the issues to the decision making forums to find the way forward. The council will motivate, protect and support learners for them to be productive Malawian citizens.
“On the issues to do with inadequate learning and teaching materials in schools, the council and its partners will look into the issues for the learners in the district to have quality education,” he said.
Currently, World Vision Malawi is implementing and supporting community children’s parliament project in all its catchment areas across the country, including Mchinji and Ntchisi Districts.
FAO introduces AMR to beat zoonotic diseases
By Patience Longwe
Lilongwe, May 28, Mana: The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has introduced an Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) initiative to enhance animal health and one health capacities, aiming to mitigate zoonotic diseases and AMR risks and threats in Malawi.
Speaking at a three-day workshop in Lilongwe, FAO's Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD) acting team leader for Malawi Sabenzi Wakesa Nabalayo emphasized that the initial strategy will play a critical role in safeguarding animal, environmental, and public health by establishing surveillance mechanisms for Antimicrobial Use (AMU) and AMR in poultry.
Nabalayo said the initiative will also provide valuable data to inform decision-making regarding AMU in animal health.
"The AMR landscape is constantly evolving as the 2022 end date for the initial strategy elapsed, and it's crucial to assess its effectiveness and plan for the future," she said.
Nabalayo added that the collaborative discussions will help achieve a revised comprehensive AMR surveillance strategy for animal health and standardize the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for data collection and analysis.
Meanwhile, Global Health Security Advisor Dr. Charles Oliver said they will ensure Malawi follows all SOPs to prevent drug resistance from occurring.
