MANAonline
Lilongwe District Council moves to form new documents
By Andrew Mkonda
Lilongwe, March 21, Mana: Lilongwe District Council Director of Planning and Development, Willard Chirwa, has described Social Economic Profile (SEP), District Development Plan (DDP) and Strategic Plan as crucial documents that act as roadmap for all development projects in the district.
Chirwa made the remarks on Thursday at the opening of heads of sectors’ and members of District Executive Committee (DEC) session aimed at reviewing the district council’s SEP, DDP and finalizing the drafting of the 2023-2030 district strategic plan.
He urged the heads of sectors to be focused and align the council’s new documents to government’s blue print, the Malawi 2063 Agenda, through the medium term implementation plan (MIP-1).
Chirwa observed that without such documents, the section heads and DEC members fail to implement and focus on the projects that people in the communities need.
Speaking in a separate interview, Chairperson for Civil Society Organizations, Gibozi Mphanzi, commended the council’s secretariat for coming up with new documents which he said will assist the council to have a proper guide in its implementation of projects in the district.
However, Mphanzi asked the council to come up with documents that will assist to bring positive change by improving livelihoods of the community.
“Any intervention which is being implemented in the district has to bring positive change among the people and when we start using these documents, we should make sure that people on the ground also give their input on those projects,” he said.
Mphanzi further said the documents will also act as a tool for checks and balances of progress of interventions of various activities being implemented by government and development partners in the district.
Before the documents become operational, the draft will be presented to relevant structures at the council for feedback and approval.
Karonga DC urges professionalism in local government by-election
By George Mponda
Karonga, March 21, Mana: Karonga Acting District Commissioner (DC) Frank Mkandawire has urged officials who will be involved in the upcoming local government by-election in the district to be professional for the by-election to be free, fair and credible.
Mkandawire, who is also the District Elections Coordinator for Karonga, was speaking Thursday when Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Karonga District Elections Supervisory Team (DEST) met on the impending by-elections.
"Elections are a serious business hence DEST members and everyone engaged in this exercise should be committed and professional in paying attention to details for the process to go smoothly.
“We need to follow all rules and regulations as stipulated in the Presidential Parliamentary Local Government Elections (PPLGE) Act and in so doing, Karonga will host a credible by-election which is slated for March 26," said Mkandawire.
He also warned DEST members against being involved in malpractices that can undermine the electoral process.
MEC's Regional Elections Officer in the north, Diverson Makwete, said when everything goes well in the field, MEC takes the credit but it is individuals on the ground who do the work.
"The Commission appreciates the work which has already been done for it to continue achieving its mission of delivering credible elections that are free, fair, transparent, inclusive, efficient, and cost-effective to entrench democratic values in Malawi," said Makwete.
He added that although many have been involved in the process for a long time, the elections field is dynamic and there will always be new ideas and approaches introduced.
"There have been some changes to the electoral laws; for example, closing time of polling has been changed from 6pm to 4pm hence I urge you to pay attention to all details shared by MEC," said Makwete.
He further urged DEST members and MEC staff to be impartial, corteous and polite to all electoral stakeholders.
The local government by-election, which is expected to take place in Rukulu, Chilanga and Kapolo Wards in the district, will be held following conviction of three ward councilors who were found guilty of fraudulently pocketing K2.4 million from vendors in exchange for plots.
SPARK project earns praises in Nkhata Bay
By Margret Praise Kalua
Nkhata Bay, March 21, Mana: Communities in the area of Senior Chief Timbiri and Traditional Authority (T/A) Kabunduli in Nkhata Bay District have commended International Labour Organization (ILO) for empowering people with disabilities.
The organization is implementing a project dubbed Sparking Disability Inclusive Rural Transformation Project (SPARK) which targets all International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) programmes which promote disability inclusion.
Speaking on Tuesday during a monitoring visit by ILO officials, a member of Chisala Beekeeping Association in the area of Senior Chief Timbiri, Brown Kaunda, who has a walking disability, said he was at first struggling to provide basic needs for his family of seven.
He said he saw a ray of hope when, in 2022 through SPARK project, he was trained on beekeeping and was given four bee hives from which he makes money to feed his family.
“I have also been saving part of proceeds realized from selling honey and, using those savings, I bought a goat, ducks and a bicycle,” he added.
Another beneficiary under Programme for Rural Irrigation (PRIDE), Akafaamveka Mbewe from Chiwawa village, TA Kabunduli said through SPARK he has been trained in producing assistive technologies using AgriLab model.
Assistant Social Welfare Officer for Nkhata Bay District Council, Octovia Phiri, commended ILO for the project, saying it needs to be replicated across the district to transform the lives of people with disabilities so that no one is left begging for survival.
ILO National Project Officer for SPARK project, Vincent Kavala, said the project seeks to create employment opportunities for people with disabilities within the rural economy.
"We are happy for making a significant progress in the district, as over 300 persons with disabilities are currently included in IFAD funded programmes, and we are striving to include even more before the project phases out end September this year," he said.
Fishing communities urged to diversify income streams
By Chisomo Kambandanga
Nkhata Bay, March 21, Mana: Programs Manager for Restoring Fisheries for Sustainable Livelihoods in Lake Malawi (REFRESH) project under TechnoSave, Felistus Sibweza, has advised fishing communities in Nkhata Bay to create multiple sources of income to reduce pressure on Lake Malawi’s dwindling fish population.
Speaking on Tuesday during a Conservation Enterprise Market and Food Fair in the district, Sibweza said over-reliance on the lake for income by fishing communities has caused depletion of some valuable fish species.
“We are encouraging fishing communities to venture into other income generating activities, such as apiculture and mushroom production to ease pressure and help conserve fish species in Lake Malawi and other natural resources surrounding it,” she said.
District Fisheries Officer for NKhata Bay, Dellings Kamenya, said due to over-dependence on Lake Malawi as the sole source of fish, annual harvest for highly valued chambo fish is declining.
In his remarks, Director of Planning and Development for Nkhata Bay, Edgar Chihana, said diversifying their sources of income would also help fishers earn income when fishing is closed during fish breeding season.
"The council is also engaging with its development partners to establish fish ponds for aquaculture to upscale fish supply and to ensure that the district does not only rely on single source for fish," Chihana added.
Chairperson for Makuzi Beach Village Committee, Lester Wakana, said communities are geared to embrace REFRESH project, as it presents a lifeline for fishers who strive to make ends meet during closed seasons.
REFRESH is a five-year project that started in 2019 and is being implemented by PACT Malawi with funding from US Agency for International Development.
Climate smart agriculture saves Mzimba farmers
By Austine Patrice Kachilika
Mzimba, March 21, Mana: Agriculture Service Committee chairperson for M’mbelwa District Council, Paul Chombo, says most farmers in Mzimba District who practiced climate smart agriculture (CSA) in their fields are eyeing bumper harvest despite a dry spell that occurred during the 2023/2024 growing season.
Chombo was speaking on Wednesday in the area of Traditional Authority Kampingo Sibande during a field day visit themed ‘Promoting climate resilient technologies for increased agricultural productivity and enhanced nutrition security’.
He said although the district experienced dry spells over a period of 21 days, some farmers were still able to mitigate its impacts through CSA practices, such as crop diversification, moisture retention, livestock production and drip irrigation.
“We cannot deny the fact that adverse weather conditions have hindered agriculture in most parts of the district and the whole country at large; however, some farmers have managed to sail through the disaster by practicing integrated approaches that have enhanced their crop productivity,” he said.
“Today's field inspection has shown that if all of us could practice crop diversification, embrace drip irrigation, practice irrigation and grow fast maturing and drought resilient crops, climate change impacts on agricultural productivity will be history,” he added.
Director of Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources for M’mbelwa District Council, Beatrice Mbakaya, urged farmers continue with CSA practices and urged others who have not yet adopted it to do so in order to improve agricultural productivity in their fields.
One of the farmers practicing CSA, Mervis Soko, said she was expecting a bumper crop harvest after she followed CSA practices.
CCJP trains 18 volunteers in Chitipa on electoral laws
By Aliko Munde
Chitipa, March 21, Mana: Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) of Karonga Diocese on Wednesday trained 18 volunteers in Senior Chief Kameme in Chitipa District on electoral laws and how women can take part in electoral processes.
Gender Coordinator for CCJP Karonga Diocese, Janet Mhango, said the training was organized for the volunteers to build their capacity ahead of 2025 general elections.
“We have trained the volunteers on the barriers women face in politics and also during the electoral period. We have also trained them on electoral laws and how best they can promote women participation in the upcoming general elections,” said she.
Mhango further said that her organization expects that the volunteers will go to the grassroots and continue sensitizing community leaders, religious leaders and local governance structures like area development committees (ADC) and village development committees (VDC).
District Gender Officer for Chitipa, James Gubudu, said some female aspirants in elections fail to make it due to lack of capacity and courage to address people.
“Most women aspirants lack courage. So we have trained the volunteers on how to generate that courage as far as the manifestos and what they have planned to offer to people is concerned.
“We expect the volunteers to go flat out to engage communities, VDCs, ADCs and other community platforms to disseminate the information we have imparted to them,” he said.
One of the volunteers, Annet Phiri, said they will utilize every gathering in their localities to encourage more women to contest in 2025 general elections.
Chitipa District has three female ward councilors out of ten and no female Member of Parliament.
Mzuzu’s Chris Academy mourns 2 students
By Peter Mseteka & Tracy Mtegha
Mzuzu, March 21, Mana: Chris Academy students in Mzuzu on Wednesday held prayers for two students who died on Tuesday after a tree fell on them at Masasa in Mzuzu City.
Speaking Thursday in an interview, head teacher for the school, Adolf Kapondera, said Enock Mwenda and Joseph Gama, both 22, met their fate when they were playing pool game near Chibuku Beverage Company.
“The students gathered in a circle holding hands, praying, as one them preached about loving each other and being available for each other in time of need,” said Kapondera.
He added that the school’s management has since engaged licensed counsellors from other schools to offer psychosocial support to the students.
“With heavy hearts, the Chris Academy family mourns the loss of our very own, Enock and Joseph.
“Both will be remembered for the smiles they shared and the love they had for their friends and, in honour of the deceased, management has advised students, staff members to wear black clothes on Friday, March 22,” he said.
Councilor for Masasa Ward, Manson Waya, said that the trees which were five in number have been there since 1964 and that once they wanted them for timber for construction of bridges but were denied.
“Let me advise people to be careful in choosing the places where they ply their businesses to avoid similar incidents,” said Waya.
According to Deputy Public Relations Officer for Mzuzu Police, Rose Chipyola, on the day, besides the two deceased students, several people were injured during the tragedy.
The tragedy happened a few days after four members of a family - wife, husband and two children - died after a house collapsed on them, following a land slide in the same area.
WHH sets aside K85 million for Kachindamoto water supply
By Steve Chirombo
Dedza, March 21, Mana: As Malawi joins the rest of the world in commemorating World Water Day on Friday, one of the country’s humanitarian organizations, Welthungerhilfe (WHH), has disclosed plans to provide safe and potable solar powered water supply to 11 villages under Nsungo area in Senior Chief Kachindamoto in Dedza District.
The organization’s Project Coordinator, Khumbo Munthali, disclosed this on Wednesday during a media tour to the area where he also said the intervention intends to benefit 400 households, approximately over 2,000 people.
He said: “As WHH through this initiative, we join the rest of the world in commemorating World Water Day which falls on March 22. This is one way to ensure communities are accessing safe and potable water close to their homes,” said Munthali.
He added that the development was also a response to the community members who approached his organization after noticing that most boreholes in the area were producing saline water.
“Having noticed that we were providing similar services to the communities under T/A Chauma, they wrote us a letter requesting for the same. We did our survey to see where we could get fresh water then we decided to erect solar powered water supply,” he said.
He further said that almost five water points will be constructed with one more at Nsungo Primary School, with an expectation that the communities will take care of the infrastructure through knowledge obtained from trainings they underwent on how to come up with a strategy for the sustainability of the water supply.
On her part, Ida Benard, one of the community members, hailed WHH for the intervention, calling it a timely relief from their struggle to access the precious commodity.
“Once this is complete, it will surely help us access water close to our homes. We used to go fetch water around 3:00 a.m. and come back around 8:00 or 9:00 a.m., which also poses a risk on our families’ safety,” she said.
Taking his turn, Edward Matias, chairperson for the water point committee in the area, hoped the development will go towards uplifting their lives, saying communities drink water from unprotected sources which result in spreading waterborne diseases like cholera.
Loss and Damage funds an obligation, not a gift - Former President
By Leonard Masauli
Lilongwe, March 21, Mana: Former President Joyce Banda has emphasized that the Loss and Damage funds sought by African nations from the Global North are not a charitable contribution but rather an obligation owed by the global community to support countries in the global south, as they confront the devastating consequences of disasters.
Banda made the remarks during the opening ceremony of the 3rd African Regional Dialogue on Loss and Damage meeting at Bingu International Convention Centre in Lilongwe on Wednesday.
She stressed the importance of African leaders presenting a united front to advocate for justice and to ensure that the Global North fulfills its commitment to providing more financial support to countries in the global south for loss and damage mitigation.
"In providing funds for loss and damage, the Global North is not extending a gift, but fulfilling a responsibility.
"My advice to Africans is that we must persist in our advocacy efforts to increase these pledges. Heads of State must unite as a continent and demand what is rightfully ours to ensure that countries receive the necessary support,” said Banda.
Minister of Natural Resources and Climate Change Michael Usi underscored that loss and damage is not only an ethical and political issue, but also a developmental one.
He emphasized the need to hold the Global North accountable by presenting the reality of the situation rather than treating it as an academic debate.
"Instances such as Cyclone Freddy serve as powerful illustrations of the urgent need for climate justice. Fulfilling promises is not a favour but an obligation.
"It is imperative for Malawi and other affected nations to develop strategies to ensure that these promises are upheld," said Usi.
Board Chairperson for the Civil Society Network on Climate Change (CSONECC), Gift Numeri, highlighted the urgency of addressing climate change impacts, stressing that the suffering of communities, particularly women and children, cannot be ignored.
"This gathering is pivotal for Africa to take proactive steps in addressing climate change impacts," remarked Numeri, adding, "We must devise our own mechanisms to tackle these challenges before seeking assistance from external parties."
MACRA engages communication practitioners on Data Protection Act
By Evance Chisiano
Blantyre, March 21, Mana: Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) has engaged communication practitioners, among them public relations officers (PROs) of ministries, departments and agencies, on the newly assented Data Protection Act.
At the opening of a two-day training workshop at Crossroads Hotel in Blantyre on Wednesday, MACRA Board Chairperson Bridget Chibwana said the Authority saw it necessary to raise awareness of the Data Protection Act among the communication practitioners because they deal with people's personal data in the course of their duties.
PROs from Malawi Institute of Education, Department of Disaster and Management Affairs, Southern Region Water Board, and Malawi Broadcasting Corporation, among others, attended the Data Protection Act and Digital Profiling training.
During the training, the PROs were taken through various topics revolving around the Data Protection Act.
“Under the new Act, MACRA has been given a mandate to protect personal data and safeguard individual's privacy,” she added.
President Lazarus Chakwera assented the Data Protection Bill into an Act on February 1, 2023.
MACRA Director of Legal Services Thokozani Chimbe said Malawi's Data Protection laws will align with the international best practices.
“This will help to safeguard people's right to privacy,” she said, adding that MACRA will hold more awareness initiatives with various stakeholders on the new data protection laws.
She said the communication practitioners training was part of the Data Protection Act awareness.
