MANAonline
Chakwera launches class blocks construction project
By Lesnat Kenan
Lilongwe, February 22, Mana: President Lazarus Chakwera has presided over the official launch of the construction project of 10,900 cost-effective class blocks and 1,000 sanitation rooms under Malawi Education Reforms Programmes (MERP) with the aim of improving learning environment in public primary schools nationwide.
Speaking on Thursday at Chikololere Primary School (Golomoti) in Dedza District, Chakwera highlighted that quality primary education is foundation for development, hence needs more support.
"Primary education is one of the key elements for sustainable development; therefore, quality education needs well improved classrooms, enough teaching and learning materials, and construction of classrooms and sanitation rooms will help to decongest number of learners per class which will help to improve the learning environment in primary schools nationwide," said Chakwera.
He also appealed to the Minister of Education to write a proposal to the World Bank and Global Partnership for Education (GPE) so that there should also be construction of teachers’ houses project in primary schools across Malawi.
The programme was implemented with the aim of constructing 10,900 classrooms and 1,000 sanitation rooms nationwide and is expected to reach over 3,000 primary schools across Malawi with funding from the World Bank and the GPE.
Chakwera added that quality education is one of the pillars for the Malawi 2063 Vision and the construction of 10,900 class blocks and 1,000 sanitation rooms is expected to be completed by June 2025 with over K150 billion.
NGO rescues 272 children from tobacco farms
By Abubakar Kanjoka
Kasungu, February 22, Mana: As the fight against child labour continues in Kasungu District, at least 272 children have been rescued from tobacco farms and enrolled back in school, courtesy of Good Health Organization.
The Kasungu based non-governmental organization is implementing a 10-month project called ‘Addressing Decent Work Deficits and Improving Access to Rights in Malawi’s Tobacco Sector’ (Address) aimed at promoting decent work practices in tobacco farms.
Coordinator for the project, Judith Ngwala, said on Wednesday during a monitoring visit in Traditional Authority Wimbe in the district that some estate owners have been employing children in their tobacco farms, hence the organization’s intervention.
She said: “Some estate owners employed children, taking advantage of their poverty, orphan hood and vulnerability. This tendency is contributing highly to school dropout rate amongst children.
“It is sad to note that many children whose parents work in estates end up as child labourers in the course of assisting their parents. This is against the law and we will work tirelessly with the labour office to ensure that such children are withdrawn from those estates and sent back to school.”
Ngwala also said the organization is working with child labour committees present in villages to track all the children working in the tobacco estates.
Assistant Labour Officer for Kasungu, Joylet Kuchipala Yona, commended Good Health Organization for its commitment in the fight against child labour and popularizing new labour laws in the district.
“Apart from fighting child labour, we also commend their effort to help address the labour deficits in the tobacco estates largely through raising awareness about new labour laws, ensuring that no person is put under the outlawed tenancy system.
“We would like to see more organizations coming in and support the work of ensuring that all the estates are operating in accordance with the laws, and without them being the perpetuators of child labour,” she said.
With Funding from Norwegian Government through International Labour Organization, Good Health Organization is implementing the Address Project in Traditional Authority Kawamba and Wimbe.
The project aims at addressing child labour and abuse in tobacco estates and farms, ensuring occupational health and safety of workers, abolishment of tenancy system, and improving social welfare of the workers.
Gender and Justice unit commends council over policy
By Innocent Chunga
Nkhotakota, February 22, Mana: The Gender and Justice Unit has commended Nkhotakota District Council for approving the anti-sexual harassment policy, adding it will address challenges being experienced in dealing with cases of this nature in the district.
Deputy Director for Gender and Justice Unit, Emma Kalea Chigwenembe, made these remarks Wednesday during a training of trainers on the council's Anti-Sexual Harassment Policy held at Nkhotakota Pottery Lodge in the district.
Chigwenembe said by using legal empowerment to enhance the capacity of the district council to respond to and manage Gender Based Violence (GBV) under the Government of Malawi, a public service workplace anti-sexual harassment policy project implementation is happening in the district and the organisation will continue working towards addressing such related challenges.
"The policy is in line with the Gender Equality Act which prohibits sexual harassment in the workplace as a step towards the achievement of gender equality and ending sexual harassment in the workplace", stressed Chigwenembe.
Meanwhile, Judge Zione Ntaba expressed hope for the policy, citing that it will raise awareness on such issues and save as a warning to perpetrators in workplaces in all districts.
"This is a clear warning because the issues of sexual harassment are becoming common in the country. Therefore, councils, including Nkhotakota, need to have people who can protect those that are affected at the workplace through such policies," said Ntaba.
In his remarks, Principal Gender Officer for the council, Alick Munthali, said the council decided to develop the policy to create a workplace that is free from sexual harassment, adding that the council believes that the incidences of sexual harassment were taking place and went unreported for several years.
"We have committed to assist everyone at the workplace in the district because after the enactment of the Gender Equality Act in 2013, the council did not have an anti-sexual harassment policy to address incidences of sexual harassment at the workplaces in the district," said Munthali.
Gender and Justice Unit organised the workshop under Nkhotakota Basic Services Program supported by the Government of Iceland through Embassy of Iceland in Lilongwe.
KK man arrested for possessing cannabis sativa
By Innocent Chunga
Nkhotakota, February 22, Mana: Police at Nkhunga in Dwangwa in the lakeshore district of Nkhotakota have arrested Frank Malunga, 28, on suspicion that he was found in possession of cannabis sativa (chamba).
In an interview with Malawi News Agency on Wednesday, Public Relations Officer for Nkhunga Police Station, Andrew Kamanga, said in the wee hours of February 16 this year, police officers found a Toyota Town Ance motor vehicle registration number CK10352 abandoned at Dema area at Dwangwa along the M5 road while loaded with six and a half large bales of cannabis sativa, following a tip from members of the community.
He said through intelligence collection, police on February 20 this year, arrested Frank Malunga, 28, on allegations that he was the vehicle operator on that day and was heading to Dwambadzi Bridge.
"We can confirm that we have arrested Malunga; after investigations he will appear before the court to answer charges of being found in possession of cannabis sativa contrary to section 19 subsection 1 of the Dangerous Drug Act," said Kamanga.
Meanwhile, police have appreciated the public for their support in the fight against crime and the use of dangerous drugs in the area.
Malunga hails from Mbuna Village in the area of Senior Chief Kanyenda in Nkhotakota District.
Nkhotakota records pink eye outbreak
By Innocent Chunga
Nkhotakota, February 22, Mana: Nkhotakota District Hospital officials have announced that they have recorded cases of pink eye disease at Dwangwa in the district.
According to a press statement released on Wednesday signed by Acting Director of Health Services Dr Jacob Kafulafula, there is a significant rise in the cases of pink eye being recorded in the district.
The statement said health officials noted an increase in reported cases of conjunctivitis across various age groups within Matiki and Nkhunga health facility catchment areas in the area of Senior Chief Kanyenda in the district.
According to Kafulafula, the signs and symptoms of the disease include pink or red eye colour in the white part of the eye, itching, and eye discharge, among others.
He has therefore called on communities in the district to take precautionary measures, like practicing good hygiene and avoiding close contact, to prevent further spread of the disease.
The statement assured people that the district hospital is working closely with all stakeholders to monitor the situation and implement appropriate measures to control the spread of the disease.
It is further requesting the public to remain calm and follow all the preventive measures as advertised by health authorities.
Pink eye disease hits Chitipa
By Aliko Munde
Chitipa, February 22, Mana: Chitipa District Council says it has registered 30 cases of viral conjunctivitis (commonly known as pink eye disease) in two days, few weeks after Karonga District Council also announced an outbreak in the district.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Acting Director of Health and Social Services for Chitipa District Council, Dr. Victor Matumbo, said the disease is spreading at an alarming rate.
Dr. Matumbo appealed to people to seek medical attention once they notice signs and symptoms of the disease.
Signs and symptoms for the disease include pink or red discoloration of the white part of the eye, swelling of the eye lining, increased tear production, itching, eye discharge, eye pain, and visual disturbance.
“Let's avoid sharing personal items, such as clothes and hand towels. Wash hands with soap frequently or use hand sanitizer and stop rubbing eyes with unclean hands,” Dr Matumbo appealed.
Senior Chief Mwabulambya expressed worry with the disease, saying it is strange that people are learning now that there is this disease.
He called on health authorities to come in and save the situation, which he said is worrisome.
“If people have signs and symptoms of the disease, they should rush to the hospital because it is a strange disease just like the way COVID-19 came in. It is a disease we have never seen in our lifetime,” he said.
Viral conjunctivitis is a disease which affects the eyes and is caused by a virus that can easily spread from person to person.
Kasungu district to plant 3.5 million trees
By Wanangwa Tembo
Kasungu, February 22, Mana: Kasungu District Council Assistant Forestry Officer Leah Ndovi says the support the district receives from partners will help it easily achieve its target of planting at least 3.5 million trees during the current planting season.
Ndovi was speaking on Wednesday during a tree planting exercise organized by the National Construction Industry Council (NCIC) at Kadoweke Primary School in Traditional Authority Mwase in the district.
She said: “We are encouraged by the support from NCIC in form of 3,000 tree seedlings which we will plant in various schools and villages. This is a big boost towards achieving our target of planting not less than 3.5 million trees this season.
“We are working on improving the survival rate of the trees that we plant. One strategy is planting while we are still receiving good rains, and also by ensuring that woodlots are properly weeded to protect them from bush fires,” she said.
Ndovi also condemned the practice of planting trees and failing to care for them, saying a lot of resources go into the preparation of tree nurseries hence the need to ensure that the investment does not go down the drain.
Chief Executive Officer for NCIC, Engineer Gerald Khonje, said the exercise was part of the annual activities that the construction industry regulatory body conducts towards the protection and management of the environment.
“In the execution of our mandate to ensure that the construction industry is transformed and quality driven, we take part in a number of interventions that work towards the protection and management of the environment because we are aware that construction activities have an impact on the environment.
“When we want to construct something, we cut trees to clear the bushes. As such, we established a policy that when companies in the construction industry do their work, there should responsible care to protect the environment. They should also take part in reforestation initiatives,” said Khonje.
He added that this year, NCIC has sourced 10,000 tree seedlings which will be planted in all the three regions of the country.
In his remarks, Group Village Head Msolola said chiefs will see to it that bylaws that were made to protect trees are enforced.
This season, the tree planting activities are being conducted under the theme: “Forest innovation in action: reforestation for sustainable tomorrow”
Human rights partners bemoan delayed enactment of new Prison and Correctional Act
By Priscilla Phiri
Lilongwe, February 21, Mana: Human rights stakeholders have expressed concern over the delayed enactment of the new Prison and Correctional Act saying it is infringing on prisoners’ rights.
The human rights players said this Wednesday at a press briefing at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe.
The briefing was organised by the Centre for Human Rights Education, Advice and Assistance (CHREAA) to demonstrate their concerns over the matter.
Paralegal Advisory Services Institute Chief Executive Officer, Clifford Msiska, highlighted the need to enact the new Prison and Correctional Act in order to mitigate congestion and overcrowding in prisons.
“Our prisons are overly crowded and one of the major contributing factors is that there are prisoners who are eligible for release but are failing to pay for bail such that it is even difficult for them to access basic sanitation like toilets.
“Right now, 100 prisoners use one toilet which is against the recommended number of 50 prisoners to one toilet. We wish the current bill was enacted for us to reduce the numbers in the prisons and for prisoners to enjoy their rights,” said Msiska.
Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) Director of Civil and Political Rights, Peter Chisi, said over the past fifteen years, the situation in prisons has worsened due to lack of progressive legislations hence calling for an amendment of the current Prisons Act.
“As you know, under Section 14 of the Human Right Commission Act, we have a mandate to review and analyse legislative bills. All these years we have been waiting for the Ministry of Homeland Security to review the proposal governing legislation of prisons so that we can bring our inputs to revise content,” said Chisi.
He pleaded with the Members of Parliament to demand tabling of the new Prisons Bill from the Ministry of Homeland Security.
Chairperson for Parliamentary Committee on Social and Community Affairs, Savel Kafwafwa, expressed commitment to discuss with relevant committees such as Defence, Security and Legal Affairs and collaborate in protecting and ensuring the marginalised groups are heard.
Scale up efforts to reduce non-revenue water, water boards advised
By Moses Nyirenda
Lilongwe, February 21, Mana: Ministry of Water and Sanitation Principal Secretary, Elias Chimlambe, has advised water boards in the country to scale up their efforts to reduce non-revenue water that occurs due to theft of water supply equipment, pipe bursts and leakages.
He made the remarks in Lilongwe on Wednesday during Project for Strengthening the Capacity of Non-Revenue Water Reduction for Lilongwe Water Board (LiSCap) 10th Joint Coordinating Committee (JCC) meeting.
The meeting was organized by Lilongwe Water Board (LWB) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Chimlambe said non-revenue water remains a challenge among water boards in the country hence the need to put an extra gear in a quest to address the challenge.
“Non-revenue water is still a big challenge among water utility companies in Malawi hence the need to put more effort to fight the challenge,” Chimlambe said.
He added that combating non-revenue water would help improve supply of potable water to the public by which would assist achieving one of the key priorities in the Malawi 2063 on increased availability of potable water in the country.
He, therefore, hailed LWB for its commitment to addressing non-revenue water through LiSCap project implemented with support from JICA since 2019.
He urged other water boards in the country to emulate LWB’s example if they are to address non-revenue water challenge.
LWB Chief Executive Officer, Silli Mbewe, said through LiSCap project the Board has made positive strides in reducing non-revenue water.
“We have made significant strides in this journey with the project now scheduled to come to completion in December 2024. In the last JCC we reported around 40 percent decrease in non-revenue water but now we have reported 38 percent decrease.
“It is just two percent movement but quite significant in as far as the war against non-revenue water is concerned. If you quantify the two percent it is translating to a saving of two million litres which translates to K400 million saved,” he said.
JICA Chief Representative, Kazuhiro Tambara, said JICA is committed to provide more support to LWB to sustain reducing non-revenue water.
Malera calls for re-think on AIP implementation
By Tabbu Kitta Kauye
Lilongwe, February 21, Mana: Ombudsman Grace Malera has asked government to consider reprogramming the Affordable Input Program (AIP) saying it has for years failed to make the country food secure.
Malera made the remarks in Dowa when she presented the final report on systemic investigations on AIP implementation from 2022 to 2024 growing seasons.
The Ombudsman stated that there have been some improvements in AIP implementation among them good political will and programming at technical level which, she said, has increased yields at household level.
“Although there have been some improvements, there are still some maladministration that weaken the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the programme. For instance, corruption and unethical conduct by stakeholders involved in the programme,” she said.
Malera stated that AIP comes at a huge cost and the cost benefit analysis does not reflect the billions spent in the implementation of the program hence the call for the government to reprogram and rethink the programme.
The Office of the Ombudsman has recommended that, among others, in the long term government must continue putting on its agenda an exit strategy for AIP and in the processing of graduation from AIP there must be mechanisms of mitigating vulnerability in certain categories.
“In the short term, there should be fundamental remodeling of the subsidy programs, to optimize on efficiencies, effectives and responsiveness to fit into the Malawi 2063 goals,” said Malera.
National AIP Coordinator in the Ministry of Agriculture, Justin Kagona, said government has already started reprogramming and improving the program to ensure that beneficiaries are assisted.
Kagona said: “We gave have been reducing the number of beneficiaries from 3.8 million in 2020-2021 to 1.5 million in 2022-2023. This shows that government is modifying and improving AIP.
“While we are reducing the number of AIP beneficiaries, we are increasing on commercial production like mega farms and agriculture commercialization and provision of loans to commercial farmers under the Nation Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) to achieve food security.”
