MANAonline
Construction of Kaunda Road excites Lilongwe residents
By Yankho Banda
Lilongwe, June 24, Mana: Residents around Areas 49 and 25 in Lilongwe have expressed excitement over the ongoing construction of Kaunda Road, which stretches from the Mchinji Roundabout to Area 25, saying it will significantly ease traffic congestion in the area.
In an interview with the Malawi News Agency (Mana), Benjamin Ziba, a motorcyclist operating around the Area 51 roadblock, said the current road is too narrow and often causes traffic jams, especially around Areas 25, 49, and 51.
“The new road will help reduce congestion. The current road is simply too small for the growing traffic,” Ziba said.
He also reassured business operators along the route not to worry about losing their space, as the new road design will accommodate all road users.
“The road will not take up all the space. There will still be areas where businesses can operate freely,” he added.
Gift Black, a clerk at Plem Construction Company, the firm contracted to carry out the project, said the road construction will cover a 4.7-kilometer stretch, extending from the Mchinji Roundabout to Areas 25 and 51.
“It’s going to be a dual carriageway, which means an extra 20 meters will be added on each side of the existing road. This will involve removing trees and informal shops operating along the roadside,” Black explained.
Mary Kalimba, a chapati vendor along the road, welcomed the project, expressing hope that it will help reduce road accidents, particularly those involving motorcyclists.
“There are so many motorbikes now, and the new road will create safer conditions for all of us,” she said.
Malawi Embraces Knowledge-Driven Economy
By Patience Longwe
Lilongwe, June 24, Mana: The Secretary for Higher Education, Dr.Levis Eneya, has said that Malawi is making steady progress towards becoming a country that depends on knowledge, science, and innovation to grow its economy.
He made the remarks on Tuesday at a meeting of the National Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) Technical Working Group, held at the Crossroads Hotel in Lilongwe.
According to Eneya, Science, technology, and innovation are key tools for Malawi’s development and can help transform the country for the better.
He also added that the country’s ST policy, which was approved in 2002, laid the foundation and helped in the establishment of important institutions like the National Commission for Science and Technology (NSCT) and the Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST)
“However, the time has come to review it to incorporate innovation and industrialization, leading to improved lives for our people
Our success should not be judged by how many policies we make or how many reports we write, but by how many lives we improve. I encourage everyone to focus on ideas and innovations that make a real difference in people’s lives, not just paperwork”, he said.
He also said, the Ministry of Higher Education is committed to making sure that everyone benefits from scientific progress, stressing the need to combine indigenous knowledge with modern science to achieve fair development for all Malawians.
“Malawi 2063 aims to make a middle-income country by the year 2063, science and technology will play a big role in creating Jobs, building industries, and growing the economy”, he said.
He commended international organisations for their ongoing support, especially the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and the NCST, for helping to push forward Malawi’s science and innovation goals.
In her remarks, the UNDP Resident Representative, Ms. Fenella Frost, emphasized that Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) are not merely enablers of progress but serve as the driving force behind transformative change.
Lilongwe City Council struggles with rising streetlight solar panel thefts
By Japonicah Jabu
Lilongwe, June 23, Mana: The Lilongwe City Council (LCC) has raised serious concerns over the rising theft of solar panels from streetlights along newly constructed roads, warning that the trend poses a threat to public safety and undermines the city’s appearance.
Tamara Chafunya, spokesperson for the Lilongwe City Council, lamented the "lawless individuals" who are stealing and vandalizing these vital infrastructures.
"These streetlights are part of the development that the government puts in place as part of safety and beautification of the city at night," Chafunya explained, emphasizing the significant investment made by the government.
Chafunya urged citizens to cultivate a sense of ownership over public developments, stressing the collective responsibility required to safeguard these costly constructions.
In response to the rampant thefts, the LCC has engaged various stakeholders to install surveillance cameras at infrastructure sites.
"These cameras will be able to record and be used to trace and catch the culprits," she stated.
Concurring with the LCC, Lilongwe Police Public Relations Officer, Hastings Chigalu, affirmed the police's inherent duty to protect public infrastructure. He highlighted the collaborative efforts between the police and scrap metal dealers to curb the illicit trade of stolen items, thereby eliminating a market for the stolen streetlights.
Chigalu further elaborated on the police's proactive approach, stating, "The police does not wait until issues arise for them to take action but they use the strategy of prevention and if it fails then the perpetrators are taken to court to answer for the crime."
He also identified motorbike operators as key enablers of these crimes, as they assist in transporting stolen materials.
Both the Lilongwe City Council spokes person and the Lilongwe Public Relations Police underscore the importance of civic responsibility and a collective effort to protect and preserve the city's infrastructure for the benefit of all residents.
Phalombe District Council to commerce rehabilitation works on Minor Water Schemes
By Linda likomwa
Phalombe, June 24, Mana: Phalombe District Council will soon start the K154 million rehabilitation works on Sombani, and Phalombe Minor Water Schemes which were heavily damaged by Tropical Cyclone Freddy induced rains in March 2023.
The 90 days project work is funded by World Bank under Region Climate Resilient Programme (RCRP) through National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC).
District Commissioner Douglas Moffat disclosed this recently, saying the damage affected provision of water services to communities in the district.
“In this project we are going to expand conveyer pipes from the current 110 to 200 milliliters to make sure that the water tank has adequate water to supply to both Southern Region Water Board and Phalombe Minor systems,” said Moffat.
The District Commissioner added that government has pumped in a lot of money to the project which is expected to supply water for the targeted communities in the next 40 years hence need for the council and chiefs to sign an agreement to protect the water resource at Michesi Mountain where people cut trees for charcoal production, fire wood while some encroach to open land for farming.
Traditional Authority Mkhumba expressed her gratitude over commencement of the rehabilitation works on Phalombe Scheme, saying that by the end of rehabilitation works, people in her area will have access to portable water closer to their homes and was optimistic that water-borne diseases will also be prevented.
She therefore assured the council of continuous sensitization on protection of forests at Michesi Mountain, saying all those that opened farm land in the protected forest area will be taken to task so as to stop the encroachment.
Phalombe Minor, Water Users Association (WUA) Local Utility Operator, Peter Chiotcha said by the end of the rehabilitation work 8,000 households will benefit from the portable water supply.
“Currently we have 3,540 households that are benefiting, but some get the water in the afternoon while others are supplied with water during evening hours. Out of 786 pipes that were installed less than 200 are working,” he disclosed.
He therefore asked government to consider funding rehabilitation of Phalombe Major Water Scheme which is also in bad condition to reach out to the larger community with portable water.
Feed the Children donates to Nkhata Bay District Council
By Janet Masamba
Nkhata Bay, June 25, Mana: District Commissioner for Nkhata Bay, David Gondwe, has commended Feed the Children for donating a Toyota Prado TX vehicle, two motorcycles and three laptops to support the sustainability of nutrition projects in the district.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, Gondwe said the donation will significantly improve mobility which is one of the major challenges the council faces in monitoring nutrition initiatives.
“As Nkhata Bay District Council, we are grateful for the gesture Feed the Children has shown by providing us with these assets.
“Although the Akule ndi Thanzi project they were implementing in the district has come to an end, we will ensure these assets are used to sustain its impact and continue registering success,” he said.
The DC added that the donation came at the right time, as the council had been seeking similar resources to support project monitoring, especially given the district’s hilly terrain.
“Let me urge all officers who will be using these assets to take very good care of them for the benefit of the community members we serve,” he emphasized.
In his remarks, the Cluster Coordinator for Feed the Children Chimwemwe Nyasulu expressed hope that the donated items would contribute to a reduction in nutrition-related cases in the district.
“One of the key outcomes we expect in the coming years is a significant reduction in stunting cases and we believe the agreement signed with the council to take care of these assets will be honored,” he said.
Chairperson for Civil Society Organization in Nkhata Bay, Michael Mwanachawa said the gesture that Feed the Children has shown should be emulated by other organizations as sustainability of all the projects remains in the hands of the council.
Akule ndi Thanzi Project was being implemented in the district with the aim of improving nutrition status of pregnant and lactating women, under five children and adolescent girls with financial support from USAID.
MHEN hands over push bicycles to mother care groups for community mobilization
By Kenneth Zindondo,
Blantyre, June 25, Mana: Malawi Health Equity Network (MHEN) says a reliable mode of transport plays a significant role in ensuring effective community mobilization for improved child health across Malawi.
MHEN Executive Director, George Jobe, made the remarks on Monday as he handed over a bicycle to Mpendekela Mother Care Group at Traditional Authority Lundu in Blantyre to improve the group’s mobility.
According to Jobe, mother care groups work voluntarily with limited resources, saying it was pleasing to see them doing incredible work in mobilizing parents and guardians to get their children vaccinated against illnesses.
“They use default tracing tools such as vaccine cards and community registers to identify children who miss vaccinations, and they also encourage expectant mothers to deliver at certified health facilities,”.
“One notable achievement is the construction of a footbridge at Lundu, which has allowed communities to access health services, especially during the rainy season,” he added.
Jobe expressed gratitude over the group’s commitment towards child health as MHEN was at Lundu as part of its ongoing monitoring and evaluation visits in the nine districts, including Blantyre, where the organization work with the mother care group in mobilizing communities on child vaccination.
Senior Health Surveillance Assistant at Lundu Health Centre, Sigrace Seda, acknowledged the mother care group’s active contribution to numerous activities that improved health delivery.
“Before the group was formed, it was difficult to trace children and women who miss vaccination. Thanks to the mother care group’s follow-ups, our data is more accurate, and coverage has improved,” she said.
Mpendekela Mother Care Group’s Secretary, Veronica Kalino, expressed gratitude over the bicycle donation, saying this will improve mobility to remote areas in times of community mobilization.
“We often struggled to reach remote areas due to lack of transport. With this bicycle, we can now visit more households to ensure no one is left behind,” she said.
Senior Village Head, Chilundu, also hailed the group for playing active role in community mobilization, which had seen improved vaccine uptake in most areas within Lunzu Health Center catchment.
Mother Care Groups were established in 2022 by the Government of Malawi through the Ministry of Health, with technical support from Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) and funding from Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI).
Lack of access to adult education hinders national development
By Pickson Chipeso
Lilongwe, June 25, Mana: DVV International Organization says limited access to quality adult education in Malawi significantly hampers the socio-economic prospects of individuals, perpetuating cycles of poverty and inequality.
Speaking with Malawi News Agency (MANA), DVV International Communication Officer, Dyson Mthawanji said adult education enhances skills, knowledge, and competencies, empowering individuals to improve their livelihoods and contribute to national development.
"Limited access to quality adult education hinders economic development and competitiveness. A workforce lacking in skills and knowledge cannot effectively contribute to the growth of key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and services,” he said.
Mthawanji added that existing infrastructure such as community centers and schools can be repurposed to provide adult education facilities, offering a cost-effective way to expand learning access.
In his remarks, Executive Director for Civil Society Education Coalition (CSEC), Benedicto Kondowe emphasized that without literacy and vocational skills, many Malawians remain in low-paying, informal jobs, unable to fully participate in the economy.
“Adult education is not just a second chance at learning; it is a vital bridge to economic empowerment, social inclusion, and self-reliance,” said Kondowe.
He urged the government to prioritize adult education within national budgets and integrate learning spaces into existing infrastructure, stressing the importance of public-private partnerships and coordination among sectors.
Newly refurbished NU DCs offices a motivation to stakeholders
By Maston Kaiya
Ntcheu, June 25, Mana: Chairperson for Ntcheu District Council, Councilor Flaness Kampeni has observed that the newly refurbished district commissioner's office block will bring motivation to all stakeholders, including civil servants, civil society organisations and the entire Ntcheu community.
Speaking in an interview with Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Tuesday, Kampeni said works to renovate the office has been long overdue, adding that she is optimistic that the council's secretariat will now work comfortably and improve their operations.
Kampeni said the rehabilitation was in line with the district development plans, noting: "The structure is magnificent and will improve the working operations of the council."
In a separate interview, District Commissioner for Ntcheu, George Ngaiyaye said the structure has brought a conducive working environment for various district council officers, such as the Director of Administration, the Human Resources, Deceased Estates, Information, Treasury and the Malawi Electoral Commission.
"The structure has brought a conducive working environment which will bring confidence to members of staff as they discharge their duties while at the same time the development will bring trust to the public," said Ngaiyaye.
On the other hand, Acting District Director of Public Works, Onacence Nyirenda said the works have been done to a tune of K167 million.
Nyirenda said various works have been done including new roofing, iron sheets, tiling, painting, ceiling installation, drainages and breaking some walls, among others.
"We have reconditioned the structure in a way that it will also be a historical building that people will be able to point at," said Nyirenda.
According to reports, Ntcheu District Council Offices which are centrally located at the BOMA in the area of Senior Chief Kwataine were built in the 1940s during the colonial era.
SRWB rallies communities in Chiradzulu to protect water equipment
By Blackson Mkupatira
Chiradzulu, June 24, Mana: Southern Region Water Board (SRWB) has urged communities under group village heads Onga and Kambalame in Chiradzulu District to take full responsibility of protecting water infrastructure in their respective areas for sustainable water supply.
SRWB in collaboration with Chiradzulu district council made the call during a stakeholders meeting held in Group Village Head Onga’s area following growing concerns over theft and vandalism of essential water equipment.
The board’s Security Executive, Ephrone Mphande expressed concern over the persistent theft and vandalism of vital installations, disclosing that the board had lost K120 million in replacing two stolen transformers in the area.
“People often say this is a business, but we are offering a service here. Our aim is to ensure that Malawians access clean and safe drinking water. We are here not to make profit,” he said.
Mphande, therefore, urged community leaders and their subjects to play an active role in safeguarding the infrastructure, saying SRWB’s mandate is to supply clean water and not to provide security.
Chiradzulu Police Station Officer, Senior Superintendent, Lloyd Chalemera said investigations have shown that most suspects involved in the thefts come from Blantyre.
“We have intensified security and we are encouraging community members to work closely with community policing structures to protect the equipment and identify the thieves,” he said.
Group Village Head Kambalame said it would help if a guardroom was constructed at the site to allow guards to operate in shifts, especially at night when the transformers are most vulnerable.
“In our previous meetings, we also agreed that the contractor should employ strong and capable guards. We want someone who has the capability to be on such duties,” he added.
A community member, Dinesi Michael welcomed the idea to intensify security to protect water equipment and other related infrastructure; expressing hope, that water supply will be sustainable with equipment protected by communities.
He, however, proposed that armed police officers be deployed to protect the facility, saying the previous guards were elderly, poorly paid and lacked motivation.
“The guards were not paid on time by the contractor and some feared for their lives because they didn’t have proper protection and equipment,” said Michael.
Chiradzulu District Council Water Supply Officer, McPherson Kuseli said the council has taken note of the communities’ recommendations and suggestions and will engage relevant stakeholders to explore the best ways of safeguarding the equipment.
Congolese national arrested for allegedly committing financial crimes
By George Mponda
Karonga, June 24, Mana: Police in Karonga have arrested a 32-year-old Congolese national, Christine Manana for allegedly being found with over US$23,000 in suspected counterfeit notes and an additional US$14,070 in undocumented foreign currency at Songwe Border Post.
According to Spokesperson for Karonga Police Station, Margret Msiska the incident occurred on June 23, 2025 around 11:00 a.m. as Manana was returning to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) through the Songwe Border.
Police officers from Fiscal and Fraud Section conducted a routine search on the suspect and discovered that she had US$23,000 suspected to be counterfeit and another US$14,070 of which, she had no supporting documents from a licensed financial institution or forex bureau," said Msiska.
Msiska added that the suspect was immediately taken into custody and the money was seized.
"The counterfeit currency will be sent to the Reserve Bank of Malawi for forensic analysis while investigations continue to trace the origin of the fake notes and undocumented cash," she said.
Manana who comes from Sudi Village in Kivu District of the DRC is expected to appear in court soon to answer charges of possessing counterfeit currency, illegal possession of foreign currency and attempting to externalise foreign currency without authorization.
