MANAonline
Community participation critical for sustainability of BEFIT Programme
By Manasse Nyirenda
Rumphi, May 28, Mana: Director of Education and Sports for Rumphi District Council, Fides Msowoya has said that community participation in Building Education Foundations Through Innovation and Technology (BEFIT) Programme is crucial for its sustainability in the district.
Msowoya was speaking on Tuesday during the council’s review meeting of the programme with primary education advisors (PEAs) among other stakeholders.
She said the programme has improved learner enrollment, enthusiasm, and interest of the learner in education.
“Community participation is very important for the sustainability of any programme. So far we have already witnessed community members contributing resources toward wage payment of security guards in schools.
“We are also considering incorporating activities from the programme into our council-level budget as a way of sustaining the gains achieved through the intervention,” she explained.
Coordinator for BEFIT in Rumphi, George Mlowoka said the project has improved reading and numerical skills besides reducing absenteeism among learners.
He added that he was optimistic that the programme will be sustained due to the involvement of various stakeholders at both council and community levels.
A head teacher of Lwatizi Primary School, Alice Mkanadango said the learners who have been benefiting from the programme in the last two years have developed an increased interest in learning.
Learners under the programme use tablets to learn numerical and reading skills at their own pace of comprehension.
BEFIT is a government of Malawi owned and led programme aimed at enhancing foundational literacy and numeracy skills among learners in standard 1 to 4 across all public primary schools in Malawi using specialized applications on android tablets.
CAVWOC, Oxfam Malawi equip Balaka stakeholders to enhance GBV justice through mobile courts
By Francisco Hermes
Balaka, May 28, Mana: The Centre for Alternatives for Victimized Women and Children (CAVWOC), in collaboration with Oxfam Malawi, has oriented key stakeholders in Balaka District—including the police, judiciary, health officials, social welfare officers, and the media—on the implementation of mobile courts to enhance justice delivery for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (GBV).
CAVWOC held a two-day workshop in the district where its Programmes Manager, Treassar Msokera, expressed hope for effective delivery of justice in Balaka after orienting the stakeholders, saying the training equipped the stakeholders to handle GBV cases using survivor-centered approach.
“This training has highlighted several systemic obstacles that have been preventing sexual and GBV survivors in rural communities from accessing justice. We therefore hope that this transformative approach will help law enforcers and courts to deliver justice conveniently.
“We expect that all stakeholders will now collaborate using skills and knowledge they have gained during the training plus their existing expertise. We believe this will help them to handle cases related to GBV in their respective sectors and in the community," she added.
Msokera said the training also enlightened stakeholders on how they should expand GBV survivors legal services access through mobile court systems.
Officer In Charge for Utale Police Unit, Inspector Chrispin Gondwe hailed CAVWOC and Oxfam for orienting the police and other stakeholder, saying this will improve collaboration among all structures in delivery of justice on GBV survivors.
“We need to be together as one team for us to proceed with the cases until justice prevail,” he added.
Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) reporter, Hellen Luwayo, said the training was crucial as it enabled her to understand how the media should report objectively on GBV issues in relation to delivery of justice.
11 Arrested for murder in Mchinji
By Santos Zefania
Lilongwe, May 28, Mana: Police in Mchinji have arrested 11 men suspected to have murdered two men involved in the death of their relative and robbed his motorcycle at Kabuthu Village, Traditional Authority (TA) Mabvwere in Mchinji, on May 27, 2025.
Mchinji, Police Station Public Relations Officer, Limbani Mpinganjira, confirmed the development in an interview on Wednesday, saying family members and villagers alleged that, the deceased (Chikuwa and Joseph), ambushed Amon Lyson, at Kabuthu as he was going home, Chalapuka Village from Namitete.
“On that particular day, after the death of Amon Lyson 52, the family members and villagers rallied against the two where they were heavily assaulted heavily. The suspects are in police custody and are expected to appear before court soon to answer a murder charge,” Said Mpinganjira.
In a related development, Police have also arrested Dickson Yohane aged 43, Yohane Kandiyano 42, Hamilton Lyson 41, Simukanako Konikisi 38, Chisomo Fyson 33, Precious Josiya 27, Piason Kosimasi 23, Daliken Paul 23, Levison Joseph 22, Jimmy Chimphangu 21 and Kelvin Chimphangu 18. In connection to the same case.
Meanwhile, police have advised the public to refrain from taking the law into their hands, observing mob justice amounts to a violation of the right to life and to a fair trial.
Government moves to reform sugar industry amid shortages
By Fostina Mkandawire
Salima, May 28, Mana: Government has announced comprehensive reform plans to overhaul Malawi’s sugar industry, aiming to address persistent shortages, stabilize prices, and promote local participation in distribution.
Speaking during the launch of the 2025 sugar production season at Salima Sugar Company on Tuesday, Minister of Trade and Industry, Engineer Vitumbiko Mumba, unveiled new measures targeting not only illicit stockpiling but also issues of production, distribution and pricing.
The reforms include prioritizing local empowerment in sugar distribution, enforcing price regulation through a proposed Essential Goods and Services Bill, and mandating that all sugar distribution trucks be escorted by both trade officials and police officers to prevent illicit stockpiling.
“We are not just responding to the crisis with punitive measures. We are restructuring the entire value chain to make it more accountable, inclusive, and transparent,” said Mumba.
A key policy shift will see priority given to indigenous Malawians in the licensing of sugar distributors.
“Foreign investors have not shown commitment to long-term investment in this country. It is time local communities benefit directly,” Mumba said.
Mumba also disclosed that vending of sugar might be temporarily banned until supply stabilizes, pending consultations with the Ministry of Local Government, Unity and Culture.
Salima Sugar Company Executive Chairman, Wester Kosamu reported that the company expects to release 22,000 metric tons of sugar into the market this year.
"However, financial constraints have limited operations to just 1,500 of the company's 6,000 hectares of arable land." Kosamu said.
To further boost supply, government will issue sugar import licenses targeting countries like Brazil and Egypt. In parallel, all sugar producers have been instructed to submit detailed lists of their licensed distributors.
DC calls for teamwork, integrity in 2025/2026 financial year
By Sylvester Kumwenda
Dowa, May 28, Mana: District Commissioner for Dowa, Stallichi Mwambiwa, has called for continued teamwork, integrity and dedication amongst Dowa District Council staff in order to improve the council’s operation and service delivery in the 2025/2026 financial year.
He made the remarks Tuesday when the council held its first quarterly management meeting in the 2025/2026 financial year to strategize how the council will conduct operations and implement its activities during the financial year.
Mwambiwa said it is important for head of sectors at the council to meet before spending any money allocated to them.
“This is a new financial year and we have just received our first funding. Before we start our expenditure, there is need for us to meet to remind each other of our obligations, expectations and responsibilities.
“We should also continue to uphold our work ethics, values and observe integrity in anything we do throughout the year so that we, on behalf of government, better serve the people of Dowa,” said Mwambiwa.
He commended the staff for working tirelessly, which, he said, has made Dowa amongst the best performing councils in recent years.
“That is why we need to continue with teamwork and collaboration in order to achieve intended results,” he said.
According to Mwambiwa, the meeting also provided staff with an opportunity to reflect on what worked best, rectify problems, and brainstorm on solutions on potential challenges that may be anticipated.
This, he said, would enable all sectors to be on the same page in activity implementation.
Director of Finance, Martin Mbaya, reminded the staff of the need for proper documentation and adherence to all procurement procedures.
Mbaya also reminded sectors to commit their contributions to integrity activities, like HIV and AIDS, and others from their funding.
Director of Sports and Youth, Christopher Kumikundi, said the meeting will help the council kicks-tart the financial year on a good note.
“This is an important meeting as it has given us a synopsis on the do’s and don’ts so that every money, resource, and even time is used for the intended purpose throughout the year,” said Kumikundi.
Plan Malawi donates motorcycle to Mulanje Police Station
By Innocent Chamtulo
Mulanje, May 28, Mana: Plan Malawi has donated a motorcycle to Mulanje Police Station to address transport challenges as the law enforcers respond to cases of child rights violation.
Plan Malawi Programmes Area Manager, Jane Mweziwina, said the donation was done after the organization observed that the station had transport challenges when handling child-related cases.
“We realized the importance of partnering with the police to enhance the fight against child abuse. This motorcycle will enable the police to respond to emergency situations,” she said.
Mulanje Police Officer-in-Charge, Moses Chibwe, expressed gratitude over Plan Malawi’s donation saying the gesture has come at time when there is dire need to respond to child issues in far to reach areas.
“This donation will greatly enhance our mobility, especially in areas that are not accessible by vehicles. It will help us sensitize communities on child protection and respond swiftly to incidents of abuse.
“Our officers are committed to working tirelessly in safeguarding the rights and well-being of children in the district,” he said.
The donation underscores Plan Malawi’s ongoing commitment to supporting law enforcement agencies in combating child abuse and promoting child welfare across the country.
Govt geared to supporting irrigation
By Steve Chirombo
Dedza, May 28, Mana: Minister of Agriculture, Sam Kawale, has encouraged farmers in the country to fully embrace irrigation farming and not solely depend on rain-fed agriculture.
Kawale made the sentiments Tuesday at Chinkhumbe Primary School in Dedza during the 2025 National Irrigation Season and Catchment Conservation Campaign launch.
He said government is geared to empower farmers to increase production by supporting them with soft loans for farm inputs adding that that K99 billion has been set aside to support farmers through the National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF), Mega farms and irrigation farming.
"We are implementing all these programmes in order to support farmers and to end hunger. We encourage farmers to stop planting traditional seeds but rather hybrid ones so as to harvest bumper yields," he said.
He added that his ministry is currently making sure that farmers are accessing and planting drought resilient crops as one way of adapting to climate change.
"As government, all what we need is changing from subsistence to commercial farming. Tchanga irrigation scheme is, therefore, very important as people are still facing hunger here in Mtakataka,” he said.
NEEF Chief Executive Officer, Humphreys Mdyetseni, said the essence of the programme is to make sure that people are no longer depending on rain-fed agriculture.
"We are making sure that in five years time, Malawi should transform in terms of farming, and people should migrate to using machines when farming. We would like to see farmers migrating from rain fed agriculture to irrigation," said Mdyetseni.
Traditional Authority Kachindamoto commended the support that government is providing to her subjects saying it is only through irrigation farming that people can have enough food.
"Our area continues to experience dry spells unlike other parts of Dedza. This is why government’s support under NEEF is of great importance," she said.
Tchanga Irrigation Scheme President, Salome Chinkeka, commended government for its efforts in ensuring that hunger is alleviated.
"We ask government to construct us a dam that will enhance our irrigation farming. Already we have planted beans and maize in our various fields here." said Chinkeka.
Steadfast Ladies Ministry to host women's summit
By Memory Khutuliwa
Blantyre, May 27, Mana: Steadfast Ladies Ministry has organized Women's Summit on May 31 at Chichiri Primary School in Blantyre where women from Nsanje to Chitipa will come closer to Jesus under the theme, Kingdom-minded woman.
Steadfast Ministry’s Southern Region Coordinator, Mama Apostle Sarah Mbeta, said, “Steadfast ladies is an interdenominational ministry of ladies with a vision to raise a generation of ladies that are focused, steadfast, unmoved to help fellow ladies realise their purpose through God’s word,
“Preparations are going on well. We have invited Pastor Maggie Mkwichi to bless us with the word of God,”.
Apostle Mbeta added that the summit will go into prayers, teaching and preaching the word on top of praise and worshipping the Lord, as the women's summit is expected to host women from Nsanje to Chitipa.
“Since we meet once in three months, I am encouraging every woman to attend this event so that there will be a better connection with the Lord. Every woman should fear the Lord, love the Lord and the most important thing is to live a life of prayer,” she added.
She disclosed that, apart from hearing the word of God, at least 50 ladies will receive a small-scale business capital.
Guest of honor, Pastor Maggie Mkwichi, said preparations were progressing very well and urged women to attend the summit, assuring them of multiple spiritual benefits.
“Ladies should not look down on themselves. What I am hearing most in my spirit is to preach and encourage women to do the work of God and to always move with the Holy Spirit to stand on their own when they face challenges,” said Mkwichi.
MSG PARTNERS WITH RMIT
By Austine Kananji
Lilongwe, May 27, Mana: Malawi School of Government (MSG) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) to formalise the partnership, which seeks to harness the strengths of both institutions in pursuit of excellence, innovation, and societal impact.
The official signing ceremony of the MOU took place on Monday evening at the Capital hotel in Lilongwe city, attracting different heads of departments from the MSG and some officials representing the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT)
Speaking on the occasion, the Director General of the Malawi School of Government (MSG), Prof Asiyati Chiweza, appealed to all members of the Malawi School of Government academic and administrative staff to embrace the partnership with energy, dedication, and a shared sense of responsibility.
“Let us be diligent stewards of this collaboration and honour the trust placed in us by our esteemed partners,” she said.
She further said that as a School, they are fully committed to the diligent and results-oriented implementation of the MOU and eager to see tangible results, including collaborative outputs, shared knowledge, empowered professionals, and better-served communities.
In his remarks, the Deputy Vice Chancellor and Vice President of RMIT University Professor Colin Picker, appreciated the relationship between the MSG and his institution RMIT as manifested by signing the memorandum of understanding that reflects the commitment to collaborate the two Institutions in various areas and bridge the gaps that separates Universities in Australia and Malawi.
“The MOU we have signed reflects the commitment to collaborate across different areas, including research, Curriculum programme development, Student staff mobility, as well as collaborating in the area of education technology where we are hoping that together we can figure out some new approaches using the very latest artificial intelligence,” he said.
He further explained that with the Malawi School of Government, they are hopeful to engage with industry with corporations, NGOs and others to blend industry or NGO perspectives into the classroom and their research as RMIT works closely with industry partners in the development of their programmes and research.
The MOU, which will run for 5 years long outlines the collaborative areas, including Joint research initiatives, Capacity building and professional development programmes, Government and industry engagement, and Faculty, student, and staff exchange programmes, which will foster mutual learning and strengthen global perspectives within both institutions.
MSG amalgamated the former Malawi Institute of Management (MIM) and the staff development Institute (SDI), and the school started its operations on 1st December 2022, following the government`s announcements of its commencement date, offering academic undergraduate programmes (4 years) and postgraduate programmes (2 years).
CYECE engage stakeholders on unsafe abortions in Machinga
By Doricah Mkwapatira
Machinga, May 27, Mana: Centre for Youth Empowerment and Civic Education (CYECE) engaged stakeholders including chiefs, religious leaders and other partners to collaborate in advocating for quality sexual and reproductive health services to prevent unsafe abortion among adolescent girls and young women as the district continue to register rising numbers of unsafe abortion.
During the stakeholders meeting, CYCE District Coordinator, Isaac Salimu, highlighted importance of disseminating comprehensive information about the risks of unsafe abortions among adolescent girls and young women.
“It is very important to make sure that young women understand the risks of unsafe abortions because they lead to many risks associated with reproductive health that may even threaten their lives. Resorting to such practices is risky and unacceptable,” he added.
Health authorities in Machinga District said a lot of civic education was needed on how, where to access and use contraceptives.
Post abortion Care Programme Coordinator from Machinga District Hospital, Jacqueline Kamenyu gave an overview of statistics indicating the rise of cases of unsafe abortion over the years.
“Machinga reported 978 cases in 2023, with cases rising to 1,122 in 2024. So far, 350 cases have already been recorded from January to April 2025; the overall trend remains alarming,” the coordinator added.
She acknowledged that public hospitals don't perform abortions but said local leaders need to join the advocacy, raising awareness about the consequences of unsafe abortion on top of building a generation of responsible young minds that should be aware of sexual reproductive health issues.
Kamenyu observed that ignorance of the dangers of unsafe abortion is the main contributing factor to the rising cases among adolescent girls and young women in Machinga District.
Traditional Authority Sale expressed deep concern over the alarming rate of unsafe abortions among adolescent girls and young women, regardless of the risks associated with the practice.
He therefore called on fellow traditional leaders to put in place bylaws that should help to deal with the trend in their respective communities.
“The rise in cases of unsafe abortion is very heartbreaking and very much against the law. It is therefore our responsibility, as local leaders, to enforce bylaws in our communities that deal with this trend.
“Such practices are not only worrisome, but unsafe abortion is also illegal and uncalled for in our society,” he added.
With funding from Amplify Change, CYECE advocates for access to safe sexual and reproductive health services through a project implemented in Machinga District called Access to Safe Abortion Advocacy.
