By George Mponda

Karonga, February 20, Mana: Youths in Karonga District on Wednesday engaged Malawi Congress Party's (MCP) Director of Youths in the North-North, Robert Katawa Msowoya to express their grievances and concerns.

The meeting held in Karonga was attended by young people, some of whom were taxi drivers, mini bus call boys and other unemployed youths.

Chairperson for Karonga Bus Depot, Happy Chirwa said that at the top their list was lack of employment opportunities which has left many of them feeling hopeless and disillusioned.

"Being the youth director for the northern region, we would like you to use your influence to lobby for policies that will create jobs and stimulate economic growth for us here in Karonga,” Chirwa said.

A taxi driver, Desmond Kalinga called for construction of bus shelters at all bus stops within Karonga.

"As you know it is too hot here in Karonga yet all bus stops along the road do not have shelters, so we would like you to engage the district council to construct these for our customers,” Kalinga said.

"We also want to complain about the behavior of some Road Traffic Services officers who are charging Sienta drivers hefty fines amounting K200,000 which we feel is choking our businesses as we knock off with nothing," he added.

In his response, Msowoya acknowledged the concerns of the youths and promised to take them up with the party's leadership, Road Traffic Directorate and Karonga District Council.

"Youths have the power to bring about change and the government of Dr. Lazarus Chakwera listens. This meeting was very important because it will help bring positive change for the youths in Karonga,” said Msowoya.

By Chisomo Kambandanga

Nkhata Bay, February 20, Mana: Chief Corruption Prevention Officer for the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Susan Mtuwa Phiri has urged core officers in the implementation of Social Support for Resilient Livelihoods Project (SSRLP) to avoid corruption.

Mtuwa was speaking in Nkhata Bay on Wednesday at the end of a corruption risk assessment training for Nkhata Bay District Council officials. 

She said the training was necessary because councils receive significant funding for SSRLP implementation hence it is crucial that they prevent corruption.

 "The training aimed to equip targeted officers with skills to identify, assess, and mitigate corruption risks to ensure that funds allocated to the Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP) and Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CS-EPWP) are used for intended purposes.

"Together with the council, we have identified the weak areas in the programs’ implementation and developed measures to seal the loopholes so that corruption is prevented," Mtuwa said.

Phiri expressed optimism that the exercise, currently being piloted in three districts, namely Nkhata Bay, Ntcheu, and Mulanje, will yield positive results when rolled out to all councils.

She also urged the council to take the training recommendations seriously, bearing in mind that collective efforts are necessary to combat corruption.

"We encourage every Malawian to participate in the fight against corruption by resisting and reporting it," she added.

Commenting on the matter, Integrity Institutional Committee Chairperson, Raphael Mkisi commended National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC) for supporting the training, saying it was an eye opener.  

"This capacity building is a plus to us and the knowledge and skills gained will be used in all other projects at the council to leave no room for any corrupt practices,” he said.

CS-EPWP and SCTP are components of SSRLP being implemented by the Malawi Government across the country through the National Local Government Finance Committee with support from the World Bank and Multi Donor Trust Fund.

By Chisomo Kambandanga

Nkhata Bay, February 20, Mana: Communities in Nkhata Bay are commending Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP) for keeping children in school.

In an interview on Wednesday at Chinguluwe primary school during cash disbursement covering the month of January and February, Erah Mhone, a 68-year-old beneficiary from Kawalazi catchment in the area of Traditional Authority Kabunduli said she is able to pay school fees for her children from the money she receives.

"Before joining the program in 2022, I struggled to pay school fees for my children. Now, with the K76,000 I receive, I can afford to pay K30,000 for school fees for my child in Form One and reserve some to boost my business," she said.

Another beneficiary from Chinguluwe catchment, Annie Banda, also praised the program, saying the K55,000 she receives has enabled her to buy essential school items, such as uniforms and exercise books, keeping her three children in class consistently.

Similarly, a 59-year-old Misheck Sibale from Senior Chief Timbiri's area commended the program for supporting his family.

"Before being targeted in the program, one of my daughters dropped out of school and got married due to lack of school fees.

“This is not the case now, as I am able to pay school fees for my other two children who are at secondary school and I am optimistic that they will finish their education without problems," he said.

In his remarks, District Commissioner for Nkhata Bay, Rodgers Newa, acknowledged the program's positive impact and encouraged beneficiaries to continue investing in small-scale businesses to prepare for life beyond the program.

SCTP is being implemented across the country by the National Local Government Finance Committee with funding from the World Bank and Multi-Donor Trust Fund.

Currently, the program is supporting 6,476 beneficiaries in Nkhata Bay.

By Wongani Mkandawire

Nkhotakota, February 20, Mana: Umunthu plus Organization, on Wednesday launched the Revatalizing Health led action in climate change project, in the area of Traditional Authority Malengachanzi in Nkhotakota District.

Speaking during the project launch, Umunthu plus Monitoring and Evaluation Manager Rumbani Mgula said, the project aims at strengthening the community's health systems.

He said his organization has embarked on this in order to respond actively when emergencies come, and to build the community's resilience to the impacts of climate change and enhance quality delivery of health services in community health facilities.

"Nkhotakota is one of the districts that was hit by floods last year and there were a number of things that we observed such as problems in accessing food items and clean water. This led to inborn diseases and infections, that's why we have come with this project so that we should strengthen the health system at community level," Mgula said.

He added that it is important for the health service providers in the community to be empowered and ready to respond to the needs of the community effectively should disasters strike like they did last year.

Malengachanzi ADC Chair, Kennedy Njakama, thanked Umunthu plus for the project and highlighted that the project will help people to be alert and prepare themselves when an emergency hits.

"This will be our first line of response and is very helpful in such a way that people will be trained and imparted with knowledge on quality health services, as they will be trained by experienced health workers and will be fully prepared to respond during a crisis," said Njakama.

The project will target three T/As namely, Malengachanzi, Mphonde and Kanyenda in Nkhotakota District which are areas that are prone to flooding disasters.

By Beatrice Bangula

Blantyre February 19, Mana: Blantyre District Council has launched 2024–2025 Forestry Season in Traditional Authority Kunthembwe’s area where the council announced it will plant at least 1.2 million tree seedlings in various places.

Speaking during the launch on Wednesday, under the theme; Restore Forest and Land to Secure Food Production, Blantyre District Council Chairperson, Councilor, Elson Dumuka, said there is need to keep on planting trees to restore the depleted vegetative cover in manty parts of the district.

He therefore called on community members to plant and care for the tree seedlings to ensure good survival rate.

“When the tree survival rate is high, there will be many trees, and this will help to address desertification. Let everyone, including school learners, ward councilors, and Members of Parliament take full responsibility of planting trees and taking care of it,” he added.

Blantyre District Forestry Officer, Noel Moyo, said there is need for collective effort among stakeholders to restore the degraded environment.

According to Moyo, as of Wednesday, February 19, 2025, the council had planted almost 642 tree seedlings in the area of Traditional Authority Kunthembwe.

Senior Chief Kunthembwe hailed Blantyre District Council for the initiative, saying it will help to reduce climate change effects.

“As a traditional leader, using my own initiative, I have managed to plant almost 100 tree seedlings of various species, such as bluegum. Thanks Blantyre District Council for launching this forestry season in my area,” he said.

Malawi’s Vice President, Dr. Michael Usi, launched the 2024/2025 National Forest Season on December 15 in Chitipa.

By Trinity Kamwani

Neno, February 19, Mana: Building Education Foundation Through Innovation and Technology (BEFIT) program has transformed education in Neno by improving literacy and numeracy skills among learners.

Deputy Head teacher for Kachere Primary School, Timothy Kachere, highlighted on Wednesday in an interview that BEFIT’s interactive and technology-driven approach has make a significant impact, particularly on learners in Standards 1 to 4.

"We have seen a remarkable improvement in reading and numeracy skills, especially among Standard 3 and 4 learners. This progress is also reflected in standardized examinations, where performance has significantly improved," Kachere said in an interview with Mana.

According to Kachere, the program has not only enhanced academic performance but also encouraged better school attendance.

"The digital learning tools have made lessons more engaging, helping students develop consistent study habits. As a result, learners are more confident in their studies and their overall performance has improved," he said.

He said the interactive nature of BEFIT provides personalized learning pathways, allowing learners to grasp concepts at their own pace and this flexibility has been particularly beneficial in helping struggling learners catch up with their peers.

Neno District BEFIT Coordinator, Saezi Malikebu, shared that recent performance assessments show a dramatic improvement in pass rates for Chichewa and Mathematics, rising from 40-50 percent to between 90-100 percent in some schools.

"Learners are now mastering concepts much faster, and they also have extra time for practice after normal lessons. This has resulted in stronger academic competition at the zone level and an overall boost in school performance," Malikebu said.

A Standard 4 learner at Kapanikiza Primary School, Mphatso Mtsamira said the program has transformed her academic journey.

"When I transferred to this school, I struggled with reading. But with the tablet lessons, I can now read fluently, manipulate numbers, and confidently answer comprehension questions," she said.

Similarly, a standard 3 learner at Kalion Primary School, Emmanuel Joseph, said he had little interest in attending classes as his mother had to escort him daily to school.

However, after being introduced to BEFIT, his attitude toward education changed and now he enjoys learning and attends classes regularly and is excelling academically according to his class teacher.

BEFIT is currently in its first phase and is covering 12 primary out of 88 primary schools in Neno.

By Joel Phiri

Mzimba, February 19, mana: It’s a scorching Tuesday morning at Mangombera Full Primary School in Traditional Authority Mpherembe in Mzimba District. Scores of people, including Paramount Chief M’mbelwa V, have gathered on the school grounds.

To shelter themselves from the scorching heat, some are seated in tents erected at the venue for a tree planting launch while a majority of pupils and others have sought shelter under a big tree that is shielding them from the searing heat.

‘‘At Mangombera primary school whenever it's scorching hard and we are on recess from lessons, we seek shelter from that gigantic tree’’, says Laston Gondwe, a Standard Seven pupil.

‘‘This is the reason when I heard that Mzimba district tree planting season tree launch will take place right at our school I decided to be part of the people planting trees because this big tree that has provided shelter for us from sun rays offers a lesson on why taking good care of trees is important’’, says  Gondwe.

Gondwe and hundreds of his school mates and some community members have joined the cause to bring back vegetative cover to the communities through tree planting.

Malawi is in tree planting season aimed at planting 40 million trees to restore 22 450 hectares of degraded landscapes and Mzimba district, just like other districts, is launching its tree planting season.

The district, according to Mzimba forestry officer Masozi Shaba has set on a mission to plant three million trees this season.

Now the setting for the tree planting launch for Mzimba in the 2024/2025 is Mangombera primary school where its Traditional Authority Mpherembe is concerned seeing hectares of forest land losing trees, resulting in bare land which exposes communities to natural disasters such as floods which removes top soil from farmlands resulting in poor harvests in the gardens.

According to Shaba, charcoal burning is one factor that is leading to the rampant destruction of forests in Mzimba.

Despite annual tree planting exercises meant to replenish declining natural cover, the district still faces wanton cutting down of trees in forests reserves invaded by charcoal burners and loggers.

‘‘We as a department face challenges to deal with charcoal burning because our patrols are irregular because of mobility challenges. We don’t have a patrol vehicle as one we have developed fault’’, says Shaba.

She adds that because of the mobility challenges they do not conduct patrols as they would want to.

Lack of patrols in forest reserves exposes forests to charcoal burners who have for long been blamed for the deforestation currently happening in forests in the districts. One of the forests that has become an epicenter of charcoal burning is Perekezi.

A lot of charcoal bags line up along the roads as one passes to Mzuzu through the Mtangatanga –Mzuzu road.

The wanton cutting down of trees to make charcoal has angered Paramount Chief M’mbelwa V and Traditional Authority Mpherembe.

‘‘Along the roads, we see bags of charcoal, a sign of trees being cut and burnt uncontrollably in our forest reserves.  It's time communities joined the Department of forestry in guarding against the destruction happening to our forests least we risk losing our forests because of this uncontrolled charcoal burning’’, says M’mbelwa.

M’mbelwa understands fully the depth of devastation caused to forest reserves in the district such as Perekezi, Chimaliro and Mtangatanga. The chief knows that while the department of forestry exists to fight against loggers and also preserve the forests through patrols, they can do little if no resources are availed for their operations.

‘‘This is why we appeal to the government to allocate adequate resources to the forestry department at M’mbelwa district council as a way of stepping up efforts in protesting forest cover’’, said the Chief.

According to M’mbelwa lack of patrol vehicle is hampering effort to deal with charcoal burners who cut down trees at free will, knowing forestry officers cannot risk walking on foot to provide security to the trees in the forest reserves.

‘‘The office needs to be given vehicles to conduct patrols, invaders are destroying trees like at Perekezi forest reserve’’, he said.

Traditional Authority Mpherembe pledges to lead efforts to cramp down on charcoal burners in the district.

‘‘We don’t have choice but to join efforts to preserve our forests. We as chiefs need to lead such efforts by drumming up morale and support of our communities. There is no gain in planting trees annually when we can’t provide security to the trees being cut down in our forest reserves. It’s like fighting a losing battle’’, said Mpherembe.

While a throng has gathered at Mangombera to plant trees to bring back vegetative cover, on the roads leading to Mangombera FP School, young men are busy cutting down trees for another round of charcoal production in Perekezi.

These charcoal burners rile Senior Forestry officer for the district Masozi Shaba.

Shaba admits that charcoal burners take advantage of the inadequate resources the department has and particularly lack of vehicles for patrols to continue invading the forests for charcoal production.

‘‘Resources are minimal for our office and as an office we try our best but largely we fail to control illegal charcoal producers who are destroying tree at an alarming rate’’, she said.

She said the only vehicle they had broke down, rendering all efforts to conduct patrols futile.

Shaba said lack of a functioning vehicle has created an opportunity for charcoal producers to invade forest reserves such as Perekezi, Chimaliro and Mtangatanga where they are cutting down trees without any remorse.

‘‘We need to have two to three vehicles for us to conducts patrols. Our officers are ready but we need the vehicles’’.

In Mzimba, various NGOs namely Adra Malawi, Find your feet, Ripple Africa, Plan Malawi International , Restore Africa and Malawi-Zambia Transfrontiers Conservation Area Project are here too to render support to the launch.

Speaking on behalf of the organisations that are also involved in conservation efforts in Mzimba, Ripple Africa Country Director Force Ngwira said his organisation is working with the council in the exercise and is planting three miilion pine trees in the district.

‘‘It’s an economic empowerment drive, aside from conserving the environment, as communities can sell the trees once they mature’’, said Ngwira.

As time for tree planting and speeches comes to an end, Laston Gondwe pledges to continue watering his planted tree to ensure its survival.

‘‘Of course I have planted this tree but this is not the end. I will ensure its survival but ensuring I come here to water it more especially when it is dry’’, he said.

Environmental activist Mathews Malata in a separate interview said inculcating the importance of conserving environment and tree in particular is one way of ensuring sustainability of trees and forests in communities.

‘‘We need to groom these youngsters on importance of taking care of environment so that when they grow up taking care of trees and such related natural elements should be within their veins’’, said Malata.

Malata also said planting trees should be equated to the care given to under five children.

‘‘For trees to survive, the first five years, just like human beings, are critical. We should learn to take care of trees just like we take care of babies that are under five. It’s a critical  stage and we should always guard newly planted trees against preying goats and other livestock and also guard against fires that destroy such young trees by creating fire breaks’’, said Malata.

As the tree planting ceremony comes to an end and people disperse, Paramount Chief M’mbelwa has a parting shot:

‘‘Do not only plant trees; learn to take care of them’ ’he says.

‘‘We need to be taking care of the trees after planting. Therefore communities should take this as their responsibility’’, he said.

By Wellington Sibale

Neno, February 19, Mana: Malawi National Council of Sports (MNCS) says it expects football activities to grow in Neno following a seven-day FAM D coaching course currently underway at Lisungwi in the district for local coaches.

Speaking during the opening of the training on Tuesday, Sports and Recreational Development Officer for the Southern Region, Gracian Mkandawire emphasized the importance of the course in strengthening sports development.

He said the initiative, aimed at equipping local coaches with essential skills and is expected to contribute significantly to grassroots football growth in the district and the country at large.

"Neno has long been overlooked in football coaching courses. So we saw the need to empower local coaches with the necessary skills to develop young athletes," said Mkandawire adding that they anticipate that around 900 people will benefit from the initiative, as each participant is expected to implement the knowledge gained.

Neno District Sports Officer, Memory Baluwa, echoed similar sentiments, saying the course has great impact on the local community.

"This training is particularly valuable for Neno Lower because most of our coaches had never received formal training," she explained. "Now, with 30 men and women equipped with firsthand knowledge, communities will directly benefit from their expertise."

However, Baluwa acknowledged the challenges facing sports development in the district, including limited human resources and governance issues.

She said despite the setbacks, there are efforts to train more coaches and expand the program to include referees.

"We are committed to grassroots football development in Neno. With these newly trained coaches, we expect to see the establishment of youth teams, including Under-12 and Under-15 squads, which will serve as a foundation for their coaching careers," she added.

Chairperson of the Lisungwi Zone Football Committee, Alfred Kang'onbe praised MNCS, the Football Association of Malawi (FAM), and Neno District Council for organizing the training.

"This course is a game-changer. In the past, we coached teams without proper knowledge, but now we will have a clear understanding of how to groom young players effectively," Kang'ombe said.

The coaching course, being attended by 30 participants, is a collaborative effort between MNCS, FAM, and the Neno District Council.