By Rose Cross Mahorya

Mzuzu, March 20, Mana: As September elections draw near, journalists in the country have been asked to put their safety first.

Speaking in Mzuzu on Wednesday during a one-day training on safety of journalists during elections, Media Council of Malawi (MCM) Executive Director, Moses Kaufa, emphasized the need for journalists to think security saying no story is worth their lives.

“As a Council, we believe that if journalists can think of their safety first before any reporting, it will help them avoid dangerous situations and even seek help or protection on time.

“We have noted that most times journalists, in a bid to get a good report, break news first or get a good story, find themselves in risky and dangerous environments. We are saying it is time they learnt to put their safety first and flee when their lives are believed to be at risk,” said Kaufa.

He said the Council has established agreements with concerned stakeholders to ensure journalists are safe before, during and after the elections.

Northern Region Police Public Relations Officer, Maurice Chapola, said they are already working hand in hand with MCM and Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Malawi Chapter by developing proper guidelines on how the security agency can ably protect journalists from life threatening incidences.

“As a service, we are available anytime the media requires our service; we are also sharing safety guidelines with officers in our respective districts so that they can respond positively once approached by journalists.

“At the same time we are also sharing with them procedures they should and can take once they are in a situation that requires help,” said Chapola adding the guidelines are already being put into use as election processes are underway.

One of the journalists present for the training, Tiwonge Hara, said development of guidelines on how security agencies can work with the media to ensure their safety during elections is a welcome development because journalists are human first.

“No matter how hardworking you may be, life is something you cannot gamble with; therefore, journalists should think of their safety above everything else,” she said.

The training, which was conducted with support from United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), had representatives from all media institutions in the northern region.

By Patience Longwe

Lilongwe, March 20, Mana: The National Construction Industry Council (NCIC) has organized a National Construction Day to recognize the construction sector’s role in shaping the nation’s environment and contributing to Malawi’s socioeconomic transformation in line with Malawi 2063.

The inaugural day will be held on May 20, 2025 at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe.

Speaking during a press briefing on Wednesday at NCIC offices in Lilongwe, NICC Chief Executive Officer, Gerald Khonje, said the event will feature exhibitions and showcase various development projects highlighting the industry's achievement and contributions.

"The day will celebrate the construction sector's crucial role in diversifying the economy, advancing technology, fostering national pride, economic growth and overall national development.

“The event will promote quality infrastructure, ethical conduct, integrity, partnerships, safety, sustainability, agility and innovation in construction,” he said.

Khonje said NCIC remains committed to ensuring the sector is transformed, quality driven and grows sustainably contributing to Malawi's development.

"The inaugural National Construction Day is a significant step towards achieving this goal" he said.

It is expected that President Dr Lazarus  Chakwera will preside over the launch which will be held under the theme ‘Quality Driven Construction Industry building for generations.’

By Steve Chirombo

Dedza, March 20, Mana: A total of 30 women volunteers on Wednesday received bicycles from Trocaire to help them address issues of Gender Based Violence (GBV) in three areas of Fosa, Kamenya and Thambolagwa under Senior Chief Kachere in Dedza District.

The women volunteers work under Gender Justice Unit (GJU) to which Trocaire sub granted funds to implement a project dubbed “Empower Safe: A Dedza Community’s Effort to Combat Gender Based Violence through Legal Empowerment.”

Speaking at the handover of the bicycles, Trocaire Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Lead, Thandizo Ngwira, said the donation marks International Women’s Day celebrations, which is globally celebrated on March 8 every year.

“We want to ease mobility challenges which these women pass through when addressing GBV issues in their areas. It is our aim to see equality achieved,” said Ngwira.

She hailed government for putting in place laws and policies in ensuring that women are empowered.

She expressing optimism that the donation will go towards ending GBV, enable volunteers to follow up cases and find it easy to report to relevant authorities.

Ngwira, therefore, urged the volunteers to be responsible for the bicycles while thanking government, partners and the communities for joint efforts in ensuring that women are empowered.

“We happy to see women holding positions; we want to see you in Area Development Committees, Village Development Committees and even elected as councilors or Members of Parliament.

GJU Project Coordinator, Chifundo Chulu, expressed hope that mobile courts will soon start happening in the area.

Both Agness Kachere and Alinafe Videli, volunteers for the project, said the training and knowledge gained have significantly helped in the reduction of GBV cases in their areas.

Dedza District Council Gender and Development Officer, Lisnet Dauya, stated that her office appreciates efforts from partners in ensuring that, apart from understanding GBV, women are empowered.

“As an office we can’t do everything on our own; we rely on partners. I urge women to utilize the knowledge gained to benefit both them and the people they serve,” she said.

However, Dauya, warned the women not to regard the bicycles as a means to assert power over their husbands.

Senior Chief Kachere said the project has transformed lives of most women in his area who are now able to stand up and speak on issues that affect them.

The donation was made possible with financial support from Irish Aid.

By Steve Chirombo

Dedza, March 20, Mana: Dedza District Council Project Facilitator for the Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Program (CS-EPWP), Jocaster Mnemba Khoriyo, has urged the program’s participants to actively take part in community contribution activities.

According to Khoriyo, having worked for 30 paying days, participants are allocated another 10 day period where they do community work in order to improve their communities.

The work includes community road maintenance, manure making as well as maintaining some small bridges, among others.

In an interview with Malawi News Agency (MANA) during the fourth phase of the pay parade at Kalungama Catchment in Senior Chief Kachindamoto, Khoriyo said people need to proceed with contribution works and not relax because they are done with the allocated 30 days.

“In normal circumstances, apart from the 30 days working (paying period), we have another 10 days that communities do community contribution and community leaders play a crucial role in community mobilization.

“So, let us not be crooks on this one probably because the paying working period is over but rather be active in contributing to the development of our communities,” she said.

She said, from experience, community contribution works have been positive to the areas.

Khoriyo said the work does not limit anyone, as everyone is encouraged to take part in that particular area.

She, therefore, encouraged community members to remember that there are trees in their catchments and they need to always take care of them for their survival as a way of enhancing the environment.

Dedza district has 21,411 participants in all the 24 catchments.

CS-EPWP is one of the components of the Social Support for Resilience Livelihoods Project (SSRLP) being implemented by the National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC) with funding from the World Bank Multi-Donor Trust Fund.

By Aliko Munde

Chitipa, March 20, Mana: Some elderly persons in Chitipa District have commended government through the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) for distributing relief maize to households during the lean period.

75-year-old Efa Msukwa of Amos 2 Village in Senior Chief Mwenemisuku in the district thanked DoDMA for the relief maize, which, she said, will go a long way in ensuring that she has food for her family.

Msukwa said this on Wednesday at Chipwela in Senior Chief Mwenemisuku during the distribution of relief maize under the 2024/2025 lean season response programme across the district.

She said she had no staple food in her home and was eating what she had at her disposal.

“The maize I have received will help me and my family as I wait to harvest my maize from the field which I did not apply any fertilizer,” Msukwa said.

Elias Sichula, 83, of Masyesye Village in Senior Chief Mwabulambya in the district said the relief has come at the right time when families are experiencing hunger.

“I am happy to receive this 50 kilogramme bag of maize. This will help me, together with my family, have some meals,” Sichula said.

Chitipa District Council Disaster Risk Management Officer, Mphatso Nedson, said during this year's lean season, the district will provide relief maize to 5,791 beneficiary households who are in the programme.

Nedson appealed to the beneficiaries to utilize the assistance received by making sure that they do not sell it.

“This maize distribution is the last for this lean season because it was supposed to run for three months. We hope to have bumper yield this year and it is my plea to households to avoid selling farm produce,” he appealed.

The 2024/2025 lean season response programme for Chitipa was for January, February and March.

By Yamikani Yapuwa

Thyolo, March 20, Mana: Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Thyolo have raised concerns over delays, lack of transparency and poor community involvement in the implementation of 13 projects under Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD).

A recent monitoring exercise revealed issues such as delayed project completion, lack of financial disclosure, poor community involvement and unpaid workers.

Thyolo CSO Network Chairperson, Willard Mwambo, said this on Wednesday when presenting their findings to Thyolo District Council officials.

He said while some projects like the Chimaliro Gravity-fed Irrigation Scheme are functional, others including Thyolo Boma Primary School, Mikate Health Post and Khongono Irrigation Scheme are either incomplete or facing serious setbacks.

“We are calling for urgent action because development projects must serve the people, not become a burden due to poor management. Transparency and accountability are key to success,” said Mwambo.

The CSOs have, therefore, recommended better oversight, community involvement and proper project handovers to ensure that the projects are completed and benefit local communities.

“Local communities need to be involved in supervision and monitoring of the projects as well as promote inclusivity. Many project implementation committees lacked representation of people with disabilities and youth who are among key minority groups,” said Mwambo.

Thyolo District Council Director of Planning and Development, Thokozire Munthali, described the engagement as an important platform for both the Council and CSOs.

“The platform gave us a chance to clear out some issues raised from the findings. The report highlighted different areas where the Council was performing well and those that needed improvement,” she said.

Munthali appreciated the feedback saying it will help improve areas of concern and also allowed the Council to clarify misconceptions.

“Having clarified, we believe that CSOs will take the message back to the masses on how things are supposed to be done,” she said.

By Brighton Chimsinde

Mchinji, March 20, Mana: Civil Society Organizations (CSO) in Mchinji have expressed satisfaction with Mchinji District Council’s implementation of development projects under Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) project.

Mchinji CSO Vice Chairperson, Davis Damson, made the remarks Wednesday during a findings consolidation meeting done after conducting a monitoring visit.

The CSOs monitored a number of projects implemented with GESD funds in the district.

“Our impression is that the Council is trying its best despite some challenges. The major problem is inadequate knowledge of GESD guidelines among project implementation committee members,” said Damson.

Damson advised the Council to equip the committees with guidelines and ensure that they are always active and independent.

Mchinji District Council Director of Planning and Development, Martin Pindankono, assured CSOs that the Council is doing everything possible for the district to continue getting GESD funds. 

“Mchinji is progressing well since we are meeting guidelines and deadlines of the projects. To ensure community involvement, we always ask the community to institute project implementation committees at every project site and these are also trained,” said Pindankono.

The monitoring tour was done to check if the council is implementing the project in compliance with GESD guidelines.

By Tikondane Vega

Lilongwe, March 20, Mana: Local artisans in the country have commended government for providing them a platform where they can showcase their skills saying the opportunity has created room for growth.

In separate interviews with Malawi News Agency (MANA) in Phalombe, Thyolo and Mangochi, where they are constructing classroom blocks under the Malawi Education Reform Programme (MERP), the artisans said the work has put them in a spot where many people have developed trust in them.

Alex Wittika, who has just completed constructing school blocks at Dzenje Primary School in Phalombe District, said the opportunity is a breakthrough to not only him but also the community.

“Previously, there has been an underestimation of the potential of the artisans like us, which can play a significant part in our country. What government has done to give us a chance to construct school blocks is a game changer in our career.

“This has exposed us to other stakeholders who also need our services. Artisans face several challenges like job inconsistencies but finally government has opened opportunities for us,” said Wittika.

Ken Matias, a local artisan based in Thyolo district and is currently constructing classes at Mikalati Primary School, concurred with Wittika saying the platform has enabled people to see great work done by local artisans.

He said the contract has enabled him to employ other people who are helping him construct classrooms while others are bringing sand as well as water as part of their income generating activity.

“We face a lot of challenges, one of them being that people do not trust that we can make high standard infrastructure but government has trusted us. We were lacking a platform to prove ourselves that we can also deliver.

“Previously, contracts from government were landing in the hands of a few people while local artisans were not allowed to grow. The step taken by government is commendable,” he said.

Another local artisan, Stanley Chiwalo, who is constructing classroom blocks at Chiusi Primary School in Mangochi, said if government can continue empowering local artisans, the country has the potential to create jobs within localities thereby contributing to social and economic development of the country.

Government through Ministry of Education is implementing MERP with support from the World Bank and the Global Partnership on Education.