By Milcah Mathias

Blantyre, June 15, Mana: Association of Persons with Albinism (APAM) President, Young Muhamba, says the Association will keep on monitoring safety of persons with albinism as Malawi is heading towards general elections.

Muhamba said this ahead of the country’s commemoration of International Albinism Awareness Day (IAAD).

He expressed concern that Malawi registered a lot of attacks and killings of persons with albinism in the previous election.

The global theme for this year is: Demanding Our Rights: Protect Our Skin, Preserve Our Lives,

“However, this year, Malawi is guided by the theme; United for Peace and Inclusion: Strengthening Protection of Persons with Albinism During All Times, Including Elections,” he said.

According to Muhamba, APAM documented 223 cases and 62 percent of them were reported during the election period hence the localised theme for Malawi.

He said APAM has so far made various initiatives, including referring children with albinism to safer homes, lobbying non governmental organisations and various stakeholders to provide decent and secure houses and other devices that help provide safety to persons with albinism in their locations.

“Currently, 67 houses have been constructed by the Government of Malawi through Ministry of Lands,” he said.

IAAD is observed on June 13 globally but Malawi will commemorate the day on June 17  at Michongwe Primary School Ground in Machinga.

“Machinga is a hot spot district and our advocacy is to make sure that we reach rural communities where myths and misconceptions concerning persons with albinism are more frequent,” said Muhamba.

Disability Rights Advocate, Hilda Macheso, said every human being, including persons with albinism, deserve right to life, protection, and dignity.

She said government, partners and local leaders have the obligation to protect persons with albinism against attacks, killings and all forms violence.

On December 8, 2014 the United Nations General Assembly declared June 13 as IAAD with its first event held in 2015.

The day is held to celebrate human right of persons with albinism.

By Pempho Nkhoma

Blantyre, June 15, Mana: Saints Peter and Paul Chilobwe Parish of the Blantyre Archdiocese of the Catholic Church will celebrate its Golden Jubilee on Sunday June 29, 2025 under the theme ‘50 years of the pilgrimage of faith’.

Chairperson for Chilobwe Parish Council, John Kauye, told Malawi News Agency (MANA) that the celebration symbolizes growth of the church and the parish’s self-reliance.

“We are appreciating and celebrating achievements that we have made despite challenges we have encountered throughout the years,” he said.

Kauye commended parishioners’ commitment saying over the years they have done various developmental projects including constructing a church building, hall, priests’ house, grotto, brick fence around the church premises among other facilities.

“We have plans of extending the church, build a convent, purchase a maize mill and construct a nursery school. We, therefore, appeal to well-wishers to support us in these projects,” he added.

Chairperson for the Golden Jubilee Taskforce, Lucius Kamoto, said all is set saying for the day.

According to Kamoto, the celebrations will start at 7 o’clock in the morning with a procession from the road near Stella Maris Secondary School through new Chilobwe Road to Chilobwe Catholic Parish.

“From 9:00am there will be Eucharist celebration to be presided over by His Grace Archbishop Thomas Luke Msusa of Blantyre Archdiocese followed by lunch and other activities in the afternoon,” he said.

He, therefore, called upon all parishioners to attend the celebration saying it is a milestone celebration, a testament to the parish’s enduring faith and commitment to the community.

“We are inviting all priests and nuns that served the parish before, all people around Chilobwe Parish whether Catholics or members of other denominations to come and join us,” he said.

Other activities on the day will include music by choirs, traditional dances, drama and poems.

Saints Peter and Paul Chilobwe Catholic Church was established in 1975 as an out station of the Catholic Institute St Montfort Parish before it was handed over to St Pius Parish. It was later consecrated as a parish in September 2012 by the late Archbishop Tarcizius Ziyaye.

By Joel Phiri

Mzimba, June 14, Mana:  District Commissioner (DC) for M’mbelwa District Council, Rodgers Newa, has urged civil servants working in Mzimba to familiarize themselves with Public Service Regulations (PSR) to avoid breaching public conditions of service.

Newa was speaking on Thursday in Mzimba during a meeting with head of departments under the district council.

“Every worker should read the government’s PSR to align with what is expected of him or her. You should always dress properly, report to work on time and diligently carry out your duties,” Newa said.

The DC also stressed the need for improved service delivery, which he said is the core mandate of the council.

“We are here to deliver quality services to the people and we must strive to achieve that. Teamwork and coordination are key: No one should slow down the execution of the council’s work,” he said.

Newa also warned staff against engaging in corrupt practices, warning that he would not protect anyone found involved in such activities.

District Social Welfare Officer for Mzimba, Bernald Nangwale, commended the DC for the interface meeting, saying it provided a valuable platform for engagement to enhance the council’s operations.

By Maston Kaiya

Ntcheu, June 14, Mana: Ntcheu District Health office on Friday awarded drivers and security guards with certificates of completion and attendance after undergoing three days of training on First Aid, security skills and techniques.

Ntcheu District Director of Health and Social Services, Innocent Mhango said drivers and security guards play a crucial role in the provision of quality health service at the hospital.

He commended the training saying First Aid will help the drivers develop life-saving skills, as they often encounter road traffic accidents involving patients who require first aid before arriving at the hospital.

Regarding the security guards, Mhango said he is optimistic that cases of theft would largely reduce and hailed Ntcheu Police for training the hospital guards.

"The trainings were very crucial for health services delivery. The drivers will also be given reflectors and First Aid kits while the security guards will be given various security items," said Mhango.

Ntcheu Police Station Officer, Senior Superintendent George Botso said the training will enhance security at the hospital.

"Guards must be trained before they are deployed to various work stations," said Botso.

Meanwhile, the hospital's transport officer, Enock Sankhulani and one of the security guards at the hospital Memory Goliati commended Ntcheu District Health office and Police for the training and assured stakeholders that they will use the skills and techniques learnt.

By Maston Kaiya

Ntcheu, June 14, Mana: Ntcheu District Health office on Friday awarded drivers and security guards with certificates of completion and attendance after undergoing three days of training on First Aid, security skills and techniques.

Ntcheu District Director of Health and Social Services, Innocent Mhango said drivers and security guards play a crucial role in the provision of quality health service at the hospital.

He commended the training saying First Aid will help the drivers develop life-saving skills, as they often encounter road traffic accidents involving patients who require first aid before arriving at the hospital.

Regarding the security guards, Mhango said he is optimistic that cases of theft would largely reduce and hailed Ntcheu Police for training the hospital guards.

"The trainings were very crucial for health services delivery. The drivers will also be given reflectors and First Aid kits while the security guards will be given various security items," said Mhango.

Ntcheu Police Station Officer, Senior Superintendent George Botso said the training will enhance security at the hospital.

"Guards must be trained before they are deployed to various work stations," said Botso.

Meanwhile, the hospital's transport officer, Enock Sankhulani and one of the security guards at the hospital Memory Goliati commended Ntcheu District Health office and Police for the training and assured stakeholders that they will use the skills and techniques learnt.

By Austine Kananji

Lilongwe, June 14, Mana: Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare says the Day of African Child (DAC) will help to foster the protection of children`s rights by renewing commitment on putting children at the heart of Africa and Malawi’s development agenda, through meaningful participation, inclusive planning, and equitable budgeting.

This remarks were made on Friday by Minister of Gender, Community Development, and Social Welfare, Jean Muoonaouza Sendeza, during a press briefing on the 2025 continental commemoration of the Day of the African Child, held at Capital Hill in Lilongwe.

The day`s celebration will take place on Monday at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) and will be graced by the Vice President, Dr. Michael Usi and other dignitaries from African Countries.

“This day embraces different initiatives on how children can be protected and how they should be given every right especially on education, health, and social protection” she said.

The minister observed that that even with encouraging trends, many children still lack access to essential services, limiting their ability to survive, develop, and thrive.

She however commended government for its continued efforts, and increased investment in child-centred development of which there is need to double both resources and efforts across all sectors and levels to align with Malawi 2063 agenda.

“At least construction of 10, 900 school blocks is in progress nationwide to provide a conducive learning environment for these children. We are also adding health centres to provide and sustain the children`s health care for their well-being which is not only a moral imperative but also a cornerstone for achieving the Malawi we want by 2063”, the minister said.

In his remarks, National Coordinator for National Youth Network and Climate Change, Dominick Nyasulu said the Day of the African Child is vital in protecting the rights of children highlighting how climate change is affecting the advancement and promotion of children`s rights.

The Day of African Child was established by the assembly of heads of state of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in 1991 in honour of the heroic students of the 1976 Soweto uprising in South Africa who gave their lives demanding quality and relevant education in their language under the apartheid regime.

The 2025 DAC commemoration is expected to draw over 2,000 participants, including child representatives from across Africa, civil society organizations, government leaders, development partners, and regional bodies who will participate both physically and virtually.

This year’s theme, ‘Planning and Budgeting for Children’s Rights (Progress Since 2010),’ invites African Union Member States to reflect on the strides made in integrating children's rights into national development plans and budget frameworks, emphasizing the urgent need for a child rights-based approach to planning and budgeting.

By Pempho Kantayeni

Lilongwe, 13 June, Mana: The Association of Persons with Albinism in Malawi (APAM) has joined forces with several political parties to sign a commitment aimed at ensuring non-violence and inclusion of persons with albinism in all electoral processes, political programs and structures, as the country prepares for the upcoming elections on September 16, 2025.

The signing ceremony, was held in Lilongwe on Friday as part of the 2025 International Albinism Awareness Day under the theme: United for Peace and Inclusion – Strengthening the Protection of Persons with Albinism at all times, including during elections.

Speaking on behalf of persons with albinism, APAM president, Young Muhamba, said the event marks a very significant step towards recognizing the rights of persons with albinism not just as voters but as equal citizens, with the right to participate, lead and be heard.

“As APAM, we strongly believe that political inclusion is a very essential part of dismantling the discrimination and marginalization that persons with albinism continue to face in the country,” he said.

Muhamba urged political parties that the electoral processes must reflect values of equality, dignity and safety for everyone, regardless of skin color, disability or social background.

UDF Secretary General, Genarino Lemani emphasized that parties are committed to increasing representation by considering persons with albinism for influential positions within political organizations and government structures.

“So as parties, we’ve come up with policies that promote free candidacy for people with albinism, where they don’t need to pay any nomination fees to contest, in some parties the nomination fee has been reduced to show that as political parties, we are committed and we want to support persons with albinism into leadership roles in the country,” he said.

The event was attended by representatives from major political parties including the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), UTM, United Democratic Front (UDF), People’s Party (PP), and Alliance for Democracy (Aford). Party representatives shared their strategies for promoting peace and eliminating violence during the electoral process.