
MANAonline
Journalists urged to promote NEEF’s Vision
By Agatha Kadzinje
Blantyre, January 18, Mana: Minister of Information and Digitalization, Moses Kunkuyu has acknowledged the significant role journalists play in shaping societal narratives and influencing public perceptions.
Kunkuyu was speaking on Saturday in Blantyre during a stakeholder consultative meeting with the Southern Region Press Club (SRPC) hosted by the National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF).
He said the Ministry of Information operates according to three core principles.
“The Ministry is guided by principles of credibility, inclusive coverage and dissemination of accurate information. These principles, therefore, guide interactions not only with the public but also with key stakeholders such as the media,” Kunkuyu said.
Kunkuyu urged journalists not to publicize NEEF’s initiatives only but also consider becoming beneficiaries of its services and products.
He also encouraged journalists to make it their priority to display the importance of NEEF’s projects, likening them to other transformative social protection programmes.
The minister added that there is also a need to enrol journalists in NEEF loans for economic transformation.
However, he stressed that the media must help Malawians recognize the programme as a game changer with the knowledge that they have acquired.
“The Ministry of Information and NEEF are committed to build a strong partnership with the media to empower Malawians with knowledge about initiatives that can improve their lives,” Kunkuyu stated.
NEEF Chief Executive Officer, Humphrey Mdyetseni concurred with Kunkuyu on the importance of media sensitization in bridging the knowledge gap regarding its goals and initiatives in public discourse.
Mdyetseni pointed out the organization's commitment to engage stakeholders to reduce misconceptions about its services with the media being the latest group to undergo such orientation.
“It is NEEF’s tradition to engage stakeholders including politicians, civil society organizations and youth groups. This is the first time we are sensitizing the media which are an integral part of society,” Mdyetseni said.
He said the orientation was aimed at clarifying NEEF’s aspirations, products and goals in a bid to address misunderstandings about how the organization is perceived and represented in the media and the community at large.
Mdyetseni, therefore, emphasized that strengthening the relationship between NEEF and the media remained crucial in changing people's mindsets and reducing poverty levels in Malawi.
He clarified that NEEF focuses on economic empowerment rather than merely promoting enterprise proliferation, offering broader microfinance services.
“It is to be noted that NEEF is a loans entity and not a grants entity as other people would want it to be perceived. NEEF traces and collects the money that is given to eligible citizens,” he said.
Prominent attendees included SRPC President, Ronald Amos and the Director of Information, Arthur Chipenda.
The journalists were drawn from various media houses across the southern region.
MEC earmarks K7 billion for supplementary voter registration
By Memory Chatonda
Blantyre, January 18, Mana: Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has earmarked K7 billion to successfully conduct a supplementary voter registration exercise in 1,974 centres across the country.
Speaking during a press briefing in Blantyre, MEC Chairperson, Justice Annabel Mtalimanja said the funds are sufficient to conduct the exercise which is crucial for a smooth transition between the electoral process stages.
She said: “The initial voter registration exercise had 6,039 centres which registered about 7,162,127 from the projected 10,957,490. This supplementary voter registration has 1,974 centres and we anticipate registering at least 271,854 voters so that they can exercise their constitutional right to cast their vote during the polling date.
“So far, the commission has set aside K7 billion to support the exercise ahead of the September 16 general elections.”
Mtalimanja advised electoral stakeholders to take full responsibility for disseminating information to the public so that those who are eligible to register during the exercise can get registered.
According to Mtalimanja, the centres will be open from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.
She, therefore, encouraged voters to present themselves at convenient times.
“These centres have been established where people can easily go and register because we want every eligible voter to participate,” she said.
The first phase of the voter registration will run from January 21 to 22 targeting Mzimba, Lilongwe, Lilongwe City, Mangochi Municipality, Mangochi, Mwanza, Chikwawa and Nsanje.
The second phase which will run from January 27 to 28, 2024 targets Nkhatabay, Rumphi, Likoma, Kasungu, Kasungu Municipality, Dowa, Mchinji, Ntcheu, Zomba, Zomba City, Blantyre, Blantyre City, Nthyolo and Luncheza.
While the third phase, which starts from February 2 to February 3, covers Chitipa, Karonga, Karonga Town, Mzuzu City, Nkhotakota, Ntchisi, Salima, Dedza, Balaka, Machinga, Chiradzulu, Neno and Mulanje.
Big 2 Project in Book Sell Fundraiser
By Pempho Nkhoma
Blantyre, January 18, Mana: In a bid to promote agricultural innovation and entrepreneurship among young people, a youth-led organization under the banner of Big 2 Project has embarked on a book sale fundraising campaign to mobilize funds for the construction of an Agriculture Innovation Centre.
The book on sale is titled: ‘Agriculture Hundred Years From Now,’ which has discussed a range of topics from sustainable agricultural practices to environmental conservation.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Saturday, Manager of Big 2 Project, Blessings Mlelemba said through the 650 books fundraising sale, they are targeting to raise about K50 to K100 million which will be used to construct the model centres across the country.
Mlelemba disclosed that the first of its kind will be in Lilongwe Rural specifically at Mitundu.
“These model centres will be established in all the districts where our organization operates. In all these centres, we will be equipping the youth with sustainable agriculture and climate smart knowledge,” he said.
Mlelemba added that the facilities will also be providing technical skills including tailoring especially for girls, carpentry and basics of interior designing.
“We will be training the youth in different farming activities like crop production, organic fertilizer production and basic agri-business skills like poultry farming especially organic poultry (birds), feed production and monetization,” he said.
He, therefore, called on all its partners to render the initiative the necessary support by buying the book, saying it can be used by extension field officers, agricultural organizations, cooperatives and everyone engaged in agriculture.
“The book is a masterpiece that can equip anyone with primary knowledge of sustainable farming amid climate change as it has discussed climate change impacts on food production and national economy plus means and strategies farmers can implement to mitigate and lessen the impact of climate change,” he said.
In a separate interview, field extension worker from Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Agnes Mpeketula Gama stressed the need for having agricultural innovation centres, noting that the facilities will benefit local farmers as well the nation in improving food productivity and attaining food security.
“The centre can provide access to new farming technology, research and expertise, enabling local farmers to adopt best practices and increase productivity; hence, improving their yields and quality,” she said.
Gama, said through training and mentorship, the programmes will encourage youth involvement in agriculture and entrepreneurship.
“The centre can facilitate connections to financial institutions, input suppliers and markets helping young farmers to overcome the barriers,” she added.
Big 2 Project is implementing other programmes of training young farmers in sustainable agricultural practices plus environmental conservation activities like tree planting competitions across the country.
Dedza HSAs urged to maintain professionalism
By Timothy Peter
Dedza, January 18, Mana: Dedza District Environmental Health Officer (DEHO), Honoratus Kadyampakeni, has advised Health Surveillance Assistants (HSAs) in the district to maintain discipline and professional conduct in the course of their duties.
He made the sentiments on Friday during an environmental health review meeting for 2024 that aimed at presenting the performance of the Expanded Programme in Immunization (EPI), hygiene and sanitation promotion mainly Cholera disease prevention and control.
On professional conduct, Kadyampakeni said the health workers must avoid indulging in political issues as the country is scheduled to conduct General Elections on September 16, 2025, and should avoid beer drinking during working hours and instead concentrate on their work.
"As civil servants, health workers must be neutral and should not take part in politics as it brings tension between them (health workers) and the political leaders in the areas they are working.
“You are also required to concentrate on your job and avoid taking alcohol during working hours because it is not only irresponsible but it is also against the civil service rules and regulations," he added.
On the performance of the district in cholera prevention and hygiene promotion, Kadyampakeni commended the HSAs for working hard to promote hygiene and sanitation in 2023/2024 a development that helped Dedza district to register only three confirmed cases of Cholera all from Mozambique as compared to 2022/2023 which saw the district cumulatively registering 2,250 confirmed cases with 80 deaths.
Speaking on behalf of fellow HSAs, Senior Health Surveillance Assistant for Dedza District Health Office, Moses Joshua, described the meeting as crucial as it helped the health workers to review how they are supposed to perform to serve the communities well.
"It was a platform for us to improve in terms of how we perform as health workers," he said.
Commenting on Kadyampakeni's advice, Joshua reminded his fellow health workers to know why government sent them to the areas where they are working.
"Politics will just compromise our work so we have taken note of this caution. There have indeed been some cases of health workers actively participating in politics but we need to know that we are sent to serve the people in the community," he said.
The review meeting brought together Senior Health Surveillance Assistants from all 37 health centres in the district.
LL District Council handover houses to persons with Albinism
By Andrew Mkonda
Lilongwe, January 18, Mana: District Rural Housing Officer for Lilongwe Lusungu Ngwata says government is committed to improve the welfare of the people with Albinism by among other things constructing decent houses for their security.
Ngwata was speaking Friday in the area of Senior Chief Mazengela in Lilongwe during the handover ceremony of two houses worth K90 million to the beneficiaries of the people with albinism.
Ngwata said it is encouraging that since the government started constructing houses for people with albinism, there have been no reported cases of abductions, which means that the security for people with albinism has been tightened and are feeling safe.
“This project is being implemented in all districts across the country apart from Likoma where there is no person with albinism, people are very excited, and they feel very secure and safe. We believe that this project will go very far in preventing abductions and inhumane treatment of people with albinism,” she said.
She then asked the beneficiaries to take care of the houses so that their security should not be compromised.
Speaking in a separate interview, Team Leader for Hebron Constructions Tom Chiphwanya thanked government for entrusting them with the construction of the houses.
Chiphwanya said though they did not meet the agreed deadline for the project due to other logistical challenges such as fuel scarcity, they have tried to maintain the specified standards that they were given.
One of the beneficiaries Henry Masauso who is married to Loness Willard a 38-year-old woman with albinism as well, and have five children together, all with albinism, thanked government for constructing a decent house for them.
Explains Masauso: “It has never been an easy journey to reach this far, our lives were submerged in perpetual fear more especially during night hours.
“Heavy stones were thrown on our roof, windows and main door. so that they enter our house to abduct or harm one of us. It’s like I am dreaming that today we are seeing this decent and safe house for people like us. I am so thankful to the government,”
Masauso says when he looks at what the current government has done by constructing houses for people with Albinism, considering that in the past, they were not considered as important people befitting such huge projects across the country, he sees the miracle of God.
Government is intending to construct 100 houses for people with albinism in five years and it has already managed to construct 67 houses across the country, with 11 of them being constructed in Lilongwe district.
Traditional leaders urge farmers to properly use inputs under NEEF
By Vincent Khonje
Mchinji, January 18, Mana: Traditional leaders in Mchinji have called on their communities to ensure that agricultural inputs accessed through the National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) Farm Inputs Loan Programme are utilized for their intended purpose.
NEEF is currently disbursing farm input loans in the country and Mchinji is one of the districts whose farmers are benefitting.
Senior Chief Mlonyeni speaking at Tembwe urged his people to make sure they do not disgrace him by using the inputs on purposes not intended for the programme.
"The programme has allowed us to make sure that we boost our households' food security. It will be shameful to see others sell the inputs and fail to pay back the loans," said Mlonyeni.
Group Village Head (GVH) Robert of Traditional Authority (TA) Zulu also appealed to communities to make sure they use inputs they have received in their fields so that they harvest and pay back the loan.
"You need to pay back the loan in time and this will help you to get many more times the amount you have acquired now," said GVH Robert.
A beneficiary of the loan Susan Kanyanga from Nabulenje Club, Mlera Village in TA Mlonyeni said the loan has given them a starting point.
"As farmers, we had problems on how we are going to get fertilizer considering the high prices. With the loan from NEEF we have got a starting point," said Kanyanga.
NEEF Member of the board Jacob Mderu said the programme has so far made progress as many smallholder farmers have been reached out to.
"Each passing day the number of beneficiaries is increasing. I am very grateful as this shows that we will reach out to the targeted farmers as planned," said Mderu.
NEEF set aside K150 billion for the farming season and wants to reach out to over 400,000 farmers.
Lack of capacity hinders councils' disaster response - TRADE
By Chisomo Kmabandanga
Nkhata Bay, January 18, Mana: Environment and Climate Change Specialist for Transforming Agriculture and Entreneurship Programme (TRADE), Amosi Simwela has disclosed that lack of capacity hinders councils in the country from responding better to disasters.
Simwela said this Friday in Mzuzu at the end of the three-day District Disaster Risk Management Committees (DDRM) capacity-building workshop for Nkhata Bay and Karonga districts for them to efficiently and effectively manage disasters at the district and community level.
According to Simwela, the TRADE programme recognizes the importance of DDRMs in planning and managing disasters hence their commitment to make sure that these committees are functional and capacitated.
"We deal with smallholder farmers who are mostly affected by the effects of climate change including disasters such as floods and droughts.
"However, we observed that councils cannot deal with these. By orienting these committees, we are assured that even our farmers at the local level will be empowered," he said.
He added that the committees have been reminded of their roles, approaches in disaster management, mitigation measures and how they can build resilience.
In her remarks, the Disaster Risk Management Officer for Nkhata Bay, Rachael Kamanga commended TRADE for the workshop as skills gained will help them handle the disasters they are facing.
"As councils, we do not only lack skills but also resources. However, we recognize that resources will never be sufficient.
"With the new skills we have acquired, we will respond effectively when disasters strike, even with limited resources," she said.
Monitoring and Evaluation Officer for Karonga, Lyton Mwaungulu said that the training was necessary as the world is changing every day hence new skills gained are paramount.
Nkhata Bay DESC urged to promptly resolve wage claim cases
By Chisomo Kmabandanga
Nkhata Bay, January, 18, Mana: Training Officer for the National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC) Louis Sichali has urged Nkhata Bay District Environment Sub Committee (DESC) to prioritise the prompt resolution of the Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CS-EPWP) wage claim cases to ensure justice to participants.
Sichali said this Friday during an orientation to DESC members on CS-EPWP case management to ensure that all case management protocols are observed.
"There are many cases that come during the implementation of the project like participants receiving less wages or not receiving at all but they have worked.
"Also we have issues to do with the replacement of households. These need proper guidelines to be resolved hence the orientation," he said.
According to Sichali if such cases are not diligently sorted out, participants are demoralized.
"Our emphasis therefore is that all cases that deal with money claims have to be resolved within two weeks upon completion of the phase," he added.
He, therefore, advised DESC members to always provide verdicts of cases to the participants and reduce the cases received during payday by sensitising the participants on the modalities and requirements for someone to work in the programme.
In her remarks, District Environmental Officer, Neva Mulungu said the training has been an eye-opener as new skills and insights that will enable DESC to manage cases efficiently and effectively were gained.
"We are committed to applying our newfound knowledge and skills to make sure that cases received at all levels are minimised," she said.
Mulungu added that in the previous phase, the district recorded about 976 cases which have been resolved but with the training, there is hope that cases will be reduced in the subsequent phases.
District Programme Facilitator, Edward Ngwemba said the district will immediately go on the ground to orient all committee members on the new modalities as work is currently in progress.
CS-EPWP is implemented across the country by the National Local Government Finance Committee with Funding from the Multi-Donor Trust Fund and World Bank.
Volunteerism a potential to redefine national development- Mumba
By Prisca Promise Mashushu
Lilongwe, January 17, Mana; The Minister of a Labour, Vitumbiko Mumba has said he will push more efforts to revise regulations and policies that support volunteers to have safe working environments.
The Minister said this during the commemoration of volunteer’s day at Airwing Primary School in Lilongwe on Friday.
He said volunteerism is more than just an act of goodwill as it is a driver for sustainable development for a resilient and inclusive economy that the country is envisioning.
“Volunteers play a crucial role in eradicating poverty by engaging in grassroots activities that improve livelihoods and skills development by enabling the empowerment of communities, particularly women and youth.
“For Malawi with abundant youthful human resource, volunteerism has helped to engage the population in a productive way so that we all contribute to the national development,” Mumba explained.
The Executive Director for National Youth Council of Malawi, Rex Chapota, hailed government for its initiative to support volunteers in the country by ensuring inclusivity of youths and women in programmes that promote national developments.
“As a council we are highly involved in the issues of volunteerism since about 80 percent of the volunteers are youths hence a call for measures to ensure that all volunteers in the country are doing their work in a safe environment by receiving the necessary support and resources.
“The government under the Ministry of labour should also continue to ensure that volunteers are safe from physical attacks by making sure that communities are aware of their important roles they play in fostering developments in the country,” he explained.
One of the volunteers, Gomezgani Nkhoma, also applauded the government for its support towards volunteers but has appealed for support at local and national level towards volunteers work in different areas.
“People especially in rural areas lack proper communication when it comes to volunteers something that is compromising their work hence a need for action from all parties to support volunteers from the grassroots levels,” he noted.
The volunteer day, was commemorated under the theme “Volunteer actions towards sustainable and inclusive future”.
Ministry works on legal support for forestry protection, management
By Patricia Kapulula
Dedza, January 17, Mana: Ministry of Natural Resources and Climate Change is working on logistics to get the right legal support and authorization so that forest guards have proper equipment to properly guard the country’s forests and reserves.
Minister of Natural Resources and Climate Change, Owen Chomanika, made the remarks Friday during the pass out of forest guards at Malawi College of Forestry and Wildlife in Dedza.
105 forest guards have graduated with certificates after a six-week training in basic weapon handling and sustainable forestry management.
He said the guns currently used by forest guards are not suitable for the task as they are meant only to scare and not subdue the offenders, which puts them at risk in the event of an attack hence the need to have the arms upgraded.
“We are going on training that is intense than before while at the same time making sure how best we can equip the guards to manage patrols so that we have proper protection of our reserves and forests,” he said.
He expressed concern that the country experiences massive deforestation, as there are a lot of illegal loggers in most reserves.
Malawi targets to afforestate 4.4 million hactares by 2030, which Chomanika said is possible with proper forests guards who are well equipped.
One of the graduating recruits, Willard Fred, hailed the training saying it has given them the expertise to protect forests and reserves.
He thanked the Ministry for the consideration to upgrade their weapons saying it will go a long way in forestry sustainable growth.
“Our work is not easy as we meet people who have weapons such as pangas and stones. These people mobilise themselves to attack us.
“However, with the expertise we have acquired we will fight and protect forests in the country. Our work is not to kill but to protect our forests,” he said.
The Ministry is expected to recruit 1,500 forest guards to ensure that the country’s forests and reserves are properly guarded.