Malawi News Agency Online

19 May 2013

Breaking News

Chiefs undergo training to protect Daeyang Hospital

Lilongwe, May 19: Traditional leaders living around Daeyang Luke Hospital in Lilongwe were on Saturday trained on how to detect criminals to ensure the hospital and the areas surrounding it were crime-free.

The hospital has lately been the target of robbery attacks which have resulted in the facility losing money and equipment. The robbery incidents were brought to the attention of President Dr. Joyce Banda who, during her visit to the hospital rcently, directed that police patrol the facility for 24 hours.

Malawi Police Service Assistant Commissioner of Police responsible for operations, Tedson Mwamulu, told Malawi News Agency (Mana) that the training was aimed at teaching the leaders how they could identify criminals in their areas planning to rob the hospital and other places.

“This training was primarily organized to equip them and enhance their capabilities in fighting against crime around this hospital," Mwamulu said in an interview.

And on his part, hospital administrator for Daeyang Luke, Godfrey Soko, said the frequent robberies at the hospital had put workers’ lives in danger.

Soko then expressed his heartfelt appreciation to the Head of State for initiating the whole programme.

"As a hospital, we are very thankful to the President for coming to visit us because all of this would not have happened if it were not for her," Soko said.

Kanengo Police Station organized the training which was conducted at the hospital, targeting traditional leaders from villages of Chatata, Chiuzira and Mchezi.

Daeyang Luke hospital has more than over 300 employees and treats about 70,000 patients per year. It is reputed to have swift and affordable services, explaining its popularity.

NASFAM to engage media

Kasungu, May 19: The National Small holder Farmers Association of Malawi (NASFAM), on Friday said it was ready to incorporate the media fraternity to help it disseminate messages on extension delivery services in the agricultural sector. NASFAM is a leading smallholder owned business and development organization in Malawi that promotes farming as a business. NASFAM’s Policy Coordinator, John Chipeta, said journalists could play a crucial role in writing investigative stories that would help in smooth delivery of extension services in the farming sector. “The media has for long dwelt on writing about FISP [farm input subsidy programme] stories. Time has come for it to write about agriculture extension service delivery and systems to promote smallholder awareness about extension services,” Chipeta said. He was speaking in Kasungu when he briefed district executive committee (DEC) members on the newly launched project, “strengthening extension structures through advocacy and multi-sector engagement in Malawi”. Chipeta said NASFAM planned to train media practitioners at district and national levels to equip them with the needed information on how the delivery of extension services is carried out, and also help in disseminating findings. However, NASFAM is worried about the low financial resources allocated to the association which, in previous annual budgets, was lower than 3.3 per cent, leading to dwindling efficiency in extension delivery services. The other challenge, according to the association, is limited access to credit and high interest rates which have discouraged farmers from taking farming as business. The project, which started in 2009 and winds up in 2017, aims at increasing smallholder awareness towards extension services, and advocate for an increase in budgetary allocations towards extension services. The Light Africa is supporting the project to the tune of US$80,000. The initiative is being implemented in Mchinji, Zomba, Karonga and Kasungu in selected Extension Planning Areas (EPAs).

Unregistered NGOs have a month to register - NGO Board

Zomba, May 19: Members of the Zomba District Executive Committee (DEC) were stunned Friday to learn that most Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in the district were operating illegally. During a meeting the NGO Board of Malawi convened, it was revealed that most NGOs in the district have not registered with the NGO Board so that they are issued with a certificate of operation. NGO Board of Malawi chairperson, Emily Banda, told the meeting that every NGO that wished to operate or was operating in the country must first register with the Board before beginning work. “The NGO Board of Malawi is therefore, requesting all NGOs as a matter of urgency to file their applications with the NGO Board by 30th June this year. If an NGO chooses not to register, the matter shall be taken to court according to the laws,” Banda warned. She dismissed speculation that the mandate of the board, which started its operations in 2002, after the NGO Act was passed in 2001, was to suffocate the operations of NGOs in Malawi. “The objectives of the NGO Board are to, among others, promote the development of a strong independent civil society in Malawi and facilitate the formation and effective functioning of NGOs for public benefit purposes,” she said. Banda said the board wanted to create a conducive environment for NGO development through government provision of incentives. She said only registered NGOs could enjoy the incentives from government such as securing land where to operate. Banda also said the registration of NGOs with the Board would promote donor and public confidence in the NGO sector, unlike the case at the moment where even NGOs without capacity are competing for funds with registered ones, resulting in poor service delivery on the ground. Kent Mphepo, who is leader of the operations and compliance committee in the Board, said out of the numerous NGOs in Malawi, only 260 had registered so far. Mphepo also clarified that being a member of the Council for Non-Governmental Organisations in Malawi (CONGOMA) was just one of the requirements in the process of registration with the NGO Board of Malawi. “Being registered as a trust or company and being a member of CONGOMA does not mandate one to establish or operate as an NGO in Malawi and the Board has mandate to register or deregister an NGO in Malawi. “Unless an NGO has a certificate with a seal from the NGO Board of Malawi, the NGO cannot operate in Malawi,” he said. The NGO Act, 2000 section 20(1) states: “Every NGO established or operating in Malawi which is recognized as a legal person under the laws of Malawi, except the exempt organizations, shall register with the Board.” The Act also provides as some of the requirements for registration of an NGO, a statement that the NGO shall not engage in partisan politics including electioneering and politicking. Zomba District Commissioner, Harry Phiri said the NGO Board had come at the right time to sensitize NGOs in the district where there were about 85 NGOs on paper, while work on the ground does not reflect the same. Phiri therefore called on all NGOs to register with the NGO Board of Malawi as per the law to avoid being embarrassed.

Local Development Fund improves School Infrastructure in Karonga

Karonga, May 19: Scores of pupils in schools which were damaged by the 2009 earthquakes in Karonga District can now afford to learn in well-built classroom blocks courtesy of the Local Development Fund (LDF). This follows successful completion of construction of 77 new classroom blocks under the Crises Response Programme using the fund. Government has since pledged continued support to education infrastructure development in the district, which continues to be affected by several other disasters like floods and hailstorms. Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Honourable Augastine Mtendere made the pledge this week during an inspection tour of the projects completed under (LDF) so far in the district. He observed that his ministry has a lot of work to do in Karonga District although the district has already achieved a number of works since the inception of the Crisis Response Programme in 2009. ‘‘My visit was basically to access the projects which have been built by the people of Karonga through government investment in LDF. A lot of work here has already been done, but we still have a number of projects to be achieved in Karonga District as there are more disasters unlike in other districts,’’ observed the Deputy Minister. He added that the Local Development Fund is now targeting to construct additional teachers’ houses and classroom blocks, saying funds have already been released. Latest LDF progress report indicates that the earthquake response programme has successfully constructed 77 classroom blocks, 37 teachers’ houses, and 19 toilets. The report also shows through the programme, all the newly constructed classroom blocks school blocks have been supplied with 4620 desks. Speaking on the sidelines of the inspection tour, Paramount Chief Kyungu said he is impressed with LDF projects done so far in Karonga. He advised his subjects to work together with the current administration of President Dr. Joyce Banda to hasten development of the area. ‘‘We have had presidents in the past. They did their part to develop this nation, and now is the time for President Dr. Joyce Banda. Let us give her chance to do development projects,’’ advised Paramount Chief Kyungu. The Crisis Response Programme in Karonga, which received about MK645 million, came about to fast -track reconstruction of classroom blocks and teachers’ houses and toilets to avert social problems in the aftermath of the earthquake in the long term.

'Quality farm produce fetches higher prices'

Zomba, May 19: Millennium Village Project (MVP) Team leader, Dr. Andrew Daudi has urged farmers cooperatives under Mwandama Millennium Villages Project in Zomba to follow good grading procedures of their crops to maintain quality to fetch more money at the market. He made the remarks Thursday during a farmers’ field market day under the theme: “Quality Grain, Better Prices” aimed at sensitizing farmers in caring and processing crops before sending them to the market. During the event farmers from different farmers’ cooperatives demonstrated how they harvest, grade, treat and pack the maize in bags before sending it to the market. Other crops displayed were beans and soya which Dr. Daudi said were part of cash crops for farmers in the area which generate money for households to improve their livelihoods. “We are here to train the farmers’ cooperatives to take agriculture as a business to make sure whatsoever is going to the market is of good quality. Quality control is important in marketing,” he explained. Mc Kenley Dupu, Crops Officer from the District Agriculture Development Office (DADO) said hybrid and composite maize was vital for food security and sufficient production. Dupu explained the population in the 1970s was at 3 million and now is at around 14 million according to the National Statistics Office 2008 population census, saying still the land size has remained the same, hence the need to switch to hybrid crop variety other than the local variety to achieve maximum production to feed the booming population. He also urged the farmers to keep enough food for their family households and only sell the surplus to avoid hunger during the lean periods. The event was also marked by a ruffle draw where MVP gave to the winners 3 cell-phones, 4 hoes, 2 bags of fertilizers and a bicycle which one of the women farmers won as part of social responsibility of the organization which has been operating in the area for over 4 years.

Chiefs undergo training to protect Daeyang Hospital

NASFAM to engage media

Unregistered NGOs have a month to register - NGO Board

Local Development Fund improves School Infrastructure in Karonga

'Quality farm produce fetches higher prices'

Chiefs undergo training to protect Daeyang Hospital

Written By Nellie Kanyemba on Sunday, 19 May 2013 10:26

Lilongwe, May 19: Traditional leaders living around Daeyang Luke Hospital in Lilongwe were on Saturday trained on how to detect criminals to ensure the hospital and the areas surrounding it were crime-free. The hospital has latel...

NASFAM to engage media

Written By Dave Munkhondiya on Sunday, 19 May 2013 10:18

Kasungu, May 19: The National Small holder Farmers Association of Malawi (NASFAM), on Friday said it was ready to incorporate the media fraternity to help it disseminate messages on extension delivery services in the agricultural ...

Demand for MDF services high, says Lt Gen Msonthi

Written By Benson Linje in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire on Saturday, 11 May 2013 15:23

Abidjan, May 11: The Deputy Malawi Defence Force Commander responsible for Operations and Training, Lieutenant General John D Msonthi Jnr has said off...

Malawi, US to hold joint military exercise

Written By Sylvester Kumwenda on Thursday, 18 April 2013 14:52

Lilongwe, April 18: The Malawi Defense Force (MDF) and the US Military will from May 1-17 conduct a joint military training exercise, codenamed EPIC G...

UN hails Malawi for passing Gender Equality bill

Written By MANA on Thursday, 14 March 2013 16:14

Lilongwe, March 14: The Executive Director of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) Michelle Bachelet...

Unregistered NGOs have a month to register - NGO Board

Written By Joseph Dzuwa on Sunday, 19 May 2013 10:13

Zomba, May 19: Members of the Zomba District Executive Committee (DEC) were stunned Friday to learn that most Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in...

UDF Kasungu governor convicted of manslaughter

Written By Dave Munkhondiya on Saturday, 18 May 2013 11:48

Kasungu, May 18: High court in Kasungu has convicted United Democratic Front (UDF) governor for Kasungu district, Daudi Kananji over man slaughter cha...

US hails Malawi as a role model for democracy

Written By Sylvester Kumwenda on Saturday, 18 May 2013 11:25

Lilongwe, May 18: Malawi is a role model in Africa with a good democratic environment, the United States Government said on Friday. US State Departme...

Govt to start distributing new ARVs July

Written By Tiwonge Nkhonjera on Friday, 17 May 2013 17:16

Lilongwe, May 17: Government will start distributing the new Tenafovir based HIV treatment regime by July replacing Staduvidine based therapy that is currently used. In an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana), Ministry of Health Public...

Male circumcision may reduce divorce cases - Health expert

Written By Agnes Chinyama on Friday, 17 May 2013 17:12

Blantyre, May 17: Male circumcision may be one of the possible solutions to family breakups in the country, one of the country’s health experts has said. Making the observation in an interview with the Malawi News Agency (Mana), Health and...

Mighty Wanderers oust Blantyre United in Presidential Cup

Written By Arkangel Tembo on Sunday, 19 May 2013 09:44

Blantyre, May 18: Chichiri area in the commercial city of Malawi, Blantyre was jam-packed on Saturday afternoon when victorious Mighty Wanderers supporters took to the streets especially the Masauko Chipembere Highway waving their blue and ...

Mzuni FC beat rivals Karonga United to wing into PIS regional phase

Written By Wisdom Ngwira & Rose Cross on Thursday, 16 May 2013 11:09

Mzuzu, May 16: Mzuzu University Football Club (Mzuni FC) needed two goals from Edward Mangani and Uchindami Nyasulu to beat their arch rivals Karonga United to reach the regional phase in the K120 million Presidential Cup played at Mzuzu st...

Chiefs delaying LDF development in Mchinji

Mchinji, February 17: District Commissioner (DC) for Mchinji, Gasten Macheka has called on community leaders in the district to be in the forefront in promoting development activities in their areas...

More:

Local Development Fund improves School Infrastructure in Karonga

Written By Bishop Witmos on Sunday, 19 May 2013 10:07

Karonga, May 19: Scores of pupils in schools which were damaged by the 2009 earthquakes in Karonga District can now afford to learn in well-built classroom blocks courtesy of the Local Development Fund (LDF). This follows successful compl...

'Government may adopt SMS Reporting Model for data generation'

Written By Joseph Josiah on Saturday, 18 May 2013 05:00

Blantyre, May 17: Principal Economist responsible for monitoring and evaluation (M E) in the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development has disclosed his ministry may switch to short messaging system (SMS) reporting model to expedite dat...

Loka defends MFW2013 day pass ticket prices

Written By Roy Nkosi on Friday, 17 May 2013 16:59

Lilongwe, May 17: Malawi Fashion Week (MFW) 2013 Public Relations Manager Kimpho Loka has defended prices the organisers have set for a day pass ticket for the event starting May 30 to June 3. In an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana)...

Great Angels choir prepares for fourth album

Written By Dave Munkhondiya on Wednesday, 15 May 2013 13:56

Kasungu, May 15: The Great Angels Choir, known for popular songs like, Ndiyende bwanji? Sindingathe and Gwireni dzanja, has assured its fans of more fireworks and soul touching songs in their forthcoming fourth album. Speaking after mesmer...

'Quality farm produce fetches higher prices'

Written By Joseph Dzuwa on Sunday, 19 May 2013 10:03

Zomba, May 19: Millennium Village Project (MVP) Team leader, Dr. Andrew Daudi has urged farmers cooperatives under Mwandama Millennium Villages Project in Zomba to follow good grading procedures of their crops to maintain quality to fetch...

State of the Nation Address: Full Text

Written By MANA on Friday, 17 May 2013 12:01

INTRODUCTION Mr. Speaker, Sir, it is a great pleasure to be here this morning to preside over the opening of the 2013/2014 Budget Meeting and deliver the State of the Nation Address. This occasion is very significant because, as is tradition, we reflect on the past year and set out our plans for the...

Pupils benefiting from Road Safety initiative by NRSCM
Finland and Zambia reaffirm commitment to helping Malawi
Hon. Jonas MP handing over Computers
Bishop Joseph Zuza delivering a sernon at St Paul's Parish in Mzimba
Queen talking to state President of Malawi Mrs. Joyce Banda
Vice President of Malawi Khumbo Kachali at AU Summit
Vice President of Malawi Khumbo Kachali and Hon. Moses Kunkuyu AU Summit

Government plans to inaugurate complementary basic education

Written By Emmanuel Galeta on Friday, 17 May 2013 17:43

Balaka, May 17: Education authorities in Balaka district in the week unveiled what they termed complementary basic education which they said seeks to harmonize the conventional educational arrangement already prevailing specifically targeti...

Quote for the day

"Desire is the starting point of all achievement, not a hope, not a wish, but a keen pulsating desire which transcends everything."

– Napoleon Hill

Chiefs undergo training to protect Daeyang Hospital

NASFAM to engage media

Unregistered NGOs have a month to register - NGO Board

Local Development Fund improves School Infrastructure in Karonga

'Quality farm produce fetches higher prices'

Latest News

National News

Political News

Health News

Sports News

Development News

Business News

Entertainment News

Agriculture News

Features

Weather

Image Gallery

Education News

Quote for the day

General News

Environment News

Religion News