NEWS IN BRIEF
MANAonline

MANAonline

By Aliko Munde

 

Chitipa, February 1, Mana: Government has directed that one National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) staff be housed at Extension Planning Areas (EPAs) for smooth implementation of the Farm Input Loan Programme.

 

Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Benedicto Chambo made the directive on Friday in Chitipa District during the closing of the national launch of the programme.

 

Chambo said it is difficult for farmers to travel long distances to access NEEF products especially the Farm Input Loan Programme popularly known as Fertilizer loan.

 

“The Director of Agriculture for Chitipa should provide one room for NEEF staff at EPA office for smooth implementation of the programme,” Chambo said.

 

He then asked farmer beneficiaries to use the fertilizer for the intended purpose, advising that part of  the fertilizer can  also be used for winter cropping.

 

NEEF Chief Executive Officer, Humphrey Mdyetseni acknowledged the delay in the distribution of the fertilizer but said this year's distribution will start in September.

 

Senior Chief Mwabulambya thanked the Government for introducing the initiative which he said is unique and need to be promoted.

 

“The Farm Input Loan Programme is better than Agriculture Input Programme (AIP), we need to promote it because it is a unique programme,” he said.

 

Mercy Mughogho, Chairperson for Alinafe Namasasa Women Group in Senior Chief Mwabulambya, thanked National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF), for the programme which she said has come at the right time when rains have just started.

 

Mughogho said her group will grow maize on a 14 acres’ land and will use the 25 bags of fertilizer which the groups had received.

 

“We applied for the farm input loan because we have land with little resources. With the coming of this programme we have been assisted and we are going to use the fertilizer for the intended purpose. We want to contribute to ending hunger in the country and empower ourselves economically,” Mughogho said.

By Leah Malimbasa

Chikwawa, January 31, Mana: Minister of Natural Resources and Climate Change, Dr. Owen Chomanika, has applauded staff at Kasinthula Aquaculture Centre for their dedication which he said is vital to Malawi’s goal of becoming a self-reliant and prosperous nation.

Chomanika was speaking on Friday during a familiarization tour at the centre in Chikwawa.

“I want to assure you that every contribution you are making, regardless of your position, is not taken for granted. You are playing a crucial role in the nation’s journey toward self-reliance and wealth creation,” he said.

He added that he noted the challenges that the centre was facing, particularly in funding and understaffing.

“We will look into possible solutions to support the centre’s operations,” said Chimanika.

Deputy Director of Fisheries in the Department of Fisheries, Brino Chirwa said Kasinthula Aquaculture Centre has about 300 hectares of land and if fully utilised, it can significantly contribute to Malawi 2063 agenda.

Chirwa further highlighted that the dream of having proper infrastructure for a fish mega farm can also boost the country’s economy.

“This centre was established in 1974 to demonstrate feasibility of commercial fish farming and currently aquaculture has a lot of potential, including the proximity of both local and urban markets,” said Chirwa.

Chirwa added that from the year 2024 till date, the centre produced over one million fingerlings.

By Josephine Chipofya

Lilongwe, January 31, Mana: The Ministry of Health has urged its stakeholders to strengthen their health finances and stop relying on donations only.

Speaking during the handover ceremony of vehicles and medical pieces of equipment to its stakeholders, Minister of Health Khumbize Kadondo Chiponda said her ministry has already launched its health financing strategy which will help them to source funds on their own.

"As a ministry, we sat down and discussed how we can source funds top from what we get from the Ministry of Finance so we came up with a financing strategy, I am also urging the stakeholders to come up with their own in case donors decide not to give them donations their work should not stop," she said.

The Minister also urged the stakeholders to have a proper maintenance policy, to ensure sustainability.

In her remarks, the Manager for Global Fund and Gavi Implementation Unit in the Ministry of Health Doreen Sanje said, that Global Fund has been a true partner to the Government of Malawi through its various grants such as Tuberculosis (TB), Malaria and COVID grants.

"It is through the Covid grants that we have been able to procure these vehicles and medical equipment. Global Fund wants to see the money given being used for the intended purpose," she explained.

Ministry of Health handed over vehicles and medical equipment worthy $5.3 million to Malawi Defence Force, Malawi Police, Christian Health Association (CHAM) Civil Society Organisations,  Mzuzu Central Hospital, Kasungu District Hospital, Bwaila and Mangochi hospitals.

Friday, 14 February 2025 07:29

Stakeout to host Noche Mexicana

By Agatha Kadzinje 

 

Blantyre, January 31, Mana: Stakeout Entertainers Promotion has organized a cultural cooking showcase, Noche Mexicana on February 2 at Amaryllis Hotel in Blantyre to bring an authentic taste of Mexican culture to Malawi. 

 

Managing Director of Stakeout Entertainers, Temwa Banda, told Malawi News agency (Mana) that the event seeks to provide a cultural exchange through food, games and festivities.

 

“We want to take our guests to Mexico for a night, offering them an opportunity to enjoy the richness of Mexican traditions and to create lasting memories through the food that will be available,” he said.

 

Banda explained that Noche Mexicana translates to Mexican Night, a name that perfectly captures the essence of the event which will be a night dedicated to celebrating the vibrant culture and spirit of Mexico in Malawi.

 

He added that guests should look forward to an exciting night filled with interactive games like Limbo and a vibrant piñata experience.

 

“Adding to the authenticity, Chef Rosse, straight from Mexico, will prepare traditional Mexican dishes, giving everyone a true taste of Mexico. Expect colourful decorations, lively music, and an atmosphere full of fun and culture,” according to Banda.

 

In a separate interview with Mana, headlining Chef, Rosalba Ortega said the event was inspired by people's growing interest in Mexican culture and cuisine.

 

“This time, we don’t want to showcase only food. We want to create a real fiesta (party) with music from Mexico and DJs creating an incredible atmosphere,” Ortega added.

 

She urged attendees to come and experience an unforgettable Mexican celebration, complete with traditional piñatas, the Limbo dance, and a few surprises.

By Max Mahara Medison

Salima, January 31. Mana: In an ongoing digital financial literacy awareness campaign under the Ministry of Finance and Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM), Mgwirizano Savings and Loan (VSL) group in Salima has embraced digital financial services, moving away from traditional cash storage methods.

Speaking on Thursday during a discussion on the use of digital channels over cash, in Chindungwa village, in the area of Senior Chief Pemba, Salima campaign awareness Field Supervisor, Shazel Lambat introduced Chitsanzo VSL Group members to mobile banking platforms.

She said they demonstrated how the group could enhance security, efficiency, and convenience in managing their collective savings.

"We want to impart skills in savings groups on how they can maximize digital platforms in securing their savings, we are happy that the majority of the groups we have visited have shown interest in adopting digital financing," she said.

Chairlady for Chitsanzo VSL Group Bunaya Levison said they will no longer store money in a metal box they will transition to more secure digital ways.

“We have always relied on using a metal box with two keys distributed among different members of the group, but after learning about digital banking, we see how much safer and easier it is to manage our savings.

"With access to digital financial services, we can deposit, transfer, and monitor our funds, making management and storing of funds easier and safer," she said.

Digital Financial Services (DFS) comprise a broad range of financial services, delivered through digital channels such as mobile financial services (MFS), and banking payments through money transfers.

The awareness-raising campaign of digital financial literacy and technology education is in its final phase in Salima, Zomba, Neno and Chiradzulu.

The Government of Malawi with support from the African Development Bank has been carrying out digital financial literacy awareness campaigns in all the 28 districts across the country. Salima district has been one of the districts that have benefited from the campaign

By George Bulombola

Karonga, January 31, Mana: Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Benedicto Chambo HAS urged the National Economic Empowerment Fund to provide comprehensive farm input packages through its agricultural farm inputs loan program.

Chambo was speaking Thursday at Uliwa in Karonga when he presided over distribution exercise of over 400 bags of fertilizer worth about K45 million to 64 smallholder farmers drawn from Chilumba and Uliwa catchment areas in the district.

He said that fertilizer which was provided to the farmers through NEEF’s Agriculture Farm Inputs Loan Program does not suffice to improve agricultural productivity hence the need for NEEF to provide farmers with comprehensive farm input loan packages.

“I expect you to be including seed and pesticides of your clients’ choices besides the fertilizer so that the program becomes a success, “said Chambo.

Chambo also advised NEEF to ensure that it rolls out the distribution of the farm inputs before the onset of rains for the farmers to effectively plan and implement their farm activities, thereby realizing maximized bump yield.

“You are today bringing fertilizer to farmers, imagine if rains had started earlier, this initiative would be of benefit to your clients who are expected to repay their loans after harvest,” he said.

The deputy minister took advantage of the ceremony to urge Ministry of Agriculture to provide NEEF with office spaces in all Area Extension Areas across the country to bring NEEF services and products close to the people.

Earlier, Chief Executive Officer for NEEF Humphrey Mdyetseni urged the benefiting clients to ensure that they repay their loans saying farm input loan facility is a revolving fund hence it is a requirement they pay the loans for the sustainability of the initiative.

“I am concerned over poor loan repayment by NEEF clients in this area and Karonga Boma. Some clients especially you people tend to default on loan repayment and escape to South Africa. This is counterproductive to the program’s goal,” he said.

Speaking during a similar ceremony at Karonga Boma, Senior Chief Kalonga of Karonga advised NEEF to involve traditional leaders in all stages of loan processing for its clients.

“You faced such challenges because you bypassed some stakeholders such as traditional leaders in the loan processing procedures. Now you will not have loan defaulters since you have decided to involve us,” said Kalonga.

By Tiyanjane Tsankhwimbi and Robert Nayeja

Nsanje, January 30, Mana: Minister of Natural Resources and Climate Change, Owen Chomanika called on Nsanje District Council to come up with alternative economic empowerment programmes that should stop communities from over-depending on Matandwe Forest Reserve in the district as a source of livelihood.

The minister made the call on Thursday at Mwanda Village, Traditional Authority Malemia where he hailed community efforts that were meant to protect Matandwe Forest Reserve from depletion.

Chomanika observed the continued careless cutting down of trees in the forest reserve, saying this was the case because communities still relied on the forest for livelihood.

“Let the council prioritise on empowering communities economically so that people should stop relying on the forest for a living,” Chomanika added.

He further observed that careless cutting down of trees in Matandwe Forests leads to land degradation that in turn ignites other environmental-related problems such as flash floods.

“Farming is not productive as it used to be in Nsanje due to careless cutting down of trees leading to land degradation. I am optimistic that once trees are replanted in the forest, food production will improve and on the other hand flash floods in the district will reduce,

“Communities can find money from Thabalaba tubers they get from the forests. We want to promote the production of Thabalaba tubers in their community garden so that we can protect the forest reserve,” said the minister.

Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources, Dr Yusufu Nkungula said there was a need to protect Thabalaba which is claimed to cure 38 diseases.

“The ministry is committed to reducing challenges the forestry office is facing in protecting the forest reserves. Currently, we are recruiting forest guards to patrol the forest,” he added.

Chairperson for Nsanje District Council, Hussein Ngwali expressed worry over the continued depletion of Matandwe Forest Reserve following careless cutting down of trees.

He therefore advised communities in Nsanje District to take full responsibility for protecting  Matandwe Forest Reserve and other forest areas against encroachment.

"Let chiefs and everyone here be in the forefront in protecting Matandwe Forest Reserve because it is the treasure of Nsanje and the nation at large," he added.

Matandwe Forest Reserve is one of the protected forests in Nsanje District.

On Wednesday Chomanika took a familiarisation tour of the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services (DCCMC) head office in Blantyre where he was taken to sever rooms, DCCMC studios and the national Metrological Center (NMC

By  Sheminah Nkhoma

Lilongwe,  January 30, Mana: Police in Lilongwe are keeping in custody a 26-year-old on suspicion that he murdered his 13-year-old sister-in-law after defiling her in area 36, Lilongwe on January 25, 2025.

According to the spokesperson of Lilongwe police, Hastings Chigalu, the man was identified as Tsisa Mbangali, who was staying with the girl and her husband in the same house.

Chigalu said, that on the day Mbangali woke his wife around 1 a.m., claiming there was an intruder in the house, upon investigation, they found no signs of forced entry or exit.

“Seeing no such an intruder in the house, the couple only discovered that the 13-year-old girl was missing from the sitting room where she used to sleep. However, she was found outside, lying dead in a maize field almost five meters away from the couple's house,” he said.

Chigalu stated that Indications were there that the only person who was capable of having access to the girl, in this case, defilement, was the person who was inside, hence the arrest of Mbangali.

Meanwhile, a postmortem examination at Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) revealed that the victim's skull had been depressed by a heavy object and she had been strangled and defiled.

DNA samples from both the suspect and the victim have been collected for further analysis.

Mbangali, who hails from Buluzi Village in Lilongwe District, is currently being held by the Lilongwe Police as they investigate the matter further.

Thursday, 30 January 2025 19:31

Chiponda opens Lomola Health Post

 

By Beni Bamusi

 

Thyolo, January 30, Mana: Minister of Health Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda has officially opened Lomola Health Centre in Thyolo to ensure universal health coverage.

 

Addressing the people at the health post on Wednesday after opening the facility, Chiponda thanked Global Fund for financing the project, saying the new facility has reduced distance in-between facilities. 

 

“We are very excited that we have officially opened the Lomola Health Post; this shows  government’s commitment to ensure people do not walk more than five kilometers to access health services. We are grateful to our partners, Global Fund, for providing resources,” she said, adding that the facility will be connected with solar energy while waiting for ESCOM grid power. 

 

The minister appealed to the health post workers to be dedicated to duty to ensure they provide better services to communities and further appealed to communities to refrain from encroaching the land around the facility.

 

Chiponda said encoachment of the land has potential to hamper plans to extend the facility into a health center. 

 

Lomola Health Centre Medical Assistant Marvelous Chingwanda said before construction of the facility, people in the area had to walk 20 kilometers to access medical assistance at Thyolo District Hospital. 

 

He said the facility was providing outpatient services, patients short-stays, antenatal care, postnatal and sexual reproductive health services among others. 

 

In his remarks, Senior Chief Ndalama expressed gratitude for the health post, saying it has reduced  distance that people covered to access medical care.

 

He therefore thanked late Mr. Namphota who donated land for the facility and vowed to take care of the facility to continue serving people in his area. 

 

The chief added that the facility serves people not only in Traditional Authority Ndalama but also those fromTraditional Authorities Nanseta, Kapichi and Nthiramanja in Mulanje District.

 

Lomola Health Post  has a catchment of 18,620 people.

 

By Bishop Witmos

Mangochi, January 30, Mana: National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC) has wrapped up its 2025/2026 budget review sessions for district, municipal and city councils with a call for the local authorities to take a business unusual approach by attaining financial stability status.

The exercise, which was taking place in Blantyre, took the committee two weeks to scrutinize and validate the budgets of councils and cities, thereby ensuring that they align with national priorities and adhere to principles of effective resource allocation at the local government level.

Speaking during a closing session with Mangochi Municipal Council on Thursday, NLGFC Executive Director Kondwani Santhe urged district, municipal as well as city councils to develop robust strategies for local revenue generation to reduce their dependence on central government funding.

Santhe observed that most councils end up into hospitality industries such as operating rest houses and lodges, but that they do no excel due to poor management.

“Councils are encouraged to venture into businesses for local revenue generation. However, time for owning assets such as rest houses is gone, as it has proved that most councils are not good at hospitality.

“The NLGFC would like to see councils diversifying their revenue streams and that they are exploring innovative ways of generating income. Councils require resources such as natural attractions, agricultural produce as well as human capital to create revenue generation opportunities,” he said.

Santhe also stressed the importance of councils engaging with their local communities to understand their needs and priorities and to involve them in the planning and implementation of revenue-generating initiatives.

NLGFC facilitates fiscal decentralization, financial management as well as development in local government.

In his remarks, Chief Executive Officer for Mangochi Municipal Council, Ernest Kadzokoya, said that during the 2024/2025 fiscal year, the council did well in revenue generation as it collected K440 millon.

Kadzokoya attributed the success to strict enforcement of by-laws, intensification of supervision of revenue centres as well as upward adjustment of various fees and licenses.

“As of December 31, 2024, our council had collected almost K440 million as locally generated revenue, representing 88 percent of the locally generated revenue budget. This is an improvement of 31.1 percent of the previous fiscal year where we collected K335 million.

“During the year, the council graded roads in all wards, including maintenance of drainage for the main road and face-lifting of the main round-about using Municipal Roads Fund and we also upgraded the town road to tarmac with funding from Roads Fund,” Kadzokoya said.  

Kadzokoya said the 2025/2026 budget for Mangochi Municipal is pegged at K1.4 billion.

Page 1 of 15

OUR SOCIAL LINKS

   

     RELATED LINKS