By Sheminah Nkhoma

Lilongwe, May 23, Mana: Deputy Secretary to the President and Cabinet,  Janet Banda, has called on government , civil society and private sectors to ensure commitment and willingness to support the Open Government Partnership (OGP) initiative in the country.

She made the remarks on Friday in Lilongwe during the orientation meeting for the members of the newly constituted National Steering Committee and Technical Working Groups .

She stated that as the country prepares to implement the successor National Action Plan (NAP) for 2025–2028 under the Open Government Partnership (OGP), it is crucial to ensure citizen empowerment and inclusive governance for all.

“Since Malawi joined OGP in 2013, the country has made notable strides to institutionalise open government practices across the public sector, we have grown stronger in building institutions that citizens can trust and that operate with integrity,” she said.

Banda further stated that the new NAP prioritises some thematic areas which will help to promote openness and transparency  will include, anti - corruption, digital governance, fiscal openness, open parliament, natural resources and climate and environment.

“ These thematic areas are not just technical policy priorities but they are the building blocks for sustainable developments and meaningful citizen engagement,  as members you must ensure that you are tracking progress, providing technical support and engaging with stakeholders,” said Banda.

In his remarks, Co- Chairperson of the National Steering Committee who also represented Non Governmental Organizations (CSOs) said they are impressed with the OGP  as it gives a room of openness about everything which government is doing.

He added that they will continue to coordinate, monitor and evaluate the implementation of the plan to fulfill its mandate.

The National Action Plan for OGP helps to guide in the implementation of open governance in Malawi.

By Paul Madise

Lilongwe, May 24, Mana: Minister of Higher Education, Dr. Jessie Kabwila, has described the construction of morden buildings for the Malawi Confucius Institute (CI-Malawi) at Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS) Lilongwe Campus as a vital milestone in enhancing the country’s educational infrastructure.

Speaking during the official handover ceremony of the CI-Malawi at KUHeS in Lilongwe, Kabwila commended the partnership between Malawi and the People's Republic of China. She highlighted the institute's state-of-the-art facilities, which include classrooms, a library, and a multipurpose hall, as crucial for expanding access to quality education.

“This development aligns with the Malawi 2063 agenda of building human capital and achieving inclusive wealth. It provides our students and citizens with the opportunity to gain language skills and cultural knowledge vital for global competitiveness,” she stated.

She emphasized the importance of infrastructure in transforming education and applauded the dedication of all stakeholders involved in the project. She reaffirmed the Ministry of Higher Education's commitment to increasing access to higher education, in line with the National Education Sector Investment Plan (NESIP) 2020–2030.

The minister highlighted the need to embrace the opportunities the institute presents, ensuring that the Confucius Institute thrives and continues to enrich the academic landscape at KUHeS, UNIMA, and beyond through the sharing of Chinese culture and values.

In her remarks, the Chinese Ambassador to Malawi, her Excellency Lu Xu, expressed that her government regards Malawians as brothers and sisters.

She stated that China firmly believes that through shared development and common prosperity, the two nations can uphold equal rights and enjoy lasting peace and stability around the world.

She highlighted that the spirit of unity and cooperation is at the heart of China's engagement with Malawi.

Ambassador Lu indicated that China is committed to being a reliable partner to the Malawian government, stating that Chinese government continues to support Malawi’s essential development efforts, especially as the country advances through industrialization and modernization.

"This project reflects our longstanding emphasis on the importance of higher education—both in China and in Malawi. We are proud to support Malawi’s progress in this critical sector and remain dedicated to helping elevate the standards and accessibility of higher education for the benefit of future generations," she said and advised students and staff to take good care of the facility.

In addition to infrastructure development, the Chinese government has also donated four vehicles including a bus to ensure that transportation needs at the institute are adequately addressed.

CI-Malawi started as University of Malawi project before delinking of the constituent colleges of UNIMA, and will continue to be overseen by the two universities, UNIMA and KUHeS, and open to the public to access it's services.

The just handed over Confucius Institute is expected to be officially inaugurated soon during a high-level event. However, with the handover done, the facility has already started being used, and will host Chinese musical concert on 24th May, 2025.

By Patience Longwe

Lilongwe, May 23, Mana: Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Simplex Chithyola Banda, has emphasized the importance of the National Social Protection Policy (NSPP) saying it provides a comprehensive social protection to all Malawians, particularly the vulnerable and marginalized by empowering them economically.

Speaking during the launch of the NSPP 2024-2029 at Lilongwe Hotel on Friday, Banda said the policy will provide support to vulnerable populations through social cash transfer and other forms of assistance.

"The policy aims to promote social security mechanisms to protect individuals and families from economic shocks as well as addressing malnutrition and promoting nutrition sensitive interventions,” he said.

Banda added that government recognizes the importance of partnerships in implementing the policy hence called on development partners, civil society organizations, the private sector, and local communities to support the policy's implementation.

"Social protection is not charity; it is an indispensable investment for human capital development, socio-economic stability, and national development,” said Banda.

He, therefore, said government is committed to prioritize predictable finance mechanisms for social protection interventions through increased domestic resource mobilization and fostering Public Private Partnership (PPPs).

Representative of Development Partners, Rovan Sweeney, said the launch of the policy demonstrates government's commitment to protect and empower the most vulnerable members of society.

"It is a testament to share commitment in ensuring that no one is left behind especially the most vulnerable,” he said.

By Pempho Nkhoma

Blantyre, May 23, Mana: Male involvement has contributed to a 35 percent increase in under-5 vaccine and immunization coverage at Kadidi Health Centre in Blantyre, moving from 50 percent to 85 percent.

This was disclosed Thursday when Malawi Health Equity Network (MHEN) visited Nkolesya Mother Care Group (MCG) at Group Village head Nkolesya, Traditional Authority (TA) Kapeni in Blantyre to appreciate the group’s performance in child immunization.

MHEN trained Nkolesya MCG which was established in 2019 to help sensitize the community on the importance of under-5 vaccine and immunization.

Speaking during the meeting at Kadidi Health Centre, Senior Health Surveillance Assistant, Jude Kuseliwe, hailed MCG for bringing male parents on board saying before their involvement the coverage was below 50 percent.

“During MCG’s community mobilization, the group informed men on the importance of child vaccination and convinced them to take part in the programme. We are now receiving a large number of men at the outreach clinic and during vaccine distribution,” he said.

Kuseliwe added that Nkolesya MCG contribution prompted establishing another MCG to cover other remaining villages to improve Kadidi Health Centre’s outreach.

Nkolesya MCG Chairperson, Kattie Kamowa, said the training that MHEN offered helped the MCG to successfully mobilize the community, including male parents, to take an active role in under-5 vaccine and immunization programmes.

“Men have understood that child vaccination is a shared responsibility. When men are not taking part or show no interest in child vaccination programmes, they put their children at risk of being under immunized because when a mother is sick there will be no one to follow up the vaccine schedule,” she said.

Group Village head Nkolesya thanked MHEN for building MCG’s capacity saying the group’s community mobilization minimized under-5 mortality in his area.

Nkolesya MCG operates under Kadidi Health Centre and has 30 members from three villages.

By Chisomo Kambandanga

Nkhata Bay, May 23, Mana: Project Coordinator for International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Mandi Makoka, has expressed satisfaction with progress of the construction of Mzenga Irrigation Scheme in the area of Traditional Authority (TA) Kabunduli in Nkhata Bay.

Makoko expressed the satisfaction Thursday during a supervision mission to appreciate progress of construction works.

According to Makoko, the project has reached a 96 percent physical progress since its commencement in June 2023, despite some challenges such as compensation issues with the community and adverse weather conditions experienced in the course of work.

"We are really excited that construction of the scheme is coming to an end.  However, for this scheme to be successful, there is need for cooperation with those living in the upland to protect the environment.

"The works will be finalized within the provided time-frame enabling farmers to access water in the reservoirs and start using it for irrigation,” he said.

He urged dwellers in the upland to take good care of the environment to ensure a steady supply of water in the scheme.

Nkhata Bay District Council Director of Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources, Raphael Mkisi, hailed the initiati, citing its potential to contribute to the district's economic development.

He said it will enable farmers to grow crops twice or thrice a year, thereby increasing their profits and boosting food security.

"Our office is pleased with this project, as it will give farmers a chance to continue growing crops even during the dry spell. Farmers should expect more training sessions to help them maximize profits through their farming activities," he said

Chief Engineer for DASAN Consulting Firm for Inyatsi-H.E Jackson JV Construction, Stenner Zuze, said his company will finalize the works by May 31, 2025 as only a few installations remain.

One of the farmers from Bandawe Village, Linly Mbewe, expressed hope that farmers will make more profits through irrigation by growing wheat, which is currently on high demand

The project is being implemented with a budget of approximately US$12.47 million funded by the Malawi Government and IFAD under the Program for Rural Irrigation Development (PRIDE).

By Mary Makhiringa in Harare, Zimbabwe

Harare, May 23, Mana: Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Chairperson, Emmerson Mnangagwa who is President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, has urged SADC Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA) member states to apply science-based approach towards environmental conservation.

Mnangagwa said the region must also consider taking aboard the youth and women in this cause.

He said this Friday, when he opened the 2025 SADC TFCA at Rainbow Tower in Harare where Heads to State have convened marking 25 years of TFCA in the region.

“I urge all of us to embrace science-based solutions and community driven approaches to conservation. The youth and women of our countries must play an important role in wildlife conservation, riding on the hard work ethic of this demographic.

“We also need to empower the rural community, because by empowering them and enhancing tourism and promoting cross boarder wall enforcement we have laid a strong foundation for lasting impacts,” he said.

He added that the region is currently boosting of 13 TFCAs with five others on the way, as the region looks towards the next 25 years of doubling its dedication to fostering social ecological and economic connectivity.

“At the centre of these efforts, we need to enhance livelihood of our communities. Today, the TFCAs are safe habitats for wildlife to move away from human settlements, which has helped to reduce human-wildlife conflicts,” he said.

SADC Executive Secretary, Elias Magosi, said SADC TFCA has formed one of the largest conservation areas on the African continent of which the Kavango Zambia (KAZA) Transfrontier arrangement accounts for 520,000 square kilometres.

“Today we can look back with pride and celebrate the value of effective corroboration of member states who have demonstrated, over time, strong political will and invested in financial and human resources and fostered partnerships to realise this great vision that we are celebrating today.

“The commemoration presents a moment of pride and opportunity for reflection on the successes and challenges in trans-boundary natural resources across our region,” he said.

He emphasized that TFCAs is not only about conservation but also co-existence, development and resilient and regional identity.

Magosi highlighted that SADC TFCA is currently facing deforestation challenges, which is necessitating loss of about 0.6 percent cover every year, which is roughly 31 percent of Africa’s deforestation area annually, whose primary driver is poverty and population growth.

President Dr Lazurus Chakwera is among the Heads of State attending the summit under the theme: The SADC Transfrontier Conservation Areas 25 years of cooperation for regional Integration and Sustainable Development.

By Lesnat Kenan

Lilongwe, May 23, Mana: Vice President Dr Michael Usi has highlighted the importance of Regional Dialogue on Food Systems Transformation (RDFST) Summit in Malawi saying it is a critical platform for addressing food security challenges across Eastern and Southern Africa.

Usi made the remarks when he presided over the official closing of the Regional Dialogue on Food Systems Transformation 2030 Summit at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe on Friday.

He emphasized that the dialogue has a great impact in developing Malawi's economy.

"Hosting this Summit in Malawi underscores the international recognition of President Lazarus Chakwera's transformative efforts to advance agriculture with countries and development partners acknowledging Malawi nation's leadership in this vital sector,” he said.

He added that Malawi is committed to supporting food system transformation as delegates shared experiences and best practices to strengthen food and nutritional security.

Usi, therefore, appealed to all development partners, private sectors and all stakeholders to continue supporting Malawi in various sectors including agriculture.

Minister of Agriculture, Sam Kawale, said the Summit is a call to collective action, demanding solutions that are evidence-based, regionally scalable, fiscally and environmentally sustainable and inclusive of smallholder farmers.

"The robust discussions and firm commitments that emerged ensured our food systems nourish our people while securing sustainability for future generations,” he said.

Kawale further said that climate shocks such as Cyclone Freddy's devastation in 2023, which impacted 2.5 million Malawians and subsequent droughts affecting 5.7 million, highlight the urgent need for systemic change.

He said Malawi is responding with bold reforms such as modernizing the sector through private sector partnerships and improved targeting of smallholder farmers, digital innovations, digital farmer registry and expanded soil testing to promote climate-smart agriculture.

The Summit, which was organized by the government of Malawi, the Wold Bank and Ireland, was held from May 21 to 23, 2025 under the theme: "Making food systems transformation a reality on the ground in Eastern and Southern Africa.