By Tikondane Vega

Lilongwe, March 20, Mana: Local artisans in the country have commended government for providing them a platform where they can showcase their skills saying the opportunity has created room for growth.

In separate interviews with Malawi News Agency (MANA) in Phalombe, Thyolo and Mangochi, where they are constructing classroom blocks under the Malawi Education Reform Programme (MERP), the artisans said the work has put them in a spot where many people have developed trust in them.

Alex Wittika, who has just completed constructing school blocks at Dzenje Primary School in Phalombe District, said the opportunity is a breakthrough to not only him but also the community.

“Previously, there has been an underestimation of the potential of the artisans like us, which can play a significant part in our country. What government has done to give us a chance to construct school blocks is a game changer in our career.

“This has exposed us to other stakeholders who also need our services. Artisans face several challenges like job inconsistencies but finally government has opened opportunities for us,” said Wittika.

Ken Matias, a local artisan based in Thyolo district and is currently constructing classes at Mikalati Primary School, concurred with Wittika saying the platform has enabled people to see great work done by local artisans.

He said the contract has enabled him to employ other people who are helping him construct classrooms while others are bringing sand as well as water as part of their income generating activity.

“We face a lot of challenges, one of them being that people do not trust that we can make high standard infrastructure but government has trusted us. We were lacking a platform to prove ourselves that we can also deliver.

“Previously, contracts from government were landing in the hands of a few people while local artisans were not allowed to grow. The step taken by government is commendable,” he said.

Another local artisan, Stanley Chiwalo, who is constructing classroom blocks at Chiusi Primary School in Mangochi, said if government can continue empowering local artisans, the country has the potential to create jobs within localities thereby contributing to social and economic development of the country.

Government through Ministry of Education is implementing MERP with support from the World Bank and the Global Partnership on Education.

By Sheminah Nkhoma

Lilongwe, March 19, Mana: Minister of Natural Resources and Climate Change, Dr Owen Chomanika, has urged civil society organisation (CSOs) to take critical actions in environmental management as  they are key players in the natural resources management and other environmental issues in the country.

Speaking during a CSO engagement session in Lilongwe on Wednesday, Chomanika said partnering with CSOs will help address the pressing challenges facing in environment, natural resources and climate change.

“We are all witnesses to the devastating impacts of climate change on our nation. From persistent droughts to severe floods and cyclones like Ana and Jude; these events have caused immense suffering in our communities and CSOs have been at the forefront to respond to these crises.

“Your ability to connect with local communities makes you invaluable in implementing solutions that are both inclusive and effective,” he said

Chomanika stated that there is need for strong partnerships with CSOs to amplify the efforts from the grassroots level  to ensure the environment is protected.

“It is high time as a country we change on how we deal with issues concerning fisheries, forest and other  natural resource management whether it is through community education campaigns, policy advocacy or direct project implementation,” he said.

Executive Director for Coordination Union for Rehabilitation of the Environment (CURE), Charles Mkoka, said they are many challenges that have affected the environment like ecosystem degradation and forest degradation so coming together will help to find long term solutions.

“It is not the duty of government alone to protect the environment but CSOs also have a role to play in management of the environment,” said Mkoka.

The session aimed  at building a sustainable future for Malawi by leveraging the unique strengths and contributions of CSOs.

By Brian Wasili             

Mwanza, February 19, Mana: Mangochi and Machinga district council officials toured Mwanza on a learning visit to tap knowledge on how the district manages Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programmes (CS-EPWP) as a result of good coordination with participating communities in various environmental conservation activities.

Desk Officer for CS-EPWP, Idruce Kanyenda, hailed the two district councils for choosing Mwanza as their learning point saying the tour also offers knowledge sharing opportunity.

Kanyenda said this on Tuesday during a wrap up meeting to get inputs from the visiting teams after touring various catchments that conserve the environment while addressing other issues associated with climate change.

“This programme is a game changer for our communities because we are seeing great progress in reforestation, soil and water conservation and sustainable livelihoods.

“Hosting our colleagues from Mangochi and Machinga is an opportunity to share lessons and challenges as we work towards common development goals,” Kanyenda said.

In an interview with Malawi News Agency (MANA) District Project Facilitator for Mangochi, Levy Mwambakulu, described the tour as ideal saying his team is looking forward to learn from Mwanza’s experiences.

“We have similar projects back home. We were compelled to visit Mwanza after learning its progress in the programme. This has given us valuable insights,” he said.

Mwambakulu said his team learnt that good coordination with local structures and applying community driven approaches are best practices in achieving best results in implementing activities in the CS-EPWP.

He said Mangochi will take into consideration all the best practices to ably implement the programme.

District Project Facilitator for Machinga, Kingsley Pendame, commended Mwanza District Council for its effective execution of the programme.

“We are particularly impressed with how the communities here are actively involved in the implementation of these projects. The community ownership and commitment we have seen here is remarkable," Pendame said.

One of the programme participants, Elina Mofati, of Khudze Catchment at Inkosi Kanduku Maseko in the district told the visiting delegation that communities learnt a lot in environmental conservation to address land degradation for sustainable land use and crop production.

The CS-EPWP is a World Bank and Multi-Donor Trust funded programme implemented in councils by the National Local Government Finance Committee whose primary objective is to create visible, durable and quality assets within micro-catchments.

By George Mponda

Karonga, March 19, Mana: Communities in Karonga are reaping the benefits of the Climate-Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CS-EPWP) as the rainy season continues.

The CS-EPWP focuses on soil and water conservation works among other environmental interventions.

In an interview with Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Wednesday, one of the participants to the programme, Alex Mwalilino, from Sanambe Catchment said the programme has helped farmers in the district to control flow of water in their fields.

Mwalilino said through the programme, communities constructed contour ridges and canals to conserve water and reduce soil erosion.

“We did not think much of these works but now with the intensity of the rain, these conservation works will help to increase agricultural productivity besides reducing the risk of flooding.

“Rains in Karonga is unpredictable, but I have noted that the deep trenches which we dug have been holding water which is being used by my crops even during prolonged dry spells," Mwalilino said.

Another participant, Paul Kamanga, a farmer from Walamba Village in the area of Paramount Chief Kyungu said last year he lost most of his crops due to flooding.

"But this year, thanks to contour ridges and terracing, my crops are safe, and I'm expecting a bumper harvest.

 “The project has also helped me to have an economic activity through selling of organic fertilizer which I make using skills and knowledge gained from CS-EPWP," Kamanga said.

According to the Land Resource and Conservation Officer for Karonga District Council, Mirabel Munthali, the initiative has positively transformed agriculture practices in the district.

"The programme has helped increase agricultural productivity hence contributing to improved food security besides enhancing community resilience to climate change.

Karonga is prone to natural disasters like floods and dry spells but through the adoption of climate smart agriculture practices, farmers have adapted to climate related shocks," Munthali said.

By Chisomo Kambandanga

Nkhata Bay, March 19, Mana: NGO-Gender Coordination Network (NGO-GCN) has tipped female aspiring candidates in Nkhata Bay on winning campaign strategies in a bid to increase women representation in political leadership positions in the forthcoming general elections.

In an interview Tuesday after an engagement meeting with the aspiring candidates in Nkhata Bay, member for NGO-GCN Dorothy Chiumia said most women fail to make it because they lack confidence to win the hearts of people with their manifestos hence the need to bridge the gap.

She said the Network is there to empower women aspirants with effective communication skills to showcase their manifestos and ideas.

"Our emphasis is on the importance of issue-based campaign rather than handouts. This approach ensures that voters understand the value and vision of each candidate," she said.

She, therefore, assured candidates of continued support with various capacity building skills as it is their aspiration to see all of them winning.

Aspiring parliamentary candidate for Alliance for Democracy (AFORD) in Nkhata Bay West Constituency, Mercy Limbani Kaunda, described the initiative is timely saying it will accord them an opportunity to strategise on how they can sell their ideas without challenges.

"Let me urge all voters to bank their confidence in female candidates without being influenced by handouts," she said.

According to Principal Gender Development Officer for Nkhata Bay, Lawrence Matiti, there are currently only two female ward councilors and one female Member of Parliament in the district. 

He, therefore, expressed optimism that with this intervention the numbers will increase.

With support from UN Women, under the Malawi Electoral Support Programme, NGO-GCN is engaging female aspirants in Nkhata Bay, Ntchisi, Balaka and Phalombe since October last year to September this year to the tune of K153 million.

By Mercy Botha

Mzimba, March 19, Mana: Fish farmers in Mzimba District have expressed concern on exorbitant fish feed prices saying it is crippling the growth of fish farming business.

The farmers expressed the worries on Monday during a learning tour of Viphya Chambo Fisheries and Mzuzu Aquaculture Centre in Mzuzu.

The tour, organized by Farmers Union of Malawi (FUM) Mzimba Chapter and M’mbelwa District Council’s Department of Fisheries, was aimed at exposing farmers to the benefits of fish farming and provide them with hands-on experience and knowledge on how to grow fish, feed and manage them.

A fish farmer, William Kachale, from Traditional Authority (TA) M’mbelwa said he usually uses locally made fish because of the costs associated with raising fish.

“The locally made feed is of poor standard and affects growth of fish from the ponds  because standard fish feed on the market is costly at K59,000 per 25 kilogram bag for starters and K49,000 per 25 kilogram bag growers.

“We have learned that standardized feed is vital for fish production. As such, we call upon government for sustainable and affordable feed solutions to support growth of aquaculture industry in the country,” he said.

Another farmer from Mzimba, Mercy Nyirenda, expressed enthusiasm for fish farming but said the cost of feed is frustrating to most fish farmers.

“I’ve learned that fish feed is crucial for healthy and fast-growing fish, and I am eager to start using the high-quality feed in my fish farming endeavor. We appeal for reduced prices for us to be able to buy,” she said.

Deputy Director of Fisheries for Northern Region, David Mbamba, said fish farmers' challenges in accessing feed for their fingerlings will soon be a thing of the past as the region will start producing feed at Mzuzu Aquaculture Centre.

Mzuzu Aquaculture Centre has a capacity of producing 40 tonnes of feed per day.

Mbamba said despite fish farming being a lucrative venture that has the potential to generate a lot of money, exorbitant prices for fish feed is pushing a lot of farmers out of the trade.

“Having feed for fish is crucial, and we are committed to supporting farmers in accessing high-quality feed.

“We have the machinery but we lack other resources necessary to start producing the feed. So, we are negotiating with government to help us with resources needed in producing feed so that we start producing,” he said.

 Managing Director for Viphya Chambo Cooperative, Florence Mwangonde, commended the farmers for considering integrative farming and encouraged them to take up fish farming, citing its numerous benefits.

In an interview, Mwangonde pointed out the high cost of fish feed and weather as the most common challenges affecting fish farming.

She said fish feed is expensive because there are not enough companies producing fish feed which has resulted in farmer using locally made feed.

Team Leader for Mzimba Farmers Association, John Pemba, said they decided to embark on the tour to learn some tips for raising fish.

By George Mponda

Mzuzu, March 19, Mana: The Evangelical Association of Malawi (EAM) has drilled Area Development Committee (ADC) members in Karonga on anti-corruption and social accountability in a bid to promote transparency and accountability in local governance.

The training, which was conducted on Tuesday, was done in conjunction with the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).

According to EAM Advocacy Officer for Karonga, Fumbanani Mwale, the training was aimed at equipping ADC members with knowledge and skills to prevent and combat corruption in their respective areas.

He said participants have been taken through various topics, including the definition and forms of corruption, consequences of corruption, and the role of ADC members in preventing corruption.

The training also covered procedures for reporting corruption cases to ACB.

"ADC members play a critical role in ensuring that development projects are implemented in a transparent and accountable manner. They are the eyes and ears of communities and they have the responsibility to ensure that resources meant for development projects are used for their intended purpose," he said.

ACB Principal Public Education Officer, Edward Kamvabingu, noted that corruption is a major obstacle to development in Malawi.

He said corruption undermines the delivery of public services, increases inequality, and erodes trust in public institutions.

"It is always important that people should have knowledge on how to deal with corruption which is crucial in social accountability. This is important because they will be able to track projects which government is implementing through their structures," he said.

Kamvabingu, therefore, advised ADC members to closely monitor projects for them to be able to know where things are not going well and make timely collective measures.

Chairperson for Mbande ADC, Chancy Mlelemba, hailed the training saying it has equipped them with knowledge on how to hold duty bearers responsible.

"The training will also promote a culture of transparency and accountability among ADC members which is essential for promoting good governance and development in Malawi," said Mlelemba.

By Bishop Witmos

Mangochi, March 19, Mana: CARE Malawi is implementing a Multi-purpose Cash Transfer initiative under the ECHO-funded drought response project that will see about 2,420 households in three Traditional Authorities (TAs) of Chowe, Chiunda and Namabvi in Mangochi receiving immediate relief for three consecutive months.

Speaking during the distribution exercise of the first delivery of K92, 500 per household on Tuesday, Humanitarian Assistant Programs Manager for Care Malawi, Burnet Khulumbo, said the exercise is targeting households that were affected by EL Nino induced drought last year, in order to cushion them from hunger.

Khulumbo said apart from the EL Nino affected households, they will also assist those that were recently affected by Cyclone Jude with a cash cushion of K70, 000 per household and other non-food items in order to ease their suffering.

“The drought response project which will be implemented with a consortium of eight organizations in multipurpose cash transfers to households that were affected by EL Nino-induced drought, supporting them with cash assistance in three phases so that they are able to buy food,” said Khulumbo.

A total of 339 households in TA Chowe, and Sub TA Moto in Mangochi were affected by Cyclone Jude in March.

One of the affected people, Patricia Ishmaila, from Nalikolo Village, TA Chowe commended the organization for the assistance saying it will go a long way in supporting her family to make ends meet.

“The support is timely as my family had no food to eat because we harvested little last year. Apart from that, Cyclone Jude has this year affected us heavily as most of our crop fields are washed away. It is my appeal to stakeholders for more food assistance,” said Ishmaila.