MANAonline
Minister warns against vandalism in schools
By Abubakar Kanjoka
Kasungu, March 16, Mana: Minister of Education, Madalitso Kambauwa Wirima, has warned against acts of vandalism in secondary schools saying government will not hesitate to expel students involved in hooliganism and close the schools.
Wirima said this at Mphomwa Community Day Secondary School (CDSS) in Kasungu on Thursday during a tour to appreciate construction of school blocks and laboratories under the Equity with Quality and Learning at Secondary (EQUALS) project in various schools in the district.
Kambauwa said acts of vandalism affect the ministry’s ability to deliver quality education as the malpractice results to destruction of the learning environment and materials, leading to premature closure of schools.
She said: "It is very devastating to see children destroying the already inadequate school property for reasons which can be easily sorted out, thereby risking their future by being chased away from school. That’s why we condemn acts of vandalism in strongest terms.
"The ministry will not tolerate any kind of misconduct from the learners, and we will work tirelessly with the teachers and all the concerned parties to get rid of all the undisciplined learners. It is also my appeal to parents and guardians to instil discipline in their children right away from home to behave morally."
The Minister expressed satisfaction with progress of the projects, saying they are being completed in accordance with the expectations and will help create a conducive environment for both teachers and learners thereby ensuring promotion of quality education.
Agnes Phiri, a Form Two student at Mphomwa CDSS expressed joy over the laboratory block being constructed at the school, saying it will help her and other students to perform well in science subjects once it is completed.
"We, currently, have challenges to experiment sessions because we do not have a laboratory. Sometimes we fail to conduct other experiments due to absence of materials and a laboratory room.
“So, construction of the laboratory block is a huge encouragement to the entire student community,” she said.
According to Innocent Kaipa, a foreman for Sanga Construction Company which is undertaking construction work at the school, the project is expected to be completed by the end of this month.
With financial support from the World Bank, government of Malawi is implementing EQUALS project with an aim to improve Science and Mathematics instruction in CDSSs and increase access to secondary education in selected remote areas.
Chichewa HIV treatment literacy training manual launched
By Sarah Munthali
Lilongwe, March 15, Mana: Just Associates Southern Africa (JASS SNA), a global feminist movement building and strengthening organization, on Thursday launched a Chichewa HIV treatment literacy manual.
The manual, developed in collaboration with Our Bodies Our lives (OBOL) movement, Coalition of Women living with HIV and Aids (COWLA) and Malawi Network of religious leaders living or personally affected by HIV and Aids (MANERELA+), aims at meeting needs of women affected by HIV and AIDS, enabling them to make informed decisions about their health and assert their rights in treatment options.
Speaking during the launch Regional Director for JASS Southern Africa, Phumi Mthethwa, said the launch of the manual is a milestone because issues related to HIV treatment can be communicated in a language spoken in Malawi.
“We launched the English manual in 2019 and we are launching the Chichewa manual now. Having heard women’s experiences at community level, we want to ensure that HIV treatment issues are communicated in a language they understand,” she said.
The manual covers three key thematic areas of treatment, adherence and understanding which medication does what to the body and what happens if you stop taking treatment, understanding the functions of the woman body and what it requires.
Mthethwa said HIV treatment does not guarantee a health and a well-being hence the manual also covers issues to do with gender and preparedness measures in relation to disaster such as cyclones and other weather effects.
She, therefore, said government should provide adequate health care to HIV positive women by ensuring that hospitals are functioning and have adequate medicines.
According to Malawi Country Coordinator for JASS, Sibongile Chibwe Singini, the manual addresses women's holistic health needs, enabling them to advocate for comprehensive healthcare solutions.
“The manual, the first-ever grassroots feminist treatment literacy manual in Malawi, is a testament to the dedication and vision of OBOL women. It is designed to meet the diverse needs of women affected by HIV and AIDS, enabling them to make informed decisions about their health and assert their rights in navigating treatment options,” she said.
Northern Regional Coordinator for OBOL, Tiwonge Gondwe, said most women in rural communities are illiterate hence the manual will help them understand issues with HIV and AIDS and how they can take care of their bodies.
“Most health personnel don’t have enough time to explain everything about HIV treatment to women and most women are just taking Antiretroviral drugs and do not understand what these drugs do to their bodies hence high default rate.
“This manual contains all the information and this will greatly address all issues affecting women living with HIV and AIDS,” said Gondwe.
HIV Care and Treatment Officer in the Ministry of Health, Brown Chiwandira commended JASS SNA for initiatives aimed at supporting women living with HIV and AIDS in the country, saying the launch of the manual complements government’s efforts of providing information to the community.
In Malawi, JASS SNA has actively supported OBOL women's movement for over 15 years advocating for accountability and improved healthcare for HIV positive individuals.
Chakwera impressed with operations at Tropha's Kaweche Farm
By Rose Cross Mahorya
Mzuzu, March 15, Mana: President Lazarus Chakwera has said the 520-hectare Tropha Estate Limited’s Kaweche Farm in Mzimba District falls within government’s vision of promoting establishment of private mega estates in the county.
Speaking at Ekwendeni Trading Centre after visiting the estate, Chakwera said his government is impressed with how the estate works and would like other stakeholders in the agriculture sector to meet similar standards.
“The main idea behind the private mega farm is to create opportunity for increased agriculture production and value addition, thereby increasing exports earnings for generation of forex.
“Mega farms will also help in addressing food security challenges and poverty in the country. However, this can work only if we put in place proper regulations to ensure that our products satisfy global markets, as is the case at the farm which I have just visited,” said Chakwera.
He then assured the gathering that government is doing everything possible to ensure that more people benefit from the private mega farm initiative.
Traditional Authority Mtwalo commended Chakwera for visiting the estate, which he said is a model in the northern region and the country as a whole since it has provided employment to over 1,000 workers.
“This estate has 1,000 employees, aside boosting agricultural businesses for over 2,000 farmers who are working in partnership with it.
“As a district, we are ready to support government in the mega farm initiative which we are sure will benefit us all,” said Mtwalo.
Tropha Estate Limited Managing Director Duncan McDavid thanked government for supporting the mega farm initiative, which encourages communities to work in partnership with such institutions.
" We grow and process and export Macadamia Nuts Chilies, Paprika and Piripiri in partnership with about 2,500 small holder farmers that we work with,” explained McDavid.
Earlier, Minister of Agriculture Sam Kawale said his ministry is doing everything possible to support, with required expertise, people who are interested to venture into the mega farm initiative.
During the visit, the President was accompanied by First Lady Monica Chakwera, Former Vice President Khumbo Kachali and other government officials.
Malawi exports about 17,000 metric tonnes of Macadamia Nuts, and this contributes about K40 billion to the country's export earnings annually.
Agri-Energy Delivery Labs’ resolution hints on solar pricing
By Leonard Masauli
Lilongwe, March 15, Mana: The Energy and Agri-energy delivery Lab meeting in Lilongwe has hinted on the high pricing of solar materials importation, saying this is affecting agricultural production.
In a closing ceremony of a nine-day meeting on Thursday under Presidential Delivery Unit, the Deputy Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr Janet Banda said farmers are not able to buy solar equipment and other materials due to prices.
“In this Agro-energy lab, what we were looking for was affordability and sustainability of solar equipment especially that is used in the agricultural sector. What we have noted is that equipment is very expensive, and farmers are not able to buy proper equipment and they end up buying equipment which is not certified.
“Secondly, most people using solar equipment are not trained and for that reason when the equipment breaks down maintenance becomes a challenge. And as a solution we have agreed as a lab to lobby treasury in the next budget to revise VAT attached to solar equipment so that it is affordable to farmers,” said Banda.
Representative of cooperative- solar users in Malawi, Amadi Alide, said farmers face challenges in availability of equipment that can effectively be reliable and durable and as a result the farmers spend a lot of money for maintenance before they realize profits.
“Government has put a waiver on solar equipment but when our solar have malfunctioned the VAT charged to procure spares are exorbitant which denies us farmers to fix our equipment hence affecting our agricultural work,” said Alide.
The Agri-energy Delivery Lab was organized by Presidential Delivery Unit (PDU) with financial support from Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP)
Lilongwe City Council bemoans shortage of vehicles
By Moses Nyirenda
Lilongwe, March 14, Mana: Lilongwe City Council (LCC) says it is facing a shortage of vehicles to support its enforcement department to do the work of promoting sanity in Lilongwe City.
Briefing journalists on Thursday in Lilongwe, Lilongwe City Mayor Councilor Richard Banda said the council's enforcement department has one vehicle, a situation which he said hinders the enforcement works by the department.
“The enforcement team is facing various challenges to do its work because of the problem of transportation, as there is only one car for enforcement and it is very challenging for the enforcement team to cover the whole city using one car,” Banda said.
He added that LCC is in need of at least five vehicles, special for its enforcement department, in order for the department to effectively deliver required enforcement works in Lilongwe.
According to the mayor, currently LCC enforcers have managed to remove 80 percent of the vendors who were operating in unauthorized places in the town of Lilongwe, adding that the enforcers would do more with enough vehicles.
He, therefore, appealed to well-wishers, including Lilongwe City residents, to support the city council in the procurement of vehicles for the council's enforcement division.
“We appeal to the well-wishers and residents to support us; we need more vehicles to give our enforcers to do the enforcement work wherever they want in the city,” Banda said.
In his comment, one of the Lilongwe City residents, Simon Sande, said it is pathetic to see the council struggling with the issue of vehicles to do its operations.
“Each and every day the council collects revenue, and it's failing to buy vehicles for effective operations aimed at bringing sanity in the city. How can the whole city of Lilongwe rely on one vehicle? It is pathetic,” Sande said.
He advised LCC to properly utilize the revenue it collects from Lilongwe City residents in order to purchase the vehicles which the council requires.
Malawi commemorates World Kidney Day
By Sarah Munthali
Lilongwe, March 14, Mana: Lack of awareness, trained healthcare workers and treatment modalities have contributed to disparities in accessing treatment for kidney failure in the country.
Malawi is also experiencing a rise in kidney problems due to limited access to diagnosis and specialized care, leading to an increase in rate of people requiring dialysis services.
The situation is a concern as only two government hospitals, namely Kamuzu and Queen Elizabeth Central, are the only providers of the dialysis services in the country.
Expressing her concern during the commemoration marking World Kidney Day held at Likuni Boys Ground in Lilongwe on Thursday, Deputy Minister of Health Halima Daud emphasized the need for people to prevent kidney failure by eating right and going for regular medical checkups.
“Three hundred people are diagnosed with kidney failure and on the World Kidney Day, as a ministry, we want to raise awareness about the disease and how people can prevent it.
“We are empowering patients and communities about kidney risk factors, such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity, enhancing health literacy about healthy lifestyle choices, self-care and promoting long term adherence to treatment,” she explained.
Daud further said people with chronic kidney disease do not get coordinated care as they have to be referred to several departments and institutions to get appropriate care, saying this results in delay in seeking help and shortened life span.
“As a country, we are doing all we can to provide care for people requiring dialysis services and soon government will install a dialysis machine at Mzuzu Central Hospital to ensure that people in the northern region don’t travel to Lilongwe to access these services,” said Daud.
Malawi Kidney Foundation Board Chairperson Samuel Gumulire said most Malawians mistake kidney failure as any other disease, and they do not seek medical services.
“Medicines for kidney failure are expensive and delays in diagnosis of kidney failure by hospitals have led to an increase in many people seeking for medical help when it’s too late and we call on government to address these issues and raise more awareness,” Gumulire said.
A nephrologist (specialist doctor in kidney diseases) at Kamuzu Central Hospital Kidney Unit, Dr Mercy Mkandawire, said the late diagnosis of kidney failure in patients is the main challenge faced by the Unit.
“We have many people seeking medical care when it's too late and so far lack of enough kidney specialists is a burden to tackling the disease,” she said.
She also warned people against using herbs as a cure for kidney failure, saying herbal medicines exacerbate the problem.
During the meeting, the deputy minister also launched a renal protocol guideline, a document aimed at providing guidance on the management of kidney disease in the country.
The World Kidney Day was commemorated under the theme, ‘Kidney Health for All: Advancing Equitable Access to Care and Optimal Medication Practice’.
The event was supported by institutions such as Partners in Health, Malawi Red Cross Society and Civil Society Organization Nutrition Alliance, among others.
2 arrested for burglary and theft in Dowa
By Sylvester Kumwenda
Dowa, March 14, Mana: Police in Dowa on Wednesday arrested two people at Dzaleka Refugee Camp for breaking and stealing items worth K3,650,000, which the police have since recovered.
Dowa Police Station Public Relations Officer Alice Sitima has identified the two as habitual criminal Steven Banda, 24, and Dera Levi, 30.
Sitima said on Sunday evening, 46-year-old Congolese national Ndume Makanjali reported to Dzaleka Police Unit that his house had been broken into by unknown criminals who went away with a 32-inch plasma television worth K340,000.
“After confirming the incident at the crime scene, the police, while conducting patrols around the camp, intercepted Banda, carrying a sack-bag and, after a search, found the plasma television in question and a Techno cellphone.
“Upon interrogations, Banda admitted having committed the offense together with his accomplices whom he said used sharp objects to open a window. Further police investigations led to the arrest of his accomplice, Levi, and recovery of other items,” she said.
According to Sitima, the other recovered items include a Lifan motorcycle, a 32-inch Samsung plasma screen, two LED televisions, LG subwoofer, solar panel, and smart phones, amongst others.
Sitima has since said the two are in police custody and will appear in court soon to answer charges of burglary and theft.
Banda hails from Chinsapo Township in area of Traditional Authority (T/A) Malili in Lilongwe while Levi is from Mambala Village, T/A Mkukula in Dowa.
Woman pours hot water on husband in Dowa
By Sylvester Kumwenda
Dowa, March 14, Mana: Police in Dowa have arrested a 40-year-old woman for injuring her husband by pouring hot water on him after accusing him of having an extramarital affair.
Public Relations Officer for Dowa Police Station, Alice Sitima, said the woman, identified as Fanny Kapale from Doda Village in area of Traditional Authority Nkhumba in Phalombe District, is suspected to have committed the crime on March 13, 2024 at Mtimaukanena Village in Dowa.
Sitima said the victim, Joseph Billy Ngozo, 53, who is a guard and a businessman, reported to have met his fate upon arriving at his home after he went to collect money from his customers.
“When Ngozo went back home purportedly late, his wife got angry and started shouting and accusing him that he was late because he was having an extra-marital affair within the village.
“However, the husband tried to reason with her but to no avail. Subsequently, Kapale took a pot containing hot water and poured the water onto the chest and stomach of her husband, leaving him seriously injured,” said Sitima.
She said the matter was reported to Matowe Police Unit, which referred the victim to Dzaleka Health Centre for treatment.
The police publicist said Kapale will appear before court soon to answer a charge of acts intended to cause grievous harm.
Ripple Africa bails out flood survivors in Nkhotakota
By Innocent Chunga
Nkhotakota, March 14, Mana: Ripple Africa on Wednesday donated assorted relief items to the recent flash flood survivors sheltered in three camps at a non-operational private secondary school at Ngala in the area of Senior Chief Kanyenda in Nkhotakota.
Ripple Africa District Project Coordinator Getrude Odala said being part of a development partner in the district, they felt it was necessary to assist people that have been affected by the recent floods in the district.
She said they have provided food, non-food and sanitary items, including maize flour, cooking oil, sugar, soap and tents all valued at K5 million to ease the stay of the survivors at the camp.
"We have made the donation after our concern with the disaster which has affected people, and we hope that the items will address some of the challenges which are being faced here," said Odala.
Acting Disaster and Risk Management Officer for Nkhotakota District Council, George Zibophe, called on well-wishers, companies, and various organizations to continue assisting with urgent needs those that have been affected.
Zibophe said there are plans to fully support the recent flash flood survivors in readiness for decommissioning of the camps.
"We are registering those that have been affected and the government through the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) is planning to distribute relief items to each and every household to assist them when they return to their communities," said Zibophe.
Village Headman Semion Kanyenda welcomed the plans by the district council, adding that the donation they have received from Ripple Africa has come at the camp at the right time.
Some of the people at the camp were staying at Matiki and Nyavuwu Primary Schools but have been moved to Ngala, for provision of education to continue in the public education facilities in the district.
M’mbelwa Office Complex, Stadium to be complete by end of year
By Joel Phiri
Mzimba, March 14, Mana: Senior architect in the Buildings Department, Christopher Lindeire, has assured President Lazarus Chakwera that construction of a four-story M’mbelwa Office Complex worth K1.8 billion, which commenced in 2018, would be completed by end this year.
Speaking on Thursday when he briefed Chakwera during a tour of the project which is under construction, Lindeire said almost all construction works of the complex office have been completed.
“As you can see, the whole structural elements of this building are complete. What we are largely remaining with are finishing touches, such as plater which we are currently working on,” said Lindeire.
He added that upon completion, the office complex, which has 60 offices, will house all ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) working under M’mbelwa District Council.
“The project was initially pegged at K1.8 billion but has been revised to K4.1 billion and we are awaiting approval from the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority (PPDA) on this and once approval is granted, we expect to finish everything by the end of 2024,” he said.
Before touring the M’mbelwa District Council Office Complex, the President earlier toured 20,000 capacity M’mbelwa Stadium construction project.
Initial cost of the stadium construction was pegged at K2.5 billion and revised to K7 billion, which is also awaiting PPDA approval.
The President was accompanied by First Lady Monica Chakwera, Vice President Saulos Chilima and former Vice President Khumbo Kachali.
Government of Malawi is constructing the two projects through Ministry of Local Government, Unity and Culture.
