By George Mponda

Mzuzu, March 11, Mana: Police in Karonga have arrested Victor Msukwa, 34 for allegedly taking part in the murder of Christopher Ngonya at Kasewe Village in the area of Traditional Authority Mwakaboko in the district.

According to Public Relations Officer for Karonga Police Station, Margret Msiska, police arrested the suspect on March 9, 2025 following a tip from the public.

“According to investigations, Ngonya's son died after a short illness on January 23, 2025 and community members started accusing him of having bewitched his son.

“On January 25, 2025, after the burial ceremony, some villagers mobilized themselves and took Ngonya into a bush 10 meters away from his house and he was never seen again," said Msiska.

She added that a well-wisher on January 27, 2025, led police to the scene of crime where the body was exhumed in a decomposed state.

"It seems on this fateful day, Ngonya was assaulted, burnt and buried with banana suckers planted on top of his grave,” she explained.

Msukwa is the third suspect to be arrested on the same issue following the arrest of Gift Chawinga, 24 and Emmanuel Mwandambo, 34 in February.

Police in the district appeal to people to provide them with information that can lead to the arrest of the remaining suspects who are currently on the run.

Msukwa is expected to appear before court to answer a murder charge which is contrary to Section 209 of the Penal Code.

The suspect hails from Mwenilera Village in the area of Traditional Authority Mwakaboko in Karonga.

By Aliko Munde

Chitipa, March 11, Mana: Chitipa District Council, on Tuesday approved a K22 billion budget for the 2025/2026 fiscal year.

The budget has been revised upwards from last year’s financial plan which was about K19 billion.

Chairperson for Chitipa District Council Finance and Audit Committee, Saidi Lwanja, said that the budget has been pegged at K22.974, 329, 479, representing an increase of 15 percent.

He attributed the budget increase partly to inclusion of new projects in the budget.

“The budget has been increased because we have included new projects and these projects include Regional Climate Resilient Project, Health Centre Rehabilitation Project besides increased wage bill,” Lwanja said.

The Chairperson of the Chitipa District Civil Society Organization Network, Patrick Ziba, described the budget as a positive investment in development.

“The budget is good but there is need for the council to prioritize infrastructure development, health and education,” Ziba said.

By Brenda Nkosi

Blantyre, March 11, Mana: To control the sky-rocking prices of goods on the market, government is considering introducing an Essential Commodities Bill that will state how much basic and specific goods should be sold.

Minister of Trade, Vitumbiko Mumba said this on Tuesday when he toured Small and Medium Enterprises Development Institute (SMEDI) centres in Phalombe and Blantyre Chatha.

The Minister said price capping is difficult because Malawi is a liberal market but said at the moment the economy is divided.

“Without trade or industry there is no economy. The industry at the moment is divided as we have the black market economy and formal market. We need to work on these divisions,” said Mumba.

The Minister alleged that the promotion of the black market is not by Malawians.

“The people behind division of the economy are the ones behind the unfair price adjustments that the country is experiencing,” he said.

The Minister said the Sugar Bill was drafted because of such problems as the producers have no control beyond distributors.

The Minister therefore said we need to grow SMEs and local industries so they own the market and called them to improve on standard, quality and consistency.

“Cooperatives should first market their products in Malawi before we talk of exporting. It is our responsibility as a country to provide a favourable market for them against international products,” he said.

Acting Chief Executive Officer for SMEDI, Chezani Otaniele said they are working on improvement of products.

“We are missing out a lot because of standard, quality and quantity. An example is at our leather factory, we fail to meet the demand of boots for the Malawi Defense Force which is a missed opportunity in business,” he said.

By Pickson Chipeso and Patience Longwe

Lilongwe, March 11, Mana: The National Programme Coordinator at Farming Access for Rural Markets Smallholders and Enterprises (FARMSE), Dixon Ngwende, stated that through collaborative efforts, FARMSE and its partners have delivered impactful services, empowering individuals, strengthening livelihoods, and fostering sustainable economic growth.

Speaking at a FARMSE Innovation Symposium on Tuesday at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) Ngwende said the innovations have facilitated an increase in access points for financial services, including mobile banking services that enable users to receive and send money, make payments and register with financial service providers.

He added that the symposium highlighted success stories, lessons learned, and the tangible benefits communities have experienced through FARMSE-supported innovations, stating that these initiatives have introduced digital financial products, bridged gaps in financial services, and created inclusive economic opportunities.

“Inclusive financial systems are not just about transactions; they are about transforming lives, promoting resilience, and fostering economic empowerment. Sustainable financial inclusion requires continuous innovation, strategic partnerships, and a shared commitment to reaching the most underserved,” he said.

The Secretary to the Treasury at the Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Development, Dr. Betchani Tchereni said a flagship initiative of the government aims to reduce poverty, enhance livelihoods and improve the resilience of rural households by increasing access to sustainable financial services.

"The program targets 1.5 million households nationwide, with a special emphasis on women and youth.

“Malawi has made notable progress in financial inclusion, with the percentage of adults accessing financial services rising from 54% in 2014 to 88% in 2023. Digital financial services, particularly mobile money and agent banking, have played a crucial role in this growth," he said.

He, therefore pointed out that there is still a need to deepen access beyond basic services. The government and stakeholders must work together to expand access to credit, insurance and investment products, ensuring that rural communities can fully participate in the economy.

 The IFAD Country Director, Bernadette Mukonyora, stated that rural financial inclusion remains a fundamental pillar of sustainable development in Malawi, where most of the population relies on agriculture and informal enterprises. She emphasized that access to appropriate financial services can significantly enhance productivity, resilience, and livelihoods.

However, rural communities have historically faced systemic barriers, including geographical constraints, limited financial literacy, and stringent banking requirements, which have hindered their participation in the formal financial sector.

"While progress has been made, with Malawi’s financial inclusion standing at 88% of the adult population, according to the 2023 FinScope Demand Survey, gaps in the range and depth of available financial services remain a challenge. The responsibility of addressing these gaps does not rest on any single entity, it requires concerted efforts from government, financial institutions, regulators, and development partners," she said.

She added that development partners play a catalytic role in fostering financial inclusion through innovation. At IFAD, they recognize that sustainable rural finance solutions must be inclusive, accessible, and scalable.

"By Providing strategic funding and technical assistance: development partners such as IFAD invest in pilot initiatives that financial institutions may consider too risky in their initial stages. Through the FARMSE Programme, IFAD has facilitated the development and scaling of digital financial services, micro-insurance products, agent banking, and community-based financial organizations (CBFOs). By de-risking investments in these innovations, IFAD through the FARMSE Programme has enabled the private sector to adopt and expand successful rural finance models,” said Mukonyora.

The event encouraged stakeholders to engage actively, share insights and explore new opportunities that will shape the future of financial inclusion, as the financial landscape continues to evolve, the collective goal remains to build a system where no one is left behind.

By Charlie Ligomeka

Machinga, March 10, Mana – Two people have died in a road accident when a motorcycle they were riding on, collided with a minibus on Liwonde-Zomba, M3 road in Machinga on Monday evening.

Police in Machinga identified the two as; Mussa Bwanausi, 32, and Biliati Cassim, 28, both from Katete Village, Traditional Authority Malemia in Zomba.

Machinga Police Public Relations Officer, Sergeant Western Kansire said the accident happened at Chingoli Village, along the M3 road on Monday around 18:35 hours when a Toyota Hiace minibus registration number CK 8724, driven by Ndaona Bwenzani, 40 was heading to Liwonde from Zomba direction lost control while avoiding a pothole.

“The minibus then collided head-on with the unregistered motorcycle, ridden by Mussa Bwanausi, who had Biliati Cassim as his passenger. The impact of the collision was severe, leaving both the rider and his passenger with critical head injuries,

“The two were pronounced dead upon arrival at Machinga District Hospital,” Machinga Police publicist added and further explained that the minibus driver sustained minor injuries, while passengers escaped unhurt.

He said the driver is currently in police custody pending court proceedings as he is expected to answer charges of causing death by reckless driving.

Bwenzani comes from Kalonga Village, Traditional Authority Mponda in Mangochi.

By Solister Mogha

Zomba, March 10, Mana: World Bank mission has commended Zomba District Council for implementing Social Support for Resilient Livelihoods Project (SSRLP) to the satisfaction of the mission.

Senior Social Protection Officer for the Bank, Chipo Msowoya on Monday expressed satisfaction on the implementation of SSRLP during the mission's engagement with some of Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP) and Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CS-EPWP) participating communities at Sambaisa catchment in Zomba where the participating communities also organise themselves into Village Savings and Loan groups.

Msowoya said, based on the interactions, it was evident enough that the objectives of the SSRP   were being achieved.

“It is exciting to hear from participating communities on how they are benefiting from the programme and also how activities under the programme are benefiting and improving their likelihoods,” added Msowoya.

He said the mission whose main objective was to understand how the SSRLP was being implemented and impacting on Malawians is confident of the sustainability of the programme and long lasting structures.

Under the SSRLP, Malawi Government with support from the multi donor Trust Fund is implementing social support activities that are meant to end ultra-poverty while building resilience amongst rural population listed in SSRP.

Executive Director for National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC) Dr, Kondwani Santhe whose team joined the mission said the essence of the trip was also meant to appreciate successes and challenges in the implementation of social support programmes.

“We are not here for fault finding. We are here to appreciate successes and challenges and together, find solutions to impending issues,” he added and explained that all issues discussed during the interactions with the community and Zomba District Council officials have been noted and will be looked into.

District Commissioner for Zomba, Reinghard Chavula expressed gratitude for the bank and the whole Multi donor Trust Fund team for visiting the district to appreciate SSRLP implementation.

Chavula said people in Zomba were committed to work hard in all the social protection programmes, observing that programmes have transformed a lot of lives through active participation.

"To be honest with you, the money under the social protection is making a huge impact on people in Zomba. Many have joined Village Savings and Loans groups such that they establish small scale businesses to support themselves,” she said.

Before Zomba, the mission also visited Machinga District Council where it also appreciated SSRLP implementation.

By Nellie Nyirenda

Blantyre, March 10, Mana: Malawi Union for Informal Sector (MUFIS) is conducting nationwide training sessions for small scale business people and those in the informal labour market to cope with economic hardships that has affected businesses and livelihoods.

Executive General Secretary, Mwanda Chiwambala told Malawi News Agency on Sunday that MUFIS intends to support the informal sector through series of trainings to ensure adequate knowledge and skills to deal with economic challenges.

“The economic hardship has made it very hard for a lot of people in the informal sector, especially those running small businesses, to stabilise,” Chiwambala said.

In line with government policies, he said that MUFIS remains committed to protecting livelihoods of those in the informal sector, adding that the union will continue providing proactive measurers in the wake of inflation.

He assured the members that MUFIS will continue to be a beacon of hope for those that depend on small-scale entrepreneurship to sustain their families and to serve communities.

“We train our members in small groups, where they learn innovative approaches to secure micro-loans among themselves. By providing this tailored support, MUFIS aims to not only stabilise individual businesses but also to strengthen the overall economic fabric of the nation during a period of significant financial downturn,” he added.

A MUFIS member at Chirimba Market in Blantyre, Annie Masanza expressed gratitude to the union for supporting members to adapt to the hard economic times.

“It has been so difficult for small business people like us to stay afloat during tough economic times. I want to thank MUFIS for teaching us the importance of relying on each other and for the support they provide,” said Masanza.

MUFIS came into being in the year 2000, and it has 18,000 members across Malawi where members are engaged in fruit, vegetable, maize, groundnuts selling, second hand clothes, grocery shops, farm, flower selling, small holder tea growing in Mulanje and cooperative farming in Chitipa and Karonga.

By Pempho Nkhoma

Blantyre, March 10, Mana: Mental Health Awareness Hub (MeHA) has organized a mental health awareness campaign on Friday March 14 at Blantyre Secondary School (BSS) to promote mental wellbeing among individuals.

The campaign targets students and teachers at BSS and will be held under the theme; Healthy minds, happy lives.

Founder of MeHA, Bright Kanola, said the hub always hold online awareness sessions and thought of organising a physical session to accommodate others that have no access to online platforms.

“Many people are not aware that mental health issues cover wide range of areas, including depression, substance abuse and addiction, stress, anxiety, gambling addiction among others. This event will cover some areas mentioned above to sensitize people to know when and where to seek for help,” he said.

Kanola therefore urged the general public to be open and seek support whenever they struggle with mental health issues like, stress, depression and having thoughts of committing suicide.

“Reach out to a trusted friend, family member, or mental health professional, and let them help you find the strength to keep going. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness but strength,” he added.

Other activities like quiz and drama will be used to deliver mental health information to the attendees.

One of the speakers for the event, Funny Chapalapata, urged people to patronize the event saying prioritising mental health discussing sessions is of high importance for a health mind and happy living.

“We will tackle topics like; substance use disorders directed to the students and stress related disorders directed to workers. This is because we have seen that due to stress workers in different institutions have not been able to perform productively. Mental health awareness provides chance to identity stressors and help those stressed with good coping skills to ensure quality outcome,” she said.

Other speakers that will have presentations on different topics include Elizer Kanyika, Willard Waile, Pilirani Kumundayayi, Alice Phiri, Glory Benson, Rosemary Mkumba,

This is the second physical mental health awareness session organised by MeHA, the first one was held in October 2024 at Ngumbe Secondary School in Chileka.