By Andrew Gondwe

Chitipa, November 30, Mana: Communities in Senior Chief Mwenemisuku in Chitipa District have thanked the government for constructing Chuba Community Day Secondary School (CDSS) in partnership with the government of the United States of America (USA).

Structures at the school include four classrooms, one science laboratory room, administration and storage room. 

Speaking on Friday during the official handover of the school, Group Village Head Mwamalange said students from the area will no longer be covering long distances to Misuku CDSS.

Mwamalange said students were covering over 20 kilometers to and from Misuku CDSS and due to the long distance some students were dropping out of school.

"With this school, parents will be motivated and ensure that their children remain in school," he said.

Head Girl of Chuba CDSS, Nolia Mtambo commended government for the school and took advantage to ask government to build a girls’ hostel and provide piped water.

“We also need additional teaching and learning materials and teachers at the school for us to access quality education,” Mtambo.

A representative of Chitipa District Education Office, Mawaya Mtelekesha said that authorities will look into the requests to ensure that they are addressed.

Member of Parliament for Chitipa East Constituency, Kezzie Msukwa thanked government for constructing the school in a rural area of Misuku, which he said besides being a motivation to learners, the structure will facelift the area.

Msukwa then assured the community that government has already provided K50 million to be used to address water supply challenges at the school.

The United States Government, in partnership with the Government of Malawi, constructed the schools under the Secondary Education Expansion for Development (SEED) Project to boost access to education, especially for girls in rural areas.

By George Mponda

Karonga, November 30, Mana: Minister of Youth and Sports Uchizi Mkandawire says civic education and awareness raising are crucial for breaking the cycle of Gender Based Violence (GBV).

The Minister said this Friday in Karonga at Hara Primary School during the district launch of 2024, 16 days of activism against GBV.

"Transforming harmful social norms is central to this effort. In schools, families, and communities, we must work together to build a culture of respect, equality and peace.

"This campaign will emphasize zero tolerance for violence across all areas of society as we will all be committed to upholding this standard," Mkandawire said.

Mkandawire added that GBV survivors deserve a system that empowers them to seek justice while supporting their recovery.

"Our work must prioritize their safety, dignity, and rights by amplifying their voices, breaking down the barriers they face, and ensuring they have access to justice, health services, and economic opportunities," Mkandawire said.

On her part, District Gender Officer for Karonga District Council Ireen Mwenelupembe said the district is not doing well in combating GBV.

"As of today, we have 957 GBV cases recorded in our database and when we compare Traditional Authorities, Kyungu tops the list followed by Wasambo then Kilupula and Mwakaboko.

"There are a lot of economic violence cases happening in families, child marriages and negative cultural practices, especially in hard-to-reach areas like Fulirwa," Mwenelupembe said.

"There is a need to unite and end violence happening towards men and women by providing gender-sensitive policing, establishing safe reporting mechanisms, and improving access to legal support," she added.

The campaign which started with a parade by female security officers from Malawi Police Service, Prison and Malawi Defence Force has been launched under the theme; "Unite to end violence against women and girls in Karonga."

By Zenak Matekenya

Dedza, November 30, Mana: Minister of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare Jean Sendeza has called on Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) to consider accessing loans from National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) to promote their economic right and independence.

She made the remarks Friday at Thete in the area of Senior Chief Kachere, Dedza during the Malawi Council for Disability Affairs (MACODA) Flag Week commemoration.

The minister said PWDs have the right to economic empowerment but some of them struggle to access capital to venture into business.

“As a ministry, we are proud to be part of the NEEF committee which focuses on promoting accessible loan opportunities for people with disabilities and women ultimately aiming to enhance their livelihoods and overall wellbeing,” she said.

She urged authorities and communities to ensure the rights of people with disabilities are respected and protected at household and in community.

Later, the Minister spoke against abuses like locking up children with disabilities in houses, discriminating PWDs in safety net programmes including subsidized farm inputs and relief food distribution.

She added that PWDs also suffer social injustice by being denied access to public transport such as minibuses and sometimes they are mocked for asking reproductive health services.

The minister said dissemination of messages about the rights of persons with disability is not a man’s show but everyone’s responsibility.

MACODA Board Chairperson Alex Dzinkambani said this year’s Flag Week is critical in sensitizing communities about the 2024 Persons With Disability Act.

He explained that the Act outlines specific guidelines to safeguard the rights of people with disabilities, following the institution's name change from Malawi Council for the Handicapped (MACOHA) to MACODA to get everyone on board.

Dedza District Disability Forum Chairperson Catherine Bunya said PWDs in Dedza face different challenges including lack of access to social cash transfer and poor accessibility to infrastructure.

“People are failing to access services they are entitled to. We hope today's activity will change the mindset of different authorities in communities, public offices, Non-Governmental Organisations and all the people,” she said.

Dedza district has over 1000 PWDs.

By: Steve Chirombo

Dedza, November 29, Mana: Officer In-Charge for Dedza prison, Senior Superintendent, Chimwemwe Shaba, on Friday, said they are doing all they can in order to change the face of the facility at the same time, improve provision of services to inmates.

Shaba made the remarks during commemoration of International Human Rights Day organized by Paralegal Advisory Services Institute (PASI) with support from the Irish Rule of Law International (IRLI).

The OC said to avoid repetition of the past experience when 48 inmates were severely malnourished, the facility is now providing three meals per day.

“This includes, providing porridge to the inmates early morning, nsima at 11 a.m and at 2 p.m. We ensure provision of nutritious foods like usipa as well as soya pieces in our menu,” he said.

Shaba further stated that the facility has running water all day long to ensure there is total hygiene and are considering increasing in-door sports activities in order to enhance mental health and well-being of the inmates.

“It is our plea to well-wishers to assist us with whatever they can so that the facility changes for the better. We need food, paint, and sports materials including attires. We are also doing well in re-integration activities with the help of our partners including office of social welfare and gender,” he stated.

According to Shaba, Dedza prison is also into chicken rearing and has 21 beehives with a sole purpose of training the inmates in order to venture into such lucrative businesses once out of prison.

He said going forward a well-wisher has been identified to install one of its kind irrigation system at the facility hoping to provide fresh vegetables within and outside the facility.

On his part, IRLI Programmer Lawyer, Dr. Macdara O Drisceoil, hailed Dedza prison staff for the good working relationship while assuring the staff of their total support.

He told the inmates to realize the fundamental human rights they have while in prison.

“We will continue to enlighten you on your rights and whatever you need to do in-line with the country’s constitution so that you get the justice you deserve,” emphasized Drisceoil.

One of the inmates, Edward Kazembe, expressed gratitude with the event saying it gave a room for inmates to realize that they have rights which they need to exercise responsibly for justice to prevail.

“Let me also state hear that the facility is indeed abiding by the fundamental human rights as stated already. We are eating three times a day and that when one falls sick, they receive necessary healthcare,” said Kazembe.

PASI Team Leader for Central Region, Alfred Muunika, said the event was aimed at reminding the inmates of their fundamental human rights within and outside prison.

“This also created a platform for inmates to engage with duty bearers on issues related to the justice delivery system. Key concerns raised included delayed justice and the high number of individuals on remand. According to our panelists comprising representatives from the police, courts, and civil society; these issues have been and will continue to be addressed," he said.

Dedza prison has 236 inmates and out of the figure, 158 are on remand awaiting trial.

The International Human Rights Day at Dedza prison was commemorated under the theme: “Our Rights, Our Future-Right Now!!”

By Stella Mwalwanda

Mzuzu, November 29, Mana: The construction of underground tunnels for service providers is a key strategy to reduce congestion caused by utility infrastructure in urban areas, both above ground and in open spaces.

These tunnels are accessed through manholes, which serve as entry points for various purposes, including the maintenance and repair of equipment and facilities.

However, in Mzuzu City most manholes are uncovered, turning into waste dumping pits besides posing danger to road users.

In an interview with Malawi News Agency, recently, Public Relations Manager for Northern Region Water Board (NRWB), Edward Nyirenda said some manholes are uncovered due to vandalism and theft adding that in some cases, manhole covers are destroyed by heavy traffic in places where they are placed.

“Currently, we are working on replacing and installing all damaged manhole covers across our supply area using up to date locking mechanism and antitheft devices.

Maintenance is usually within three to six months and we also conduct regular patrols and monitoring of such structures,” said Nyirenda

Nyirenda noted that uncovered manholes pose a risk to water supply pipes, potentially leading to damage that can disrupt the availability, reliability, and sustainability of the board’s services.

Public Relations Officer for Mzuzu City Council, McDonald Gondwe said that the council has never engaged the service providers on the issues.

He, however said that the council alert road users to follow precaution measures to avoid accidents due to the uncovered manholes.

“The uncovered manholes pose a risk to all road users as they are turned into hideouts for thieves and waste dumping places,” said Gondwe.

One of the road users, Osman Mkumbwa said that he wished that the manholes were far from the pedestrians walking sides so that people don’t fall into such unsafe holes.

By Stella Mwalwanda

Mzuzu, November 29, Mana: Clinical Director of Saint John of God (SJOG), Michael Nyirenda on Thursday urged Nyika Media Club members to be involved in raising awareness on mental health issues.

Nyirenda was speaking in Mzuzu during Mental Health and Psychosocial First Aid Orientation which SJOG organized for the journalists.

He said media is a major stakeholder in dissemination of information on several issues let alone mental health issues.

“Media personnel need to understand what mental health is all about before taking the message to the public.

“Mental health is not a mental illness and everyone might have a mental health issue once in a while and this needs to be taken as a priority,” said Nyirenda.

One of the clinicians at SJOG, Zondiwe Banda said that stigma and discrimination are some of the issues that discourage people from disclosing their mental health issues, hence delaying in accessing assistance,” Banda.

Banda then added that the media is a powerful tool through which such messages can the taken to wider audience.

“We can deal with mental health problems through awareness, hence this training aims at mentoring journalists into information disseminators as far as mental health problems are concerned,” said Banda.

One of the participants, Ennet Chitsulo described the training as being helpful to the media as it will widen the media reporting spheres for the country’s development.

By Maria Tembo

Ntchisi, November 29, 2024, Mana: People in Ntchisi say they are impressed with the digital financial services being implemented by the government across the country.

The remarks were made during a monitoring tour at Malomo trading center to appreciate a digital financial services campaign which the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs in collaboration with the Reserve Bank of Malawi is conducting in the district.

Rose Maseko, a business woman at Malomo trading center said digital financial services will help small business operators secure their money as most of them barely use the services due to among others lack of knowledge on digital financial services.

She thanked government for the initiative and hoped for the service to help in boosting people’s businesses.

"We are living in an era of technology and I believe that the use of digital financial services will help us to easily buy and sell products as it is easy, reliable and fast," she said.

Maseko however expressed concern over poor mobile network connectivity and long distances covered to access banking services saying these will discourage people from using digital financial services.

"People in most parts of the district fail to access mobile money transactions due to poor network connectivity and most of these areas do not have banks nor bank agents. We are asking for these two challenges to be addressed so that we can be able to access the digital financial services without any challenges," Maseko explained.

On his part, Digital Financial Services Specialist in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs Steve M'gwadila said it was encouraging to see that Ntchisi residents have shown interest in adopting the use of digital financial services.

He said time has come for people to utilize the use of digital financial services as it will not only protect them from theft cases but will also help the country by reducing money that is lost when replacing damaged bank notes.

He said: "we are impressed with the feedback we have received in Ntchisi and we believe that a lot of people will put the information learnt from the campaign to use."

The 20 days’ awareness campaign is being implemented with funding from the African Development Bank Group (AFDB).

By: Aisha Chiwaya

Salima. November 29, Mana: As the government of Malawi joined the international community in commemorating the world toilet day, there has been a call for intensified sensitization on the importance of having toilets and sanitation facilities to curb waterborne diseases.

Speaking in Salima, on Thursday, during this year’s World Toilet Day, Director of Administration in the Ministry of Water and Sanitation, Hedrian Mpinganjira encouraged Malawians to embrace the use of toilets to improve hygiene and maintain good health.

Mpinganjira acknowledged that the country is lacking behind in as far as having a toilet for every household is concerned especially in rural areas.

“We still have a mileage to cover because not many people especially in the rural areas appreciate the usage of toilets and not so many people know that there are also cheap types or models of toilets that they can construct in the village," he said.

Executive Director for Water Sanitation Network, Willies Mwandira concurred with Mpinganjira by revealing that out of twelve traditional authorities in Salima only four have toilets in every household.

"It is worrisome to note that some households do not have toilets, I am calling for local leaders and the corporate world to work hand in hand in order to achieve the desired results where every household will have a toilet," he said.

He added: “In Salima at least 3,000 fishermen migrate to Mbenje island in the month of March to November and they stay there without toilets, which contaminates fresh waters of lake Malawi and become a source of water pollution."

On this point, he said the Lake is going to provide water in Lilongwe, Salima and other parts of Dowa through the Salima- Lilongwe water project hence the problem needs to be dealt with speed.

World toilet day was established in 2013 by the United Nations and the day is observed on 19^th November; this year the day is being commemorated under the theme “toilet- a place of peace”.

By: Steve Chirombo

Dedza, November 28, Mana: Government has expressed satisfaction with how Tipindule Project implemented by Action Aid in Dedza District is impacting on the lives of the beneficiaries.

Gilbert Malota, Dedza District Council Methodology Extension Officer, made the sentiments on Thursday during a visit to some beneficiaries under Senior Chief Kachere in the district.

During the tour, it was observed that beneficiaries of the project, whose sole purpose was Village Savings and Loans (VSLs), have also gone into farming, buying livestock while others have built good houses.

“We actually came to appreciate the interventions Action Aid is doing. We have seen a lot from farming, livestock among many others. Looking at how members of the VSLs are benefitting, we are impressed as government. Others have built houses, bought livestock while others have managed to have orchards,” said Malota.

He said what Action Aid is doing is in-line with government’s vision of achieving the Malawi 2063 Agenda among others, food security and wealth creation.

According to Malota, there is good working relationship between the council and Action Aid and called for continued collaboration while calling on the beneficiaries to seriously use the chances in order to improve their livelihoods.

On her part, one of the beneficiaries, Estele Mtonda, said lives for most of the VSL members, have improved under Action Aid’s Tipindule project.

“The two years, Action Aid has been in our area, we can testify the good fruits the project has brought to the communities. Most of us through the VSLs have managed to establish small scale businesses which are helping our daily needs,” stated Mtonda.

Group Village Head Dzaipa in the area said the project has greatly improved lives of the people. He called on other fellow community members to take part in the interventions so that they too should benefit.

Action Aid, Project Officer for Dedza, Maria Jingini, said the project in Senior Chief Kachere’s area is in 14 group village heads working with VSL groups as well as revamping others that already existed but did not have the desired expertise.

“We equip them with expertise in savings and loans as recommended by government, financial management as well as how to establish and run businesses, nutrition and vision which will determine their future as they participate in our programs,” she said.

Jingini further hailed government through Dedza district council for the joint efforts in the implementation of the project.

“VSLs aside, we also encourage the communities to conserve and do businesses that do not harm the environment. I can assure you that these interventions are also positively impacting on communities as they are able to establish tree nurseries which are being planted in homes while others turned into community forests. All this to ensure that environment is restored,” she said.

The project is being implemented with funds from Financial Access for Rural Markets Smallholders and Enterprises (FARMSE).