By George Mponda

Karonga, April 19, Mana: Three people died on Saturday after a motor vehicle they were traveling in swerved off the road, overturned and rested upside down near Mount Meru Filling Station at Karonga Boma along the Karonga-Chilumba M1 Road.

Karonga Police Station Public Relations Officer, Margret Msiska, identified the three as Diverson Tembo, 22; Alick Mwamonje, 24 and Hilton Mwamonje, 25.

Msiska said on Saturday afternoon, a Toyota Sienta salon registration number BW 7381 driven by Diverson Tembo from the direction of Karonga Town going towards Chilumba with six passengers on board swerved off the road.

“As he was nearing Meru Filling Station, Tembo (now deceased) lost control of the vehicle due to speeding and swerved to the dirty verge of the road where it overturned once and rested upside down,” said Msiska.

Following the impact, Tembo and passenger, Alick Mwamonje, sustained severe head injuries and were pronounced dead upon arrival at Karonga District Hospital.

Msiska said Hilton Mwamonje died three hours later whilst receiving treatment while the rest of other passengers escaped with minor injuries.

Alick and Hilton Mwamonje hailed from Mwangolera Village, while Tembo hailed from Kwiyula Village, all from the area of Paramount Chief Kyungu in Karonga.

By Janet Masamba

Nkhata Bay, April 19, Mana: NGO Gender Coordination Network (NGO-GCN) has urged Nkhata Bay based journalists to promote fair and balanced reporting towards women aspirants for various political positions in the run up to the September 16 general elections.

In an interview on Friday after an interface meeting with journalists, one of the officials for NGO-GCN, Dorothy Chiumia, said journalists play a crucial role in supporting women who intend to compete for political offices.

“Your fair and balanced reporting will go a long way in motivating women to participate in politics as you provide them with platforms through which they can showcase their ideas to masses.

“We, therefore, organized this training to equip journalists with skills on how to support female aspirants through balanced reporting,” she said.

Chiumia was optimistic that such reporting will instill self-esteem in women and break challenging stereotypes about women in politics.

District Information Officer for Nkhata Bay, Chisomo Kambandanga, described the training as timely, with the potential of promoting women participation in politics.

"The meeting has been an eye opener. We have been encouraged to incorporate gender issues in our reporting. We are hopeful that more women will be interested in vying for political offices in the district," said Kambandanga.

The meeting was organized with support from UN Women through the Malawi Electoral Support Project under the Basket Fund financed by European Union, Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, United Kingdom Government, Irish Embassy and the Royal Norwegian Embassy.

By Abednego Sibale

Nkhata Bay, April 19, Mana: Principal Social Welfare Officer responsible for Social Cash Transfer Program (SCTP) in Nkhata Bay, Wisdom Mwafulirwa, has disclosed that approximately K3.8 billion has been disbursed to SCTP beneficiaries in the district over the past three years.

Mwafulirwa was speaking recently when he updated members of Nkhata Bay District Social Support Coordinating (DSSC) on the program's progress.

According to Mwafulirwa, the support has transformed beneficiaries' lives as most of them invested their stipends in different forms.

"We have so far disbursed K3.8 billion to 6,476 beneficiaries from April 2022 to March 2025.

“Out of this number, 4,848 have joined village savings and loans groups, accumulated shares and most of them have embarked on small-scale businesses,” said Mwafulirwa.

He said such investments will contribute to sustainability of the program’s impact on the beneficiaries’ livelihoods as they are about to graduate from the program.

Mwafulirwa assured stakeholders across the district that the Council will continue providing regular, adequate, and timely cash transfers to promote beneficiaries' livelihoods and contribute to human capital development.

Nkhata Bay District Council Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Emmanuel Kanjawala, said the program is on track, with notable improvements in beneficiaries' lives.

"The program has improved housing conditions, with most beneficiaries living in iron sheets thatched houses, increased school enrolment, business skills of beneficiaries and contributed to decrease in charcoal and wood fuel usage due to diverse business ventures by beneficiaries, among others," said Kanjawala.

Despite household diet diversity remaining a challenge, Kanjawala believes beneficiaries are ready to graduate from the program.

Nkhata Bay District Council Public Relations Officer, Chisomo Kambandanga, said the district will continue engaging communities on the introduction of E-payment model to beneficiaries of the program.

"This model aims to enhance the program's efficiency and effectiveness in reaching its beneficiaries," he said.

SCTP is one of the components of Social Support for Resilience Livelihoods Programme (SSRLP) implemented across the country through National Local Government Finance Committee with financial support from World Bank and Multi-Donor Trust Fund.

By Yankho Kandio

Salima, April 19, Mana: Children from Chinguluwe and Lipimbi wards in Salima on Friday were given a rare opportunity of speaking directly to duty bearers about issues affecting their lives during a Children’s Parliament session organized by World Vision Malawi.

The event, which took place under the theme of child participation and empowerment, brought together children from various schools in the area, who debated and presented their views on pressing matters such as climate change, education, and child welfare.

In his remarks, Member of Parliament (MP) for Dedza North Constituency and Chairperson for the Parliamentary Committee on Social and Community Affairs, Savel Kafwafwa, commended World Vision for creating a platform that allows children to raise their voices on issues that matter to them.

He said the initiative provides lawmakers with first hand insight into the challenges that children face.

“Children’s Parliament is a good platform where we can learn about issues affecting them. It is different when a teacher reports to you, but when you interact directly with children you get to hear the real issues from them,” he said.

He recalled a previous event where children reported a case of abuse by a teacher.

“Upon investigation, the claim was found to be true and the teacher was arrested. This is the power of giving children a voice,” he said.

Kafwafwa emphasized the importance of sustaining such initiatives beyond donor support, calling for government funding through district councils.

He suggested allocating part of the school improvement grant towards establishing children’s parliaments across constituencies.

World Vision Malawi Project Officer for Livelihood and Resilience, Adamson Kamwana, said the organization is child focused and believes in allowing children to speak for themselves.

“We realized that oftentimes decisions are made on behalf of children without really listening to them. This platform allows them to share their concerns directly with those who have the power to act,” Kamwana said.

He noted that such forums have contributed to national policy changes, citing the law prohibiting child marriage under the age of 18, which was influenced in part by children’s advocacy through similar platforms.

Speaker of the House, Grace Dumbo, hailed the initiative as a milestone in empowering children.

“This Parliament gives us chance to raise our concerns and propose solutions. We feel to be part of the society.

“These platforms help to shape policy and inspire children to dream big. Some of those who were in Standard Six when we started are now in college, motivated by these experiences,” she said.

By Petro Mkandawire

Blantyre, April 19, Mana:  The Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services (DCCMS) has warned of the threat of high flash floods over lakeshore areas of Nkhata Bay and Karonga from April 18 into the weekend.

In an interview DCCMS Head of Public Weather and Aviation Services, Yobu Kachiwanda, said Mwera winds will blow over lake Malawi and other water bodies as such people should stay alert, avoid swimming, fishing and sailing in small boats during such winds.

“People in northern region and lakeshore areas should follow precautionary measures following an issued warning of active rain-belt which will cause flash floods. People with asthmatic conditions are asked to be extra careful during this week as temperature may drop significantly," Kachiwanda said.

In the past week, Malawi experienced hot conditions with rains over many areas which were locally heavy.

The highest reported 24 hourly rainfalls was recorded at Kabalelyamayolo in Karonga with 126.8mm on April 7.

Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) Spokesperson, Chipiliro Khamula, said the Department has activated all inter agency working committees for preparations and anticipatory actions.

He said national emergency operation centre has also been activated for coordinating disaster preparedness and response.

“People are advised to move to safer and higher areas as a matter of urgency, follow weather updates through various communication channels and platforms. Avoid crossing flooded rivers and walking through running water, among others.

“The public should stay away from power lines, electrical wires and report fallen power lines to authorities,” he said.

In the 2023/2024 rainy season, Mangochi District experienced floods along Lake Malawi and Shire River due to rising level of the lake and the river, forcing a number of families to flee to safer places, leaving behind houses that were constructed in flood prone places.

The situation saw some concerned people in Mangochi petitioning the district council to force authorities to open gates at Kamuzu Barrage at Liwonde to let water go down stream, blaming the barrage gates to be contributing factor to the lake and river side flooding.   

By Wellington Sibale

Neno, April 17, Mana: Malawi Prison Service (MPS) on Thursday handed over Luwani Prison facilities to the Neno District Council, marking the final phase in the decommissioning of the institution following the closure of the prison on May 13, 2024 as part of the government’s strategic relocation plan.

Deputy Commissioner of Prisons, Zacchaeus M’bawa, said the decision to close the prison was part of the strategic move to return what used to be a prison facility to the community to use it for a different purpose.

“We wanted to return the prison infrastructures to the community and we needed a proper handover. There is no prison here anymore as the inmates have been transferred to Mwanza Prison,” said M’bawa.

He said there was no pressing issue prompting the closure as the move to close the prison aligns with broader institutional plans.

According to M’bawa, the roofless houses on site will be handled by the District Commissioner’s office.

An inventory of the remaining infrastructure was handed over to the Council as part of the transition and this includes 2.5 hectares of farm land, residential blocks, office space and structures such as a tailoring shop, livestock enclosures and toilet facilities.

Neno District Council Director of Administration, Leonard Mchombo, thanked the MPS for facilitating a smooth transition.

He highlighted the council’s intention to repurpose the premises for community benefit.

“This facility will no longer serve as a prison. There is a police station, a hospital and even a school in the vicinity and we plan to use these buildings to support services that lack infrastructure.

“For instance, the facilities can be turned into a community day secondary school and we are considering converting some of these houses into classrooms,” Mchombo said.

Group Village Head Ngwenyama welcomed the closure of the facility saying the prison had offered little benefit to the surrounding community.

“We long believed the land could be put to better use such as farming. After all we have a prison in Mwanza,” he said.

Neno District Council in consultation with communities intends to maintain and utilize the former Neno Prison facilities for more activities per development aspirations of the communities.

By Donald Zimba

Lilongwe, April 19, Mana: Ministry of Agriculture, through the Department of Agricultural Research Services (DARS), has unveiled a major initiative aimed at revolutionizing the country’s agricultural sector by promoting innovative farming technologies.

The development was showcased during an Agricultural Field Day held at Chisepo in Traditional Authority (TA) Kayembe, Dowa on Thursday.

The event, held in collaboration with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), highlighted ongoing efforts under the Smallholder Agriculture Productivity and Promotion (SAPP) Tool Project to enhance productivity and improve livelihoods for smallholder farmers.

Speaking during the event, Controller of Agricultural Extension and Technical Services Alfred Mwenefumbo said the Ministry is working on establishing demonstration farms across the country where new technologies can be introduced and tested by farmers.

“The idea is to have five or six sectoral farms where we can demonstrate the various technologies developed by our research department.

“We’ve introduced innovations such as tablet fertilizers; one tablet dissolved in 200 litres of water is enough for a hectare of land. These are the kinds of technologies we want farmers to adopt,” he said.

He revealed that over 200 technologies are ready for dissemination, ranging from soil health management tools to improved agricultural practices, all aimed at increasing yield and strengthening food security.

With funding from IFAD, the SAPP Tool Project is being implemented in four districts, each expected to host a mega memonstration farm that will serve as a model for technology adoption.

“Our goal is to see widespread uptake of these innovations by 2030,” Mwenefumbo added.

IFAD Country Representative, Bernadette Mukonyora, praised the initiative, saying it reflects progress in achieving Malawi’s long-term development agenda, Malawi 2063, particularly in the area of agricultural commercialization.

“What we are witnessing here is the actualization of Malawi 2063’s first pillar. Farmers are not just adopting innovations, they’re understanding and articulating them in their own terms,” Mukonyora said.

She noted that the farmers demonstrated strong knowledge of fertilizer use, soil health, and modern farming methods, showing how research is being translated into practical, community-based solutions.

“In the wake of global crises like the Ukraine war, which disrupted grain supply chains, it’s clear Africa must invest more in agricultural research and development.

“Africa has the potential to feed itself and become the world’s breadbasket but only if we take agriculture seriously and ensure that research is market-driven,” she said.

The field day was held under the theme: “Connecting Farmers to Innovation for Enhanced Agricultural Productivity and Improved Livelihoods.”