MANAonline
Sugar distributors and wholesalers warned
By Patience Longwe and Daniel Siame
Lilongwe, May 8, Mana: Ministry of Trade and Industry has issued a stern warning to distributors and wholesalers found engaging in price manipulation schemes in a bold move taken against unjust price practices in the sugar industry.
This action follows a comprehensive investigation revealing connivance between certain distributors and street vendors to inflate sugar prices unfairly, thereby burdening consumers across the country.
In an interview with the Malawi News Agency (Mana) Wednesday in Lilongwe, Public Relations Officer (PRO) for Ministry of Trade and Industry, Patrick Botha, underscored the government's commitment to ensuring fair market practices and protecting consumers from exploitation in the country.
"We are quite serious with this issue as Malawians have struggled to access sugar for the past few months as an essential commodity. Now that the situation is stabilizing, we cannot condone that some companies should hide behind the street vendors to maintain the status that almost led to a crisis," he said.
Botha added that if anyone found doing this malpractice, the Ministry would revoke their licenses.
PRO for Competition and Fair Trading Commission (CFTC), Innocent Helema said distributors and wholesalers found committing the offence, they are going to be fined a minimum sum of K 500,000, and attract a prison sentence of five years.
"As provided for under the Competition and Fair Trading Act, you may be aware that Parliament recently passed the Competition and Fair Trading Bill which when assented to will correct a lot of unfair and anticompetitive business conduct in the country," he pointed out.
Four nabbed for allegedly committing assorted offences
By Chisomo Kambandanga
Nkhata Bay, May 8, Mana: Police in Nkhata Bay have arrested four men for allegedly committing various offences in the district.
In an interview on Wednesday Spokesperson for Nkhata Bay Police, Kondwani James said the suspects were arrested during the night of May 7, 2024 through intelligence driven operation.
"One of the suspects Musamude Banda, 42 is alleged to have damaged various household items belonging to his relative at Mpamba.
" While Masautso Manda, 32 has been apprehended for obstructing Police Officers whilst on duty to the extent that he produced a Machete to restrain the officers from arresting Musamude Banda," he explained
James added that another suspect Symon Kamanga, 29, was found operating a bottle store beyond permitted hours at Mpamba Trading Centre while Moses Chikaonda, 23 was illegally found in possession of Indian hemp.
The suspects hail from various areas within Nkhata Bay District and will appear before court after completion of paperwork.
Gift of the Givers bails out flood survivors
By Jacob Nthozi
Nkhata Bay, May 8, Mana: Principal Administration Officer for Nkhata Bay District Council, Moses Jere Tuesday commended Gift of the Givers Foundation for donating to flood survivors in the district.
He was speaking when the Organization presented a donation of assorted items to 156 households who were affected by floods in the area of Traditional Authorities (TAs) Malanda, Fukamalaza and Mankhambira.
Jere described the donation as timely as the flood survivors lacked basic needs and the intervention was and answer to some of the problems which the disaster survivors were experiencing.
“Let me appeal to beneficiaries of this donation to utilize it prudently so they recover shocks following the floods. I request Gift of the Givers to always come to our rescue in times like these," he said.
Senior Group Village Head, Ngombo said the survivors lost everything to the raging floods, hence commended the Foundation for the assistance.
Social Welfare Officer for Gift of the Givers Foundation, Steven Phiri said the Foundation decided to support the flood survivors in response to reports about the disaster from Department of Disaster and Management Affairs.
He pledged that the organization would continue providing support affected people it could not reach out to all at once.
"Whenever support is available at our office we would like to come again to assist those people who have not benefited today,” Phiri said.
Over 127 households were affected by floods following week long heavy rains in April 2024 and 30 households are still at Chithowe Camp which is at Chithowe Primary School.
The donation included cooking oil, blankets, buckets, plastic sheets, soya pieces and water guard among others.
Lulu & Kelly Kay to perform at M1 Centre Point
By Petro Mkandawire
Blantyre, May 8, Mana; Musicians Kelly Kay and Lulu will entertain fun lovers at M1 Center Point in Lilongwe on Friday May 10, 2024 on the invitation of Thoms Park Event, Director, and Thomson Madulira.
Other artists to perform on the day include Mathumela band, and the Six Solid Band, according to Madulira.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency (MANA) Tuesday, Thom Parks Event Director said that this is time for fun lovers to experience a hot combination of artists.
He said the M1 Center Point show will allow both old and new school music to entertain fans.
“Live music events provide a unique experience for attendees as they connect with the music. Let people come in their larger numbers to enjoy the vibrant music. This is their show” said Madulira.
In a separate interview, Lulu told Malawi News Agency that he was looking forward to sing at M1 Center Point.
“We are ready to entertain at M1 Centre Point, I know our fans have missed us that side, Fans should expect more music as is always the case,” said Lulu.
One of the music lovers Isaac Mandala said will make sure to be in Lilongwe on May 10 to dance to the music.
“Without music, life would be empty. Good music heal broken hearts. I am very ready to travel to Lilongwe to mix and relax.” said Mandala.
Ministry of Health piloting National IDs requirement for health services in Karonga
By Wakisa Myamba
Karonga, May 8, Mana: Ministry of Health intends to pilot the use of national identity cards for one to access healthcare services in selected areas of Karonga District.
The initiative aims at streamlining access to healthcare services and enhancing health service delivery efficiency.
This was disclosed Tuesday by Chief Digital Health Officer at the Ministry of Health, Kennedy Kanyimbo, during a District Executive Committee (DEC) meeting.
He said that there is need for modernization in the health sector as he highlighted potential benefits of utilizing national identification cards for client identification.
"The adoption of national identity cards in healthcare services will revolutionize clients’ information management.
This innovative approach will not only expedite clients’ registration but also prevent duplication of offered services, thereby promoting efficient utilization healthcare resources," said Kanyimbo.
He said the pilot phase will commence with several health facilities including Chilumba Rural Hospital, Chilumba Barracks, Nyungwe Health Centre, Karonga District Hospital and Kapolo Health Centre.
“Karonga District was chosen for the initial pilot phase due to its high number of people who have national identity cards,” he added.
Executive Director of Foundation for Community Support Services (FOCUS), Cosam Munthali, commended the ministry for the initiative.
Munthali however stressed the need for addressing potential challenges that may arise during implementation of the intervention.
"This is a step towards modernization and efficiency in healthcare delivery, however, it is crucial to anticipate and mitigate any obstacles which may impede initiative," said Munthali.
The Ministry of Health aims to extend the programme to other districts across Malawi following a successful pilot phase in Karonga.
ABC set to host a Super Saturday event
By Ousman Manda
Lilongwe, May 8, MANA: African Bible College (ABC) Sports Department has organised a Super Saturday Interclasses games event, scheduled for May 10 to May 11 at the ABC football pitch
The event will feature a range of exciting competitions like High Jump, Long Jump, Bike Race, Weight Lifting, and the ABC Marathon among others.
In an interview on Wednesday, Sports Director at ABC, Jeffrey Kumwenda, stressed the importance of the event in promoting unity and sportsmanship among the students.
"It's a great way for everyone to come together, have fun, and showcase their skills in various sports activities," he added.
In a separate interview, one of the organisers of the event, Asifiwe Sichimata, said that the event will bring teamwork spirit among students and a high level of competition.
"This will teach everyone how competitive everything gets, no matter how small or big the thing is," he mentioned.
Student at ABC, James Nzakoh Bandawe, disclosed his anticipation for the event, while highlighting the importance of unity.
"Even though it's a competition, the main focus is on us students and staff coming together to strengthen the bonds we share," added Bandawe.
New electronic system to improve efficiency at Loans board
By Sheminah Nkhoma
Lilongwe, May 8, Mana: Higher Education Students Loans Grants Board (HESLGB) has said the newly electronic applying system for student’s loans will help them to process data easily.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency (MANA) Board’s spokesperson Millie Kasunda, said as a board they thought it wise to come up with the electronic applying method because Malawi ‘s 2063 agenda has digitalization as one of its pillars therefore everyone should embrace technological advancement.
The new electronic application system is designed to be user-friendly and efficient. The system guides applicants, ensuring that all required documents and information are submitted,” said Kasunda.
She further urged all needy students who have not registered through the application that it’s high time that they start applying using the system.
“The paper based system was giving us many challenges in keeping information for the students but with the coming in of the system we see it as reliable so it’s important that students should be using it “, she said.
University of Malawi Students Representative Council President Thanks Elia Mwalwanda highlighted the significance of the new system saying that it will give access to students to apply for the loans within a short period of time.
“Most people in the world are moving forward with technology so with the coming in of electronic application system will make it possible for the board to trance all loans beneficiaries without difficulties”, said Mwalwanda.
The Malawi government has initiated programmes to promote financial inclusion through digitalization, aimed at increasing access to credit for underserved populations.
SOFF making strides in empowering girls education
By Lesnat Kenan and Levison Lester
Lilongwe, May 8, Mana: Shaping Our Future Foundation (SOFF) which is championed by the First lady Monica Chakwera is making progress in empowering girl education for the past two years in the country.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency (MANA), Education Programmes Coordinator of SOFF, Lawrence Kayesa confirmed the development after a well-known businessperson based in USA, Chawezi Chacha Banda donated seven laptops worth k14 million to girls who performed excellently in the Malawi School Certification of Education (MSCE).
Kayesa said as part of appreciation, donation will target 2,500 underprivileged girls in various secondary schools and universities across the country.
"We are making progress as a country in shaping girls education. In the past years girls were behind in terms of education, but this time around we have parents, guardians and various organisations supporting girl child education”, Kayesa said.
He also said that there are number of girls who performed well during the last year's MSCE which was not the case in the past years.
Kayesa further highlighted that despite the progress in girl’s education, there are a lot of challenges hindering girls to go further with education.
He said, increase of school fees and lack of enough resources like laptops are some challenges being encountered.
Lilongwe Girls secondary school Student Sphiwe Ngalande, who is among girls who has performed well expressed her gratitude saying the laptops will help her in her studies.
"As a student, this laptop is going to help me so much since am about to start college studies,” She said.
MACRA launches construction of 75 ICT laboratory Centre’s
By Bishop Witmos
Mangochi, May 8, Mana: Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) through Connect a School Project launched construction of 75 Information Communication Technologies (ICT) laboratory Centre’s in Community Day Secondary Schools (CDSS) across the country.
This Connect a School Project is under the Universal Service Fund, a digital inclusion arm of MACRA as the project seeks to build CDSS’s capacity as community ICT Centre’s, targets over 40,000 students and 250,000 community members access the Centre’s.
Speaking during the official ground-breaking ceremony of the construction of the Centre’s at Nkope CDSS in Mangochi on Tuesday, Head of the Universal Service Fund at MACRA, Ronald Tembo said that Connect a School Project is a flagship project for MACRA in line with National Digitalization Policy.
‘‘In this project, we have taken a different model where we are working with the community, particularly the artisans who are trained by TEVETA and these are people who will be under management of National Construction Industry Council.’’
‘‘For us to make access for internet to all, we need a very good internet capacity in the country. MACRA is working on a diplomatic data corridor to introduce Yathu data which aims to cover all the rural areas with affordable and reliable internet,” he added.
Tembo disclosed that MACRA was installing technology towers to be spreading both mobile network and broadcasting signals in the unserved communities.
He added that apart from constructing ICT laboratories in schools, MACRA intends to construct a total of 9,000 ICT laboratories in most public institutions, a project which would cost the communication regulatory authority over K 7. Billion.
Director of Science, Technology and Innovation in the Ministry of Education, Prof. Chomora Mikeka said that Connect a School Project would help to build a human capital that would meet the demanded digital labour market.
He said the project was ideal in the digital transformation as it would help to transform the country’s economy.
‘‘This is a very critical project, as Malawians have demanded that we put each and every school an ICT lab in order to facilitate education digitalization, but also digital transformation in the country. This is bringing connectivity to schools and this is the way to go towards the Agenda 2063,’’ Mikeka said.
Out 6,954 Primary Schools in the country only 140 schools are connected to internet, while out of 1,774 Secondary Schools, a handful are connected to the internet, according to the Director.
Sub-Traditional Authority (STA) Chiwalo commended government for considering Nkope CDSS as one of the learning institutions to benefit from the project.
Drop in cases of children conflicting with the law
By Ernest Mfunya
Mangochi, May 8, Mana: Mangochi Police Station has disclosed that the district has registered a decrease in children found in conflict with the law in the first quarter of 2024 as compared to figures that were registered in similar quarter last year.
Mangochi Police Station Public Relations Officer (PRO), Inspector, Amina Daudi told Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Tuesday that 30 minors were found in conflict with the law from January to April, 2024 year while 50 minors were arrested within the same period in 2023.
According to PRO, most of the criminal offences that the minors were in conflict with include house breaking and theft which she described as unfortunate and counterproductive to the development of the district.
“Statistics have shown that there is a decline in number of minors in conflict with the law in the first quarter of this year as compared to last year. All 30 minors are males unlike last year when out of 50 minors; 3 were females," Daudi said.
She attributed the decline to various interventions that the station implemented since January, 2024 citing community awareness as parents were sensitized how to monitor and control children so that they should not be in conflict with the law.
“We do diversions. This is where a child who commits a minor offence is consoled and sent back home,” Daudi added.
She expressed the station’s commitment to end cases of minors involved in crime and asked development partners to support the station.
“Collaboration is key in preventing children from conflicting with the law,” the PRO viewed.
Youth Net and Counselling (YONECO) Project Officer, Grant Dula said that collaboration play a crucial role in minimizing cases of children found in conflict with the law in the district.
He commended Mangochi Police for implementing various interventions in collaboration with stakeholders to deal with crime in the district.
"There is good coordination between the police and other stakeholders in the district. When you work as a team it is likely for you to achieve your goals," the Officer said.
Dula pleaded with duty bearers in the district to intensify social behaviour change and psychosocial counselling programmes to minors as well as sensitization meetings with parents citing lack of parental care is one of the factors that drive children into crime.
