Items filtered by date: May 2025

By George Mponda
Karonga, October 31, Mana: National Water Resources Authority (NWRA) has called on Chiefs to advise Malawians to prepare for the next hydrological cycle, which will see higher levels of water in the country’s water bodies.

Speaking while addressing Karonga Council Meeting on Wednesday, NWRA's Senior Civic Education and Public Relations Officer Masozi Kasambara said Chiefs need to warn people against construction or undertaking any activities along Lakes and Rivers.

Kasambara said; "With this projection, it means the area along the Lakes and Rivers is not safe for any development and it belongs to the state therefore, Chiefs need to help in warning people against settling and farming to avoid the risk of flooding which might lead to loss of lives."

He added that adhering to the best practices in preserving water resources is very crucial to achieving Malawi 2063 since water is a vital resource in industrialisation, urbanisation and agricultural production.

"However, the fact that water levels will be higher is not bad news since this means that the country will have adequate water to be used for domestic and industrial purposes," he explained.

On his part, Paramount Chief Kyungu urged the authority to clearly instruct Malawians on where the boundaries are between the water bodies and public land.

"Water is life, as chiefs we have a crucial role to sensitise people on the do's and dont's on sustainable water use. The problem is that most Malawians misunderstood democracy and they think they can do anything including wanton cutting of trees and cultivating along river banks," Kyungu said.

"I would like to urge the NWRA to properly instruct citizens on how best they can make use of this water which they say will be higher in the next hydrological cycle," he added.

By Chisomo Kambandanga

Nkhata Bay, October 31, Mana: Nkhata Bay District Commissioner (DC) Rodgers Newa has warned junior staff members across various sectors at the council to avoid getting exploited in their course of duty.

Newa gave the warning Wednesday when opening a two-day junior staff involvement meeting organized by the Institutional Integrity Committee (ICC) aiming at educating and empowering junior staff on the importance of institutional integrity and equipping them to contribute to a corruption-free work environment.

“You are the backbone of this district’s development because you are exposed to various information and government resources. Don’t allow anyone to exploit or use you for personal gains.

 "At all costs, avoid any corrupt practices because once caught I will not defend you and remember it is your families that will suffer,” Newa said.

According to Newa, the council established the ICC to safeguard finances and materials and ensure transparency and accountability among others.

“Corruption issues affect everyone. If you suspect or witness suspicious activities blow the whistle to the committee that you are introduced to and confidentiality is guaranteed,” he added.

In his remarks, security guard at the education department Ken Chulu commended the council for the meeting, saying it enlightened them on several things that will ease their work.

“We feel valued and protected. The warning gives us confidence to report any misconduct and we wish such meetings to be happening at regular intervals,” he said.

By Golden Kang'oma

Salima, October 30, Mana: Malawi is hosting the 9th Annual Meeting of the Africa Wildlife Forensics Network (AWFN), bringing together forensic experts from across Africa to strengthen scientific approaches to combat wildlife crime.

Speaking on Wednesday during the official opening ceremony in Salima, the Deputy Minister of Local Government, Unity, and Culture, Owen Chomanika highlighted the urgent need for wildlife forensics in fighting poaching and trafficking.

“This meeting is crucial because it brings together African specialists in wildlife crime forensics. Wildlife crimes remain rampant, yet our investigations often lack scientific evidence. Forensics will allow us to produce concrete and court-admissible evidence,” he said.

Chomanika noted that advances in forensic science can provide irrefutable proof of crimes, citing how forensic labs can now confirm the origin of illegal wildlife products, such as buffalo meat, which will aid in prosecuting offenders.

“Wildlife crime is a multi-billion-dollar industry, largely run by international cartels that exploit weak legal systems, Wildlife trade is now the fourth largest black market in the world, costing countries up to $23 billion,” he said.

Director of TRACE Wildlife Forensics Network, Rob Ogden, a specialist in wildlife genetics, echoed Chomanika’s concerns, stressing the need for enhanced forensic capacity across Africa.

“One of the biggest threats to wildlife globally is illegal trade and poaching. As court standards rise, we need better forensic tools to prove crimes and identify perpetrators,” Ogden said.

According to Ogden, the AWFN is designed to help African countries share knowledge and resources to address wildlife crime collaboratively.

“Some African nations are biodiversity-rich source countries, while others are trans-shipment hubs. This network lets us share skills and build a sustainable, united response,” he said.

Head of the Genetics Services Unit at South Africa’s National Biodiversity Institute, Marlide Bruyn, said the meeting is very important to enhance continental collaborations.

“It’s a privilege to be part of this engagement where laboratories can network, share challenges, and enhance our forensic techniques, this will broaden our relationship against wildlife crime,” she said.

By Sellah Singini

Lilongwe 30 October, Mana: Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) has launched Cyber Security Awareness Month, aimed at enhancing public understanding awareness of cyber security issues.

The launch took place at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe on Wednesday and will run throughout the month of November with a series of events such as public outreach campaigns to educate and empower citizens on safe online practices.

Speaking during the launch, MACRA’s Board Director Malla Kawale said cyber security has become a critical concern in the digital age, as more Malawians engage with technology in their daily lives.

She said, the rise of internet use presents both opportunities and challenges and therefore it is necessary for individuals, businesses and organizations to understand how to protect themselves from cyber threats.

“As MACRA, we would like to emphasize the importance of this initiative. As we embrace the digital revolution, we must equip our citizens with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate the online landscape safely,

Cyber security is a shared responsibility and through awareness and education, we can foster a safer digital environment for all Malawians. We therefore encourage all citizens, businesses and organizations to participate actively in cyber security awareness month,” Kawale said.

MACRA’s Consumer Affairs Officer Brave Kaira said 27000 cases of mobile money fraud worth 180 million kwacha have been reported from January to August this year.

He said, 90 percent of the mobile money fraud cases emanate from prisons, especially Zomba Maximum Prison.

Kaira also said it is very important to empower consumers and mobile money agents in order to reduce the number of fraud cases.

“This is the reason the money fraud invasion task force was set up as one of the initiatives to combat mobile money fraud,” he said.

He added that MACRA is hoping to introduce National Identity cards from the National Registration Bureau (NRB) to be the one single source of truth and should be linked to biometric data in order to avoid cases of people registering SIM cards using other people’s National IDs.

By Solister Mogha

Zomba, October 30, Mana: Besides presiding over World Food and African Food Day commemoration, Minister of Agriculture, Sam Kawale also launched distribution of relief maize for the 2024/2025 lean period at Chimbiya Primary School ground at Sub Traditional Authority Nkapita in Zomba on Wednesday.

Speaking after symbolic presentation of maze to some beneficiaries, the minister said launch of food distribution was a fulfilment of President Chakwera's wish to ensure no one does of hunger in Malawi.

Due to erratic rains last year, many farming households did not harvest enough food that would take them to this current season, Kawale noted.

He said, considering the current food situatiin, government was implementing various interventions to reduce food insecurity.

“Apart from maize distribution there are several interventions such as Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme, Social Cash Transfer Programme, all aimed at supporting Malawians to survive the food situation.

He therefore assured Malawians not to despair; as government will do, it's best to save the food situation.

“Malawians should not panic. Government will do all necessary interventions to ensure there is enough food such that no one will die of hunger,” he added.

Zomba District Disaster Management Officer, Violet Jimu said 75,344 households in the district were targeted to receive 50 kilograms of maize for the period of five months compared to 35,000 households targeted last year.

During the symbolic distribution, a recipient, Janet Nikisi from Sub Traditional Authority Nkapita's area in Zomba hailed government for launching food distribution.

“I really had nothing to eat. This maize is a big relief to me and my grandchildren,” she added

Nikisi expressed hope that the relief maize for the period of five months will keep his family going.

By James Mwale

Ntchisi, October 30, Mana: President Dr Lazarus Chakwera has called on authorities to foster patriotism and transparency in the delivery of developments across the country.

The President made the call on Wednesday at Chinthembwe Trading Centre in the area of Senior Chief Vuso in Ntchisi district during a whistle-stop tour.

President Chakwera was reacting to concerns by the district’s legislator for Ntchisi West Constituency, Ulemu Chilapondwa, that development projects in the district continue to stall due to lack of patriotism by contractors.

Chilapondwa alleged, during the first stopover of the whistle stop at Khuwi Trading Centre, that construction of the Malomo-Ntchisi-Dzaleka road project has stalled because the contractor was not committed.

He said: “I have investigated all this. But soon the project will resume with a more capable contractor.”

In reaction, President Chakwera said: “This is our Malawi and developing it requires our sense of ownership, transparency and patriotism.

“When we have been entrusted with a task, let us commit to its completion rather than rushing to enjoy the money before working for it.”

Speaking at Chinthembwe where the President made his second stop, Senior Chief Kasakula and legislator for Ntchisi East Constituency, Bernard Chitekwe, asked the President to intervene in the hunger situation the district is undergoing.

The Malawi leader said the government is aware of the hunger situation the district is experiencing and that relevant authorities are working to address the situation.

During the tour, President Chakwera is also expected to have a stopover at Ntchisi Trading Centre, Buzi Primary School ground and Malomo Trading Centre.

By Bishop Witmos

Mangochi, October 30, Mana: Using K43 million from Constituency Development Fund (CDF), Member of Parliament for Mangochi Nkungulu, Aisha Mambo Adams constructed girls hostel at  Changali Community Day Secondary School (CDSS) to accommodate 50 girls as some of the girls travel more than 10 kilometres to attend classes.

The girls hostel was completed at the time of media tour and speaking during a media tour, Changali CDSS Deputy Head teacher, Maria Jackson told Malawi News Agency (Mana) this week that construction of the girls hostel will improve learners performance as some of the girls travel long distances to school.

She added that long distance to school was a prohibiting factor that prevents girls from proceeding with education at the expense of girls education.

‘‘Changali CDSS has learners that travel very long distances of over 10 kilometers from home to school, as a result this affects learners performance. Some learners performance, especially girls’ was not encouraging and most of the girls drop out of school.

"‘Construction of girls hostel here is a sigh of relief to learners, teachers as well as the community. This will help learners to concentrate as they will have ample time for studies,’’ said Jackson.

She therefore commended Adams as well as Mangochi District Council for constructing the hostel using the CDF.

Speaking in a separate interview, Adams, who is also Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, said she decided to construct the hostel using CDF after experiencing the same problem of long distance to school in her days in the same area.

‘‘As a woman who was born and raised in this area, I know what it means to walk a long distance to school,

‘‘Girls meet a number of challenges on their way to school. Again, unlike boys, whenever girls are back home from school, they are given a number of households chores and this prevent them from concentrating on their education,’’ said Adams.

The Mangochi Nkungulu legislator said was planning to construct another hostel at Chimwala CDSS in the constituency

Currently, Changali CDSS has an enrollment of 148 learners among them 77 girls.

By Pempho Nkhoma

Blantyre, October 30, Mana: Youth Developers Collaboration Theater (YDC Theater) in partnership with HIVOS Foundation is implementing Udolo Wanga Project, which is a creative advocacy initiative aiming to address social issues impacting youths and marginalized communities in Malawi.

Key elements of the project include theater advocacy, school and youth festivals plus dialogue discussion.

In an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Wednesday, Executive Director of YDC Theatre, Fumbani Innot Phiri said they introduced the project to empower young people to engage in critical topics like Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR), Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and mental health using arts and media.

“We are utilizing art as a platform for education and awareness in local communities and schools. We host festivals like the Udolo Wanga ghetto youth festival and the secondary school performing arts festival which encourages students and youth groups to showcase creative responses to issues such as SRHR and climate change,” he said.

He added that the project creates a safe space for young people in underrepresented areas to express themselves and advocate for change.

“Through the project we are engaging youths in discussions around topics like gender inclusion and environmental resilience,” he said.

Phiri therefore express satisfaction saying that they have reached their expected outcomes.

“We are using art-based approach, so in partnership with Blantyre District Health Office and six secondary schools within our catchment area of Bangwe and Nancholi Townships we have conducted mobile clinics, theatre advocacy, school and ghetto youth festivals, produced a music album and a cypher plus hosted a series of dialogue sessions,” he said.

In a separate interview, patron of drama club at Our Lady of Wisdom Secondary School, Fraser Mombe, commended the project saying it has created a platform for youths to contribute towards development.

“It is very important to involve the youths in dealing with social issues like climate change and GBV since they are part of the society. Since we say that youths are the future, they must help in shaping that future,” he said.

The Udolo Wanga project started in December 2023 and is expected to end in November 2024.

By George Mponda
Karonga, October 30, Mana: General Manager for Kayelekera Uranium Mine operated by Lotus Africa Limited (LAL) in Karonga Theo Keyter has pledged that the company will enhance the welfare and quality of life for residents in the district.

Keyter who was addressing a Council Meeting on Tuesday said the company will sign a Community Development Agreement (CDA) with communities within a 20 kilometre radius of the mine aimed at sustaining a good working relationship with the communities and government.

"The draft CDA has already  been reviewed by the Ministry of Mining in September and in it, we will be spending no less than 0.45 percent of our annual gross sales revenues to support development projects formulated by the communities.

If the company will be doing something wrong, dialogue is very important to reach a resolution for the common good. We believe that the communities in Karonga should be better off because we are here if not then it means we are not supposed to be here,"Keyter said.

He added that LAL will offer employment and training opportunities to Karonga locals as well as safeguard the rights of women and girls against sexual harassment, ealry marriages and exploitation within the communities.

On his part, Paramount Chief Kyungu said custodians of the land where mining activities are taking place in Malawi should benefit from the resources being taken out of their land.

"There are so many mines here in Karonga but looking around in the communities people remain poor and the district is not developing at all. There is need for Government to conduct thorough consultations before mining agreements are given to companies for communities to be benefitting,"said Kyungu.

Principal Mining Engineer in the Ministry of Mining, Reggie Makwela said government is committed to ensuring communities which surround mines are benefiting.

"The Ministry is mandated to ensure the sustainable development and utilization of mineral and petroleum resources for socioeconomic growth and development of the country," she said.

Kayelekera is 85 percent owned by Australian company Lotus which acquired it from Paladin Energy in 2020 and the Government of Malawi has a 15 percent stake in the mine.

By Aliko Munde

Chitipa, October 30, Mana: Travelling from Kapoka Trading Centre to Kayanda Village in Senior Chief Mwenemisuku one has to brave a tough ride due to its topography.

After travelling from Kapoka to Kalenge bridge you have to branch to the right, into a meandering dusty earth road as you go to Sokola.

Few kilometres before the Sokola area there is a small newly established earth road, up the Misuku Hills, that leads to Sanga Junior Primary School.

Driving up to Sanga Junior Primary school is not for an amateur driver but a more experienced one.

The school is at the top of the hill and green iron sheets can be seen twinkling from afar when one uses Misuku road to the far right.

The school, constructed in 2020, opened its doors in January 2023.

Paul Mulungu, a community member from Kayanda 1 village in Senior Chief Mwenemisuku in Chitipa District, says the area had difficulties to access quality education because the nearest school was almost 5 kilometres away.

“Our children could start school slightly above the enrollment age because of the long distance to school,” Mulungu explains.

Mulungu says after looking at the challenges for their children to access quality education in the area, the communities decided to request for a school in their area to ease the long distances learners were travelling to attain quality education.

“The nearest school was Chato Full Primary School, which is at a distance of 5 kilometres away. We are now happy that our children start school at the age of six,” he says.

He then applauds the government through Chitipa District Council for introducing Constituency Development Fund (CDF), which he says has helped the area to construct Sanga Junior Primary School.

He also applauds their Member of Parliament (MP) for supporting the request the communities made using constituency development fund.

Member of Parliament for Chitipa East where Sanga Junior Primary School is located, Kezzie Msukwa says he decided to be in support of construction of the school after seeing that children from the area were walking long distances to school and others dropped out at a tender age.

“From Sanga area to Chato or Sokola Primary Schools, it is about 5 kilometres. So, for learners, walking long distances to school was difficult. As a result, children from the Sanga area could start school older than the enrollment age of six,” Msukwa says.

Msukwa says people who were attending school from the area were few hence his decision to be in support of construction of the Sanga Junior Primary School.

“I intend to support construction of other school block, which will accommodate standard four to six. We want learners who are in standard three to transition to four at the same school.  We want Sanga Junior Primary School to be a complete full primary school in the next five years,” he says.

Leave no one behind (LNOB) is one of the six Guiding Principles of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework. LNOB is the central, transformative promise of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The LNOB represents the unequivocal commitment of all UN Member States to eradicate poverty in all its forms, end discrimination and exclusion, and reduce the inequalities and vulnerabilities that leave people behind and undermine the potential of individuals and of humanity as a whole.

A teacher at the school, Joackim Ngonya, attest to the fact that the government walk the talk by implementing what it says that it does not want to see any child drop out of school due to long distance to school.

Ngonya says construction works for Sanga Junior Primary School started in 2019 up to 2020. The school has enrollment of 50 learners from standard 1-3. And it was opened in January 2023 in term 2.

Ngonya says learners are now happy because they are accessing their education within their village saying the school has one qualified teacher and two volunteer teachers.

“The terrain of the area is mountainous and it was difficult for children to climb each and every day to and from school. That is why the children from the area and surrounding villages were starting school a bit older.

“This is now history because of the construction of Sanga Junior Primary School. This has eased the burden children and even parents were having. The learners are now able to access education less than a kilometre away from their homes,” Ngonya explains.

Chitipa District Education Network (DEN) Chairperson, Sydney Simwaka, describes the construction of Sanga Junior Primary School as good news to the people of Chitipa and Misuku in particular.

Simwaka says the Chitipa District Education Network as an education stakeholder welcomes the development as learners in the junior section were having challenges to access education due to the topography of the area.

“I hope the good gesture will be emulated by the other constituencies just to ensure that education services are brought closer to the people.

We urge the parents to utilise the facility by sending their children to school,” Simwaka says.