Items filtered by date: May 2025

By Vincent Khonje

Mchinji, March 11, Mana: In response to escalating child welfare challenges, stakeholders in Mchinji have come together to develop strategies for enhancing child protection.

The district has been grappling with issues such as child trafficking, underage children loitering on the streets and engaging in crime, a lack of safe homes, and widespread child abuse within households.

Speaking in an interview on Tuesday, Mchinji Director of Planning and Development Martin Pindankono said the council has observed a rise in cases affecting children's welfare and protection.

"This is not an issue for one institution alone—everyone has a role to play. We need to come together and identify what each stakeholder can do, both individually and collectively, to safeguard our children's future," said Pindankono.

During a technical working group meeting that brought together government departments, civil society organizations, and law enforcement agencies such as the police and the judiciary, discussions focused on strengthening coordination and collaboration.

Mchinji Police's Child Protection Officer, Joe Kapenda, said most of the challenges stem from family structures, where children are often forced onto the streets instead of being in school.

"We are handling an increasing number of cases where children are being used in criminal activities, often due to a lack of parental guidance or abandonment. We are trying to address this issue, but we also face challenges such as mobility, as children need to be assessed in their homes," he said.

A representative from the judiciary, His Worship Fred Juma, decried the lack of 'child panels', which provide guidance on child-related offenses.

"Child panels are supposed to be available at magistrate courts and should include a traditional leader, a teacher, a medical professional, and a faith leader. Although this is stipulated in the law, they are not in place," said Juma.

The stakeholders agreed on several key issues, including ensuring that social reports on children's cases are available to the courts, mobilizing resources, establishing child panels in courts, and conducting a sweeping exercise to remove children from the streets.

By Wongani Mkandawire

Nkhotakota, March 11, Mana: The World Food Programme (WFP) in collaboration with the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education on Tuesday launched a three-year Home-Grown School Feeding Program in Nkhotakota District with support from the Government of Iceland.

Speaking during the launch at Nkhotakota LEA primary school, WFP's Acting Country Director, Simon Dehnere, said the project aims at ensuring that primary school learners have nutritious and diversified diets throughout the academic year. He said this has been done to create opportunities for farmers surrounding the schools and promote sustainable practices by using locally grown food and clean energy solutions.

Head of Mission for the Embassy of Iceland, David Bjarnason, said his government will continue supporting the education sector in the country adding that the program will motivate the learners to stay in school whilst improving their nutritional status.

Speaking at the same function, Deputy Director for School Health, Nutrition, HIV and AIDS in the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Maureen Maguza Tembo commended government of Iceland for supporting the program saying it will improve quality education in the district.

Nkhotakota District Council Chairperson, Councilor Charles Chimzukuzuku, said this is a welcome program and commended Iceland embassy’s commitment in the development of basic services in the district.

The program with a total budget of MK3 billion is targeting 10 primary schools including Nkhotakota LEA - a facility dedicated for learners with special needs in the district.

By Yamikani Sabola

Mzuzu, March 11, Mana: Minister of Higher Education, Dr. Jessie Kabwira has expressed satisfaction with progress of the construction works for an Entrepreneurs Training and Incubation Center (ETIC) at Mzuzu University (MZUNI) campus in Mzuzu.

Kabwira was speaking on Tuesday when she visited MZUNI campus to inspect progress of the project, which once completed, is expected to unleash the potential of youths through formal and informal skills transfer.

She said she was impressed that despite some challenges, the project, which started in November last year, has reached 10 percent completion rate.

“If in such few months we can see this kind of development, it shows that the contractors are fully committed to their work.

“Despite the rains, they have managed to reach this stage and they have made it clear that they would have been very far if it was not for the rains,” Kabwira said.

She said apart from being an investment in higher education, the project had created employment for Malawians, noting that all the people from the top management to the labourers were Malawians.  

Kabwira disclosed that, once completed, the ETIC will enable MZUNI to enroll 2, 000 more students, saying government understands that the country cannot develop or achieve Malawi 2063 without higher education.

“Government understands fully that success has to be constructed along education lines, especially higher education. This project will make MZUNI very pivotal in human capital development.

“Much more important, we are going to be dealing with entrepreneurship here. In other words, we will be training people to become entrepreneurs who will not be waiting for someone to employ them. They will actually be employing others, hence creating more job opportunities,” she said.

Projects Manager for the contractor, DEC Construction Limited, Ellard Malonda said he was optimistic they will complete the project in time, saying currently they are within schedule.

“We have set up the building, we have done excavations and we have also cast concrete footings and the bases. Now we have also done the columns. We now want to have walls for the foundation and then the slab,” Malonda said.

Among others, the ETIC will include a 500 seat lecture theater, 16 laboratories dedicated to artificial machinery, data science, ICT for development, internet, hardware and networking, energy and testing center.

The project is being funded by the World Bank through the International Development Association to a tune of US$100 million.

By Elia Chibwe

Lilongwe, March 11, Mana: The consequences of climate change are evident through dry spells, cyclones, and erratic rainfall. For a country whose economy heavily depends on agriculture, this poses a significant blow to the economy, farmers, and the entire population, who continue to feel the harsh impacts of nature. 

To counter these effects, farmers must understand and adopt modern farming technologies and agricultural diversification to ensure food security and foster commercial farming in the face of climate change. 

The promotion of commercial farming and agricultural diversification has always been a key focus for Malawi's leader, Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera.

For instance, in 2022, during a visit to Karonga, he encouraged farmers to grow new seeds like sesame to add value to the country's economy and transform livelihoods.

While, in 2023, Chakwera appealed to the ILOVO Group to diversify their value chain in Malawi to include other crops for the benefit of both Malawians and the company itself. 

The Minister of Agriculture, Sam Kawale, has also previously emphasized crop diversification as a critical strategy to mitigate hunger and achieve food security in Malawi.

In 2023, during the commemoration of World Food Day and Africa Food and Nutrition Security Day at Senior Chief Mwanza’s area in Salima, Kawale stressed the importance of practicing agricultural diversification.

He pointed out that dry spells, cyclones, and heavy rains caused by climate change are significantly affecting the country's economy, highlighting the urgent need for farmers to embrace agricultural diversification. 

Recently, the President of the Farmers Union of Malawi (FUM), Manesi Nkhata, said that her team is actively promoting agricultural diversification on the ground. 

She expressed FUM’s vision for farmers to achieve increased incomes and more resilient livelihoods. 

"Agriculture continues to be affected by climate change, global pandemics, and international conflicts. FUM has, therefore, intensified the promotion of agricultural diversification among its members to help farmers sustain their livelihoods when one agricultural enterprise is affected by these factors. 

"Agricultural diversification enables farmers to earn a living even when other agricultural ventures fail due to unforeseen circumstances. It also assists them in multiplying their sources of income," Nkhata explained. 

She further highlighted that while the government is in the process of developing an agricultural diversification strategy, FUM has recognized the need to start preparing farmers to embrace the concept now. 

Recently, the Farmers Union of Malawi in Mzimba District (DFU) demonstrated a commitment to advancing agricultural diversification in the district. 

During a local engagement, the Chairperson for Mzimba South DFU, Dan Kaunda, noted that farmers in the district have realized the importance of diversifying their agricultural production to increase incomes and build more resilient systems. 

He mentioned that farmers are moving away from relying solely on cereal crops. Instead, they are venturing into banana production, beekeeping, fish farming, and sunflower cultivation. 

The Head of Agribusiness for the Farmers Union of Malawi praised farmers for adhering to various training programs and technical advice provided by FUM and other stakeholders. 

According to Nkhata, FUM is actively engaging farmers across every district, promoting agricultural diversification as a key strategy for addressing climate change-related challenges.

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 Memory Kutengule Chatonda

Blantyre, March 10, Mana: Minister of Tourism, Vera Kamtukule, has emphasized the importance of government and private sector partners incentivising communities engaged in environmental conservation efforts as Malawi strives to restore deforested areas.

The minister made the remarks on Monday during Wildlife and Environmental Society of Malawi supported tree planting exercise at Michiru Nature Sanctuary in Blantyre.

During the exercise, the minister and other community members planted about 1,000 tree seedlings at the sanctuary.

Speaking to the media, Kamtukule observed that engaging the communities in the exercise would ensure that they continue to take an active role in planting and taking care of the planted trees to increase survival rate.

“The greatest part of conservation is the community. You cannot do conservation work without the communities. Therefore, we need to put governance arrangements from the government perspective, working closely with the communities and other sectors within this country, to ensure that we are taking care of the trees.

“Statistics show that we plant close to 10 million trees every single year, but not so many of the trees survive,” she added.

The minister therefore emphasised the need for communities supporting environmental conservation efforts to be incentivized through income-generating activities and others to support their livelihoods.

"This is voluntary work, and communities work at night under very harsh conditions. Let us motivate them with income generating activities and also support them with protective gear and other incentives," Kamtukule said.

Wildlife and Environmental Society of Malawi Board Chairperson, Tiwonge Mzumata Gawa, concurred with the minister's sentiments.

“Communities or scouts play crucial role in protecting the environment, including the trees we plant year in and out. As such, they need to be supported with basic stuff,” Gawa added.

Traditional Authority Chigaru pledged to intensify bylaws to punish those found wantonly cutting down trees in protected zones.

About 7,000 tree seedlings are expected to be planted by WESM in the Michiru conservation area.

By George Bulombola

Mzuzu, March 10, Mana: Preparations for Northern Region Top 5 Supper League Teams Bonanza are almost complete.

The five teams participating in the bonanza are Songwe Border United Football Club, Moyale Football Club popularly dubbed as the Lions of Kaning’ina Forest.

The others are Karonga United Football Club also called Ingwina Syamwakaronga on field of play and Chitipa United and Mzuzu City Hammers.

This was disclosed recently by the vice chairperson of the organizing committee of the bonanza, Paul Tembo during a press briefing on updates of the preparations in Mzuzu.

According to Tembo, in terms of resource mobilization, the committee is in discussion with banks, corporate bodies and individuals who love football to woe resource assistance towards the bonanza and that the committee will soon announce the partners.

“We therefore appeal through this resource mobilization drive, appeal to all those interested in football reach out and partner with us as we continue preparing for the bonanza which is scheduled to take place at Rumphi Stadium from 21-23 March, 2025.

The three days are enough to accommodate all the five teams and we expect that it will be an    intense kind of bonanza,” said Tembo.

Tembo then thanked the participating five teams for trusting the committee’s member with the task of mobilizing resources, planning and execution of the bonanza.

“The bonanza is very key as the teams will soon be going into Supper League of Malawi (SULOM), hence they need to prepare and test themselves, identify their shortfalls and understand how strong they are.

“We also have a new team by the name ‘Songwe Border FC’ that needs to access their level of preparation for them to survive and fare in the elite league for the first time,” he added.

He said that the aim of the committee is to avoid losing any team from the league and that if anything, the number of new teams joining the league should increase.

General Secretary for Mzuzu City Hammers, Benjamin Thole, stated that his team, the defending champions of the bonanza, is ready to defend the title.

“The bonanza will provide us with a platform through which the participating teams can prepare for the league hence it will be worthy to patronize and watch,” said Thole.