Items filtered by date: June 2025

By Maston Kaiya

Ntcheu, 19 August, Mana:  Vice president Dr. Saulos Chilima has hailed various roles the church plays in the national development of this country.

Chilima made the remarks on Saturday during the launch of a yearlong Golden Jubilee Celebration of Small Christian Community (SCC) / (Limana or Mphakati) in the Catholic Church at Saint Peter Clever of Nsipe Catholic Parish in Ntcheu district.

"As a government we appreciate the partnership that we have with the Church in serving the people if Malawi. We will also constantly rely on the Church to pray for us so that we must always put the welfare of the people first as we serve our positions," said Chilima and pleaded that the relationship between government and religious institutions in the country continue to coexist for continued development. 

The Vice President highlighted that SCC plays a crucial role in evangelism such as teaching the word of God, helping people to practice Bible study and encourage people to receive the sacraments of the Catholic faith.

SCC are small units of families that come together to share the word of God weekly, sitting in a circular form, guided by the seven steps of gospel sharing. 

Archbishop of Archdiocese of Lilongwe George Desmond Tambala urged all Christians to dedicate their lives to God all the time.

He then commended the Vice President for his continued support and dedication of his faith.

Bishop Rogath Kimaryo, Bishop Chairperson of the AMACEA Pastoral Department said the Pastoral department will be spearheading the yearlong celebrations in the region.

He commended the theme of the Golden Jubilee which is " Small Christian Community, 50 years of building the church as a family of God in AMECEA Region” not only as a theme but as a MOTO for the celebrations aswell.

Chairperson for the National Laity Council Virginia Mahata said it was in 1973 in Nairobi, Kenya when Bishops from the AMACEA region resolved to adopt the small Christian community as a new way of building the church.

"This meant SCC to be part and parcel of the christian structure in the AMACEA countries which includes; Malawi, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, Zambia, Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya.

She advised communities not to take SCC as a fundraising tool but a place for prayers.

Andrew Misomali from Saint Peter Claver Mphakatj commended Dedza Diocese for the Golden Jubilee celebrations which he said had empowered not only his Limana but all Limana's in the country.

"Limana is a root for the church and plays a crucial role in Christians lives including when people are planning to have a church marriage, children baptism and many other issues, " said Misomali.

Nsipe parish has 16 Limanas and the Celebration on Saturday involved all the nine Countries in AMACEA region of Africa.

By Kondwani Magombo _ Mana

Lilongwe, August 19, Mana: Namatubi Community Day Secondary School (CDSS) in TA Mwaulambia in Chitipa; and Junju CDSS in TA Kachulu in Rumphi, have got a thing in common. The two institutions are both failing to enroll learners to the full capacity of 200 due one reason: most of the institutions’ feeder primary schools are very far away, hence the selected students end up dropping out along the way.

“We have lost some of our students – especially girls – either due to transfers, or they simply drop out and get married,” explains Namatubi CDSS Head Teacher, Manje Kondowe, adding: “Some girls resorted to self-boarding but, again, that was not safe for them and some of them ended up with pregnancies.”

The situation prompted the surrounding Senior Group Village Heads Chendo, Nyami and Zambwe, to mobilize funds for the construction of a hostel at the school to accommodate girls and ease their studies.

According to the Head Teacher, resources, including bricks, were mobilized and the construction of the hostels commenced up to roofing stage. Then Lady Luck smiled on Namatubi CDSS as Chitipa district council embarked on girls’ hostel project, which is at completion stage and likely to be ready when schools open mid-September.

The council is constructing the hostels with funds from the Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD), a US$100million 5-year project that Government of Malawi is implementing in district councils with funds from the World Bank.

GESD is aimed at strengthening Local Authorities (LAs) institutional performance, responsiveness to citizens and management of resources for service delivery in all councils across the country.

“The girls hostel which the council is constructing for us through GESD has 16 rooms and each room has the capacity to accommodate 4 beds,” explains Kondowe, adding: “The hostel has everything in terms of toilets, bathrooms, and laundry. We have even asked government to increase the selection to our school because we can now accommodate the girls.”

Now that the girls will have their own boarding facility, the community-led hostel project is not stalling as the three Senior Group Village Heads and their subjects have agreed to maintain it and turn it into a boys’ hostel.

Chitipa district council also boasts about teachers’ houses at Namteya and Nkhanga schools, Kameme Extension Planning Area (EPA) offices, and 2 markets shades, each with 40 vending spaces at the Boma – all implemented with GESD’s funds, according to the council’s Director of Finance (DoF) Gift Msowoya.

Unlike Namatubi CDSS, Junju CDSS in Rumphi has the least enrolment of 70 students out of the 200 that the institution has the capacity to enroll.

According to the school’s Head Teacher, Jimmy Msiska, some feeder schools are as far as 14km away and this has always kept students, especially girls, dropping out of school.

But, like Namatubi, Junju CDSS is likely to hit the bar in enrolment this coming school year as Rumphi district council is also constructing a 20-room girls’ hostel with a capacity of 80 beds, courtesy of GESD funds.

“We are very grateful that the council heeded our plea for a girls’ hostel,” explains Msiska. “Our enrolment is just at 70; that’s 32 girls and 38 girls, but with the coming in of the hostel, I’m very certain the enrolment will improve and so will the performance of the school.”

Other than the girls’ hostel at Junju, Rumphi district council also touts other GESD projects including market sheds at Phwezi and Katowo, a pharmacy at Rumphi District Hospital, youth resource Centre at Rumphi Stadium, and agricultural Extension Planning Area (EPA) offices at Mlowe, just to mention some.

In Nkhotakota, the district council is also implementing real life-changing projects under GESD. For the first time in the history of decades-old Nkhunga Health Centre at Dwangwa, two admission wards, one for male, and one for female, are near completion.

The construction of the admission wards is the most welcome news among the members of the community as they see themselves no longer paying hefty costs to get to Nkhotakota District Hospital when referred for admission.

“Every time a patient is referred to Nkhotakota District Hospital they pay up to MK14,000 for a return ticket on public transport, which is too high for someone living in the village where resources are meagre,” explains 21-year-old Mary Ndeketeya from Kapendekera Village, TA Kanyenda.

According to the facility In-Charge, Fanny Kabango, Nkhunga Health Centre serves a population of 52 thousand, thus the two 14-bed-each admission wards is of great convenience to the surrounding communities.

Other than the admission wards, Nkhotakota district council is also implementing other projects including a market shed at Benga, and a stadium at the Boma, among others, under GESD.

In Lilongwe, the district council has implemented a number of projects with GESD funds for the past two financial years but some of those directly impacting the lives of people include, Chitsime Health Centre in TA Chiseka, classroom blocks for Phiri La Njuzi, and Mwenda primary schools in TAs Masumbankhunda and Chiseka, respectively.

According to the council’s DoF, Charles Mhone, the projects have changed the people’s lives as they can now access health services, while pupils who were learning outside now have classroom blocks.

“The Phiri La Njuzi, and Mwenda school blocks were both completed on time; desks were provided, and over 1,000 learners who were learning outside now have classrooms,” explains Mhone.

He adds, “On the other hand, Chitsime Health Centre is a flagship project for us as it will provide rural hospital status as it has maternity, OPD, laboratory – all the infrastructure required for a rural health Centre are there.”

A Health Surveillance Assistant (HAS) at the health Centre, Happiness Dalikeni, concurs with Mhone, saying the health facility will serve people from Kalumba, Chadza, Malili and Chiseka who, previously, had to go all the way to Bwaila Hospital in Lilongwe to get health services.

GESD projects have also made a notable impact in Thyolo where the council is implementing 10 projects from the previous funding of 2021/2022.

The 10 projects include two health facilities; one market center with two sheds, 8 kiosks, and VIP pit latrine; five teachers’ houses, and an irrigation scheme, among others.

Some of the projects are completed and in use, while other projects are at completion stage, according to the council’s DoF, Andrew Jafali.

Of the projects that are completed and functional in Thyolo, it is, perhaps, the irrigation scheme that has brought the much needed salvation to the communities in the aftermath of Cyclone Freddy.

“Some completed projects are already changing people’s lives: for instance, the irrigation scheme is a real-life-saving project,” explains Jafali, and he continues: “It reaches out to 175 hectares, and it is benefiting 2,500 households in the community that we are implementing – that is well over 10,000 people.

According to Jafali, the farmers working on the scheme were, at the time of the visit to the council (end July), harvesting their first crop since Cyclone Freddy devastation.

“After Cyclone Freddy the farmers went straight into irrigation farming and they are now harvesting and we are expecting a thousand-plus bags of maize, and a thousand plus bags of beans as we speak,” explains the DoF.

Since its inception in 2020, GESD has dotted the nation with variously service delivery projects through Performance Based Grant (PBG) that is awarded to the district councils to supplement the District Development Fund (DDF).

According to NLGFC, for PBG 1, a total of MK4.9 billion was disbursed to 24 councils for implementation of 152 projects, while for PBG 2, a total of MK13.7 billion was disbursed in two tranches (first MK8.3 billion to 25 councils, and secondly, MK5.4 billion to 24 councils) for implementation of 273 projects.

For PBG 3, approximately MK20 billion has been allocated to 25 councils that have qualified, with over 190 projects expected to be implemented.

Thus since GESD’s inception in 2020, a total of MK38.6 billion has been disbursed to councils to fund a total of 615 projects across the country.

By Maryam Mtengulah

Blantyre, August 19, Mana: Blantyre District Acting Social Welfare Officer, Irene Lakudzala has urged people in the district to take responsibility of ensuring that technology is being used as a vessel for advocating and protecting the rights of children in the district.

Lakudzala said this on Friday during the commemoration of day of the African child which was held at Tafika Primary School in the area of Traditional Authority Lundu.

The commemoration involved hundreds of children from Tafika Primary School, Katete Primary School, and Milale Primary School under the theme ‘The Rights of the Child in the Digital Environment’.

“Blantyre District Council is concerned with how technology is violating the rights of children by exposing them to bad behaviors including pornography and violent behavior. We are therefore linking with different stakeholders to implement activities that will help against digital abuse so that our children should grow with good morals,” said Lakudzala.

Speaking on the same, Director of Step Kids Awareness, God knows Maseko said the negative impacts of technology on children should not be overlooked and therefore advised parents, leaders, and the government to join hands in advocating and raising awareness on how technology can assist children instead of destroying them.

In an interview with one of the pupils, Daniel Kasimu urged his fellow children to stay away from technological activities which may result to moral decadence and that they must seek guidance from their parents before utilizing the digital space to ensure that their good morals are kept intact.

The commemoration began with a big walk which was followed by pupils’ performances including drama, debates, speeches, and dances.

By Aliko Munde & Andrew Gondwe

Chitipa, August 19, Mana: Chairperson for Chitipa District Council, Councilor Toweracharo Mnyenyembe has applauded AFIKEPO project for improving nutritional status of people saying cases of malnutrition have reduced in the district since the project was rolled out in 2017. 

Speaking on Friday during the launch of Performance Based Incentives (PBI) awards to best performing groups under AFIKEPO, Mnyenyembe encouraged people in the district to continue good nutrition practices.  

"We understand AFIKEPO project is coming to an end this coming December. Let's continue practicing what we have learnt on six food groups and practicing good hygiene and sanitation," Mnyenyembe said.

Mulungu cluster leader, Funny Mogha whose group was one of the winners, applauded AFIKEPO project for awarding best performing groups, which she said will go a long way in motivating them.

Chitipa District Food and Nutrition Officer, Gift Nyasulu, who is also PBI Taskforce Chairperson, said in selecting PBI awardees, groups were assessed on their nutrition reporting systems and improved indicators.

“The nutrition reporting system includes the six food groups, which people must eat to prevent malnutrition while practicing hygiene and sanitation like using toilets properly and cleaning the surroundings are some examples of improved indicators,” said Nyasulu.

PBI was introduced by Catholic Relief Services (CRS) while AFIKEPO project is funded by the European Union.

By Robert Nayeja

Nsanje, August 19, Mana: Minister of Information and Digitalisation, Moses Kunkuyu has described late Senior Chief Malemia of Nsanje distrcit as a champion for development.

Kunkuyu said this in his eulogy on Saturday at Nyangodzo Headquarters during the burial of late Chief Malemia who died on the wee hours of Tuesday due to kidney failure.

Kunkuyu who represented President Dr Lazarus Chakwera said just like the family and everybody else, government is also worried with the death of the chief.

He said the death of Senior Chief Malemia is a loss to the country since he was a great person who worked hard to serve his area and country at large.

“Senior Chief Malemia was very humble and always strived to promote unity among his subjects,” he said.

Kunkuyu asked people in the area to emulate the good life style of late Senior Chief Malemia had.

The minister announced that state President Dr Lazarus Chakwera and Vice President Dr Saulosi Chilima have condoled the bereaved family with K1.5 million and K 1 million respectively.

In his eulogy, Deputy Minister of Local Government, Owen Chomanika appealed to the royal family to desist from chieftaincy wrangles for continued implementation of development in the area.

Speaking on behalf of Paramount Lundu, Paramount Kawinga described late Senior Chief Malemia as a person who was willing to work with everyone regardless of status.

“Late Chief Malemia was a bridge of unity amongst chiefs in Malawi. We will sadly miss him. I urge the royal family to exercise patience and choose the right person to avoid chieftaincy wrangles which have been slowing down developments in the country,” mourned Kawinga.

Minister of Water and Sanitation Abida Mia and other senior government officials also attended the burial ceremony.

Malemia whose real name was Lameck Bizzeck Msamange is survived by a wife and seven Children.

Late Senior Chief Malemia was born on 24^th September 1955 and was installed as traditional leader in 2000 and later elevated to senior chief in 2009.

By Joel Phiri

Mzimba, August 19, mana: A cross section of business people in Mzimba have protested M’mbelwa District Council’s plans to construct a new bus depot at the old bus depot premises.

The people were speaking on Friday during a consultation meeting the council held to brief them on plans to construct a new depot to replace the old one.

Principal Environmental Officer for the council, James Pelani said the bus depot is now under M’mbelwa Council having its ownership transferred from National Bus Company hence plans to erect a new structure.

However, one of the business people operating a restaurant in the depot, Cecilia Mumba said demolishing the old depot will rob them of their livelihood.

“We have families we support from the businesses we operate from here and if you demolish this depot it will render us without business premises to operate from and our dependants will be affected adversely,” said Mumba.

Mumba proposed construction of new depot at a new place to avoid inconveniences.  

Chairperson of the committee that runs businesses in the bus depot, Kaingani Chiwambo concurred with Mumba saying the new bus depot should be built elsewhere.

“We use this depot as our business premises. So much as we welcome plans of a new depot, we want it constructed elsewhere like at the abandoned airport,” Chiwambo said.

Pelani said as council they will go back to the drawing board to see how the issue should be tackled.

He said the plans that the councillors and Members of Parliament passed were that the new depot should be constructed at the same old depot premises.

The Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) funded bus depot project is one of the 11 flagship projects earmarked to be constructed in the 2023/2024 financial year.

By Chisomo Kambandanga

Nkhata Bay, August 19, Mana: Some chiefs in Nkhata Bay have called on government and property developers in the country to construct buildings which can be easily accessible to people with disabilities.

The chiefs made the sentiments on Friday during a Disabled Women in Development (DIWODE) engagement meeting with traditional leaders on development of awareness campaign messages. 

One of the traditional leaders, Senior Chief Mankhambira noted that some of the buildings in Nkhata Bay are not accessible to people with disabilities despite that they are also contributors to national development.  

"Some structures here in Nkhata Bay are not easily accesible by people with disabilities. That is why we need to strongly enforce the construction of accesible buildings because discrimination or exclusion is a form of violence," he said.

Chief Executive Officer for DIWODE, Sigere Kasasi said government needs to take a leading role in solving the problem by ensuring that public funds should not be used in a way that discriminates against people with disabilities.

District Social Welfare Officer for Nkhata Bay, Macsense Chagomerana said discrimination lowers production capacity of the nation.

"The Malawi 2063 emphasizes that we should ensure that people who are marginalised and disadvantaged are active participants in the design and implementation of development plans," Chagomerana said.

DIWODE is currently implementing a project called Access to Justice in NkhataBay District with support from Disability Rights Fund (DRF).

By Margret Praise Kalua

Nkhata Bay, August 19, Mana: National Water Resources Authority (NWRA) has called for collaborative efforts in regulating and managing water resources to ensure its sustainability for social economic growth.

Speaking Friday during a District Executive Committee (DEC) meeting in Nkhata Bay, NWRA Senior Civic Education Officer, Masozi Kasambala said the Authority is engaging councils in the country as one way of creating awareness regarding water resource management

He pointed out that the 2013 Water Resource Act gives NWRA mandate to manage and regulate water resources and forbid abstraction of water without its authorisation. 

“Construction or operation of all agriculture activities along the lake or rivers is prohibited. One must first seek authorisation and guidance from NWRA. We now give the responsibility to councils to prohibit abstraction of water when there is no consent from the Authority,” he said. 

Director of Planning and Development for Nkhata Bay, Edgar Chahana commended NWRA for conducting an engagement meeting with the council saying it enlightened them of the authority’s mandate and functions.

“Illegal activities such as construction, sand mining and farming along Lake Malawi and rivers are compromising water quality in the district. There is need to enhance the relationship between the council, stakeholders and NWRA to fight against the vice” he said.

By Andrew Phiri

Thyolo, August 19, Mana: Thyolo District Health Office says the district is registering high birth rate, a development which is exerting more pressure on health related resources.

Harry Milala, a statistician from the department of Health Management Information System at the hospital told Malawi News Agency on Friday that the Crude Birth Rate (CBR) in the district has heavily increased from the year 2020 to 2022.

CBR is the annual number of live births per 1,000 populations.

Milala said the CBR in Thyolo has increased from 17,477 to 21,813 live births representing 28 and 33 percent respectively.

He attributed low uptake of family planning services by people in the district as a major factor that has contributed to such trend.

“We should expect more births in the next five years here in Thyolo because limited people of child bearing age are accessing family planning services.

“We are asking government to intervene on the matter by increasing the numbers of health centres and health workers so that the growing population in the district should match health services provision,” he said.

Commenting on the matter, Thyolo District Family Planning Coordinator, Regina Mponya said youths particularly in the child bearing age group of 20 to 24 are contributing to high birth rate.

She said youths in the district think that contraceptives are for married people only and this result into early unplanned pregnancies.

“We have a big problem in motivating these young ones to adopt family planning services because they have myths and misconceptions that when they start accessing contraceptives before getting married, they will not have children in future,” she said.

Mana/ap/tv/scm

By Regina Chirwa

Neno, August 19, Mana: Deputy Minister of Education Nancy Chaola Mdooko says inadequate learning and teaching materials in the education system is affecting delivery of quality and equitable education in the country.

Speaking Friday during the closing of the 7^th Neno Children’s parliament in Neno, Mdooko said it is the wish of the government to ensure that every child should access quality education by providing resources in schools.

She said government will build more school blocks to ease long distance problems which children are facing saying doing so can improve quality education.

"Ministry of education is not leaving any child behind because we want to improve quality of education in Malawi and Neno as district," said Mdooko.

A representative of the Children’s Parliament committee in Neno Promise Macheso said learners in the district are facing numerous challenges including long distances to access education.

"Government should consider building more schools to reduce long distances that are affecting learning process,” he said.

She therefore asked government to identify other partners since Save the children is phasing out its five year programme of Securing children’s rights through education and protection (SCREP) which has been supporting children’s parliament.

SCREP Project Team Leader Kenneth Harry Wala said the project has made huge impact among children by providing space to voice out their issues and also building capacity for them to speak in public.

The two-day meeting was funded by NORAD through Save the Children in conjunction with Community Action for Sustainable Development.