The Civil Society Education Coalition (CSEC) has commended the government for allocating MK900 billion to the education sector in the 2024-2025 budget, stressing that the increase in allocation demonstrates government’s recognition of the pivotal role the sector has in national development.
CSEC Board Chairperson Dr. Limbani Nsapato and the coalition’s Executive Director, Benedicto Kondowe, made the sentiments in a statement issued on Thursday in reaction to the national budget statement as presented in the august House by the Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Simplex Chithyola Banda, last week.
The coalition stated that while it is celebrating this milestone, it is imperative for the controlling officers at the Capital Hill to ensure equitable distribution and efficient utilization of funds to address diverse educational needs comprehensively.
“Only through such deliberate and inclusive efforts can we effectively bridge existing gaps and propel our society towards greater equity and prosperity. While the government has secured financial support from international partners, including a four-year Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), ensuring sustainable budgetary allocations remains a formidable task,” reads the statement in part.
The 2024-2025 fiscal year anticipates total revenue and grants of K4.55 trillion, with domestic revenues estimated at K3.38 trillion and grants at K1.17 trillion.
Total expenditure is programmed at K5.98 trillion, with recurrent expenses accounting for 70.4 percent of total expenditure and development expenditure at K1.77 trillion. Within this framework, the education sector has been allocated MK 895 billion, marking a nominal increase of 35 percent from the mid-year revised allocation.
Within the context of the overall budget framework, the education sector has been allocated MK 900 billion, marking a nominal increase of 35 percent from the mid-year revised allocation of K662 billion.
Nsapato and Kondowe said this allocation reflects the government’s commitment to prioritizing education as a key driver of national development and human capital formation.
They reaffirmed CSEC’s commitment to advocating for equitable and effective budget allocations in the education sector, stating that while progress has been made, critical gaps remain that must be addressed to realize the vision of inclusive and transformative education in Malawi.
“By implementing these recommendations and fostering collaboration among stakeholders, we can build a brighter future for all learners,” concludes the statement.
Kanyangala Nkhoma, a 60-year-old peasant farmer from Kuliyani Village in Traditional Authority (T/A) Chitukula in Lilongwe, will face yet another life-threatening hunger this year.
Not because Nkhoma did not grow maize – Malawi’s staple grain – but because the prolonged dry spells that hit Malawi between January and February 2024 wilted the stalks before tasseling.
“This is one of the worst droughts I have ever seen in my life. I don’t know what to do,” a hopeless and helpless farmer lamented.
This year’s drought has stunted the growth of crops, especially maize, which is a staple grain in Malawi, and, as a result, there are fears that this will result in a decline in the size and quality of produce.
In districts such as Nsanje and Chikwawa, thousands of maize fields wilted while drought-resistant varieties were eaten by pests, thereby shattering hopes and dreams for a bumper harvest among smallholder farmers.
In Malawi, just like many countries in Africa, smallholder farmers heavily rely on rainfall to produce food such that even short-term drought causes a significant damage to crops, particularly when it occurs during key stages of crop development, such as after planting or during flowering.
But prolonged dry spells were not the only impacts the farmers are faced with this year. With the drought, pests such as grasshoppers, caterpillars, fall armyworms, beetles, and other pests found a perfect climate and environment for them to breed and spread.
Dr. Kingdom Kwapata, a biotechnology research scientist based at the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), said in an interview this week that when there is a lot of rainfall, pests find it difficult to breed and spread as downpour tends to wash pests off of the plants.
Kwapata added that increasing drought affects staple crops, which, in the end, negatively impacts the availability of local food on the market.
Imported food is not the most suitable as it is often added with preservatives and has lower nutritional value, which can negatively affect human health.
With financial support from the National Commission for Science and Technology (NCST) and Open Forum for Agriculture Biotechnology (OFAB), LUANAR has started conducting trials on biotech (BT) maize at its Bunda Campus.
Professor of Plant Breeding and Genetics at LUANAR, Moses Maliro, said the introduction of genetically modified crops like maize brings in a new aspect in addressing food security problems in Malawi.
Maliro said time had come for the country to adopt and embrace BT maize as a measure to fight hunger, stressing that Malawi already has enabling policies and regulations for the safe use of biotechnology.
Professor Maliro explaining how the trials are progressing at the Confined Field Trial site–Photo by Watipaso Mzungu
He stated that biotechnology, like any other technology, has a lot of strength and offers a solution to challenges of drought, insects, among others.
And speaking to journalists who visited the confined field trial site at Bunda on February 29, 2024, Kwapata said the project implementation team was impressed with the progress of the research.
“The trials are going well as you can see. Our objective for the trials were to identify or to determine whether the gene for insect resistance, in particular fall armyworms, is working in the transgenic maize plants. And as you can see, it is very evident that those plants that have gotten the transgenes, their leaves are intact, while those that do not have, their leaves have been damaged by the fall armyworm,” he said.
He disclosed that the major benefit for the BT maize is that it will increase yield for the farmers.
Kwapata stated that this will, in turn, address problems of food insecurity, adding that this will also increase incomes for the farmers.
“As you know that for armyworms are one of the major devastating pests for maize in this country. Now that this research has demonstrated that the maize varieties that we have are resistant to this insect, I think is good news. For farmers in the country as a whole,” he narrated.
Asked when the farmers will start accessing the BT maize seeds on the market, Kwapata indicated that the trials will take close to three to four years.
He said after conducting the first stage, they will need to take the trials to other parts of the country to ensure that the stability of the gene in the sense that it should be able to perform as it is performing at Bunda.
“So, we want to have a uniformity in terms of performance across the nation. So that will take about two years. And then the other year, probably will be issues to do with the registration and deregistration of the trade so that it can be commercialized,” he explained.
Chief Research Officer at NCST, Lyson Kampira, said biotechnology has potential to manage pests, especially in the maize crops, which reduces yields in Malawi.
Kampira said this is why the Commission is promoting the technology.
“And having visited the trial site, what we can see and say at this point is that it appears BT maize has not fallen victim to fall armyworms in the sense that it is growing very well while our local varieties are suffering, especially those that have not been,” he narrated.
In his remarks, OFAB Project Manager Vitumbiko Chinoko parried away fears and rumours associated with GM maize, assuring that GM crops are safe for human consumption.
Chinoko: Ignore the propaganda against GMOs, they are all false–Photo by Watipaso Mzungu
Chinoko disclosed that GM crops have been tried and tested in many countries, including the United States and South Africa, where they are working wonders in addressing problems of food insecurity.
“We are supporting the technology development in particular, the modern technologies like what you’re seeing here, GMO technologies, because we see how our climate, for example, is affecting agriculture and food systems in Africa. The population is growing. And we also see how the food input bill for Africa is growing. So the only way African individual member states can counter those challenges is if we improve on the adoption and integration of technologies into our ledger systems,” he said.
Chinoko stated that Malawi is not doing very well in terms of adoption and investment in modern technologies in the agriculture sector.
“Even when you look at the Malabo Declaration, the 10 percent commitment to agriculture, very little of it is going into science and technology. And even very little, again, is going into modern technologies such as GMOs and the other technologies. So what we’re saying is that I think it’s high time for Africa. It’s high time for Malawi, to embrace these kind of technologies because they do have an impact. They do have an impact in terms of food security and nutrition. But more importantly also in terms of how it can cover and protect the economy of this of this country,” he stated.
According to Chinoko, a number of African countries have already embraced and are currently using GM technologies. He cited South Africa, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso and Ghana.
He said very soon, the Government of Mozambique will commercialize GMOs after conducting successful trials on them.
“So what I’d say is that all these perceptions and propaganda that you’ve been hearing about technologies are actually false,” he emphasized.
For smallholder farmers like Kanyangala Nkhoma, probably GM technologies are the ‘messiah’ they have been waiting for to save them from perennial hunger.
Nkhoma is convinced that GM maize would help him to deal with adverse climate change conditions.
“I can assure you that I will be among the first farmers to buy BT maize seed. I am tired of nursing hunger in my family,” he said.
Agriculture and development experts have advised the Government of Malawi to consider making greater investment in the extension services, stressing that this is key to the realization of enhanced productivity and production.
The experts made the advice in Lilongwe during the 11the Ndizotheka Eminent Speakers Series, which was organized by MwAPATA Institute and the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR).
The 11th Ndizotheka Eminent Speakers Series was organized under the theme: Building 21st Century Agricultural Research and Extension Capacity in Africa.
The main speaker, Thomas Jayne, said time had come for humanity to innovate in order to become more sustainable, resilient and productive.
Professor Jayne making a presentation during the 11th Ndizotheka Eminent Series in Lilongwe–Photo by Watipaso Mzungu
“But how can humanity do that? By increasing investments in research, development and extension – both science/technology (including traditional knowledge) and social science. In developing regions, agricultural research and development has consistently generated the greatest impact on agricultural growth and improved living standards of all types of public agricultural expenditures,” said Jayne who is University Foundation Professor emeritus of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics at Michigan State University.
He is also a Fellow of the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association and a Distinguished Fellow of the African Association of Agricultural Economists.
He is a board member of the Regional Network of Agricultural Policy Research Institutes in Eastern and Southern Africa and the MwAPATA Institute in Malawi.
During a panel discussion, Agricultural Research and Extension Trust (ARET) Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Albert Changaya, Director of Knowledge and Learning at the National Planning Commission (NPC), Dr. Joseph Nagoli, Dr. Paul Fatch, who is Head of Agricultural Extension Services at LUANAR, and farmer from Dowa, Christopher Chimzimu, pointed out the need for the government and its development partners to equip small-scale farmers with knowledge and skills on how to build resilience in light of the devastating effects of climate change.
The Early Childhood Development Coalition of Malawi (ECD Coalition) has lamented the declining government contribution to the ECD sector, fearing the country risks missing the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4.2 if the trend continues.
SDG 4 calls upon governments to ensure greater investment in quality education and ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
But speaking at an engagement with members of Parliament (MPs) at the Capital Hotel in Lilongwe on Friday, ECD Coalition national coordinator, Joylet Genda, observed that Malawi is not doing enough to provide education opportunities for all, citing the declining contribution to the ECD sector amidst phasing out of major budget contributors to the national budget.
Genda: We need more investment in the ECD sector if Malawi is to achieve MW2063–Photo by Watipaso Mzungu
“This has the effect of the government failing to meet the goal of providing quality ECD services, care and pre-primary education to all children by 2030, as required by SDG 4.2. We have also noted a lack of detailed information on personnel emoluments which makes budget monitoring and oversight difficult,” she said.
The engagement meeting was facilitated by child rights-centred non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Malawi, which include Save the Children, SOS Children’s Villages Malawi, Plan International, World Vision, and NGO Child Rights Coalition.
The purpose of the engagement was to provide parliamentarians with critical insights for commenting on the budget’s child-friendliness.
Genda observed that, while investing in children is crucial to social economic development of the country, and achievement of Malawi 2063 (MW2063) development agenda, the Malawi Government has not done enough to grease the wheels so that the country achieves its goals.
She proposed that the government should allocate at least 10 percent of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to support ECD initiatives in the communities, this will help in promoting access and quality to ECD services in the country.
“We also recommend that the Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare should fast track the consultations and presentation to parliament of the ECD Bill and enact it to support mandatory allocation of ECD resources and implementations of ECD programs within the country,” said Genda.
In his remarks, Head of the European Union (EU) Delegation to Malawi, Ivo Hoefkens, whose organization is providing huge financial support towards child-centred programmes and interventions in Malawi, said engagements between civil society and legislators is critical, as it entrenches the spirit of budget ownership.
Hoefkens added that such engagements help lawmakers to get appraised of the content of the budget.
“I’ve listened to the presentations with a lot of attention. This is very interesting material, and I’m thankful to the experts who have done the analysis and picked out all the issues also in comparative perspective with what was budgeted in previous years. It will be I imagine a very difficult discussion with the parliamentarians and the civil society. But that is a Mullah Malawi in discussion. So I am learning a lot and I think having this event will be very productive,” he said.
The EU Head of Delegation pledged that his organization will continue providing support to children programmes in Malawi.
“We are quite strongly engaged. We have programs ongoing, the recent one last year is a new one. That was for which the financing decision was adopted 59 million euros, which exactly focuses on social protection, and on gender equality and inclusion. It combines the two aspects. Let’s say in a very novel approach, but also in the other sectors. We are quite engaged and we maintain our commitment to that we did recently our midterm review from our program, which runs from 21 to 27. So we are waiting for this conclusion, considering the hardship that Malawi is going through. We have to pay attention not only to economic recovery, but also to protecting the poor from the effects of the external service and the effects of the economic transformation that is aspired,” he assured.
Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Social Welfare, Savel Kafwafwa, commended the NGOs for the budget analysis, which he said will help lawmakers better understand the needs of the people at the grassroots level.
In his quest to resolve the system failure at the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services, President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera on Wednesday summoned heads and technocrats from various ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to a meeting at the Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe to discuss and find a lasting solution to the problem.
The technical glitches have rendered the department helpless as it cannot print passports for the applicants. Also in attendance at the meeting were private sector player – the ICT Association of Malawi (ICTAM).
Speaking in Lilongwe on Wednesday when he launched the Malawi Business Registration System (MBRS) and the Land Information Management System (LIMS), President Chakwera said he does not treat the fall of the system at the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services lightly.
He said this is why he decided to engage anyone with expertise in the ICT sector so that they can find a solution to the problem.
“So at that meeting, I said bluntly that the work of restoring the passport system should not be taken lightly because that system is important for the security of our country, and I ordered that the officials at Immigration Department be given all the necessary support, including the support of experts from the ICT Association of Malawi (ICTAM),” he said.
President Chakwera further disclosed that he warned the officials that if they fail to do the job, he will identify others to do it, stressing that it is unfair for Malawians to be suffering to get a passport because someone failed to properly manage the information.
He said as the country launches the new systems, it is imperative that those in charge should discharge their duties with ultimate diligence and highest sense of professionalism and in compliance with the law.
The President said Malawians should not allow what happened at the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services to replicate in other sectors.
The Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF) has pledged continued support to the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) in its efforts to provide assistance to food-insecure Malawians.
SCIAF Programme Officer Chris MacLullich said the Fund is aware of the challenges that Malawians have had, particularly in the rural areas, as a result of the Cyclones last year and the year before and this year with El Nino.
MacLullich made the sentiments in Zomba when Bishop of the Diocese of Zomba announced that the Scottish Government has, through SCIAF, provided a £250, 000 (approximately MK452 million) grant to the Catholic Development Commission in Malawi (CADECOM) also known as Caritas Malawi to implement a food crisis project.
Through the project, CADECOM is disbursing cash transfers amounting to MK100, 000 each to 4, 520 households in the districts of Chikwawa, Nsanje, Phalombe, Zomba, Machinga, Karonga, Dedza, Nkhotakota, Dowa and Mzimba.
MacLullich (4th from right) posing for a photo with Bishop Chaima, CADECOM officials and other dignitaries–Photo by Watipaso Mzungu.
MacLullich said the SCIAF is aware that ‘the harvest this year is looking quite thin’, which means majority of Malawians will face hunger yet again.
“So we know that many people anticipate a food crisis later this year. So, while I can see at the stages that we will watch it closely, and SCIAF will do everything we can to continue to support the people of Malawi,” he said.
However, MacLullich advised the government and its stakeholders to continue supporting the farmers to diversify away from overreliance on rain-fed agriculture.
“I think, because much of the Malawian food that’s produced within Malawi is rain fed. It’s very important for us to continue to support Malawians to diversify the food that they’re producing and to introduce irrigation as possible so that they are able to produce food for a longer period throughout the year. I think that’s key to supporting food security through all of the months of the year,” he said.
In his remarks, Chaima, who is also Bishop Chairman for CADECOM, thanked the Scottish Government for the financial support, stressing that the support will go a long way in alleviating the plight of hunger-stricken families in the targeted districts.
His Lordship assured that the resources would be used for the intended purposes.
But Bishop Chaima was quick to point out that the church is devising measures for ensuring that the beneficiaries do not become dependent.
The Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) – an association of the Catholic Bishops in Malawi – has thanked the Scottish Government (SG) for providing a £250, 000 (approximately MK452 million) grant towards supporting families affected by hunger in Malawi.
The financial support has been provided through the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF) and the Catholic Development Commission in Malawi (CADECOM) also known as Caritas Malawi.
Addressing journalists in Zomba on Wednesday, Bishop of the Diocese of Zomba and Bishop Chairman for Catholic Development Commission in Malawi (CADECOM), Right Reverend Alfred Chaima, said the grant will help CADECOM implement a cash transfer initiative in nine districts of Chikwawa, Nsanje, Phalombe, Zomba, Machinga, Karonga, Dedza, Nkhotakota, Dowa and Mzimba.
He said the cash transfers are aimed at assisting hunger-stricken families to buy foodstuffs during the lean period.
Bishop Chaima stated they are planning to reach out to 4, 520 families with cash transfers of MK100, 000 to each household to aid them with food during this lean season.
This is in addition to 8, 000 households, which CADECOM supported with relief items in the Southern Region, including food, using a grant from the Scottish Government.
“The Scottish Government was also very instrumental, having supported us with two hundred thousand British pounds. We are deeply grateful on behalf of our people! In the same vein, the Scottish Government has recently supported us yet again with an amount of 250, 000 British Pounds to support the worst hit households by the current food crisis during the months of February and March 2024,” said His Lordship.
His Lordship Chaima (2nd from left) reading a statement of gratitude to the journalists at the Bishop’s House in Zomba–Photo by Watipaso Mzungu
He said with the cash transferred, the Catholic Church in Malawi is assured that the families will be able to buy assorted food items to support their health and nutritional needs.
Bishop Chaima disclosed that the Catholic Church in Malawi is working together with relevant government departments in all the target districts to avoid duplication with similar initiatives undertaken by other partners, including the government.
“It is with sincere gratitude that I come forth on behalf of my fellow Bishops in Malawi to make this statement as a gesture of appreciation by the Church and many people in need that will benefit from the support. The bible in Deuteronomy chapter 15 verse 11 says “There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore, I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land.”
“In diversity we are but one people created in the image of God and it is only prudent and just to take care of each other. The Holy Father, Pope Francis also emphasizes the need to take care of the poor and those in need. The Scottish Government has led by example by providing such enormous support to communities at risk of food insecurity in Malawi,” he said.
Bishop Chaima took advantage of the press briefing to remind the world about the persistent climate induced disasters that Malawi and its neighbouring countries have faced in recent years.
Last year, Malawi experienced one of the worst disasters ever, Cyclone Freddy affecting approximately 2, 267, 458 people (1, 110, 639 males, 1, 156, 819 females this includes 234, 729 people living with disability) representing 11 percent of the Malawi population.
Many people were displaced and over 200 people were reported dead. Most of the affected communities were already suffering impacts of Cyclones Idai, Ana and Gombe that had hit the country in the preceding season.
This also came amid an outbreak of Cholera and Covid 19 earlier. Consequently, there have been detrimental effects on production on a country that is heavily dependent on agriculture with the majority in subsistence farming. People are living in uncertain times grappling with ways to mitigate the impacts. These calamities have left people in a state of hopelessness.
Bishop Chaima said following the Cyclone Freddy disaster, ECM through its development arm, CADECOM, also known as Caritas Malawi, launched an emergency appeal through Caritas International to mobilize resources for humanitarian support.
“We, however, recognize the fact that the needs on the ground are enormous as per reports in various media platforms. With such a situation, we will continue reaching out to our various partners for more support to sustainably restore the livelihoods and strengthen resilience of the affected households and communities,” he said, while stressing that as people strive to recover from the devastating effects of the Cyclones and the dry spell, the country faces yet another imminent uncertain season due to El Nino.
He warned that Malawi is on the verge of experiencing one of its worst food insecurity crises.
Marist Brothers in Malawi have rolled out a goat pass-on programme targeting young people from underprivileged families.
The livestock pass-on scheme is a component of the Girls Education Project, the religious brothers are implementing with financial support from an Irish charity called Misean Cara.
The projects is being implemented at Likuni Boys Secondary School in Champagnat Community Day Secondary School (CDSS) and Marist Secondary School in Dedza, St. Charles Lwanga Secondary School in Balaka, Zomba Catholic and Mayaka Community Day Secondary Schools in Zomba and Msalura and Mafco CDSSs in Salima.
Speaking after a symbolic presentation of the goats at the headquarters of Traditional Authority (T/A) Maganga, the National Provincial Councilor for the Marist Brothers in Malawi, Brother Francis Jumbe, said the programme is in line with their philosophy of making a difference in the world by showing young people that they are loved, safe and cared for.
“Today, we are distributing 50 goats to the first line beneficiaries who are expected to pass on the benefits to the second line of beneficiaries. We expect that the goats will help the targeted youths to generate income for investment in other entrepreneurial opportunities,” said Jumbe.
Brother Jumbe (left) presenting the goats to beneficiaries of the goat pass-on programme–Photo by Watipaso Mzungu
He pleaded with the beneficiaries to look after the goats well and jealously guard them against theft.
Two of the beneficiaries, 24-year-olds Christina Phiri and Mable M’bwana, commended the brothers for the initiative, saying the programme will play a crucial role in transforming their livelihoods.
Phiri and M’bwana, whose marriages collapsed and have a child each, disclosed that they are currently struggling to feed and clothe their children by themselves.
“We are very grateful to the Marist Brothers in Malawi. We pledge to raise the goats very well and ensure that we pass on to the next line of beneficiaries,” assured Phiri.
In his remarks, District Commissioner (DC) for Salima, James Mwenda, described the livestock pass-on scheme as a pathway out of poverty for the young people in Salima.
Mwenda assured the Marist Brothers in Malawi of the government’s commitment to partnering with the religious brothers in improving lives of the underprivileged in the society.
The Malawi Olympic Committee (MOC) has brokered a US$30,000 Development of National Sport Systems where the Malawi Aquatic Union, with their international expert coach, Cedric Finch, have been training 20 coaches targeting lake districts including other districts in Kasungu and Mangochi
The project, which has four phases, held a talent identification intervention on Saturday, February 24, 2024.
Speaking at the event, MOC vice president, Major General Kaphuta Banda, hailed the Malawi Aquatic Union for the systematic initiative; looking at schools as well as communities to develop athletes.
Kaphuta Banda affirmed MOC’s commitment to further supporting grassroots development in Malawi.
Kaphuta Banda addressing the gathering and committing to further development of aquatics in Malawi and continued collaboration with Malawi Aquatic Union
During the talent identification event, 38 swimmers aged 11 -19 years took part in events of 500m to one kilometer leading.
The participating athletes were from Karonga, Kasungu, Rumphi, Mzimba, Nkhataby, Nkhotakota, Likoma, Salima and Mangochi.
Kaphuta Banda stated that Malawi Aquatic Union has a well-developed pathway for the development of the identified talent who will champion Open Water Swimming in Malawi
In the final phase, the Malawi Aquatic Union, which is a national association responsible for development and promotion of aquatics in Malawi, collaborated with Malawi School Sport Association (MASSA) to ensure development of aquatics in Malawi is well structured.
The coaches that were trained under the MOC supported project brought in swimmers, which excited the National Sports Council of Malawi and the Ministry of Education.
Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Mining, Joseph Mkandawire, has called for enhanced transparency and accountability in exportation of mineral resources for the country to realize the benefits.
Mkandawire made the call during a stakeholders’ forum in Lilongwe on Friday.
“The future of mineral exportation in Malawi is bright. But we cannot, as a nation, realize the benefits if we, Malawians, collaborate and take the lead in facilitating illegal mining operations,” he said.
Air Cargo Malawi Limited hosted the forum to enable players and stakeholders in the mining sector to identify challenges and suggest solutions to the challenges the sector faces so that the country benefits more from the minerals.
Mkandawire said there is a need for players and stakeholders to enhance their collaboration in harnessing mineral resources for the greater good of the nation, both now and for generations to come.
Mkandawire: collaboration is vital to harness mineral resources
He said Malawi is endowed with abundant mineral resources such as coal, uranium, rare earth minerals, phosphates, bauxite, kaolinitic, kayanite, limestone, gemstones, titanium, and vermiculite, among others.
The PS said these minerals provide immense potential job and wealth creation and socio economic growth of our country.
“However, we must acknowledge that mining, if not managed properly, can have detrimental effects on our environment and communities. It is our responsibility to enforce good mining practices to promote sustainable mining. As stakeholders in the mining industry, it is our collective responsibility to ensure that the extraction and exportation of minerals benefit not only a few, but the entire nation. We must strive to maximize the value of our mineral resources while ensuring that the environment is protected and the local communities are not exploited,” emphasized Mkandawire.
“Transparency and accountability are paramount in mineral exportation. We must work together to combat illegal mining activities, smuggling, and corruption. By promoting good governance practices, we can build trust with our international partners and attract responsible investors who are committed to ethical practices.
“Furthermore, we must prioritize the development of local capacity and skills in the mining sector. By investing in training and education for our workforce, we can empower our people to actively participate in and benefit from the mineral exportation industry,” he added.
Mkandawire also disclosed that the Ministry of Mining is making efforts towards promoting local participation and investment into the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sub-sector.
He said local participation and investment into the ASM sub-sector cannot be sustainably realized if the country does not know the related governing laws.
“Let us always remember that illegal mining operations do not account for the mineral resources benefits to the country. Illegal mining does not care for the environment, it does not consider the future generations and they do not care for the health and safety of the people. They are also associated with human rights abuses including child labour and exploitation by offering low wages or benefits,” he narrated.
He encouraged Malawians to consider mining as one of the areas to invest into, stressing that there are investment opportunities in the ASM sub-sector, including mining, buying and selling of gemstones; mining and processing of salt; mining of limestone and production of terrazzo; and mining of limestone and production of both agricultural and industrial lime.
Air Cargo Malawi Chief Executive Officer, Thokozani Unyolo, said the company observed that there has been a significant increase in volumes of rare earths being exported to western countries.
Unyolo stated that the forum was therefore organized to enable players and stakeholders in the mining sector to identify challenges the sector faces and suggest solutions to the same so that the country benefits more from the sector.
She added that metals are critical to the economies – necessary for computers, mobile phones, airplanes, medical devices, rechargeable batteries and much more.
Install the Nthanda Times APK for a faster, smoother, and more seamless browsing experience.
