Nthanda Times

Blessings Tambala

  • ‘Effective social protection systems key to successful and sustainable economies’

    The Embassy of Ireland in Malawi has emphasized the need for Malawi to pursue effective social protection systems, saying these are an imperative component of successful and sustainable economies across the world.

    Head of Cooperation in the Embassy of Ireland, Mark Montgomery, made the remarks in Lilongwe on Thursday during the Roundtable Discussion on Social Protection Programs and Climate Resilience in Malawi.

    The MwAPATA Institute – an independent agricultural policy think tank in Malawi – in partnership with the Embassy of Ireland organized the roundtable event to disseminate the results of the recent study on patterns of social safety nets, weather shocks, and household food security status in Malawi.

    Montgomery: Ireland attaches a lot of importance to generation of evidence when developing policies and executing social protection programs

    Montgomery said his government attaches a lot of importance to the generation of evidence when developing policies and executing social protection programs.

    He said it is for this reason that the Embassy of Ireland partnered with the Government of Malawi to address pervasive poverty, food insecurity, inequalities and ensure that every Malawian participates in the country’s economic development.

    “The Embassy of Ireland acknowledges the fact that social protection programmes in Malawi have embraced a multi-stakeholder approach that seeks to build long-term resilience of households as part of a broader effort to achieve the aspirations of the Malawi2063. I, therefore, would like to call upon fellow development partners to collectively work together in order to maximize the outcome of funding invested in social protection programs,” he said.

    Montgomery also charged government ministries and departments to effectively coordinate and come up with complementary action points to assure strong national social protection programming system that leverages funding efficiency.

    “Let me also invite the Civil Society Organisations to continue actively investing in the various social protection interventions implemented in the country. Our collective and well-coordinated efforts are key to a Malawi that is socially and economically sustainable as stipulated in the Malawi 2063 agenda. Together, we can improve the resilience of poor, marginalized and vulnerable groups by stimulating their ability to prepare for, cope with and adapt to shocks,” he said.

    MwAPATA Institute Executive Director William Chadza disclosed that findings of the study presented at the discussion was a key component of the broader feasibility study for the Jobs for Youth – Infrastructure Development, Sustainable Environment and Food Security Program under the Malawi National Youth Service whose broader feasibility study is being coordinated by the Ministry of Youth and the National Planning Commission.

    Chadza: Findings to provide in-depth understanding of effectiveness of existing social protection programs and household-level shocks

    Chadza added that the findings would provide an in-depth understanding of the effectiveness of existing social protection programs and household-level shocks.

    “This is key to reprogramming of social protection programs in this country. We are confident that during this roundtable event, you, our distinguished guests, will discuss the linkages between social protection and climate resilience in this country. We are hopeful that the recommendations that will emerge from the presentations, panel discussions and plenary session will contribute to strategies for promoting resilience and mitigating against the effects of future climatic shocks; as the country pursues its long-term goal of reducing the number of people in need of social protection; by creating wealth for all Malawians,” he said.

    In her remarks, Director of Poverty Reduction in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, Patricia Zimpita, described social protection programs and climate resilience in Malawi as a ‘very important topic to the development and transformation of this nation in line with the aspirations outlined in Malawi 2063’.

    Zimpita said the Malawi Government is committed to transform Malawi into an inclusively wealthy and self-reliant industrialized upper-middle-income country by the year 2063.

    Zimpita: social protection programs and climate resilience very important topic to the development and transformation of Malawi

    “To achieve this, the government recognizes the need for social protection both as a human right and as a means of ensuring shared prosperity with marginalized and vulnerable groups. However, the long-term goal is to reduce the number of people in need of social protection by creating wealth for all Malawians,” she said.

    She added, “Thus, the strategy of the Government of Malawi is that going forward, social protection programs will embrace a longer-term approach to building the resilience of households to shocks which includes recurring natural disasters and weather adversities related to climate change.”

    Zimpita further stated that the Government of Malawi developed the National Resilience Strategy (2018-2030) to transition from “recurrent humanitarian appeals to protective and productive investments in complementary interventions targeting chronically food insecure and poor households supported by effective institutional coordination and multi-sectoral planning and implementation”.

    She said the multi-stakeholder approach to social protection is also proposing some reforms aimed at expanding the scope and reach of the current social protection landscape and strengthening the quality of the implementation of the programs.

    “This roundtable discussion is important since it will inform these reforms. I, therefore, would like to call upon all of you to be very candid in your contributions so that this meeting can produce comprehensive recommendations. Furthermore, I urge all relevant officials concerned with social protection and climate resilience present here, to utilize the recommendations from this meeting,” stressed Zimpita.

  • Oxfam Malawi drills journalists in Public Finance Management reporting

    In an effort to deepen knowledge and understanding of the Public Finance Management issues, Oxfam Malawi on Wednesday organized a one-day training for journalists to enable them to acquire knowledge and skills for reporting on budget, public finance management and public expenditure.

    Oxfam Malawi Communications Manager Daud Kayisi, who opened the one-day training that took place at Sunbird Livingstonia Beach Hotel in Salima, said his organization recognizes the role journalists play in preventing preventing or minimising theft of public resources.

    A cross-section of the journalists who attended the Public Finance Management training organized by Oxfam Malawi in Salima on Wednesday–Photo courtesy of Oxfam Malawi

    Kayisi said this is why the organization periodically engages journalists in refresher training to deepen understanding and knowledge of public finance management among reporters.

    Speaking to scribes after the training, training facilitator and Director of Specialized Audit at the National Authorising Office (NAO), Charles Maseya, deplored the tendency by Controlling Officers in government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to defy advice from the Auditor General’s Office.

    Maseya said this hampers efforts by the Office of the Auditor General to improve efficiency in public auditing.

    Maseya making a presentation before journalists

    “Where there is a need for advice from the Auditor General’s Office to the Controlling Officers, it is provided at any time during the audit and ex-briefing. Where the Controlling Officer is not clear, they have a chance to seek clarification. The aim of the audit is to make sure we are providing assurance to the public on accountability and transparency issues,” he said.

    “But what is surprising is that despite giving the advice, audit queries keep recurring every year. Of course, the Controlling Officers are better placed to tell the public why this is the case,” added Maseya.

    However, Oxfam Malawi Public Resource Governance Coordinator, Chisomo Manthalu, expressed satisfaction with the gains the consortium has made in increasing coverage on public finance management in Malawi.

    Manthalu observed that journalists have demonstrated commitment to exposing rot in MDAs thereby helping to prevent or minimize theft of public funds.

  • Zikhale Ng’oma expresses Chakwera’s commitment to improving professionalism among police officers

    Newly appointed Minister of Homeland Security, Kenneth Zikhale Ng’oma, on Friday expressed President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera’s commitment to improving professionalism among police officers in order to achieve quality service delivery.

    Ng’oma was speaking at the first-ever National Conference for the Independent Police Complaints Commission and Malawi Police Service.

    The minister stressed that discipline is paramount in transforming the service. He pledged to work with international organizations to provide support to security agencies like the Malawi Police Service to improve security in the country.

    Ng’oma further assured that President Chakwera’s administration is committed to promoting the rule of law and respect for human rights as key enablers of the Malawi 2063, which includes the development of effective governance systems and institutions.

    Zikhale Ng’oma addressing participants at the conference.

    In her remarks, the Inspector General of the Malawi Police Service, Merlyne Yolamu, expressed concern over the rising cases of vandalism of police properties by the public, which has affected police services.

    The Malawi Police Service is working to enhance professionalism and discipline among its officers to address this issue.

    UNDP Country Representative Shigeki Komatsubara expressed the organization’s commitment to supporting institutions that promote accountability, such as the Malawi Police Service.

    The conference drew participants from the Malawi Human Rights Commission, the Anti-Corruption Bureau, and the Malawi Police Service, among others.

    The Independent Police Complaints Commission was established under the 2010 Police Act to receive and investigate complaints by the public against police officers and the police service.

  • Chilima challenges Southern Africa to find lasting solutions to cholera, climate-related public health emergencies

    Malawi State Vice President on Friday opened a high-level emergency ministerial meeting on cholera epidemics and climate related public health emergencies in Lilongwe with a call to delegates to identify a lasting solution to the diseases.

    The meeting has drawn participants from 14 countries, which include Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Eswathini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Namibia. Others are Tanzania, Zambia and Mozambique.

    The high-level emergency ministerial meeting on cholera epidemics and climate related public health emergencies has been facilitated by the African Union Commission, the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF to discuss ways and means on how the 14 countries can defeat cholera and other climate-related health emergencies in their respective countries.

    In his opening remarks, Chilima said the high level meeting had been convened at a right time when many African countries, especially in the Southern Africa, witnessing an outbreak of cholera against a global surge.

    Chilima makes key note address before officially opening the high-level meeting of ministers

    The Vice President stated that regionally, as of March 2023, there have been 127,168 reported Cholera cases resulting into close to 3,000 deaths across 12 African countries – all of which are represented at the meeting.

    “As you can see, this is a regional crisis that requires concerted efforts. As Malawi Government, we are committed to ensure that we control and even eliminate diseases such as cholera. As we speak, with support from our partners we have put in place WHO approved strategies to control the disease. After many years of no cholera, Malawi detected the first cholera case on 28th February, 2022 following tropical storms Ana and Gombe in January, 2022,” he said.

    The Malawi Vice President warned that diseases and public health emergencies know no borders; hence, the need for all the affected countries to work in collaboration if they are to defeat them.

    He said it was pleasing therefore that the high-Level emergency meeting aims at giving an opportunity to the countries to strengthen and enhance collaboration and coordination for cross-border preparedness and response to the on-going cholera outbreak and other climate related health emergencies.

    “Seeing that cholera outbreak continued throughout the dry season and onto the current rainy season and that the cases were increasing, our State President, His Excellency Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, declared the cholera outbreak a national public health emergency on 5th December, 2022. The President further directed that oversight and coordination of the cholera control activities be added to the responsibilities of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19. Now this task Force is called the Presidential Task on COVID-19 and Cholera.

    “Last month, on 13th February 2023, the President also launched a National Wide Cholera Control Campaign called “Tithetse Cholera m’Malawi” meaning “Let’s Eliminate Cholera in Malawi”. The President’s call and declaration have resulted in a remarkable increase in financial and technical assistance from both Government and our partners. Consequently, we are already seeing good progress on the ground. For example, from 700 new cases per day between January and February 2023, the cases have now gone down to about 350 cases per day and it is still going down. This is good progress but we must very quickly target zero deaths as no life is worthy a loss. You can, therefore, see that in our fight against Cholera, we have huge support at the highest Political leadership,” said Chilima.

    He commended President of Zambia Hakainde Hichilema for the support and guidance he is providing through his role as the Cholera Control Champion.

    Chilima also also acknowledged the support they are getting from the Director General of the World Health Organization, Dr. Tendros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, saying all the efforts, strides and success stories that Malawi is registering are mainly due to the concerted effort of government and assistance that it is receiving from partners.

    “In particular, let me thank WHO and the Global Task Force on Cholera Control for the provision of the oral cholera vaccine that was crucial in containing the outbreak.  However, besides the vaccine, the Ministry continues to put much emphasis on sanitation and hygiene as crucial elements to contain the disease. And as it is the case with endeavors like these, Malawi continues to encounter a number of social challenges bordering on religious beliefs, misinformation and disinformation. We appeal to our religious and traditional leaders to stand up to the occasion and help government to convince their subordinates to access Cholera treatment. This is a matter of life and death. Don’t listen those misguided characters who preach that drugs or medicines are satanic,” he said.

  • Malawi Govt closes down Mount Meru Millers over noncompliance with environmental regulations

    Government of Malawi – through its Malawi Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) – on Wednesday ordered closure of business at Mount Meru Millers in Lilongwe over noncompliance with environmental regulations.

    MEPA and a renowned environmental journalist Matthews Malata, confirmed the development in an interview on Thursday.

    Malata said a team of inspectors from MEPA visited the site where they had protracted conversations with company’s senior representatives before ordering its sealing.

    However, the company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sourav Argarwal did not grant journalists an interview as he could not pick up his phone when he was called several times.

    MEPA’s Deputy Director General Michael Makonombera said communities around the factory asked authorities to intervene and address the pollution, which was posing serious environmental and health threats to them.

    Makonombera said they inspected the company on 17th January, issued an order including a fine of MK5 million on 23rd January 2023.

    “But to date, the company had not paid the fine and most of the noncompliance issues were not resolved. In addition to the K5 million fine, the company will be charged K100, 000 daily effective today until all issues are resolved. This is because they did not comply with the first order,” Makonombera stated.

    MEPA has since advised well-meaning Malawians to always inform them of any issues requiring their attention through their toll free line number 5153.

    Movement for Environmental Action (MEA) projects lead Inno D’Thalie Sandram has hailed MEPA for the action taken.

    Sandram has also encouraged MEPA to be more vigilant and deal with other companies who are also operating in the country with no respect to the environment.

  • President Chakwera courts UN to increase efforts in building Malawi’s capacity in disaster risk management

    Malawi President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera has pleaded with the United Nations (UN) to increase its efforts in building Malawi’s capacity in disaster risk management as well as post-disaster response.

    Chakwera made the plea when he met UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, Ms. Mami Mizutori, on the sidelines of the LDC5 5th United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) taking place in Doha, Qatar.

    He drew Mizutori’s attention to the ongoing challenges Malawi is experiencing as a result of natural disasters.

    President Chakwera and UN Special Representative Mizutori shake hands after the meeting in Doha, Qatar

    President Chakwera told the UN Special Representative that the disasters have caused significant damage to human life, property, farming livelihoods, and the economy.

    “As a signatory to the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015–2030), Malawi is poised to achieve all the espoused 7 global targets by enriching our integrated approach that brings together disaster risk reduction, climate adaptation and mitigation, and sustainable development,” said Chakwera.

    Malawi has recently experienced the impact of cyclones, flash floods, drought, stormy rains, and hailstorms, among others.

  • President Chakwera asks Qatari Government to bail Malawi from acute shortage of forex and fuel

    Malawi President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera has asked Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs, Dr. Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah, to help Malawi recover from ‘acute shortage of foreign exchange (forex) and fuel.

    Chakwera made the appeal during bilateral talks he held with Al Attiyah on Wednesday afternoon on the sidelines of the LDC5 5th United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) taking place in Doha, Qatar.

    On top of the agenda during the meeting was President Chakwera’s candid call for a line of credit to help mitigate he termed as two crippling challenges – acute shortage of forex and fuel.

    The Malawi leader emphasized the necessity of a line of credit to stabilize the petroleum supply chain in Malawi, adding that due to a shortage of foreign exchange Malawi is unable to ensure stable fuel availability in the country which is invariably crippling businesses and ultimately wreaking economic havoc.

    In their first ever encounter, the two leaders also discussed enhancing bilateral ties particularly in the agriculture sector where President Chakwera expressed the desire to export beef, vegetables, goat meat, and other products to international markets including to Qatar in 5 years’ time.

    President Chakwera engaging Dr. Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah in a discussion on the need to help Malawi mitigate forex and fuel shortage

    “To kick-start this agricultural revolution, we need to modernise our agriculture sector,” he said.

    The President further highlighted Malawi’s mega farms plan, as a major area for cooperation and collaboration between Malawi and Qatar in terms of Foreign Direct Investment, adding that the country is endowed with fertile land that if utilized could yield massive dividends commercially.

    In addition, President Chakwera expressed the need to capacitate farmers and equip them with the resources and skills to generate revenue on a large scale.

    Critically, the President made a plea to the Qatar government to support Malawi in its mechanization drive by assisting with tractors and other tractors and other processing equipment to boost production.

    He asserted that in this regard, the Malawi Government is taking various steps to facilitate foreign investment, such as intensifying irrigation systems citing the launch of projects such as the Shire Valley Transformation Project, which is envisaged will increase agricultural productivity and commercialization in the Lower Shire, while improving sustainable management and utilization of natural resources.

    Dr. Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah and President Chakwera shake hands after the bilateral talks in Doha, Qatar

    In education sector, President Chakwera implored on the Qatari Government to consider investing in a university in Malawi that would specialize in areas like architecture and agriculture in a bid to consolidate all the aforementioned initiatives and aspirations for Malawi – a country intent on becoming the next developed.

    He thanked the Qatari Government for demonstrating commitment and supporting the LDCs grouping by pledging USD60 million towards the implementation of the Doha plan of action.

  • Reunion Insurance partners with MCCCI towards 2023 Lakeshore Business Leaders’ Summit

    Reunion Insurance Company Limited has sponsored the 2023 Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry’s (MCCCI) Lakeshore Business Summit with MK3 million financial package.

    The annual summit is scheduled for 27th – 29th April 2023 at Sunbird Nkopola in the lake shore district of Mangochi. It will take place under the theme: “Transformational Leadership in Turbulent Times” and the Governor of Reserve Bank of Malawi Dr. Wilson Banda is expected to be the Guest of Honour.

    Speaking at Reunion Insurance Headquarters at Reunion House in Blantyre during the cheque handover ceremony, Technical Manager responsible for Claims and Business Development, Hastings Kapesa, said MCCCI plays an important role such as providing business and economic information for decision making, organizing trade promotion events, representing the business community at national, regional and international fora, providing business management training just to mentation but a few.

    He added that as an indigenous brand, Reunion Insurance will continue to support and work with different stakeholders in various industries to fulfil its Corporate Social Responsibility as enshrined in its business model.

    Receiving the donation, MCCCI Head of Business Linkage and Events, Linda Madalo Pete, thanked Reunion Insurance Company Limited for the kind gesture and said the donation will go a long way in preparations of the business summit.

    “We appreciate Reunion Insurance for accepting our call to sponsor this year’s Lakeshore Business Leaders Summit, we are highly indebted to them as they were also amongst sponsors of the 2022 Event”.

    Kapesa presenting a dummy cheque to Pete in Blantyre on Wednesday–Photo courtesy of Reunion Insurance

    Pete also appealed for more partners in this year’s summit which will bring together Leaders across the nation to ponder on and develop transformative business strategies and culture which will keep our economy thriving albeit perilous times.

    MCCCI has been in the forefront of Malawi’s private sector development efforts for over 100 years and it is the voice of the private sector. The Business Summit will be held alongside its Annual General Meeting (AGM).

    Reunion Insurance is the fastest growing local insurance company which was established in May, 2005 and it will celebrate its 18 anniversaries on 03rd May this year.

    The company has branches across Malawi with a network of Brokers and Agents that support its operations.

  • EU assures NICE Public Trust of its continued support

    EU Head of Delegation Rune Skinnebach made the pledge in Lilongwe on Tuesday at the launch of the Information Communication Technology (ICT) Centre and presentation of certificates to girls and young women who have completed computer course at NICE ICT Centre.

    Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture, Richard Chimwendo Banda, graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour.

    Since 2015, NICE has been providing free computer and information communication technology (ICT) courses to women and girls through its NICE Ambassadors for Girl Empowerment (NAGE) Project, which EU is funding.

    His Excellency Rune Skinnebach making his remarks at the launch of NICE ICT Centres in Lilongwe–Photo by Watipaso Mzungu

    On Tuesday, NICE awarded certificates to 30 girls who have successfully completed their training.

    In his remarks, Skinnebach pledged continued support to programmes and initiatives that NICE is implementing to transform lives of Malawians, including women and girls.

    “In all our endeavours, we believe that, making targeted investment in women and girls will help achieve gender equality and women’s empowerment. This is very crucial to the achievement of the 2030 Sustainable Development agenda. It is our firm understanding that we can only work better together. I therefore look forward to continued partnerships as we tirelessly work towards uplifting Malawi,” he said.

    His Excellency Rune Skinnebach, Minister Chimwendo Banda and other dignitaries presenting a certificate to a graduate–Photo by Watipaso Mzungu

    Skinnebach urged the graduands to use the basic lessons learnt as a foundation for better and bigger goals that will eventually transform Malawi.

    “You must enter the technology and digital space with full confidence that you can ably contribute and make a difference. Let the stories of the women I have talked about and even that of your fellow student shared just before me, inspire you, to use technology as a means for growth and transformation for Malawi,” he said.

    NICE Board Chairperson Lingalireni Mihowa said the ICT Centre is one of the initiatives her organization is implementing in its vision to build a well informed, transformed, responsive nation that actively participates in public life.

    Mihowa stated that the ICT Centres that NICE is operating are about inclusion, about empowerment of youth especially young women, are about enhancing skills for your people, are about pathways to job creation, are about human capital development and they are about connecting people to information that supports their participation in their democracy.

    “Through this initiative, NICE Trust is intentionally supporting young women to bridge the digital divide by exposing more girls to ICT facilities and what technology can offer in their lives.  At the same time, this initiative is leveraging on ICT to amplify girls’ potential, voices and enjoyment of rights while harnessing the overall potential of digital technology in shaping Malawi’s digital future.  This is a good contribution to the achievement of the aspirations in the Malawi 2063, and I say this as a proud NICE Trust Chairperson, and also wearing my hat as the MW2063 Champion for the Human Capital Development enabler,” she said.

    Mihowa thus expressed ‘our deep gratitude to the European Union Delegation in Malawi for the support that it has continued to render to NICE Trust’.

    In his remarks, the Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture, Richard Chimwendo Banda, said the government will create an enabling environment to allow graduands from the ICT Centres to thrive.

    Chimwendo Banda said his ministry will engage Technical Entrepreneurial and Vocational Education Training Authority (TEVETA) and National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) on how they can integrate the graduands into government programmes and financing opportunities.

  • Malawi set to host high-level ministerial emergency meeting on cholera, polio and climate-related health emergencies

    The Government of Malawi, with the support of the Africa CDC and the World Health Organization will be hosting a High-level Emergency Ministerial meeting for cholera affected countries, those at risk, relevant regional economic communities, and partners, from 9th to 10th March 2023 at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe.

    Chiponda–Everything is set for the meeting

    In a press statement issued on Monday, Chiponda said the high-level meeting aims on countries to share information on the cholera outbreak and response to date; facilitate experience sharing in managing cholera outbreaks; discuss preparedness and readiness priorities; and align on cross border collaboration and coordination mechanisms to better prepare for and to rapidly respond to the current cholera outbreak and any other health emergencies.

    She added that the meeting will highlight the proactive preparedness and concerted effort to address climate change impacts like cyclone, and climate change related health emergencies. This will help to strengthen and enhance collaboration and coordination for cross-border preparedness and response to the ongoing cholera outbreak and other health emergencies.

    “The meeting will be building on existing experiences and previous collaborations within the region and beyond, including the collaborative framework to coordinate cholera outbreak and other public health preparedness and response in member states at risk. The meeting will be attended by the Ministers of Health and Ministers of Water and Sanitation from 14 Countries within the Africa Region, International Organizations, Bilateral and Multilateral Partners. The Vice President of the Republic of Malawi, Right Honorable Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima will be the Guest of Honor to this very important meeting,” said Chiponda.

    According to the minister, the participating Member States will issue a joint communique resolving to strengthen cross border collaboration, coordination, timely sharing of data related to cholera and other emerging and re-emerging diseases of regional concern, including climate-related emergencies.

    The meeting will also facilitate the establishment of the Africa Elimination of Cholera Epidemics Coordination Task Force (AECECT), championed by the President of the Republic of Zambia, His Excellency Hakainde Hichilema, the current Cholera Elimination Champion. The Member States will also produce road maps related to cholera and other emerging and re-emerging diseases of regional concern including climate-related emergencies.

    “As we live in a global village, the fight against cholera outbreak requires good collaboration and coordination among member states. Together we will win this war against Cholera and other emerging and re-emerging diseases. Lastly, let me request the Public to accord our visitors the usual warm welcome. Our visitors, you are most welcome to Malawi, the warm heart of Africa,” concluded the statement.