Nthanda Times

Peter Ngwenyama

  • LUANAR, IFDC engage stakeholders on fertilizer tools

    Lilongwe University of Agriculture Natural Resources (LUANAR) in partnership with International Fertilizer Development Centre (IFDC) has started engaging stakeholders in agriculture to bring awareness on the use of fertilizer optimization tool under the Optimising Fertilizer Recommendations in Africa (OFRA) project. 

    Head of Crop and Soil Science at LUANAR also a Lead Scientist in the project, Professor Patson Nalivata, said during the Fertilizer Optimization Tool  Sensitization meeting on Tuesday in Lilongwe that one of the tools achieved from the project was the development of of electronic and paper optimization decision tools.

    “The tools are able to help farmers who are financially constrained to make an appropriate financial decision regarding their allocation to which crops to grow and what type of fertilizers to buy and use,” he said.

    Professor Nalivata said the decision will help smallholder farmers to optimize their net returns from their available limited financial resources.

    Stakeholders in agriculture sensitized on the use of fertilizer optimization tool

    He added that the tools have been tested, finally finalized and are ready for use by farmers, stakeholders and extension staff.

    He said the tool will help smallholder farmers to improve their productivity and profitability.

    Regional Scientist at (IFDC) Dr Wilson Leornado said the project has come on time when the demand for fertilizer which is key in productivity is now low.

    “This project has come on time to accelerate the delivery of fertilizer to smallholder farmers and at the same time respond to increased productivity,” he said.

    According to Dr Leornado, the project is implemented in 13 sub-Saharan African countries – Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia where field trials were conducted that resulted in the development and fine-tuning of fertilizer recommendations within an integrated soil fertility management framework to help improve the productivity and profitability of smallholder farmers.

  • Minister Matola stresses need for increased financing towards clean cooking technologies

    Minister of Energy Ibrahim Matola has stressed the need for increased financing towards clean cooking if countries are to achieve universal access to clean and modern energy by 2030.

    Matola made the remarks during the virtual address to delegates at the 6th Global Energy Interconnection currently underway in Beijing , China.

    He observed that there is a global shortage of or insufficient financing towards clean cooking despite that access to clean and modern cooking plays a significant part in ensuring universal access to clean and modern energy by 2030.

    “While it is critical that we continue to expand connections, energy poverty will remain a challenge if the issue of clean and modern cooking is not addressed,” he said.

     Adding that: “Our focus on energy poverty has been on grid connections and to a lesser extent on mini or micro mini-grids.”

    Matola said the initiatives mainly serve the purpose of providing electricity for lighting, powering appliances, and charging mobile phones.

     Most of the times, we do forget that, according to the Sustainable Energy for All, around billion people worldwide do not have access to clean cooking solutions, he said.

    “These people rely on burning traditional biomass or polluting fuels, which have severe consequences including indoor air pollution that causes millions of deaths annually,” said the minister. 

    Matola virtually addressing 6th Global Energy Interconnection

    Matola said that it is high time that access to modern and clean cooking was made a priority globally and at country levels. 

    In his remarks, a Columbia University professor and president of the University Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network, Jeffrey Sachs, stated that funds are critical if the world is to meet climate change targets.

    He concurred with the minister on the importance of funding.

     “To meet our goals, we will need to invest heavily in climate change mitigation,” he said.

    Furthermore, Sachs explained that: “Let us collaborate with our neighbours by connecting together. We cannot operate in isolation. Our neighbours cannot be enemies because no single country can do it alone.” 

    The 2023 Global Energy Interconnection Conference has been organised by Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation Organisation (GEIDCO). 

    This Conference aims to build consensus and pool synergy for accelerating world energy transition and sustainable development. The conference will further facilitate the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

  • Minister Zikhale Ng’oma instructs police IG to investigate brutal killings

    Minister of Homeland Security Ken Zikhale Ng’oma has instructed the Inspector General of Police, Merylin Yolamu, to institute investigations into the brutal killings of three people in Lilongwe.

    Ng’oma made the instruction in Lilongwe on Monday when he updated the nation on the murder of people in Lilongwe that the exercise will be done without fear or favour until the perpetrators are arrested.

    “These killings want to paint a bad picture of the Tonse Alliance government on security,” he said.

    Ng’oma: The IG must institute investigations

    Ng’oma emphasized on the difference between national security breakdown and public security which are being confused that people in a society can murder, steal properties but that does not mean that is a security breakdown adding that the numbers of three against a population of 20 million is not security breakdown.

    He assured the nation that police will be on the ground. Adding that there  is political will.

    He warned social media influencers to desist from spreading fake news and images to the public saying if found they will be brought to book under cyber crimes and electronic transaction act which attracts five years jail.

    Ng’oma has disclosed that the government will engage International experts from Zimbabwe and other countries to help with investigations and training on cyber security.

  • Malawi deports Sri Lankan for contravening immigration laws

    Malawi’s Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services has deported a Sri Lankan national, Thavaraj Caruppiah, for contravening immigration laws.

    The department’s public relations officer Wellington Chiponde said Caruppiah was deported on Saturday through Kamuzu International Airport.

    Chiponde stated that the Sri Lankan was arrested and declared a Prohibited Immigrant (P.I.) in Malawi on 20th June, 2022 for contravening Section 4 subsection 1, and Section 21 subsection 1 as read with Section 21 subsection 3 of the Immigration Act of the Laws of Malawi. 

    Chiponde: Caruppiah has been deported though Kamuzu International Airport

    “Upon being declared a Prohibited Immigrant, he sought court relief where he obtained an injunction against his imminent deportation,” he said.

    When the injunction was successfully vacated by the Department, Mr. Caruppiah, went into hiding harboured by his lawyer who was even keeping his passport and a certain pastor until he was arrested this week by the Malawi Police Service and handed him over to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services, he said.

    Caruppiah, deported

    Chiponde clarified that the deportation was premised on the fact that the Sri Lankan was declared a Prohibited Immigrant in Malawi, having successfully vacated the injunction he obtained; contrary to media reports that his deportation has been carried out against a court order.

    However, he said, the Department would like to sternly warn members of the general public that harbouring prohibited immigrants orb undocumented immigrants is a serious criminal offence, and any person found doing so will face the long arm of the law.

  • Malawi registers positive strides in WASH interventions – Deputy Minister Kakhobwe

    Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation Liana Kakhobwe Chapota has disclosed that Malawi has registered positive strides in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions despite challenges facing the sector.

    Chapota made the remarks during the official opening of the 2023 National Water Conference held on Thursday in Lilongwe under the theme: “Be the Change: Towards Improved Water and Sanitation for All.”

    She said there is progress in terms of an increased number of people accessing safe water supply, both with Water Board Services and rural areas.

    Chapota: Access to safe water has increased

    According to her, Lilongwe Water Board has increased storage capacity from 5.1 million cubic meters to 25million cubic meters at Kamuzu Dam 1, Northern Region Water Board has embarked on new projects such as Nkhata Bay Water and Sanitation Project, Central Region Water Board is implementing a Mega Dam that will supply water to Mponela Township, while Southern Region Water Board has completed Nkhudzi Bay Water Supply Project while Blantyre Water Board is currently implementing a multimillion dollar project to increase access to water to the residents of Blantyre

    “All this demonstrates the improved capacity under the Water Boards with similar activities happening in rural areas,” she said.

    Chapota further said her ministry and the stakeholders are also implementing solar power rehabilitated systems to further increase people with, not only access to safe water, but safe water closer to their homes.

    She bemoaned challenges like natural disasters, lack of human capital, vandalism, and inadequate funding to properly implement activities in the sector.

    Water Services Association of Malawi (WASAMA) President Dr Robert Hanjahanja, urged the gathering to explore strategies to improve infrastructure, enhance water quality, expand access to clean water and sanitation services for every citizen.

    “Together let us be change makers paving the way towards improved water and sanitation,” he said.

    Adding that they can create a future where every individual has access to clean water and sanitation, a future where they fulfill the promise of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s).

    Hanjahanja therefore observed that it was only through collective action that they can build a healthier, more resilient and prosperous nation.

  • Zimbabwe farmers visit, hail Salima Sugar Company

    A delegation of Zimbabwe commercial farmers and agriculture authorities has hailed the Salima Sugar Company Limited (SSCL) for producing high quality sugar products.

    The farmers, led by Dr Tendai Chibarabada, visited Salima Sugar on Tuesday to appreciate the company’s progress in sugar production as well as development of sugarcane farming among smallholder farmers.

    “Salima Sugar Company’s product is of high quality and is being produced using modern and commendable technologies,” she said.

    Chibarabada added that there was need for the Malawi Government to intervene in creating a conducive environment for Malawian smallholder sugarcane farmers to make the industry more competitive.

    Zimbabwe farmers at Salima Sugar Company Limited during the visit

    On his part, the Chief Executive Officer of Greenbelt Authority, Eric Dudley Chidzungu, said the visit had given the Authority and its subsidiary company more insights that will help in fostering growth.

     “We are currently undertaking reforms that will open more doors for smallholder farmers’ participation in the sugar industry which is deemed lucrative,” he said.

     The two sides exchanged Sugar from their respective countries as symbols of unity in the production of sugar.

  • Thoko Banda declares presidential interest for 2025 polls

    Thoko Banda, son to Aleke Banda, has declared his interest to contest during the 2025 presidential elections.

    Banda told journalists during a press conference in Lilongwe on Wednesday that he will stand as an Independent candidate in the forthcoming general elections.

    “I intend to run initially as an independent candidate but I have been in communication with other political formations, individuals and other sectors in the society,” he said.

    Banda: I will contest as an independent presidential candidate

    Banda further said together in the coming months people will see how the new initiative will shape up.

    He outlined pillars he would like to pursue like limiting salaries of elected officials, barring elected officials from engaging business activities while in office as well as ownership of land to remain in the hands of Malawians themselves.

    Banda believed that resources of Malawians should benefit and serve Malawians adding that he will continue advocating for ensuring that wealth of the nation directly benefits them.

  • First Lady Madam Chakwera shares Malawi’s success in TB fight in New York

    Malawi’s First Lady Monica Chakwera has shared the successes of Malawi in fighting against tuberculosis (TB) in the country during  the End Tuberculosis Innovation Summit held alongside the UN General Assembly (UNGA).

    Madam Chakwera told the summit on Tuesday that Malawi has reduced incidences of TB, dropping from 197 cases per 100,000 individuals in 2015 to just 125 cases per 100,000 people in 2022.

    “Nevertheless, my deep concern lies with the women and girls residing in rural areas who endure arduous journeys to access quality TB treatment,” she said.

     To address this issue, Chakwera said, she advocates for the implementation of community and patient centred treatment initiatives which bring services closer to people in communities to facilitate early diagnosis for patients. 

    Madame Monica Chakwera

    “It is also crucial to introduce strategies such as TB mobile diagnostics, community-based sputum collection points, and door-to-door screening as pivotal measures in our mission to eliminate TB by 2030,” she said.

    As the newly appointed Ambassador for the Stop TB Partnership in Malawi and throughout Africa, Madam Chakwera called upon a collaborative workforce to unite, mobilize resources, and effectively implement the strategies to combat TB in Malawi and across the entire African continent.

     Our collective efforts aim to move us closer to the ultimate goal of eradicating TB, she emphasized.

    During the summit, Madam Chakwera engaged in discussion with the Executive Director of Stop TB Partnership in Switzerland,  Dr Lucica Ditiu.

  • 2023 MSCE results were leakage free – MANEB

    Ministry of Education in conjunction with Malawi National Examinations Board (MANEB) has described the 2023 Malawi School Certificate Examinations (MSCE) examination as leakage-free.

    Speaking during official release of results to the media in Lilongwe on Wednesday, Deputy Minister of Education, Nancy Chaola Mdooko, said this is the fourth year from the 2020 re-administered MSCE examination that they have achieved leakage free examinations.

    “We are dedicated to improving the quality of education as well as making them free of criminal acts,” she said.

    Announcing the results, MANEB Director, Professor Dorothy Nampota said out of 154, 132 candidates who sat for the examinations, 83, 846 have passed, representing a 54.40 per cent pass rate.

    Nampota: 2023 Maneb exams were leakage free

    She said the pass rate for 2023 MSCE examinations is lower than the 58.44 per cent pass rate for 2022 which is regretted.

    Nampota said out of 72,056 female candidates who sat for the examinations, 34, 721 have passed, representing a pass rate of 48.15 per cent.

    While 82, 076 male candidates sat for the examination, 49, 125 have passed, representing a pass rate of 59.85 per cent.

    Nampota said it is worrisome to other schools who have got zero per cent.

  • ITU selects MACRA among 17 World Acceleration Centres

    The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has selected Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) to be among 17 World Acceleration Centres from around the world.

    The selection means that Macra will join ITU new flagship Network of Acceleration Centers – one of the primary vehicles of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Alliance for Digital Development.

    According to a press statement from ITU, the Acceleration Centers will drive digital transformation through a unique ecosystem-thinking approach, and enhance capabilities to boost innovation, entrepreneurship, and the digitalization of economies.

    The Centers will deliver on the objectives of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Alliance for Digital Development to help countries build critical local enablers to bridge the digital innovation gap and empower ITU membership to overcome challenges in navigating our changing digital environment.

    “The Network of Acceleration Centers will equip countries to take well-thought out and concrete action to unlock innovation for sustainable digital transformation,” Cosmas Zavazava, Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT).

    He said: “I look forward to working with the selected Centers. They will help stakeholders to innovate and develop new, more resilient, and forward-thinking approaches to navigate today’s digital world and build our digital future.”

    Cosmas Zavazava, Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT)

    The Network will enhance national, regional, and global innovation capabilities for technology, policy, and flagship initiative development.

    Each Acceleration Center will focus on up to five strategic objectives including Trends research readiness – Enables stakeholders to be ahead of the curve and make sense of the evolution of technology, policy, and innovation dynamics, Open technology innovation – Harnesses technological know-how into global goods through open innovation and multistakeholder mechanisms, accelerating access to emerging technology for all.

    Furthermore, Entrepreneurship and SMEs growth – Accelerates the uptake of digital innovation-driven entrepreneurship and opportunities for talent to achieve socio-economic inclusion in their communities.
    Policy experimentation – Develops agile policies that provide stakeholders with safe space for experimentation, encouraging innovation and attracting investment in the digital ecosystem.

    As well as Ecosystem initiatives acceleration – Promotes collaboration and synergies that scale digital innovations and achieve cross-cutting sectoral value for a competitive digital economy.

    Zavazava said by helping to bridge the Digital Innovation Divide, the selected Centers will support ITU’s development priorities and empower ITU’s members to overcome challenges on their path through digital transformation.