China For Malawi’s Economic Independence

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, Wang Yi said China will continue to support Malawi to gain full economic independence.

Honorable Wang Yi, was speaking at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe on Sunday during an audience with Malawi President Peter Mutharika.

Daniel Mkandawire, Mary Mount Catholic Secondary School Crowned Best In Old Mutual Maths Olympiad

Daniel Mkandawire of Nkhotakota Secondary School emerged as the best student and Mary Mount Catholic Secondary as the best school, during secondary school Mathematics competition dubbed “Old Mutual Maths Olympiad”

This year’s (2016) Old Mutual Mathematics Olympiad National Competition attracted 167 participants from 58 schools across the country representing 18 districts and drew to a close on Thursday.

This year, each school was allowed to send a maximum of three participants and out of the 167 participants, 64 were female and 103 were male.

As part of its corporate responsibility, Old Mutual—a long-term savings, protection and investment Group which provides life assurance, asset management and unit trusts in the country—sponsors the competition as a way of promoting interest in Mathematics among secondary school students in the country. This highly competitive competition is done in partnership with Mzuzu University’s department of Mathematics.  

Secondary school students across the country sit for a number of Mathematics examination papers aiming at identifying the 'crème de la crème' of Mathematics in the competition. 

After gruelling three examinations, Daniel Mkandawire of Nkhotakota emerged as the best student and was awarded K70, 000 cash prize together with a scientific calculator, while other 24 best students also walked home with cash prize, a scientific calculator and a certificate.

The competition had three stages. All students took a preliminary exam on Monday, 11th January.  A total of 75 qualified for semi final examinations which were written on Tuesday, 12th January. Out of these, 54 were male and 21 were female.

The top 25 students wrote the final exam on Wednesday, 13th January. 8 females made it into the final against 17 boys. 

This year, the Department of Mathematics also ranked the best Mathematics schools. This was dependent on the performance of their students. The score obtained by a school was the total score obtained by its representatives at all stages of the competition.

The best three schools this year were Mary Mount Catholic Secondary School, St. Mary’s Catholic Secondary School, Kasungu Secondary School, Chaminade Secondary School and Mzuzu Government Secondary School.

Public Hospital Problems: Everyone Needs To Support Hospitals

• A Health personnel believes Communities can help to end Public Hospital Woes just like they did during Chrismas and New Year Festivities helping Patient's 
• He said more company's and individuals came to help patients but forgotten hospitals striving to provide good care for patients

Kedson Masiyano

The noble gesture of hospital visits to share gifts with patients as part of festivities for Christmas and New Year may actually be unforeseeable lesson to communities that in the same manner they helped patients, they can make a collective efforts to end uncountable challenges facing public hospitals.

Says Kedson Masiyano Chief Clinical Officer for Area 18 Health Centre in the capital, Lilongwe, that the trend if continued throughout the year with focus on supporting public hospital facilities could be a problem solving for numerous challenges in hospitals.

He said during New Year and Christmas Festive Season Area 18 Health Centre saw a lot of well-wishers, companies and institutions coming to support patients admitted at the hospital. 

He said this noble course was done as the public hospital like many others, continue to experience number of problems while trying hard to save lives of patients.

He said communities around public hospitals like Area 18 Health Centre can draw a lesson from the spirit shown during festive season by taking ownership of their nearby hospital and start to solve the challenges so that people can start to see improvement in the quality of services from the public hospitals.

“Since this hospital is our hospital, people should take responsibility and ownership of the hospital by not expecting that Government can do everything.” Said Masiyano adding "Government has a lot of issues to take care of"

Masiyano said in an interview that the better way of solving public hospital challenges which includes insufficient beds and other hospital equipments is through ownership by communities than just sit and wait for government do everything.

“I urge companies and well-wishers to come forward, this is our hospital. Let’s assist where Government may not reach, in that way we will make the health of the people around this area better and in that way we will also help to make our health sector move forward” he said

At the moment, public hospitals are experiencing number of challenges including shortage of drugs, fuel for ambulances and beds due to inadequate funding from Government. Companies, institutions and well-wishers celebrated with the patients in hospitals across the nation, but probably overlooked the aspect of assisting also the public hospitals which are trying to save lives.

Mozambique, Malawi We Are One People- Gune

The Mozambican Government says there is strong bilateral relations with Malawi and that the two Governments will continue working together.

The Mozambican High Commissioner to Malawi, Ambassador Jeorge David Gune made the remarks after presenting his letters of credence to State President Peter Mutharika on Tuesday, 12th January.

Ambassador Gune said their meeting with Mutharika held in camera, discussed that Malawi and Mozambique are one people and wished good bilateral relations to continue.

He also mentioned that the two countries will ensure continued interest in total support and working together.

MEC Gets No Pressure From Mutharika Government- MEC Commission

Mutharika shaking hands with Mbendera

The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has publicly said it has never received any pressure from Government in its operations since ascendancy to power of President Peter Mutharika and has since applauded the State President for ensuring that the Electoral body operates freely as well training Commissioners so that they are well versed with matters of elections.

MEC Chairperson, Justice Maxon Mbendera was speaking during MEC Commissioners audience with President Peter Mutharika at Kamuzu Palace on Tuesday 12th January 2015 where the commission made a formal presentation of 2014 Tripartite Election Report. 

Before handing over the report, Mbendera emphasised that the Commission is enjoying working with the President and his Government. 

“Unlike in other jurisdictions, Your Excellency, does not, and has never interfered with the work of the Commission. Your Excellency has ensured that You Sir give us the space to work independently in fulfillment of our mandate.” Said Mbendera adding that he never got a phone call from the President, directing him what the commission ought to do

Commissioners were meeting with the President for the first time since 2014 Tripartite Elections because they failed to meet the first citizen last year due to his tight schedule. Although the report was sent out to all political parties long time ago but the Commission needed to meet the president since under section 6 of the Electoral Commission Act, the Commission is obliged to present the report to the President. 

MEC Chair’s speech dwelled much on highlighting some of the major activities and achievements the commission has registered since Mutharika’s ascendancy to power.

Some of the achievements mentioned include by-elections for the seats that fell vacant for various reasons after the 2014 Tripartite Elections and capacity building programmes for both Commissioners and staff at MEC. 

Mbendera said the Commission conducted three sets of by-elections; in October 2014, August 2015 and 22nd December 2015. And thanked Mutharika Government for providing financial support for conducting these by-elections and described such gesture as a “Commitment” to the “democratization process of this country” to ensure that the people are represented at all times.

He further noted with appreciation of capacity building programmes which he said has enabled Commissioners to be well versed in matters of elections as they prepare for 2019 elections.

Mbendera said the Commissioners have been exposed to various capacity building programes including; civic education, logistics, voter registration, conflict management, and that recently, the Commissioners and Staff have been capacitated to carry out a very critical function of demarcation with excellence. 

“In short your Excellency, I want to underscore the fact that Commissioners are well prepared to undertake the tasks that lie ahead. You can be assured that they will perform their duties with professionalism.

We wish to assure Your Excellency, that with kind of training we have been receiving over the years, we shall deliver quality elections in the country. It is a desire of the Commissioners to make the Malawi Electoral Commission a centre of Excellence in Elections Management.” He said 

Mbendera further thanked president Mutharika’s Government for providing funds for ongoing demarcation programme and current budget of the Commission.

“Your Excellency, with this support, Malawins are assured of having quality services from the Commission. On our part, we shall continue to serve the nation without fear or favour.” Said Mbendera

Among others, Mbendera said in 2015 and 2016 financial Year, the Commission has lined up plans including, demarcation of wards and constituencies, voter registration exercise and has also supported electoral reforms process. The Commissioners also reminded the President of the expiry of their first term of office in May 2016 and in of Chairman coming to an end in October , 2016.

In his remarks president Peter Mutharika, appreciated the Commission for organizing and managing the 2014 tripartite elections as well as subsequent by-elections.

“Mr. Chairman, the conduct of the recent bye-elections does indeed show that your Commission has come of age and has acquired the relevant experience in managing elections. 

I would therefore like to assure you that my Government is ready and willing to offer the support to your Commission in the discharge of its legal mandate.” Said President Mutharika 

He also informed the president that the term of their office for Commissioners comes to an end in May this year while his terms ends in October this year.

DAPP Malawi Mobilize Communities To Plant 38,000 Trees In Three Districts

Members of community taking part in
Tree planting 

As rainy season continues, DAPP Malawi has already planted a total of 38,000 trees in Mzimba, Chiradzulu and Blantyre districts.

DAPP Malawi Project managers and project leaders in the three districts mobilized the community and planted 38,000 trees in order to combat climate change and improve agricultural yields by improving soil fertility.

“The tree planting exercise was done together with community members in the areas that DAPP Malawi has projects which in turn create structures that care for the trees.” said DAPP Malawi Partnership Manager Charlotte Danckert

The institution has since encouraged Malawians to plant trees this rainy season because at the moment the landscape in Malawi has experienced a vast rate of deforestation mainly due to population growth. 

“The population has increased pressure on the environment as the demand for wood for construction of houses, fuel for energy and business infrastructure. So in order to achieve the targets in the initiative our project managers and leaders also sensitized community on the dangers of climate change and how it is affecting their agricultural yields.” Said Danckert

According to Danckert the organization supports with extension services micro committees to monitor the implementation of the project.

We Need Adequate, Sustainable Financing Of Health Sector- Trapence

Trapence in red scarf: pictured in November 2015
briefing media after presentimg petition to
National Assembly calling for adequate and
Sustainable financing of health sector 

Rights Activists continue to call for adequate and suitable financing of the Malawi’s Health Sector.

Gift Trapence, Executive Director for Cedep and Chairperson for Citizens Forum for the Defense of Good Governance said in an interview that the country needs to end persistently health sector challenges by making sure that the sector is adequately allocated with funding from the national budget and implement other sustainable ways of financing the sector including suggested user fees in hospitals.

The calls are coming at the moment the country is continuously facing challenges in the Health Sector which includes shortage of drugs, inadequate nurses and doctors, stoppage of Locum services among others.

“What we are asking the Government is to make sure that they are able to support or finance the Health System, at least 15% of the National total budget should be allocated to Ministry of Health or to the Health Sector." He said

Trapence

"This is in line with the Government Commitment what we call Abuja Declarations. African nations signed this declaration so that they are able to finance the health sector with enough resources with enough human resource. So we would want to see a shift in the way how we prioritize our spending we want more spending to the health sector. 

But as well, to have a long lasting solution in terms of sustainable financing of the health sector. Because what we have seen, there is a lot of ad hoc in the way how we finance the ministry of health and yet this is a most critical sector that we need to fund. Because healthy people means healthy nation and also it means development.” Explained Trapence 

He said Malawi has little resources but if used better some challenges can be fixed and emphasised prioritizing the spending because they can contribute meaningfully in averting challenges being faced.

On Friday, 20th November this year, concerned citizens comprising of Civil Society Organizations, Health Professional Associations and Patient Interest Groups delivered petition to the National Assembly calling for immediate response to the persistently inadequate national budget allocation to the health sector.

The petition highlighted number of challenges the country is facing due to inadequate funding of the sector.

It raised concern that Malawi remains one of the countries failing to meet the World Health organization (WHO) standard of 23 doctors/10,000 population necessary to deliver essential health services.  However, currently Malawi has 2 doctors and 37 midwives for every 100,000 people. And that the situation does not spare the paramedics and pharmacists.

The petition also revealed that due to inadequate funding most hospitals have stopped Locum Services.

They also asked government to speed up the consultation processes on health financing including user fees as an option to sustainably finance the health sector.

“It is healthy people who will fully contribute to the development of this nation. Therefore investing in health is one sure way of accelerating the sustainable development of the nation of Malawi. This is why the need to obtain 15% national budget allocation, including a clear strategy to strengthen the health systems can never be overemphasized. However the Government needs to realize that achievement of the Essential Health Package requires continued adequate financing.” Read the petition 

Paris Agreement Gives Hope To Malawi In The Fight Of Climate Change

Msaka

Malawi Government consider Paris Agreement as a milestone in terms of solving climate crisis both in the country and globally.

The country is experiencing adverse effects of climate change which have recently affected most of its key economic sectors like agriculture and the latest being this year’s devastating floods followed by drought.

Malawi participated at the 21st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change that was held in Paris, France from 30th November to 11th December 2015.

Minister of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining, Bright Msaka who led delegation to Paris told Journalists in Lilongwe on Thursday that Paris Agreement will have a transformative effect and will accelerate significant normative and policy progress domestically. 

“The agreement will change the way Governments, civil society and the private sector view the links between climate responsibility, economic growth and social inclusion. It will enhance climate actions by all stakeholders.” Said Msaka while calling private sector, CSOs and faith institutions to work with Government in endeavors of combating climate change 

Msaka mentioned that Malawi is committed to contribute to global efforts in mitigating climate change and reducing carbon emissions through implementation of number of initiatives. 

"Malawi like all other countries has committed to ensuring that the global climate is not so adversely affected to a point where human life is impossible. So we Malawians have agreed to reduce emissions over a period of time to make sure that we employ more efficient and less polluting methods of developing ourselves. 

We have therefore agreed to plant more trees so that we create a carbon sink so that the green house emissions that are going to be created from both in Malawi and elsewhere have somewhere where they can sink and therefore we and the world are able to preserve environment and able to sustain the human life.” Explained Msaka

He assured that Government will intensify adaptation actions through formulation and implementation of national adaptation plans that includes construction of dams and water harvesting technologies, crop diversification and breeding of drought resistant livestock among others.

Msaka further said Government will continue to work with research institutions to undertake research and technology development of critical adaptation interventions such as drought resistant and fast maturing seed varieties to cope with the short duration of the rainfall season as a result of the changing climate.

Like other least developed countries, Malawi will also through assistance going to undertake mechanisms to address losses and damages that occur as a result of disasters arising from the impact of climate change.

On this, the Natural Resources Minister said the main focus will be on early warning systems, emergency preparedness and resilience of communities, livelihoods and ecosystems among others.

According to Msaka, this year’s floods were more eloquent enough than anyone else would explain about climate change therefore “this nation will never stop at anything to ensure that it protects its citizens from the impact of climate change."

It is estimated that Malawi total emissions contributes 0.06% to the total global warming.

President Mutharika Was Incorrect On Provision In ATI Bill

Trapence and Mtambo

It is now proven that President Peter Mutharika erred to claim that Access to Information (ATI) Bill has provision which bars National Assembly from reviewing the legislation once enacted.

Two renowned Civil Society Organizations, Centre for Development of People (Cedep) and Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) have since faulted the Malawi leader saying they never came across such provision in the drat bill.

Peter Mutharika

President Mutharika told Journalists on Monday at Kamuzu Palace that the ATI bill has number of inconsistencies including two provisions which says; once enacted the law will cover any information that happened before its enactment (Against common law principle that the law takes effect on matters happening the day it is signed) and that “in future” no parliament can ever repeal the law.

But according to a statement from the Cedep and CHRR signed by its executive directors, Gift Trapence and Timothy Mtambo respectively, they have possession of the draft bill which the President quoted but never came across a clause which says Parliament shall not have the power to repeal the Access to Information law.

“It is equally significant that President was able to highlight some of the “inconsistencies” in the Bill during the press conference. We, at CHRR and Cedep, however, wonder where the ‘inconsistencies’ the President highlighted during the press briefing came from. We have the draft Access to Information Bill and have never come across a clause which says Parliament shall not have the power to repeal the Access to Information law.  The Access to Information Bill we have was informed by progressive model laws on access to information.” Reads the statement

Cedep and CHRR believe the inconsistency claims were mare lies and tactics to delay enactment of the legislation.

The two CSOs have therefore challenged government to publish all the said “inconsistencies” for the public to appreciate them in addition to publicize the ATI Bill, once all the ‘ironing out’ and ‘aligning’ of the bill with other laws is done, before tabling it in the National Assembly.

“This would enable citizens and other stakeholders to check if there are any adulterations in the Bill.  Otherwise, we are bound to believe that the President is simply buying cheap public sympathy to justify the delay in enacting the bill.” Said Cedep and CHRR

“Given the culture of secrecy on how government is run, compounded a recent background of plunder of resources, Malawians  can simply ill afford to have an adulterated piece of legislation that will fall short filling its democratic space. Malawians need a law that will add value to democracy.” Claims the statement

Cedep and CHRR statement further said the President was undemocratic to state that he is not going to take deadlines from Malawians. The CSO's says as an employee of the electorate, the President must be accommodative enough, fully cognizant that it is within the citizens rights to issue deadlines to their demands especially on matters that require urgent address by his leadership.

Reading the draft ATI bill in question we never found the provision which President Peter Mutharika claimed that “in future” no parliament can ever repeal the law  

Indeed, President Mutharika was right to mention that in the current ATI Draft Bill grant access to information even that existed before the legislation was signed according to Chapter 3 on the application of the legislation  

                 “3. - (1) This Act shall apply to information in the custody or under the control of any public body, relevant private body or other information holders listed in the Schedule hereto regardless of whether such information came into existence  before the commencement of this Act  

     However, “(2) This Act shall not apply to the following information: Cabinet records and those of its committees; court records prior to conclusion of a matter; and information excluded from publication under the Official Secrets Act; and personal information.”

Mutharika made the error on the Bill when speaking to Journalist at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe on Monday evening following his return on December 6 from Malta, UK and South Africa where he went to attend to Summit and hold number of bilateral talks.

President Mutharika continued to make his promise of taking Access to Information Bill to National Assembly but this time around says this will happen "at some point" in this 46th Session of National Assembly.

He said his Government is through Cabinet Committee on Legal matters is resolving inconsistencies which prevented the bill from being taken to just ended First Meeting of 46th Session of the National Assembly as promised.c7

Mutharika Makes Another Promise On ATI Bill

Add caption

President Peter Mutharika continues to make promise of taking Access to Information Bill to National Assembly but this time around says this will happen "at some point" in this 46th Session.

Since he was elected the president of Malawi, Peter Mutharika has made number of promises to enact the ATI bill. Most recent similar pronouncement was made in Salima district where he said the bill was finalised and ready for tabling during the First Meeting of 46th Session of National Assembly. However, Week before National Assembly Meeting his minister of Information, began to issue statements which contradicts president promise and the bill never went to the Assembly.

When Mutharika was speaking to Journalist at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe on Monday afternoon he said his Government is not fighting against the bill and will not “take deadlines” from anybody of when to have the bill enacted 

Again, Mutharika made usual promise when asked of the progress of resolving inconsistencies which Government said was main impediment to take the bill during just ended National Assembly meeting.

But this time around using a word ‘at some point’ for more than twice, he said the bill will be passed in this 46th Session of National Assembly but after Cabinet Committee on Legal matters addresses all inconsistencies.

He mentioned that there are number of provisions in the bill which his administration finds to be inconsistence.

“There are number of issues in the Bill. We have for example provision in the Bill which says that the bill will cover any information that happen before the bill was enacted.” indicates Mutharika

While stating that the provision is against principle of common law (called ex post facto law), which prohibits application of a legislation to things happened before it was adopted, maintained that he wants law take effect on the matters happening from the day he assent the bill.

“There is another one” he added “It says that, in future no parliament can ever repeal this law… But parliament is sovereign it can pass any law or repeal any law.” Said Mutharika

He went on “We are passing the bill not to please anybody, we are passing the bill in our interest its good that people should know in a democracy, how decision are made and we hope that all these requests will be made in responsible manner and that those information will be respected.” Said Mutharika and repeatedly said “We will pass the bill at some point.”

Mutharika was speaking to Journalist at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe on Monday evening following his return on December 6 from Malta, UK and South Africa where he attended Summit and held number of bilateral talks.

Minister of Foreign Affairs George Chaponda indicated in the Communique that President Mutharika in his engagements with UK government officials and legislatures spoke and got promise on budgetary aid resumption to Malawi.

Apparently, Malawi is required to meet number of conditions including passing Access to Information Bill for European Union (EU) (whose membership includes UK Government) and World Bank to disburse their promised budgetary aid.

Malawi Minister of Finance, Goodall Gondwe, delivered in the National Assembly a statement on 25th November 2015 on Economic status of the country wherein he indicated that donors like World Bank and EU will continue to withhold promised budgetary support until Malawi brings to Parliament the bill and meet other 19 conditions. 

But Mutharika on Monday said there is no need to put some conditions because “we are going” to pass the ATI Bill.

“It is in our manifesto, we are the first people to say in Manifesto that we are going to have Access to Information.” He said

How Crucial Is The Bill To Attract Budgetary Support?

EU and World Bank promised Malawi to resume their budgetary support.

However the Minister of Finance Goodall Gondwe admitted in the National Assembly on 25th November 2015 that on top of Public Finance Reform Management Programme, immediate IMF conditionality the two institutions have also added their own conditionality that Malawi needs to meet before their budgetary support is disbursed.

Goodall 

“A large number of conditionality has been agreed which we will have to satisfy before they can disburse the budgetary support. These two institutions require that we should have presented in this Parliament, Access to Information Bill (ATI) as well as implement reforms relating to wage administration that will expunge ghost workers in our wage bill.” Said in his statement in November National Assembly meeting

He added that the two institutions also demands that Malawi need completely reform the FISP which they essentially support so that more than half of the subsidized fertilizers is sold by the private sector instead of Smallholder Farmer Fertilizer Revolving Fund of Malawi and ADMARC. He noted that in total there are more than 20 conditions that Malawi has to meet before the funds are disbursed.

“We are working on these now and we hope that we can satisfy them by the end of March 2016 so that the aid disbursement can take place during the fourth quarter of this fiscal year.” Said Goodall

He also mentioned that Malawi has reactivated IMF Programmes because they are helpful because they reinforce prudent fiscal management and require rigorous economic and financial discipline in Government and reserve Bank.

He therefore said Malawi is set to take number of measures to effect the required balancing of resource with expenditure so as to reduce inflationary pressures. He said this follows IMF conclusion that its programmes have been off track.

“We expect to bring the programme on track as the next IMF staff visit to Malawi (February 2016) when the data for the first half of financial year (July to December 2015) will be examined. 

He therefore highlighted that the conclusion of IMF that Malawi is back on track will be valuable to attract donors to review their stand on their support to Malawi.

“Certainly we know that regardless of the conditionality they have given us the first conditionality that EU and World Bank have given us to resume their pledged budgetary support is the observance of IMF programme.” he said 

Gondwe further added that the IMF programe could also be advertised to the private sector internationally that prudent finance management is resumed in Malawi 

“It is critical in regenerating confidence in the economy” he added

Several donor nations in 2013 suspended budgetary aid to Malawi following public money looting scandal known as Cashgate. The latest to announce the delay of funding were donors under the Common Approach to Budget Support (CABS).

Through the suspension, Malawi lost almost 40% of its budgetary assistance.

Malawi Has Excess Maize Now-Confirm President Mutharika

Mutharika says Nobody is dying of
hunger under his leadeeship 

President Peter Mutharika has announced that Malawi is now food secure and that people should jettison fears of hunger hitting hard people this year.

Mutharika on Monday afternoon told Journalist at Kamuzu Palace that earlier in the day got such an exciting report from National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA) that Malawi has excess maize.

Following adverse weather conditions early 2015, Malawi's maize production and other food crops across the country declined puting a total of 2.8 million people representing 17% of the country’s total population at risk of hunger during the 2015/2016.

An assessment by the Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee (MVAC), carried out in June and July, 2015, the siuation required humanitarian food to support the affected people was 124,183MT of maize equivalence. 

“I was very pleased to hear from NRA that there is excess maize in this country and that they will be asking me to agree to allow traders to export maize outside this country.” Said Mutharika adding “and this is what I have been saying all along.”

Mutharika said earlier in the day got report from National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA) that Malawi has excess maize and NFRA will be asking the president to allow traders to export maize outside the country.

At this point he reiterated with assurance that no Malawian will die of hunger this year or under his administration and all logistical issues are being sorted out to ensure that maize is available in ADMARC markets.

He said; “nobody is going to die of hunger” He repeated “Nobody is going to die in this country of hunger under DPP Government.”

His remarks comes just after his deputy, Saulos Chilima had recently made an update on food situation.

The Vice President had mentioned that although International Community has assisted the country amounting to about US$91million but still Government is appealing for more assistance because currently there is a shortfall of US$55.378 million is approximately K31 billion for hunger response.

Efforts to curb hunger 1,960,377 people, representing 69 percent of the affected population in 68 Traditional Authorities in 24 districts, were targeted with food distribution while 880, 117 people, representing 31 percent in 58 Traditional Authorities in 18 districts, were considered on cash transfers. 

To stabilize the price of the commodity on the market through ADMARC the Malawi government also, using its own resources, bought 30,000MT of maize from Zambia for ADMARC at a cost of K2.8 billion, and 22,193MT of maize locally at a cost of K2.6 billion.

Mutharika Calls For Patience As Power Outages Continues

Mutharika: bear with us as we are trying our best

President Peter Mutharika has appealed for patience from Malawians as the country continues to face persisting unreliable power supply from Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) saying much effort is being done to end the problem.

Irrigation Budget Prioritisation Solution For Malawi Poverty, Hunger- Uladi

Uladi

Leader of Peoples Party in the National Assembly and Salima South legislature Uladi Mussa says Malawi can eradicate poverty and hunger within five year period by implementing irrigation led budget.

ACB Calls For Patriotism Ahead Of Commemorations

The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has encouraged citizens to continue working with the Bureau in the fight against corruption.

Senior Public Relations at ACB, Egrita Ndala made the call ahead of International Anti-Corruption Day commemorations scheduled for 17th December 2015 at Chisitu ground in Mulanje district.

Speaking in an interview, Ndala noted with gratitude the encouraging support and participation the Bureau got from people this year in the fight against corruption. Among others she said people were able to provide the Bureau with tips, able to cooperate when being interviewed as well as being available to Court when asked to.

“We see that there is that participation from people, but what we would want to ask is patriotism because this fight is not for ACB alone, but is for everyone. So we would like everyone to be patriotic, to love their country and take part in the fight against corruption by not engaging in it.” She said

While adding encouraging people to continue reporting to ACB on any suspected corruption acts, Ndala also urged Malawians to take part in civic educating others on dangers of corruption to the country. 

“They can also educate others on importance of desisting, rejecting and reporting corruption because sometimes people do things out of ignorance, so they should us help in educating people that practicing corruption is evil and bad to our country.” urged Ndala

The ACB is commemorating International Anti-Corruption Day on 17th December 2015 at Chisitu ground in Mulanje district under theme ‘Patriotism Key to Fighting Corruption’. Initially the Bureau planned to commemorate this year’s event on 9th December  at the same venue.

The Bureau used to commemorate the National Anti-Corruption Day on February 5, but they changed to December 9 to match with the World Corruption Day.

Parliamentarians Asked To Read, Get Used To House Rules

National Assembly has urged Legislatures to always read Parliamentary Standing Orders and other relevant laws to enhance transaction of business in the National Assembly.  

The call comes ahead of Second Meeting of 46 Session of the National Assembly expected in February 2015 for Mid Year Budget Review.

Problems with adherence to Standing Orders was common in just ended First Meeting of 46th Session of the National Assembly. Most legislatures were presenting different matters by quoting wrong rules of the House. The problem was causing unnecessary attention and debate in the House.

Francis Kasaila

Leader of House, Francis Kasaila while admiting that adherence to Standing Order is a big challenge in the House, he also observed that this has affected the transaction of the business in the House.

Kasaila said it is sad that the problem continues to happen in the House although the Secretariat has been organizing the training sessions at MIM. However, since the House shall continue to provide some orientation workshops with strong emphasis on proper use and adherence to Standing Orders, Kasaila said there is possibly therefore that this problem will come to an end soon if parliamentarians begins to make good use of the Standing Orders.

"I believe that at the end of the day when everybody else is oriented and trained probably we will be able to transact our business here much better. But it also requires all of us as members to find time to read Standing Orders and understand them. Not just Standing Orders but other laws, because we have those books, laws of Malawi they are there because they are supposed to be reference materials.

We need to read them and when we bring any business here we should know that that business should not be in contradiction with the existing laws because if we do that then that becomes null and void. This is something that all of us should try and get acquainted to” urged Kasaila

DAPP Clocks 20 Years With Life Changing Programs

DAPP country director 

A local NGO, Development Aid from People to People (DAPP) has celebrated 20 years of existence with more success stories from beneficiaries who are enjoying range of programmes being implemented by the organization.

At the commemoration event marking 20 years of its existence held in Lilongwe, beneficiaries of programmes related to agriculture and food security, environment, health, vocational training and community development had pavilions showcasing what they learn and benefits from such programmes.

Joyce Kalima: benefited from Agriculture
Programe by DAPP

Joyce Kalima a member of Gilevulo Farmers Club in Lumbadzi, said Farmers Club Programe from DAPP has enormously improved economic state of her family. She said this is because she was trained on good farming practices that have enabled her to produce more yields from her garden and earn good income after selling some range of produce from her garden. 

“Apart from the fact that food security status in my family has been improved, DAPP programme has also empowered me economically because I now can support my family” she said.

Other beneficiaries explaining to participants

“DAPP organized us to be in groups. We were trained on various farming skills including techniques on conservation farming which focus on the use of organic manure, use of pothole for cropping with good plant spacing, planting of vertiver grass to control soil erosion and animal husbandry.

Am very thankful for DAPP, because we were also linked to buyers for some of our produce, and we were encouraged to join Village Saving Loan groups, and practice hygiene and sanitation as well as construction of firewood saving stoves.” Explained Kalima

From DAPP programme now Kalima said she is able to pay school fees for her child at Secondary School and she also build a nice house because she is earning better income from small scale faming through skills from DAPP. 

Lisbeth Thomsen

Speaking in an interview, Country Director for DAPP, Lisbeth Thomsen said some of the major highlights for 20 years has been the contribution to the education, health, food security and community development.

According to Thomsen within the two decades, DAPP has established four Teacher Training colleges which has produced over 2000 Primary School Teachers and establishment of vocational school which has trained more than 7 thousand youths in more than ten skills offered by the school.

She also disclosed that DAPP has worked with over 70 thousand small scale farmers through Farmers Clubs on increasing food security, worked with more than 1.4 million Malawians in programmes that focus on reducing spread of HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria as well as reached to over 50 thousand families in order to improve the lives of children.

Charlotte from DAPP interacting with some
participants at the commemoration

“I think over the 20 years, many people have benefited from the programmes and all the programmes have been implemented in close collaboration with Government of Malawi both at central level and local level. And also the big support we have had from various partners, our Donors but also through the selling of the second hand clothes which has been the big source of income throughout the years.” Said Lisbeth Thomsen 

Looking ahead, she said DAPP wants to increase its efforts in promoting social and economic development through its number of programmes. 

“There will be many more products to come, much more to do, many more good teachers to be trained, many more farmers who can be food secure and many more children who have a god life and good health that’s what we want” 

DAPP country manager added; “DAPP Malawi we don’t see ourselves as typical NGO, we are here to stay as long as they need as there. And we are that way, shoulder to shoulder with the people of Malawi to improve the lives of people most in need.”

DAPP began in 1995, its programs sapn all the regions of Malawi and benefiting over one million people annually.

Secondary, University Fees Motion To Affect Access To Quality Education Among Poor

Kasaila

Government says students from poor families are the victims of the recent National Assembly resolution which is stopping Secondary schools and Universities from implementing new fees regime.

On Thursday, Salima Central legislature, Felix Jumbe made proposal that the House resolves postponement of recently announced fees hike in Secondary schools and Universities since the majority in rural areas cannot afford due to current economic problems. 

Minister of Transport who is also leader of House in the National Assembly, Francis Kasaila said in an interview that, the implementation of the resolution will frustrate Government efforts of providing quality education in Public schools to enable students from poor families access to quality education. 

Kasaila said the decision to hike fees in Public secondary schools and Public Universities was meant to improve quality of education through cost sharing so that Schools are able to provide necessary learning and teaching materials.

"Government is saying; we need to provide quality education to the students who are coming from the poor families, and to do that we need to raise resources so that we improve on the quality of education.” Said Kasaila

All of them (Legislatures) who were talking there, have their children in private schools. They don’t have their children in Public schools. Why? Because the quality of education there is poor.” He said

Kasaila therefore emphasized that although the National Assembly resolution seem to be helping the poor, but the decision will prevent students especially children from poor from access to quality education in public schools which they rely on.

He noted that the argument that was brought in the House could have helped poor if it looked at how Government can support the needy students so that with effects of newly introduced fees they do not fail to pursue on their studies. 

“In fact Government is providing bursary to such needy students.” He said 

He also indicated that it is surprising that some students that are said to have been affected by new fees regime are former students from High Schools where student pay a minimum of half a million Kwacha fees but find it expensive and fail to pay K30 thousand or K250 thousand fees charging Public secondary schools and universities respectively.

"Unfortunately, we know because of politics people want to be seen that they stand for the poor but the fact is, the poor want quality education, not just education" said Kasaila

Directorate To Civic Educate Listed Public Officers On Asset Declaration Process

Christopher Tukula

The office of the Director for Public Officers Asset Declaration says it faced number of problems in 2014 during the Initial Asset Declarations process, as new Government financial year is to begin in July next year, the office is making some early preparations for the Annual Declaration Update Excercise.

The Directorate of Asset Declaration says is geared to intensify civic education of the Asset Declaration Process among listed officers in preparation for the commencement of annual update to the declared assets.

Director of Asset Declaration Christopher Tukula disclosed that the directorate wants to begin the exercise very early starting this year so that listed officers should not have problems when they start to submit forms of updates to their declared assets in July next year.

Tukula says this early preparations follows the hurdles the process of asset declaration faced in 2014 when the officers were for the first time declaring their assets.

Tukula said“We want to improve on the performance of the last time whereby we want to intensify civic education of the asset declaration process. We have lined up series of briefing meetings with public officers and we are going to distribute the blank declaration forms directly to all the listed public officers." 

"Last time people were looking around for the forms own their own. For now we are going to issue them with copy of their declaration and blank declaration forms  and are going to use this for the purpose of giving an update to their declarations in July next year.” explains Tukula

He indicated that the receipt of declarations is an annual exercise under the act and that from 1st July next year the office will be receiving declarations from public officers as an update of what they had disclosed last year.

The Assets Declarations Directors said his office is notifying the listed officers along way before hand in order for the Directorate to have an ample time to extensively engage all public officers on the declaration process and enhance the civic education component of the process prior to the statutorily defined submission dates.

In readiness, the directorate says distribution of Copies of Initial Declaration and Blank Annual Declarations and briefing meetings are among the lined up activities.

The Initial Declaration is statutorily followed by Annual Declaration update return that is filed within thirty days after the commencement of each fiscal year.

He said each officer will be required to submit a duly completed, signed and commissioned Annual Declaration Form as an update return to the Initial Declaration which was already submitted. He said the submission shall commence on Friday, 1st July 2016 to Sunday, 31st July, 2016.  

Currently, 10, 200 (ten thousand two hundred) listed public officers who were serving in various positions when the Act became effective on 1st July 2014 submitted their Initial Declarations between 1st October and 31st December 2014. 

The receipt of Initial Declarations is ongoing for all public officers being appointed or promoted into listed positions.

The office of the Director of Public Officer’s Asset Declaration began its operations in August 2014. The overall objective of the declaration regime is to promote public confidence in the public service. The office was set up following passing of the Declaration of Assets, Liabilities and Business Interests Act of 2013.

Asset Declaration Directorate Rollout Physical Verification Of Asset

Christopher Tukula

Physical Verification Exercise of initial declarations submitted by listed public officers to begin 14th December, 2015, announces the Office of the Director of Public Officer’s Declarations.

The office also announces launch of full Public Access to Declarations on 14th December 2015 and rolling out of preparatory exercise of collecting updates to initial declarations scheduled for 1st July to 31st July 2016.

Christopher Tukula, Director of Public Officers Declarations disclosed this in Lilongwe 

“We now announce the rolling out of the Physical Verification exercise” announced Tukula

He said every public officer designated for the physical verification shall be notified in writing in advance. He said from that date the directorate starts conducting a risk based and purposively sampled physical verification exercise of initial declarations submitted by public officers. 

“This Physical Verification Exercise will involve comparing the data in the forms with data in various public agencies and private entities to check authenticity of, veracity and accuracy.” Said Tukula

He mentioned that among the public and private institutions to cross check the data are Local Government Council registries, Ministry of Lands and Housing, Malawi Housing Corporation, Directorate of Road Traffic and Safety Services, Financial Institutions, Malawi Revenue Authority and any other relevant institutions.

“It shall also involve visiting sites for inspection and assessment of declared movable and immovable properties whenever necessary” added Tukula while indicating that this will be done by professionals

The Director of Asset Declaration indicated that this programme is an ongoing for all the declarations. He further mentioned that the directorate has already completed the formal check and desk analysis of all declarations in readiness for the exercise.

The directorate has also urged the general public to alert (whistleblower) the office of any listed public officer violating asset declaration provisions which includes submission of false or inaccurate declaration and that the whistleblower identity will be protected in accordance with relevant provisions of the law governing declaration regime.

Full Public Access to Declarations 

The Directorate says the Public Access to Declaration platform of all listed officers is beginning 14th December 2015 now open to public upon application to Director. Tukula said the directorate has compiled a data base upon which the public access platform has been developed

“So all categories are now under the Public Access Platform.” He said

The platform was initially operational for officers in the Political (party leaders and their treasurer generals) and elected officers (Presidency, 196 Legislatures and 426 Councilors) category since March 2014.

Now the office says starting on 7th December which is Monday next week the office is rolling out Public Access Platform to the rest of the listed officers. In March this year opened up a Public Access Platform where members of public could go and access to declarations of various public officers. It first started with political and elected officers comprising of Presidency, legislatures and Ward councilors.

He asked members of public, media and CSO’s to utilize Public Access Platform so that people can access the declaration and compare what they know about the officers and report (whistleblowing) if there is any discrepancy.

"We are encouraging the public to utilize this platform so that you can inform the directorate of any abuse of the Act by listed public officer.

No information relating to whistleblower shall be admitted in evidence in any administrative, civil or criminal proceedings, and no person shall be obliged or permitted to disclose the name or address of such whistleblower, or state any matter which might lead to his or her discovery" assured Tukula

He also said there will be outreach civic education clinics aimed at sensitise the public role of to support the directorate 

Promised ATI, Land Bills Never Came In The House- Complains Chakwera As National Assembly Adjourns Sine-Die

Chakwela

Leader of Opposition in National Assembly and President for the country's main opposition party, Lazarus Chakwera, says the First Meeting of the 46th Session of the National Assembly  has come to an end without deliberating the much awaited bills.

He also bemoaned that there has been a lot of business that should have been considered on the order paper.

Chakwera said in his speech before the House adjourned sine die,that the House hoped “for a vibrant debate on the Access to Information (ATI) bill particularly after being assured by the Country’s leadership to have the bill and some land bills tabled.

“But we had hope that all other bills that we had been promised would have also been tabled in order for us to tell the world and us Malawians that we want to be a country that is accountable that is transparent in all our dealings and that’s the reason that Access to Information Bill is some kind of disappointment not to have it tabled.” he said

”We look forward to enacting badly needed legislation on reforms, ATI among others for all of us to better serve Malawians experiencing terrible inequalities in economic, agriculture, education health, politics. These disparities must be dealt with."

Chakwera expressed hope that ATI and Land bills that were promised prior to the just ended Meeting that will be brought to the Business Committee of the Houses will be made available during the Second Meeting expected in February next year. 

"So we are trusting that the midyear review will bring many of these pieces of legislation to be discussed in the chamber.” hoped Chakwera

However, the opposition leader, noted that the house managed to consider some business which he think have given hope to Malawians. He mentioned issues of hunger situation and preparation for the farming season, education and health issues as some of the isues that the House consodered and placed much focus because they needed serious attention.

Francis Kasaila

Moving motion that the House adjourn Sine Die, Leader of House Francis Kasaila said the Meetings deliberations went on smoothly against early speculations that there would be inside fighting.

“I believe that looking at the amount of work that has been dealt with I can say without fear of contradiction that I think we have done a good job.” Said Kasaila 

He, however acknowledged existence of areas that need improvement and promised as leaders of the House to endeavor to improve in the subsequent meetings of the House.

Speaking of what transpired for four weeks since the Opening of the First Meeting by President Peter Mutharika with State of the National Adress delivered on Friday 6th November 2015, Kasaila said 6 Ministerial statements were delivered in the House and 2 remains on the Order Paper.

He among others said two public petitions (from University Students Leadership and Civil Society Organisations on Health) were delivered to the House and that 9 bills were passed.

Bills Passed During First Meeting Of 46th Session of National Assembly 

1. Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (Amendment Bill) passed on Wednesday 11th November 215.
2. Estate Duty (Amendment Bill) passed on Monday 16th November 2015
3. International Development Association (Southern Africa Trade and Transport Programme Phase 2)  Loan Authorization Bill passed on Tuesday 17th November 2015
4. Credit Reference Bureau (Amendment Bill) passed on Tuesday 17th November 2015
5. Insolvency passed on Wednesday 18th November 2015
6. Malawi Institute of Procurement and Supply passed on Monday 23rd November 2015
7. European Investment Bank (Upgrading of Aviation Safety Equipment at Kamuzu and Chileka International Airports Project Loan Authorization Bill passed on Monday 30th November 2015
8. OPEC Fund for International Development (Mzimba Integrated Urban Water and Sanitation Project Loan Authorization Bill) passed on Tuesday 1st December 2015 and 
9. African Development Bank Mzimba Integrated Urban Water and Sanitation Project Loan Authorization Bill passed on Tuesday 1st December 2015

Three bills have since been referred to the Parliamentary Committees for Further scrutiny

1. Metrology Bill on Monday 23rd November 2015 the House resolved to refer the Report of the Parliamentary Committee on Trade, Industry and Tourism on this bill back to the Committee for refinement
2. Payment Systems Bill which was referred to the Budget Committee on Monday 23rd November 2015 and 
3. Electronic Transaction Bill which was referred to the Committee on Media, Information and Communication on Wednesday 25th November 2015

The leader hoped that the concerned committees will be ready with their reports for presentation to the House during the next Meeting of Parliament likely to be held in February 2016.