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.

Comedy Fans Laugh Lungs Out With Basketmouth Incredible Jokes

Basketmouth performance at BICC

Sunday night was full of laughter at Bingu International Conference Centre (BICC) Auditorium in Lilongwe when for the very first time ever, Africa’s top stand-up comedian Basketmouth performed live to his Malawian audience.

His incredible performance began just immediately when he showed up on stage at 20:42 hours with a joke about ‘stupid’ questions that one ask someone yet knows the answer or what is happening.

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

National Assembly Leadership Worried Over Absenteeism

Chakwera

Leadership from Government and the Opposition sides in the National Assembly has pleaded with legislatures to stop growing tendency of absconding daily business in the House.

The just ended First Meeting of 46th Session of National Assembly was characterized by absenteeism more especially from the Government side of the House.

Kasaila

Leader of Opposition Lazarus Chakwera in his remarks on Friday, before the House adjourned sine die emphasized that in future Meetings the House should rise above lack of respect and great absenteeism.

"Everyone contribution is important and we represent people out there and we want to be able to make sure that when the decisions are being made the whole House makes those decisions because everyone is participating." Said Chakwera in an interview 

The Opposition Leader also lamented the confusion and misinterpretation of the House Standing Orders. He therefore underlined the need for the House to strictly adhere to the Standing Orders and the Decorum standards in future Sessions.

He said; "We should adhere more to our own Standing Orders and where those orders need fine tuning Legal Affairs Committee are to be able to do that because we must maintain the fact that all time is for us and time is not only money time is holy. We must treat it the way it is. We will not pass through this time again, we need to serve Malawians the best we can with sacrifices if needed"

Chakwera had also in his speech proposed for full business day deliberations on Monday and Wednesdays to enable productive deliberations as most business continue to be left out.

Chakwera concerns on absenteeism were also echoed by Leader of the House, Francis Kasaila. He said; "We wished averyone was available the reason we come here is to represent our people from the constituencies that we are coming from."

He said full and daily participation of the business of the House is essential because members could have very good ideas and altenative views from their constituencies for Government consideration.

"Indeed if honorable member decides not to be available in the House what would mean is Government would not get that kind of advice and the views that are coming from that sector of the community. And that is very regretable" said Kasaila

While emphasising that absenteeisim must stop, Kasaila indicated that the House will continue to always encourage the membership of the House to prioritise the business of the House.

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.