- By Chancy Namadzunda, AfricaNews reporter, Lilongwe-Malawi
Malawi Council of Churches (MCC) said they will not bow down to the pressure from the donors to recognize gay rights.
MCC Board Chairperson Bishop Joseph Bvumbwe told the country’s Daily Times Newspaper that some donor church partners which bless same-sex partnerships have stopped funding several local churches that are vocal against homosexuality.
He said this after a three-day MCC National Heads of churches homosexuality consultation held reentry where angry pastors chased away three Christian gay activists who were supposed to share testimonies.
Victor Mukasa also known as Juliet, a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Tra…
- By Chancy Namadzunda, AfricaNews reporter, Lilongwe-Malawi
The European Union (EU) has released funds amounting to K1.8 billion to the Malawi government to improve food security.
In the statement released by the EU, the support covers costs for improved maize and legume seed for 345, 000 smallholder farmers and it also supports forestry and irrigation activities which will benefit 34, 500 community members and 2, 100 households respectively.
EU says this meant that it backs the seed component of the government of Malawi’s Farm Input Subsidy Programme.
“The EU’s assistance enables. The raising and planting of 10.5 million tree seedlings, as well as the manageme…
- By Chancy Namadzunda
Lack of knowledge on the Millenium Development Goals mainly on the achievement of equitable education for all by 2015 faces another problem as there is little knowlwdge on the goal amongst school managers and supervisors.
A local organisation Link for Education Governance (LEG) said theadteachers have expressed no knowledges of the government's efffort to achive the goal and the country's National Education Sector Plan.
"There ai a general feeling that by 2015, the country will fail to grant all its citizens regardless of their socio-economic standing in the society to have equitable access to quality and relevant basic, secondary and higher education if the p…
- By Chancy Namadzunda
After a long time of squabbles, the opposition is trying to put their house in order to ably discharge their legislative work in parliament.
The general public has been accusing the divided opposition block in parliament for failing to control the government unnecessary changing of the constitution like the passing of the police bill which will enable the police officers to search without a warrant and the Local government bill which enables the President to call for local election whenever he feels.
“After the elections, we were a divided block because there were some inner-fighting amongst our parties. My first work was to bring together the oppositio…
- By Chancy Namadzunda, AfricaNews reporter in Lilongwe, Malawi
For the past three months, Zain Malawi subscribers have had problems with the network whenever they want to add airtime and make calls which the communication company chief Fayaz King said was due to cheap cell phones.
King said this when the company was distributing cellphones in Mchinji district, central Malawi where according to a traditional chief, there is no network at all.
"We are expriencing these network problems because Malawians are fond of buying cheap and second hand cellphones and also that they save too much things in their phones. Unless they start buying modern handsets the problem will be minimised," h…
The Human Rights Consultative Committee (HRCC), a civil society network of 91 NGOs in Malawi working to promote governance, accountability and human rights has questioned the government provision of MK500 million (about 2,314,814 Euros) to president Bingu wa Mutharika as administration costs of chairing the African Union (AU). - In a press statement, HRCC stated the fact that Malawi is now AU chair should not ignite excitement for unnecessary travel by government officials as the money is huge considering that it will be spent within 5 months (February to June 2010).
“Will the local tax payers bear the burden alone or will other countries contribute? Of all 53 member states how much…
- By Chancy Namadzunda, AfricaNews reporter in Blantyre
For the first time, Malawi Wushu Federation (MWF) will participate at the 20 nations Africa Wushu championship scheduled for next month in Cairo, Egypt.
MWF Vice President Prince Litete who innitiated the teams participation, said the invitation has come following the blessings from the continent Wushu body, Africa Wushu Federation.
Said Litete, "Follopwing the impressive training our coaches undertook in China, we believe we have the mascle to compete at any level and we are determined to come back with something big,"
MWF president Haxson Chapasa said it ia the good news to the new sport in the country of which will attra…
- By Chancy Namadzunda, africanews reporter, Blantyre
South Lunzu Magistrate in Blantyre court has sentenced Davis Mpanda to 10 years in jail with hard labour for having carnal knowledge with a person against the order of nature and burggery-offences he pleaded guilty.
He slept with a 15 year old boy who was accused of allowing burggery.
The offence is contrary to section 153 of the penal code and attracts a maximum sentence of 14 years.
Magistrate Diana Kamwangala-Mangwana said Mpanda commited a serious and that such offences are on the increase in Malawi hence the hefty sentence.
"These offences are against Malawi's moral values. The convict is an abuser because what he did …
There is no basis to form a United States of Africa (USA) when there is no unity among the various governments on the continent, stated the newly elected Africa Union Chairman Dr. Bingu wa Mutharika. He said it was "nonsense" to pursue that dream adding his predecessor Muammar Gaddafi pushed it too far. - “Why should we create one Africa when in our countries and our regional groupings we are not united? Libya is pushing these matters too much,” the Malawian president told the local press upon his arrival from the AU Summit in Ethiopia.
He added: “We all know why Gaddafi wants the formation of OAU now; it is because he wants to be the first leader. Some of us don’t…
- By Chancy Namadzunda, Lilongwe-Malawi
The newly elected Africa Union Chairman Dr. Bingu wa Mutharika said efforts by the Libyan President Muammar Gaddafi to immediately form the United States of Africa (USA).
Mutharika, who is also the Malawi President, said it is difficult to unite the whole continent when the nations have no governments of unity.
“Why should we create one Africa when in our countries and our regional groupings we are not united? Libya is pushing these matters too much,” said Mutharika when briefing the press upon arrival from the AU meeting in Ethiopia yesterday.
This follows Gaddafi’s call at the meeting for Africa to unite soon.
He adde…
A 15, 000 euros boost is to be made to the underground Malawi Gay Movement (MGM) from their Netherlands counterparts (name withheld) to help heighten the activities of the movement in the southen African country. MGM said the money would help create a reliable network among its members. - “We want to have a powerful movement which will enable us to get settled in the country. We want to be recognised just as any other social groups. Currently, it is threatening in the country to come out and say you are gay just like what happens to our friends.
“We are also going to use the same money to help this couple in legal fees. They are our friends and groundbreakers, they have done u…
- By Chancy Namadzunda
The Malawi National team will on tuesday play their last build-up game againjst Ghana's Black Stars at Somhlolo Stadium in Swaziland.
The Flames have left the country today to Swaziland where they will put final touches to their preparation before they proceed to the continental showpiece in Angola.
"We have some problems upfront, especialy coordination and failing to utilize chances. Our friendly against the Black Stars in Swaziland will focus on that," sad Malawi's mentor Kinnah Phiri.
The team will depart Mbambane for Angola via Johannesburg on Janualy 8.
Following is the Flames full squad; Swadick Sanudi, Simplex Nthala, Charles Swini, Peter Mponda, …
- By Chancy Namadzunda
Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) Governor Dr Perks Ligoya said the country is in dire need of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) new economic programme.
IMF has set February 10 this year as the date it will decide if Malawi should be offered a new programme.
"We are doing everything possible for this to work, this programme is needed to save the country's economy," he said
Malawi was the first to access the programme which ended last year.
He said if IMF decides not to grant the country the new programme, it meant donors will continue locking their funding.
Malawi was under the one-year Exogenous Shocks Facikity (ESF), the IMF's low interest loan amou…
- By Chancy Namadzunda
Heavily armed Malawi police officers yesterday sorrounded Livingstonia CCAP synod offices in Mzuzu, Northern Malawi to stop the pastors' match to petition the country's president Bingu wa Mutharika against against secondary school selection which the officers said was illegal.
The synod suspects that the government used the proposed quota system which is highly objected by the region.
"Th synod match is illigal and the police had to stop it," said Mzuzu police spokesperson Edward Longwe.
But some synod officials said they sought permission from the city assembly but they did not recieve any responce.
Instead, they matched to St Andrews CCAP Church where…
- By Chancy Namadzunda
It is turning into an obstacle to human development. Global warming is now a greatest environmental challenge facing the world today.
Sadly, the impacts are felt in hardest by the poor masses. Those living in below the poverty line who rely entirely on the natural environment (agriculture in particular) for their daily bread.
Rising global temperatures are bringing changes in weather patterns, rising sea levels and increased frequency and intensity of extra weather events.
In sub-Saharan countries, Malawi in particular, the rainfall pattern has been changing over the years.
Normally, the rainy season starts from November to April but as witnessed I the pas…
- By Chancy Namadzunda
For Africa and Malawi in particular, consumption of alcohol and drug abuse are remain high amongst the youth. This is due to lack of guidance and counseling for youth and children in Malawi.
THE FIGHT
Drug Fight Malawi is the only organisation in Malawi sole which objective is to reduce the harm use of alcohol, tobacco and drugs for sustainable development of the nation with its activities designed to benefit all people with an emphasis on vulnerable populations of youth, women, and children.
According to Drug Fight Malawi’ Executive Director Nelson Baziwell Zakeyu, they are currently spearheading the formulation of an Alcohol Policy in the country to…
- By Chancy Namadzunda
Ambassador Eric Goosby, Global AIDS Coordinator for the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and Dr. Michel Kazatchkine, Executive Director of the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) will on December 15 visit Malawi on AIDS AND Tuberculosis mission.
“Dr’s Goosby and Kazatchkine will meet with Government of Malawi officials and civil society, and visit programs jointly supported by the GFATM , PEPFAR, GOM and other cooperating partners to observe the progress made in fighting the AIDS epidemic and other health challenges,” reads the statement released by the US Embassy in Lilongwe on Thursday
…
- By Chancy Namadzunda
After months of fuel and forex shortage in the country, government through the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) has issued a statement responding to critics.
In the statement, government has pushed the blame on fuel to Petroleum Importers Limited (PIL) saying it is not responsible for the purchase of fuel.
“Government does not buy fuel it is the PIL. The current fuel shortage has come not because of poor policies, but due to challenges within PIL to effectively manage its forward strategic planning that affects fuel supply in this country,” it reads
On forex, the government explained that the presidential jet bout recently, which exper…
- By Chancy Namadzunda
The recent passed local police bill which the Malawi parliament passed in the last sitting on December 2 has sections similar to some oppressive laws of Zimbabwe.
According to Malawi’s Daily Times, the current bill enables the police to search the citizens without a warrant provided that the law enforcers make a recording of the exercise.
A provision in Zimbabwe’s Constitution states that; “A police officer may stop and without a warrant search any person, vehicle or vessel entering or leaving Zimbabwe and any person in or vessel and seize anything in circumstances grounds for believing that the search or seizure is necessary in the interest …
- By Chancy Namadzunda
After a long time since they have been labeled as mare young democrats, youth for morale and sometimes used as thugs for political opponents, the youth in Malawi have decided to come out in the open and rise for the country’s leadership.
Calling themselves Movement for Youthful Leaders (MYL), they are targeting to put young men in leadership positions in the 2014 general elections starting with the presidency.
Hebrews Misomali (pictured), who chairs the movement, said their aim is to use modern knowledge to mould modern civilization in the country.
“It is shameful that from 1964 when we received independence, we are still behind in development. …
The German government has doubled its aid to Malawi from 30 million Euros up to 64 million Euros for the next two years. The Head of South African Division at the German Ministry of Development Cooperation Ingolf Dietrich said the increment comes in recognition of the country's improvement in economic and democratic sectors. - This followed the bilateral discussions between the two countries held in the capital Lilongwe.
“The country’s poverty level have come down to 40 percent from 52 percent and is on track to meet some of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), mainly on child mortality and HIV/AIDS, so we see some progress,” he said
Secretary to the treasury Jos…
- By Chancy Namadzunda, Lilongwe-Malawi
Public Affairs Committee (PAC) a local body which encompasses churches has said the Malawi president Dr. Bingu wa Mutharika is slowly turning himself into a dictator.
This follows the government dominated parliament’s approval to amend Section 147(5) of the constitution to allow the president determine if the election are to take place or not.
The law which parliament amended stipulates that local elections should be held in the third week of May, one year after national elections.
Sub-section 5 has been deleted and replaced with the new sub-section 5 through a Constitutional Amendment Bill number 2 of 2009 which reads: “Local g…
- By Chancy Namadzunda, AfricaNews reporter, Lilongwe-Malawi
Changing in climate conditions has affecting crop production animal rearing and in the Country. Rainfall patterns have changed greatly and agricultural activities have become difficult to plan.
Many households are suffering as a result of this change in rainfall calendar. Nowadays, rain seems to come unawares with no stable time line.
In Northern region, Self Help Malawi is running a Fair Rural Livelihood programme which helps farmers to be innovative in traditional technologies to enable them harvest enough food.
Lead farmer is a new concept that the government of Malawi has adapted to recognize local farmers who ha…
- By Chancy Namadzunda, Lilongwe-Malawi
As the fuel crisis refuses to die, Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA) has ordered that service stations should be rationing the petroleum products to ensure fair distribution.
In a statement, MERA has also banned the use of jerrycans, locally known as zigubu to buy fuel at the filling stations.
This has however affected rural maize mill businesses as they are unable to buy fuel.
“With this directive, fuel pumps will be selling 30 litters to saloon vehicles, 50 litters to three-tonne vehicles, 40 litters to pickups, 60 litters to lorries and 80 litters to buses,” reads part of the statement signed by MERA Acting Chief Exec…
For the first time in the history of Malawi, a local Biochemist Dr Timothy Ngwira has launched Linga Country wine. It is an exciting range of full-bodied country wines made from the juice of organically produced fresh fruit purchased from rural communities in that country. - Ngwira, said Linga wine is a happy social wine with its distinctive characteristic and purity that makes those get-togethers more memorable.
“It is equally palatable on quite evenings with soft music and the one people care for close by, no wonder it is on high demand especially in tourism centers. It represents Malawi,” he said
Ngwira said the wine which is heavier than some others, is also on demand i…
