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Infighting continues in DPP Wa Jeffrey asked to declare sources of funding for the NGC

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Infighting continues in DPP Wa Jeffrey asked to declare sources of funding for the NGC

By Linda Kwanjana

In a twist of event, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Director of Legal affairs has penned the party secretary general Gelzelder wa Jeffrey asking her to disclose source of funding which they used during National Governing Council meeting which took place at Golden Peacock in Lilongwe.

In a strong worded letter , Mhango says he is giving the advise to the SG under Section 27 (2)’, (5) and (6) of the Political Parties Act, 2018, which gives political parties obligations to declare to the Registrar of Political Parties, the cash donations made to the Party.

“I have been informed by the Secretariat that you have not handed over any such funds or donations to the Treasurer
General nor remitting any such funds or cash donations which you have received on behalf the Party into the Party Bank Accounts, ” Mhango argues

Mhango



In the letter Mhango says the advise is purely based on the law as read under Section 27 (2)’, (5) and (6) of the Political Parties Act, 2018,

“You are required to declare to the Registrar of Political Parties, the cash donations made to the Party. I therefore advise and ask you to promptly hand over the funds and cash donations to the Treasurer General or remit the same into the Party Bank Accounts. I further advise and ask you to declare all the cash donations which you have so far received on behalf of the Party, by declaring the names of
individuals and organizations from whom you have received the donations and the respective amounts, ” argues Mhango.

In the letter Mhango says if she fails to hand over the funds and cash donations to the Treasurer General or to remit the funds and cash donations into the Party Bank Accounts and to declare the cash donations or if you give false information, she may be imprisoned for two years and pay back the money similar to those received. There was no immediate response from the SG.

Malawi currency stabilises after kwacha ‘floated’

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Malawi currency stabilises after kwacha ‘floated’

By Linda Kwanjana

Malawi’s journey towards economic growth is on course following the announcement by the Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) which shows that the exchange rate between the kwacha and the dollar has not changed from the first week after the 44 percent devaluation of the local unit implemented on November 9 2023.

The dollar has been selling at an average K1666.67 at some commercial banks namely, National Bank of Malawi, CDH Investment Bank, Centenary Bank and FDH Bank plc.

All the banks listed here were selling the local unit at a flat rate of K1 700, as announced by the central bank on November 8.

Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) spokesperson Mark Lungu said in an interview response that the central bank is “satisfied with the stability” witnessed in the past two weeks and expects the local unit will fully stabilise in the long-term.

Reacting to the development, Malawi University of Science and Technology economics lecturer Bertha Bangara-Chikadza said the apparent stability is normal considering that some donors released forex into the markets after Malawi secured a $175 million Extended Credit Facility with the International Monetary Fund.

She, however, stressed that it was too early to conclude that the kwacha may remain stable because the country is not “exporting much” this quarter but is importing some critical imports such as fertiliser for the growing season, a development she says “still put pressure on the kwacha”.

To put it into context, RBM figures show that Malawi exported $111.9 million (about K125.8 billion at the prevailing exchange rate at the time) but imported $291.7 million worth of goods and services, representing a deficit of $179.8 million or 151 percent of the total exports.

Chithyola hails Kulima and Afikepo programmes for improving livehoods

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Chithyola hails Kulima and Afikepo programmes for improving livehoods

By Staff Reporter

Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Simplex Chithyola Banda has hailed Kulima and Afikepo Programmes for improving the livelihoods of more than 1 million households across Malawi through advanced agriculture production and food and nutrition security.

Chithyola said this today during the official closing ceremony for Kulima and Afikepo Programmes at BICC in Lilongwe, under the theme: Sustainable Agriculture Production, Food and Nutrition Security – Cornerstone for a Resilient Malawi.

Finance Minister Simplex Chithyola Banda

After touring pavilions of farmers under the project showcasing locally available diversified crops and produce in all six food groups, he expressed optimism that we are making great strides towards empowering our communities to eradicate hunger and ensure that every household has access to nutritious food.

In his remarks, Minister of Agriculture, Sam Kawale stated that the two programmes have further built the capacity of small holder farmers to improve productivity and value addition, and equipped frontline agricultural officers with vehicles, motorbikes and bicycles to ease their mobility with reliable transportation.

He highlighted that the two programs have contributed towards efforts to achieve an inclusively wealthy and prosperous Malawi.

“We celebrate that our people’s lives in the villages have improved, officers equipped with knowledge and expertise, rehabilitation of three agricultural research stations across the country, improvement in research technology, and restoration of the banana industry,” said Kawale.

The two Ministers expressed gratitude to the EU for financially supporting the project with approximately US$186 million.

EU Ambassador to Malawi, Rune Skinnebach underscored the transformative impact of the Kulima and Afikepo programs, emphasizing empowerment of farmers in diverse economic streams, promoting women’s empowerment, and fostering sustainable agricultural practices.

He urged all stakeholders and implementing partners to join hands in building on the lessons learnt and scaling up to ensure continuity.

He further revealed ongoing support through a new project called “Ulimi ndi Chilengedwe” (UCHI), which will be rolled out soon.

hon Sam Kawale

IFPRI encourages youths to venture into Agripreneurship

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IFPRI encourages youths to venture into Agripreneurship

By Dean Chisambo

International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) has encouraged the youths, women and other disadvantage groups to participate more in Agri-interpruership through ‘Ukama Utsawi programme the CGAIR regional initiative in order to make money

Speaking during the research findings presentation made by Kirk Development Research Consultancy on Youth Engagement In Agripreneurship: Landscape Analysis In Malawi Stakeholders Validation Meeting on Thursday in Lilongwe, IFPRI Senior Research Fellow Development Strategy and Government Division Kristin Davis said the findings has given the path way on how the international organisation, the government of Malawi and other stakeholders can support the youths in agriculture Agripreneurship in this country.

Participants at the conference


Davis said Agri-business is very important because it’s an engine for economic growth despite misconceptions that deters the youth saying farming is very old fashioned and it’s dirty. She said the youth have become more interested in agriculture according to international statistics, they are turning to be more involved in Agri-business which is the way when it comes to money making.

In his remarks Kirk Development Research Consultancy lead consultant Amon Kabuli said the findings are a bit interesting in the sense that the youth have got a number of challenges that hinders them going into Agriculture as a business.
Kabuli said the findings has shown that the youths are lacking skills to be able to venture into Agripreneurship, access to finance is also a problem, access to land by the youth is challenging and also the Mindset Challenge of thinking Agriculture is Old fashioned.

On his part Director of Agriculture Extension in the Ministry of Agriculture Pearson Soko said the findings are in line with what the country has been observing on youth engagement in agripreneurship.

“We have a number of initiatives in agricultural productivity and commercialisation as Malawi 2063 pillar number one. There is need for youth to fully participate in agriculture to achieve the MW2063. Youth participation in agriculture is not an option,” he said.


He added that as a government they have particular projects like Agricultural commercialisation and National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) which is normally targeted call proposal to ensure that youth and women should participate in agriculture commercialisation.

Senior Researcher for International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Dr Karen Nortje emphasised on the need to harness ideas by the youth saying they are enthusiastic about what they want to do.

One of the youth farmers, Fainess Kazembe from Mambe Club, Traditional Authority Msamala in Balaka appealed to stakeholders to assist them address challenges if the youth are to fully participate and take agriculture as a business.

The Kirk Development Research Consultancy made the three months research from October to December 2023 in the districts of Balaka, Chikwawa, Nkhotakota and Nkhatabay respectively.

The Ukana Ustiwa programme is a CGAIR regional integrated initiative and they are working to diversify for resilient agrifood systems in East and Southern Africa.

Demand accountability from public officials – Dossi

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Demand accountability from public officials – Dossi

by Robert Katuli

Acts of corruption can be reduced if citizens and civil society groups are encouraged to demand more accountability from public officials, a development which would ensure public resources are spent on activities beneficial to the public.

Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Media, Information and Communications, Susan Dossi, said this on Thursday in Lilongwe at a workshop where Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) was orienting Tobacco Commission management on Access to Information law.

“It is important for public institutions to share information with the public. We believe that transparency and accountability is key. If institutions are accountable and transparent to the public, they should be able to protect the public finances that institutions use,” said Dossi.



She added that the demand for information from public bodies by citizens has now increased, saying this is very important as it will minimise the spread of false and inaccurate information.

“We believe that when the public is well informed and it has the required information, then they would not go on social media and disseminate information which is wrong, something that they are just creating,” she said.

Dossi added that her committee would continue to exercise its mandate of ensuring that all public institutions are fully transparent and accountable to the people whom they govern by providing information requested by stakeholders.

She commended the Tobacco Commission for taking this step to invite MHRC to orient its (Tobacco Commission’s) staff on the Access to Information Act and Access to Information Regulations in accordance with Section 14 of the Access to Information Act.

Tobacco Commission Public Relations Officer Telephorus Chigwenembe said the company realised it is important to improve the way it makes information accessible to the public to ensure that the public is fully aware of what is happening in the industry.

He said: “We are a public institution and because of the nature of our business, we have a lot of interest from a lot of stakeholders within and outside the industry.

“Tobacco drives the economy, so a lot of people are interested in what happens in the tobacco industry.”

MHRC Civil and Political Rights Officer (Legal) Nancy Chiume said there are many gaps on the part of information holders that relate to understanding the processes and procedures on using this law in disseminating information.

Chiume, however, said there is some progress in some of the institutions that the access to Information law applies, especially on appointing information officers.

The Access to Information became law in 2017, but its implementation started in 2020. The law empowers citizens to obtain information held by public bodies.

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