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Politicians told to refrain from interfering MDF duties

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By Chisomo Phiri

Politicians in the country have been advised not to interfere in the work of the Malawi Defense Force (MDF) as this compromises military personnel.

This was said on Friday by the outgoing Malawi Defence Force (MDF) Commander General Vincent Nundwe as he was handing over a sword of command to the newly appointed Malawi Defence Force( MDF) Commander General Valentino Phiri at Kamuzu Barracks in Lilongwe.

Nundwe

Said Nundwe:”We are here to achieve government objective and not political objectives.

“These are two different things. Politicians, I appeal to you please do not interfere or influence MDF personel. I urge MDF officers to follow the Constitution and the Defence Act and don’t let politicians use you because your reputation is at stake and you will be compromised.”

Nundwe further advised service members not to embrace or entertain homosexuallity in MDF.

“Let’s uphold morals and emulate what various churches did recently.God did not create John and James but Adam and Eve.

“Let’s maintain natural order and not this practice where women sleep with women and men sleep with men. This is not natural,” he said.

President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera appointed Valentino Phiri as the new Commander of the MDF last month.

General Nundwe,retire,served as MDF commander twice.

Author Beyard Woo Kachidowo narrates what motivated him to publish ‘The Next Billionaire’ book

By Chisomo Phiri

In this article, author Beyard Woo Kachidowo, 28, is narrating a story of what motivated him to publish his motivational book titled ‘The Next Billionaire’.

Woo Kachidowo says released in 2022′ The Next Billionaire’ is the best motivational book that targets to open the minds of people, especially young people to venture into business.

He says while at Kamuzu University of Health Sciences,he observed that most students flocked to him to complain about their financial challenges as he was university’s students’ union president.

Author Beyard Woo Kachidowo

“Most of them, thought that I was coming from a rich home and used to lament how poor their families were.

“I took it upon myself to start advising my fellow students to consider small businesses in their free time to support themselves.

“When I graduated in 2017, I observed the same problem in most youths. That motivated me to write this book, to partly tell my story so that they come to realize it is possible to turn around one’s life through business,” says Woo Kachidowo.

The youthful author says he started business while he was in primary school following financial challenges he was facing after the death of his father in 1996.

Narrates Woo Kachidowo:” When my father died, property grabbers took away everything, plunging our family into poverty. I started selling paraffin to support family. Lamps were the primary source of light in most homes then. In 2006, my business suffered a heavy blow when I was selected to Robert Blake Secondary school as I could not pursue my business while in boarding school. This led to more financial challenges such that I owed the school a lot of money in school fees arrears. I was saved by a well-wisher who paid for the rest of my secondary school fees.

“While at College of Medicine (now Kamuzu University of Health Sciences), I used to sell electronic staff; headphones, computer chargers, game pads and many more. After classes, I used to go in students’ rooms selling such staff. I also used to sell at the Polytchnic (now Mubas), Malawi College of Accountancy and Malawi College of Health Sciences.”

He adds :”In my first year at college, I made my first million kwacha. By the time I was in third year, I was able to employ three students to work for me selling staff on commission.

“In my final year at college, I bought my first vehicle. In all my college days as an undergraduate student, I never struggled financially. I was able to do everything that someone from a rich family would do. I never allowed poverty to limit me, thanks to business.”

Woo Kachidowo says he plans to launch the book in December this year but has so far sold over 1350 copies.

“Am delighted that Mzuzu university bought copies of the book and are available in its library. Many people have read my book and so far the feedback is beautiful,” he says.

According to the young author,the book is available for purchase in several bookshops including Central Bookshop and Neat Ideas Stationery shop at chichiri Shopping mall in Blantyre.

He says people can also directly order the book from him from anywhere locally as he uses couriers to reach them.

Apart from being an author, Woo Kachidowo says he is also a professional physiotherapist, currently working at Queen Elizabeth Central hospital(QECH) in Blantyre.

He is also a business man who founded Cash-Doors Construction Co.and Cash-Doors Transportation.

Woo Kachidowo is also the Managing Director of MNB Org, a nonprofit organization that equips young people with basic entrepreneurship skills.

Chakwera ready to receive counsel from Bishops

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By Solister Mogha

President, Dr Lazarus Chakwera has said is ready to receive regular counsel from Bishops of the Catholic Church saying it is the only council chosen and speaks the word of God.

Speaking at Zomba Catholic Secondary School in Zomba during the consecration of Rev. Bishop, Alfred Chaima as Bishop of the Diocese of Zomba, he said he considers advices from Catholic Bishop helpful as they speak the truth and full of love for the country.

Chakwera said from the time he ascended to the seat of the presidency, he had convened six meetings with Bishops and each time, he has found their thoughts helpful.

“As President of the country, I must say I have benefited a lot from the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM). They always speak about things that affect Malawians and I believe that their advices come from God,” the President noted.

He described this Council of Bishops as people of high integrity, maturity and always fights for the right values.

Chakwera viewed the consecration of Bishop Chaima a divine favour of the Catholic Church.

The Presiden,t who wished the new Bishop successful discharge of his duties has since promised to continue supporting churches in the country including the Catholic Church as they are partners in developing the country.

Arch Bishop, George Tambala of the Arch Diocese of Lilongwe said God has a reason for everything and choosing Bishop Chaima is one such testimony.

He advised the church faithfuls in the diocese to support the new Bishop so that he could discharge his duties successfully.

Presidential Delivery Unit for fast completion of Domasi Hospital

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By Solister Mogha

Head of Presidential Delivery Unit and Deputy Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr Janet Banda has appealed for fast completion of Domasi Hospital in Zomba whose construction works started in 2013. Speaking after touring the site on Friday, she said it is disheartening that 10 years after launching construction works; the facility is still at 65 percent completion rate.

Dr Banda said it is a bad sign of how developments should be implemented and that the delay has denied people of Zomba access to quality health care. “Domasi Hospital if completed would ease pressure on the Zomba Central Hospital while improve on provision of health services in the district,” Dr Banda noted.

The Head of the PDU said she would engage Secretary to the Treasury to make special provision that would see the facility completed and put to use.

During the meeting, an agreement was reached that the project be done in phases and that come January next year, the facility should start operating at a small scale.

Secretary for Health, Dr Samson Mndolo said it is the wish of the Ministry of Health to have the facility completed.

He said at the moment, the Zomba Central Hospital is overwhelmed with cases that could have been handled by the district hospital.

Govt restricts external travels for cabinet ministers, other seniors officials

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By Chisomo Phiri

In an effort to ease pressures on foreign exchange reserves in the country, President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera’s government has again restricted external travels for Cabinet ministers and other senior government officials effective August 15, 2023.

This is according to a communication dated August 7, 2023 and signed by Secretary to the Treasury MacDonald Mafuta Mwale, addressed to the Secretary to the Office of the President and Cabinet, all controlling officers to the government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) as well as chief executive officers of government enterprises and parastatals.

McDonald Mafuta Mwale

“Malawi is currently facing harsh economic conditions with inflation rising to 27.0 percent for June 2023 and experiencing an acute scarcity of foreign exchange pressure on the exchange rate. One way through which we can control the drain on foreign exchange reserves, foreign travel by Government MDAs as well as State Owned Enterprises(SOEs), must be restricted,” reads the statement in part.

Mafuta Mwale, further, states that external travel beginning at Cabinet level should be restricted to extremely essential trips approved by the President upon the provision of proof of funding and availability of resources from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs.

He says all principal secretaries, and directors from Government MDAs, CEOs, director generals and all senior management of SOEs should seek approval for any external travel from the Secretary to the President and Cabinet on condition that the Secretary to the Treasury provides proof of funding and availability of resources.

“Controlling Officers shall approve external travel only after consulting Treasury on availability of resources, proof of funding and budget allocation,” says Mwale.

He adds:”The number and composition of a delegation travelling outside the country shall be approved by Secretary to the President and Cabinet.

“Where external travel is donor-funded, there shall be no government financial outlay in the form of top-up allowances towards such travel.”

Last fiscal year, government introduced expenditure control measures, and according to Mafuta Mwale, they contributed towards the realisation of some savings on the external travel budget lines hence the need to continue implementing them in the current year.