Minister of Information and Digitalisation, Moses Kunkuyu, has reiterated government’s commitment to providing affordable and accessible internet connectivity to all Malawians.
Kunkuyu made these remarks today at the opening of a two-day International Communication Union (ITU) Regional workshop on cost models for data services and international internet connectivity, organised by Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) at BICC in Lilongwe.
Kunkuyu at International Communication Union (ITU) Regional workshop
The minister stated that the workshop will serve as a platform to address challenges that developing countries like Malawi are facing with internet connectivity services.
He highlighted that the government is committed to ensuring that Malawians have access to affordable internet services.
In his remarks, MACRA’s Director General, Daud Suleman, said that the workshop will help the regulatory body to ensure that Malawians can meaningfully connect to the internet, which is one of the enablers in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
ITU, the United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies (ICTs), is made up of a membership of 193 Member States and more than 1000 companies, universities, and international and regional organisations.
President and Commander in Chief of Muvi wa Chilungamo Revolutionary Party (MRP) Bantu Saunders Jumah, says Malawi has no educated politicians because they practice orthodox politics which has resulted to no development for the country and its citizens.
Jumah said ever since 1994 Malawi has seen the same politicians rotating from one party on to another, the country has been moving backwards with no change and what has changed are the mountains but hyenas are the same surviving on the people’s taxes.
Bantu Saunders Jumah-Malawi is moving backward for having uneducated politicians in government
He called for the government of orthodox to be removed for the country to go forward warning Malawians that keeping the same orthodox government and orthodox politicians, Malawi must forget about moving forward.
Speaking through his face book page followed by millions of Malawians, Jumah has observed that the 5 governments that have ruled Malawi have been preaching of austerity measures in order to sustain the country’s economy.
Jumah said austerity measures have keep on impoverish Malawians reminding Malawians of the years 2016, 2017 and 2018 when President Chakwera and his Vice President Dr. Saulosi Chilima accused the DPP led government of giving contracts to their children.
He said Chakwera and Chilima discredited Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika and when they entered government Chakwera’s daughter and Chilima’s mother in -law were offered diplomatic posts in Britain and Zambia.
The MRP President has told Chakwera and Chilima that if they were good, no one including the opposition parties could talk bad of them, there will be less opposition claiming that today, Malawians are angry at them for failing to walk the talk.
He has noted with a great concern that President Chakwera is running Malawi as a Kingdom, Ministers, Principal Secretaries and most of the senior civil servants are from one region and one tribe-Chewa advising Malawians to rise up in order to remove the orthodox politics in their country.
“The same people who caused havoc in the previous governments such as Nicholasi Dausi, Brown Mpinganjira, Ken Zikhale Ng’oma, among others, are the ones being referred to as servant leaders in the MCP,” said Jumah.
He said Malawi has seen no political civilization, hence the need to remove these orthodox politicians for the country to move forward arguing that orthodox politics has taken the country to no where and the citizens do not see the meaning of democracy.
Jumah said the MCP with its orthodox politicians can choose chairpersons of parliamentary committees and Leader of Opposition in Parliament, it can decide who and who to head parliamentary committees calling upon patriotic Malawians on the need for mindset change so that the country is reversed to where it was before 1964
Former Malawian President Arthur Peter Mutharika, who also serves as a leader for the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), is making waves in the fight against hunger in the country. Mutharika has taken it upon himself to provide relief flour to households in Mangochi, a region severely affected by food insecurity. His actions come in the wake of a worsening hunger crisis in Malawi, exacerbated by the economic challenges and poor harvests.
Mutharika’s decision to intervene in the humanitarian crisis stems from his firm belief that no one should go hungry while he is alive. He has pledged to utilize whatever resources he has at his disposal to help alleviate the suffering of starving Malawians. In a country where basic necessities such as sugar, soap, and flour have become unaffordable for many, Mutharika’s intervention is a beacon of hope for the marginalized and vulnerable populations.
Mutharika
Under Mutharika’s leadership, Malawians experienced a period where essential goods were within reach for the majority of the population. However, the current administration under President Chakwera has come under scrutiny for failing to address the mounting hunger crisis and other social issues. Critics have accused President Chakwera of nepotism, citing his decision to appoint family members into diplomatic positions.
Recently, chakwera’s son, Reverend Nickie was delegated to Serbia where he met Serbia’s minister of Economy and the president has been heavily condemned for delegating his son who isn’t a government official.
In a recent interview, Senior Chief Makanjira of Mangochi lauded Mutharika for his continuous efforts to support those in need. Makanjira emphasized the former president’s unwavering dedication to helping the hungry and vulnerable in society. Last week, Mutharika donated flour to thousands of people in need, and today, he continues his mission to provide relief to hunger-stricken households in Mangochi.
Mutharika’s actions have reignited hope among Malawians who have been grappling with the harsh realities of food insecurity and economic instability. His hands-on approach to charity work sets him apart from other political leaders, demonstrating a genuine commitment to improving the lives of the less fortunate. As the country grapples with a deepening hunger crisis, Mutharika’s leadership in providing relief to those in need serves as a testament to his compassion and dedication to serving the people of Malawi.
Despite the challenges facing the country, Mutharika remains steadfast in his resolve to make a positive impact on the lives of Malawians. His selfless acts of generosity and support for the vulnerable populations reflect a leadership style rooted in empathy and compassion. As the nation looks towards a brighter future, Mutharika’s efforts in addressing the immediate needs of the hungry offer a glimmer of hope for a country in need of assistance and support.
Former President Arthur Peter Mutharika’s commitment to addressing the hunger crisis in Malawi through his charitable initiatives underscores the importance of compassionate leadership in times of crisis. His unwavering dedication to supporting those in need serves as a beacon of hope for the country, inspiring others to lend a helping hand to those less fortunate. Mutharika’s efforts remind us all of the power of kindness and generosity in making a meaningful difference in the lives of others, especially during times of great need.
In Malawi, like many countries in Africa, inequality persists as a significant challenge, particularly in the agricultural sector. Despite being largely agrarian economies, smallholder farmers in Malawi face immense disparities in access to inputs and other farming services, market opportunities, and socio-economic benefits. According to the World Bank, around 80% of Malawi’s population relies on agriculture for their livelihoods, yet smallholders often lack access to modern farming inputs, financial services, and extension support, leading to lower productivity and income levels compared to larger commercial farms. It is against this backdrop that Solidaridad’s Pathways to Prosperity Programme strives to tackle such deep-rooted inequalities through a transformative system change.
“As Solidaridad, we strive for an economy that works for all. We dare to push for farmers and workers in Southern Africa to earn a living income in spite of the inequalities which are further exacerbated by gender disparities, with women farmers facing additional barriers to land ownership, credit access, and decision-making power within households. Solidaridad’s Pathways to Prosperity Programme exemplifies the type of transformative change needed, aiming to ensure equal and rewarded participation of producers in global value chains while addressing the underlying inequalities that persist in agricultural systems across Africa,” says Shungu Kanyemba, Managing Director for Solidaridad Southern Africa.
According to Kanyemba, to address these deep-rooted inequalities and foster sustainable development in Malawi’s agricultural sector, there is an urgent need for transformative system change. Such change should prioritize the creation of inclusive policies and programs that provide smallholder farmers, particularly women, with equal access to resources, markets, and decision-making processes. By investing in innovative solutions such as digital technologies for farm management, climate-smart agriculture practices, and inclusive financial services, Malawi can empower smallholders to improve their livelihoods, enhance food security, and contribute to overall economic growth.
Shungu Kanyemba, Managing Director for Solidaridad Southern Africa
“As the name suggests, Pathways to Prosperity embodies Afrocentric-cultural worldviews that uphold collective community growth and values. This programme is implemented in partnership with the local cotton and tea industry major players including the Cotton Council of Malawi, Cotton Farmers Association and the Tea Association of Malawi with Kvuno playing an important role in connecting the industry digitally.
In the spirit of transparency and maintaining open doors, Solidaridad’s Pathways to Prosperity Programme Management Team will be visiting Malawi from 7-13 April 2024 – and will be taking several Malawian journalists with to the fields – to come face-to-face with the farmers, beneficiaries, stakeholders, partners and donors who make all the difference. Media is a vital stakeholder in raising awareness to our efforts to make sustainability the norm in Malawi and the rest of Southern Africa,” says Humphrey Nxumalo, Head of Programmes at Solidaridad.
According to Nxumalo, the annual field trip aims to track project progress, connect with local teams, learn and share with each other, enhance understanding of the programme’s implementation modalities, and identify opportunities for synergy and partnership development. Highlights of the field trips include visiting Nsalu Kvuno Hub and Lisaka Cooperative farmers, attending Salima Cotton Seed Multiplication Field Day, going to the Tea Association of Malawi and more.
Breaking silos to elevate silent voices
“We need to break silos if we are to have a shot at combating food insecurity and elevating the voices of voiceless farmers. Kvuno supports interventions that bridge digital and service gaps and enhance last-mile services in local economies. We are all about using digital tools and technology to empower smallholder farmers for wealth creation through farming and offer holistic solutions that are co-created with communities, experts and farmers. From having partnered with Solidaridad on this program, it gives us great pleasure to walk the mile on the ground with our farmers as we navigate this transformational journey together,” says Lydia Banda, Regional Operations Lead at Kvuno.
In conclusion, Pathways to Prosperity strives to ensure equal and rewarded participation of producers in global value chains by fostering good production practices, improving market access, and enhancing service provision. The seven-year Pathways to Prosperity Programme (2023-2029) is made possible with the financial support from the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs that aligns with Solidaridad’s organizational strategy and complementary with our ongoing RECLAIM Sustainability! programme. It is proof that together, we can press towards transformative system change that benefits all stakeholders equally in Malawi, Southern Africa and beyond.
Firebrand politician Uladi Mussa has Urged Nkhata-Bay Residents to Support President Lazarus Chakwera for Development,who he described as the President that is working so hard to deliver development to Malawians
Addressing the crowd at Chilundu Ground on April 7th, Uladi Mussa encouraged the people of Nkhata-Bay to maintain their support for President Lazarus Chakwera, emphasizing that the increasing number of defections to MCP signals widespread support for the President and his agenda for meaningful development across the country.
Uladi Mussa in Nkhatabay
Also Speaking during the rally, the Director of Strategic Planning, Ken Zikhale Ng’oma urged the people of Nkhata-Bay to support the agenda of President Lazarus Chakwera for the district to benefit more developments, saying President Chakwera recognizes the district as home of Malawi Congress Party.
“President Lazarus Chakwera recognizes this district as the home of MCP, and we need to give him all the needed support.
I am happy that people of this district have now realized that Malawi Congress is the only party to bring development” Said Zikhale Ng’oma who is also Minister of Homeland.
Speaking earlier, Deputy Secretary General for MCP, Catherine Gotani Hara said at the heart of MCP members is to see Chakwera winning 2025 Presidential elections.
“I know that Nkhata-Bay will give support to President Lazarus Chakwera ahead of 2025 elections with the developments he has initiated in this district including the water project” Said Hara who is also Speaker of the National Assembly.
During the rally, Ephraim Mganda Chiumia and Ralph Mhone led a group who defected to MCP in being welcomed into the party.
