President Dr Lazarus Chakwera has left the country for Dallas, Texas, United States of America to attend the US-Africa Business Summit.
Speaking before his departure, Chakwera emphasised the significance of the summit as a means for Malawian and American business individuals to establish particular agreements, underscoring the potential for beneficial collaborations between the two parties.
Chakwera off to America
“I believe that our ATM strategy can also be boosted by Americans coming over to help us, even to work with Malawians here in partnership to make sure that this country does produce, and add value to what we are able to export,” said Chakwera
The President and First Lady Madame Monica Chakwera were seen off at Kamuzu International Airport by Vice President Dr Saulos Klaus Chilima , cabinet ministers, and other senior government officials.
The commemoration of World Press Freedom Day on the 3rd of May presents a pivotal juncture to reflect on the status of media liberty and the safeguarding of journalists worldwide. Enshrined by the United Nations General Assembly in 1993, this moment serves as a poignant reminder of the indispensable role of an unfettered and autonomous press in fostering democracy and upholding accountability.
In Malawi, press freedom stands as a cornerstone of a robust democracy; however, journalists often encounter impediments and menaces in the execution of their duties. The treatment of journalists by the government has raised red flags, with instances of harassment, intimidation, and censorship surfacing. In a nation rife with corruption and political tensions, the media’s role in keeping those in power in check assumes paramount importance.
Members of the press at a dinner at the State House
An area where Malawi urgently needs to channel its efforts towards enhancing press freedom is through revamping the legal framework governing the media. The archaic and restrictive laws that currently prevail stymie journalists’ capacity to report freely and without trepidation. Cases of journalists being apprehended or confined for merely carrying out their journalistic duties flagrantly violate their rights and the tenets of press freedom.
Furthermore, the issue of media ownership and monopolization is a glaring concern in Malawi. A handful of influential individuals or entities monopolize the media sphere, giving rise to potential biases and constraints in reporting. The dearth of diversity and plurality in media ownership impedes public access to a myriad of perspectives and information.
Press freedom in Malawi assumes critical significance on a multitude of grounds. Firstly, it assumes a pivotal role in keeping the government and other institutions accountable for their actions. A liberated and untrammeled press acts as a sentinel, unearthing corruption, laying bare abuses of power, and promoting transparency in governance.
Moreover, a vibrant media ecosystem is indispensable for nurturing public discourse and deliberation on pivotal issues impacting society. It empowers citizens to stay well-informed and engaged in the democratic process, enabling them to make well-informed decisions and participate actively in their communities.
In summation, World Press Freedom Day encapsulates the vital role that the media plays in upholding democracy and human rights. In Malawi, the dire need for reforms to safeguard and champion press freedom is imminent. The government must take decisive actions to shield journalists from persecution and guarantee their ability to function sans fear of retaliation. B y addressing legal impediments, championing media diversity, and buttressing a free and autonomous press, Malawi can take monumental strides towards a more inclusive and democratic society.
Press freedom is not a mere privilege but a fundamental tenet of democracy that must be revered and safeguarded for the welfare of all citizens.
President Dr.Lazarus Chakwera has assured the media fraternity in the country of his government’s continued commitment to promoting press freedom.
He made the assurance on Thursday at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe where he hosted journalists to a Presidential Breakfast in commemoration of today’s World Press Freedom Day (WPFD).
While acknowledging the valuable work journalists do to uphold human rights and expose corruption scandals, he also emphasized the significance of media sharing positive and compelling stories about Malawi.
Chakwera
“I appeal to you to use press freedom to tell better stories that inspire the world. It is important to avoid portraying Malawi as a nation without means. Malawi needs to deepen itself bravery and that can be achieved through positive reporting,” he said.
The president dismissed claims of ordering law enforcement agencies to arrest or intimidate journalists.
Said Chakwera:”I know that in the past year, some misguided law enforcement agents have tried to damage Malawi’s international reputation, as a place where the press is free to publish what it likes. And some of you have fallen for the lie that such misguided police abuses are melted out with orders from here [orders from above]. But I can assure you that I have never issued orders to the police to arrest anyone, much lesser a journalist, because such an order will be a violation of the very Constitution that I swore an oath to protect.”
In his remarks, Minister of Information and Digitalisation, Moses Kunkuyu Kalongashawa, applauded journalists for their active role in ensuring good governance.
He emphasised that the government will continue fostering access to information and ensure no journalist is unjustly detained.
He also encouraged journalists to report on government initiatives, activities, and projects such as the Agriculture, Tourism, Mining (ATM) Strategy, increased allocation of Constituency Development Fund (CDF), and infrastructure development.
On her part, Vice President for Media Institute for Southern Africa (MISA) Malawi Chapter, Chisomo Ngulube commended President Chakwera for extending the invitation for the third consecutive time, describing it as remarkable.
She said through these engagements, President Chakwera has transformed the culture of how Press Freedom Day celebrated among the media fraternity in the country.
Ngulube also appealed to the President Chakwera to ensure journalists’ protection during the upcoming General Elections to safeguard their freedom.
WPFD is held on May 3 every year to remind governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom.
It is also a day of reflection among media professionals about issues of press freedom and professional ethics.
Communities in Nsanje Central have commended President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera for initiating a maize distribution program in the district, addressing the pressing issue of food insecurity.
During a maize distribution event for people with disabilities at Nyamula in the area of Senior Chief Tengani, Senior Group Village Headman Nyamula praised the government for the timely support.
He noted that many of his people have been facing acute hunger, and the maize relief came just in time.
“The maize we’ve received today will help my people who are suffering from hunger in our area. We are thankful to President Lazarus Chakwera for his timely assistance; we do not take it for granted,” said Nyamula.
Member of Parliament for Nsanje Central Constituency Kafandikhale Mandevana, said that the distribution process was running smoothly, with no signs of beneficiary duplication or corruption.
“The exercise has started off well. Today, we began by distributing maize to people with disabilities, and then we’ll proceed to the elderly and others, ensuring that everyone gets at least a little something,” said Mandevana.
According to Mandevana, nearly 5,000 people have received the free maize so far.
“Currently, I’ve distributed to five Senior Group Village Headmen’s areas, and I’m planning to reach other locations such as Kawa, Alindiamwo, Nyantchiri, and others to make sure everyone in need receives aid,” he said.
The government, through the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA), is providing free maize to families suffering from hunger following President Lazarus Chakwera’s declaration of a state of natural disaster in the country.
A hygiene and sanitation competition that World Vision Malawi has been running in the area of Traditional Authority Ntchema in Chiradzulu is said to have improved the accessibility of water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services in the district.
Chairperson for the Area’s Development Committee (ADC), Steven Mangani, said that the initiative has seen people in the area access potable water through reticulated, high-yielding boreholes.
” Before the project people in my area have been affected by water borne disease such as cholera as many people were drinking untreated water from the shallow well which was also being used by livestock”, he said.
Health Surveillance Assistant (HSA) for the area, Cedric Mbendela, said the initiative has also addressed issues of portable water among most households that have improved toilets courtesy of the three-year ‘project WASH for every one project.
“We can confirm that people in the area are now able to take care of their homes for instance at first most of the homes were not having toilets people used to feacate in bush and now everyone house hold have that which has triggered down alot of dieses that comes by uncleanness”, he said.
On his part, the programme manager being implemented in the district in partnership with Water for People, Panganani Njolomole, says about five traditional authorities (T/A’) in the district have been declared open defecation-free due to the intervention.
” We have rely achieved our goal since people now are able to practice what we have been training them for the past years”, he said.
