Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Principle Public Relations Officer, Agritah Ndala has asked Malawians to join hands in the fight against corruption which she said is rampant in the country.
Ndala was Speaking, Wednesday in an interview alongside on an anti-corruption parade which was funded by Medical Aid Society of Malawi (MASM) and started from Chibavi Primary School Ground to Mzuzu Central Market.“As a bureau we organized this parade as one of the means of creation awareness on corruption so that in the long run we a corruption Malawi. Malawi 2063 cannot be achieved if the malpractice is not checked,” said Ndala.
She said the bureau however hope the Malawi 2063 can be achieved especially if Malawians embrace integrity and fight corruption as a team. In his remarks, Project Manager for Medical Aid Society of Malawi (MASM) Nickson Kaliati said the organization funded the parade as the malpractice also affects the health sector.
Karonga District commissioner, Paul Kalilombe has asked chiefs in the district to look into how they choose beneficiaries of Affordable Input Program (AIP) with an aim of giving coupons to right people.
Kalilombe’s remarks come as some farmers have already received the coupons and are alleged to be selling to vendors which shows that they are not supposed to be beneficiaries of the program. “The farmers who are selling coupons are showing us that they are not supposed to be beneficiaries, so we are asking chiefs and those in the department of agriculture to look into it so that beneficiaries are the right people who can make proper use of the inputs,” he said.
Karonga DC Paul Kalilombe
On his part, Chairperson for Karonga District Council, Bellium Msukwa, confirmed that there are indeed some people who are selling coupons to vendors. “We are also hearing of such development, like last year others even gave out their National identity cards, so we have advised them not to sell the coupons but rather make proper use of the AIP so as to yield more just like those who applied the cheap fertilizer yielded more,” he said.
In a separate interview, Group Village Head Mwangolera said selling of coupons was highly registered last year and has since asked her subjects not to sell the coupons because the government wants to help farmers yield more and not sell the coupons. “My advised is that, the government gives us such programs so that we can benefit by having a good yield, so let us not misuse this program, do not sell the coupons to vendors,” she said.
The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) has observed that Malawians have lost hope in the Tonse administration; arguing they are currently in a mood of hopelessness, loss of direction and betrayal .CCIP has added its voice to the growing calls for the Tonse Alliance government to listen to the cries of Malawians over the rising cost of living.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, December 8, 2021 entitled ‘Heed the Cry of the People; The Call of Moses‘, and signed by its National Coordinator, Boniface Chibwana, CCJP says failure by the majority of Malawians to afford basic needs is inimical to the social and economic development of the society; a real threat to the sanctity and essence of human life.
“God expects any leadership to do all it can to promote social justice for the people, His creation. When there is grave injustice in any society there is serious violence to people’s rights and dignity.“CCJP is deeply concerned by the prevailing undesirable socio-economic situation in Malawi, which has left many poor people hopeless and distressed.“We share the cries of the people of Malawi as they are genuine concerns that have characterized various aspects of service provision,” reads the statement in part.The statement quotes the Bible, Exodus 3:7“I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering”.CCJP says the existence of social injustices perpetrated, tolerated or neglected by those governing is an affront to the foundations of the Christian faith.
Boniface Chibwana
Social protection amid rising cost of living
CCJP says the soaring cost of living in the country is a threat to the enjoyment of basic human rights. We take cognizance of the fact that the situation may be as a result of global economic phenomena that have adversely affected the domestic macroeconomic environment.“This notwithstanding, CCJP reiterates that the government is obligated to cushion and protect the poor from such socio-economic shocks. With the poverty levels still very high in Malawi the current rising cost of living has potential to further throw many households in abject poverty. Merely preaching austerity measures and calling for patience from the citizenry by the Government is a mockery to human dignity and is tantamount to Government’s abrogation of its duties. It is deplorable that the prevailing social protection mechanisms do not comprehensively include marginalized groups like persons with disabilities, the elderly and the urban poor.“The majority of Malawians rely on the public health system which is already challenged in many ways. Reports of shortage of essential drugs and medical commodities amid questionable expiry of drug stocks at the Central Medical Stores Trust (CMST) raise critical health governance questions.“While CCJP appreciates the efforts done by the Government to rectify the defects rocking the public health sector, we are concerned that the authorities have not been transparent and accountable. It is clear that regular monitoring and auditing of the drug supply chain management was seriously wanting to allow drugs worth K2 billion expire at the CMST while the drug management institution is also reported to have incurred huge debts. The situation is worrisome and calls for urgent accountability actions by relevant duty bearers,” it reads.
Affordable Input Programme (AIP)
According to CCJP, the uncertainties surrounding the smooth implementation of the Affordable Input Programme (AIP) regarding the government’s contractual agreement with suppliers, logistical arrangements, pricing, availability and accessibility of the inputs are a great threat to the livelihood of many. It calls for the de-politicisation of the AIP to ensure its effectiveness and efficiency.
Delays in procurement of maize by ADMARC
CCJP notes that that the continued delays for ADMARC to buy maize from subsistence farmers would lead to the economic exploitation of poorest farmers.
Fuel procurement mess and politicisation
CCJP says it is “deeply saddened” with the reported mess in the fuel procurement at the parastatal, National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA) as local transporters are still being side-lined and their voices ignored. CCJP feels that the lack of transparency and accountability in the shady introduction of a new fuel procurement system at NOCMA smacks of a slap in the face of ordinary and hardworking Malawians who deserve a good business environment.
Hopelessness
According to CCJP, the prevailing mood in the country is that of hopelessness, loss of direction and betrayal. It says the Tonse Alliance government was voted into power because its campaign promises gave hope to most Malawians regarding being taken out of dehumanizing levels of poverty. It says recent street demonstrations are the beginning of the manifestation of people’s hopelessness, feeling of having been betrayed and their anger.“The citizens’ anger is fuelled by the general perception that the country lacks decisive leadership. We pray that while citizens have a right and duty to express their dissatisfaction with the performance of their government everything should be done according to laws of the land,” reads the statement. Among other considerations, CCJP says the government should urgently institute inclusive and transparent social protection mechanisms to cushion the poor from the social economic hardships.It says the ACB should effectively investigate potential elements of corruption and rent seeking surrounding NOCMA’s operations and that the logical conclusion to the cases be expedited; that the government ensures that Public Sector Reforms are citizen centered that enhance social accountability in public service provision; and that the Government should match its decorated local and international speeches with actions that would benefit Malawians; that the government should heed the cry of the citizens.
They cannot be as famous as politicians, musicians or some prophets. They are people who do not have a name in the society. Some come from the very poor families or some in the remotest areas. These are people who realize that even without money; they can still make a change in other people’s lives. These people are able to give out something more precious than gold. As we are closer to winding up the year 2021, I would like take this opportunity to talk about people who donate blood and others who work tirelessly in making sure that lives are saved. Today let’s discuss these three groups; the blood donors, Teachers and Community/Religious leaders
Blood Donors
Knowing that blood cannot be synthesized artificially, people like 28-year old Lawrence Masina are the only source of this life-saving product. Lawrence stays at Saiti Kadzuwa in Mangochi district. He says he started donating blood whilst in form one at Dzukani Private School in Ntaja in Machinga district. He has so far donated blood through Malawi Blood Transfusion Service (MBTS) for 53 times. He says he makes sure that he donates blood every 3 months in order to save people with conditions that require blood or blood products. Charles Masiye is another blood donor who says he enjoys donating blood as he helps in contributing to the common good and saving lives. Having donated blood 22 times, Charles who stays in Majiga 1 in Balaka district says since he started donating blood, he has never at any point thought of stopping doing this noble cause. Just like Lawrence and Charles, one woman from Monkey bay in Mangochi district cannot afford missing a blood donation session whenever she is due to donate. Having donated blood for 16 times, Emmie Kumbikano-Gumulira who is a universal blood donor, says to her, donating blood is one way of thanking God for the gift of life. These are just a few examples of people who have dedicated their lives in saving other people’s lives. These are people who literally save and change other people’s lives. This is the reason I usually say that blood donors should always consider themselves as heroes and that the world needs more heroes like them.
Teachers
Most of the blood that MBTS collects comes from schools mainly secondary schools and some institutions of higher learning. Much as we appreciate that MBTS is mandated to collect blood from various schools, it takes the hearts of those in charge of the schools to allow the blood donation exercises to take place in their respective schools. This exercise happens in most schools across the country except for few schools that do not allow MBTS to conduct blood donation clinics due to their own reasons.
School Principals, Head teachers and other teachers play a very important role in making sure that the students are aware of the importance of donating blood. Steven Lingamawa is the head teacher at Kankao CDSS in Balaka district. To him blood donation is one of the most important exercises that happen every term at his school. He says he encourages his students to donate blood because he understands challenges that come about when hospitals run out of blood.
Another teacher who works tirelessly in mobilizing his students to donate blood is Raphael Makhole. Makhole is MBTS’s Blood donation patron at Mbombwe CDSS in Mangochi. A blood donor himself, Makhole says students should learn to embrace blood donation at a tender age so that it is planted in their hearts as they go through the educational ladder. Makhole’s sentiments are echoed by that of Njolomole CDSS’s Deputy Head Teacher Friday Nambala who states that his school is one of the best performing schools in as far as blood donation is concerned. He says the schools’ success in blood donation activities is attributed to additional sensitization of students by teachers in additional to motivational talks that MBTS conducts in schools. With all these efforts, one would appreciate that teachers play a very important role in making sure that blood is available in our hospitals. As we sing praises to our blood donors for their noble contribution, let’s also remember our teachers for the great role they play in ensuring that blood is collected in their respective schools.
Community & Religious Leaders
The subject of blood donation can be easily understood in schools. Taking the same message to the community can be a bit challenging. There are a lot of myths and religious believes surrounding blood donation especially in the remotest areas. A good number of students that I have interviewed revealed that they donate blood without the knowledge of their parents because they (parents) do not allow them to donate blood for various reasons. You can imagine taking the message to a parent who already planted it in his head that blood donation is evil or that blood is sold in hospitals. It can be very challenging to convince such parents to donate blood. Seeing the need to sensitize people in the communities on the importance of donating blood, MBTS works hand in hand with community leaders and volunteers to help disseminating the right information about blood donation to the masses. Sometimes, chiefs and volunteers are called names and sometimes receive insults as they are suspected to be pocketing money from MBTS for them to be mobilizing people. Most of them endure such insults and do not stop their work because they understand the importance of the message they disseminate. Chiefs, volunteers and religious leaders have been very supportive especially when schools are closed. They gather together people in their communities through various communication actions. Without fear they preach about the importance of blood donation and act as a link between MBTS and people in the communities. It is therefore important to highlight here also the importance of community leaders and volunteers’ presence during blood donation campaigns. This alone encourages people to donate blood voluntarily in order to strengthen their communities.
Conclusion
There are a lot of people who play a very significant role in making sure that blood is collected in various places in the country. Without these people MBTS’ blood donation drives could be of no meaning at all. As we are reminding people about the importance of blood donation this week, we should also remember to pray for the groups of people mentioned above and others not mentioned here as well as various stakeholders for the good work they do in making sure that hospitals in the country are supplied with safe and adequate blood.
