The Malawi Electoral Commission MEC Chairperson Jane Ansah is in Uganda as a key resource person on the forthcoming elections in that country. She will play a key role in helping Ugandas electoral body to be fully prepared for the elections
According to reports reaching 247Malawi Media Justice Dr Jane Ansah was invited to share electoral experiences and good practices following the way MEC conducted the elections in Malawi.
Her presentation was on Promoting Electoral Justice through Effective Electoral Dispute Resolution (EDR) Mechanisms.The symposium which was held from the 4th to the 5th of December was on the invite of The Republic of Uganda Electoral Commission.
The meeting drew together 200 participants with support from the United Nations Development Program UNDP.
State Vice President Right Honourable Everton Chimulirenji has echoed his stand to serve the President and Malawians with undivided loyalty for the country’s betterment.
The Vice President said this at Mwanza Community Ground where he held a rally on Thursday. Chimulirenji also said the current administration is committed to advancing people’s social and economic status.
“I belong to President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika’ camp. The Democratic Progressive Party has got one camp whose leader is Professor Mutharika and we need to be loyal to him as well as support him in turning promises he made to Malawians, into reality,” said Chumulirenji amid cheers from the multitude that thronged the Community ground.
Parliamentarian for Mwanza Central Nicholas Dausi (r) and DPP Southern Region Governor Charles Mchacha also called for unity of purpose
Chimulirenji, who is also the party’s National Campaign Director, warned DPP officials and supporters against spreading lies and making divisive sentiments. He therefore asked them to maintain unity of purpose for the country to attain meaningful and sustainable development.
He said government is committed to providing people with the necessary social amenities in its quest to improve their living standards.
Chimulirenji then thanked the people in the area for voting for DPP candidates in the May 21 elections and promised them a number of projects.
“I would like to renew in public my commitment to serving the President and all Malawians diligently. We need to rally behind our President for national prosperity. He is the President of our unshakable party and I will be running around on his behalf where need arises,” said Chimulirenji flanked by senior party officials.
The party’s governor for Southern Region, Charles Mchacha, hailed the Vice President for sparing time to interact with the people in the area.
“The Vice President has certainly strengthened the party here and as a party we will not tire in organizing such meetings as they are the only forum we get to know or hear burning issues from the communities. DPP is a party for the people and is committed to delivering its promises to all people,” said Mchacha.
Other Senior DPP officials who attended the rally were Bertha Nachuma, Director of Women (South), Reverend Mwai Kamuyambeni, Director Operations and Director for the Youth (South) Yona Mlotha.
Also present at the meeting were Inkosi Gomani V and Senior Chief Kanduku, who requested government to consider constructing a stadium and modern market and bus terminal at Mwanza Boma and upgrade Thambani road, among other needs.
The Constitutional Court in Lilongwe has today concluded hearing of the presidential elections case with lawyers for the Malawi Congress Party (UTM), UTM saying they will not cross examine the Commission’s final witness Muhabi Chisi.
Today, was day 59 of the case and the last witness to present evidence before the court was expected to be cross-examined by lawyers for Saulos Chilima and Lazarus Chakwera who are first and second petitioners respectively.
The witness, Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Director of ICT Muhabi Chisi, on Thursday demonstrated to the court electoral processes that were carried out in MEC’s result management system during the elections.
Chakwera and Chilima, regularly attended court sessions together
On Friday morning, lawyers Chikosa Silungwe for first petitioner and Mordecai Msisha for second petitioner told the court that they will not ask Chisi questions regarding his presentation.
Attorney General Kalekeni Kaphale also told the court that he will not re-examine Chisi. This effectively brought to an end the presidential elections case hearing.
The Constitutional Court has since adjourned to December 19, 2019 when the lawyers will present their final submissions.
Speaking in the court, Judge Healey Potani Justice Potani said the court will make its decision on the case based on the evidence which has been given in court and what the law says.
Potani, one of the five judges hearing the case, emphasized that the judges will not be swayed by public opinion on the matter.
In the elections case, Chakwera and Chilima are challenging the outcome of the presidential elections in which MEC declared President Peter Mutharika as the winner.
The Japanese government on Wednesday called on the Malawian authorities to strengthen its disaster management system in the face of an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events.Japanese ambassador Kae Yanagisawa said the southern African country should be well-prepared in reducing the risks of disasters.
“People should be well-equipped with full information and how to manage them before they are hit by the disasters,” Yanagisawa said as she handed over drought relief items to Malawi’s Department of Disaster Management Affairs in Lilongwe.
She said Japan is equally prone to natural disasters but has managed to minimise the risks by emphasizing on preparedness and other measures.
Malawi Vice President Everton Chimlirenji said his government has prioritized disaster risk management in its development blueprint, the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy.
He revealed that one of the measures is the recent approval of Malawi’s disaster risk management policy, which aims to effectively coordinate programmes aimed at building resilience of communities and the nation.
“The policy outlines the country’s priority areas and strategies to build a nation resilient to disasters,” he said.
Malawi is one of the countries in southern Africa that have been repeatedly hit by natural disasters such as floods, prolonged dry spells, pests and diseases’ outbreaks, strong winds and earthquakes.
Euthini Secondary School in Mzimba has had a fully-funded computer lab installed thanks to funding provided by Cardiff-based not-for-profit, Power2Africa.
The Turing Trust finished the installation of this facility in early October, as part of Power2Africa’s first wave of funded projects which will see more than £67,000 invested in community projects across Africa.
In addition to computers, Power2Africa also provided intensive training for the computer lab teacher to ensure that learning opportunities are maximised, and the machines are maintained
This £7,000 computer lab provides more than 560 students per year with the opportunity to learn new skills and access to a vast eLibrary of educational content.
The hope is that this resource will allow students to learn vital digital skills that enable them to attend University in Malawi.
By delivering a framework that ensures a sustainable IT future for Euthini Secondary School, this computer lab will benefit future generations of students allowing the school to deliver ICT for years to come.
Nick Proctor, founder of Power2Africa and CEO of amber energy, said:
“It’s hugely gratifying to see what an impact Power2Africa can have. This new computer lab will provide the community with access to resources that we take for granted in the UK, letting them go on to further education or follow a new career path.
“In just a few years, we’ve set up community projects that positively impact more than 2,000 people a day. It’s incredible to think about how much good can be done simply by putting a small percentage of business’s energy savings into these projects.”
James Turing, founder, Turing Trust, said:
“I’m delighted to see the partnership between the Turing Trust and amber energy come to life in Malawi through the Power2Africa project.
“Thanks to this innovative initiative, Power2Africa has installed a reused computer lab at Euthini Secondary School in Euthini, Mzimba, North Malawi on the 14th October. Now the 562 students at Euthini will begin learning computer studies for the first time using their projector and network that enables access to a vast eLibrary of content.
“Beyond this fantastic social impact by reusing and refurbishing ICT equipment from the UK, this project has made a significant environmental impact. This circular economy approach to ICT has offset six tonnes of CO2 emissions, which is the equivalent of planting 15 trees. At the same time, the energy savings created are enough to power a home in the UK for a whole year!”
Preparations are well in place for a second project that will see another school receive a solar-powered IT classroom.
