Lilongwe, April 8,: Minister of Justice Titus Mvalo says the nation needs a well drafted reformed laws that will address challenges such as corruption, accelerating service delivery and empowering communities.
The minister made the remarks on Tuesday in Lilongwe during the opening ceremony of Legislative Drafting Training which is being facilitated by the Chandler Institute of Justice (CIJ).
Mvalo said, the training will help address challenges that the ministry faces in addressing government bills and other law related issues.
“The training by ClJ is very timely, noting that we have been unable to send lawyers for refresher skills on law drafting due to understaffing; so this opportunity will keep the lawyers with enough information on how they can draft laws to avoid controversies,” he said.
Mvalo
The Minister further said, laws are the foundation of the society as in every public or private sector they need laws to protect their policies.
“Poor drafted laws make it difficult for the courts to interpret: that is why we need to improve on governance and have proper legal frameworks,” said Mvalo.
Executive Director of CIJ, Ron Chari, said well drafted laws make it easy for government to function and easily translate policy issues. He said, 30 government lawyers will be equipped with skills on how they can draft laws.
“Laws should not only be considered as a legal text but also be seen as a document that a common person must understand when translated to them,” he said.
Chari highlighted that most of the laws in the world are outdated and do not address the current challenges, and that, as lawyers, they are trying to interpret the laws into the present days.
CIJ is specialised in Model laws, advisory law reforms, legal training and legal knowledge products.
The Minister of Higher Education, Dr. Jessie Kabwila, has made a call for the institutionalization of Africa Centres of Excellence (ACEs) to ensure their long-term sustainability and integration into university structures and national development frameworks.
The minister made the call on Monday in Accra, Ghana, at the 10th Anniversary for Africa Higher Education Centres of Excellence themed “Celebrating a Decade of Impact and Innovation of Africa Centers of Excellence Program”.
She emphasised on the importance of embedding ACE activities within the strategic frameworks, governance, and operations of universities, saying this would allow ACEs to endure beyond donor funding cycles, thereby transforming universities into regional hubs of innovation, research, and development.
Kabwila in Ghana
“The ACE initiative has been a game changer for our universities; It has strengthened institutional capacity, expanded high-quality postgraduate training, and accelerated applied research. However, for these gains to last, ACEs must be fully absorbed into university systems and national planning frameworks,” said Kabwila.
The minister shared with the international community the numerous achievements of the ACE II in Malawi, citing a few examples, including over 1,000 MSc students and over 120 PhD students trained; international accreditation of programmes at LUANAR; over 350 papers published in referred journals; enterprise incubation hubs and Spinoffs being set up at MZUNI, LUANAR and UNIMA; development and approval of traditional and complementary medicine policy in the Ministry of Health by KUHeS; and postgraduate infrastructure developments and research equipment at KUHeS, LUANAR, MZUNI and UNIMA.
However, Kabwila noted that short-term project timeframe poses significant risks to long-term sustainability.
“The Centres were forced to prioritize immediate results over strategic planning, post-project evaluation, and sustainability. We need to correct this by allowing realistic timelines in future project designs,” she said.
The minister also highlighted key challenges, including delays in funding disbursement, limited infrastructure, and coordination challenges among coordinating and implementing partners like IUCEA and Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM).
She noted that critical components such as enterprise incubation suffered due to late provision of guidelines.
She lauded the ACEs in Malawi for tackling pressing national priorities—including the commercialization of fisheries, food safety, climate-smart agriculture, and data-informed policymaking—while expressing concern over the lack of support for innovations developed by postgraduate students.
She said that the memorandum of Understandings, (MoUs) signed with local, regional, and international partners have been a strong step forward, but without dedicated financing mechanisms, universities may struggle to implement agreed work plans.
Kabwila further proposed a new ACE program aimed at integrating advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, climate and hydrological modelling, and Internet of Things (IoT) platforms to support agri-systems and real-time monitoring, with Malawis focus shifting towards large-scale agricultural commercialization.
“It is time to cement and scale the progress weve made. We need to ensure our research and development ecosystems are rooted in strong institutional frameworks, well-resourced, and linked to community and national development,” she said.
She reaffirmed Malawis commitment to the MW2063 development agenda and called on regional partners and the international community to support the continued evolution of ACEs as a vital engine for Africas higher education transformation.
Since the launch of the program across the Africa in 2014 with support from the World Bank, Malawi has established 6 ACEs in some of the countrys higher learning institutions, including LUANAR, MZUNI, and UNIMA.
The Miniter was accompanied to the meeting in Accra by the Secretary of Higher Education, Dr. Levis Eneya, and staff from the Malawi ACEs led by the Vice Chancellor of UNIMA, Prof. Samson Sajidu, Deputy Vice Chancellor of MZUNI, Prof. Wapulumuka Mulwafu, and Deputy Vice Chancellor of LUANAR, Associate Prof. Agnes Mwangwela.
The Umodzi Alliance, a coalition formed by three small parties in Malawi, namely UDF, AFORD, and UTM, has disintegrated due to leadership wrangles.
The alliance’s collapse has exposed the parties’ greed for the presidency and their failure to prioritize the country’s needs.
Dalitso Kabambe, Atupele Muluzi, and Enoch Chihana have been at the center of the leadership dispute. Kabambe insists on leading the alliance, while Muluzi claims he is the right candidate due to his experience and connection with the youth.
Chihana, Muluzi and Kabambe
Chihana, on the other hand, is more interested in being the running mate, showing no interest in leading the alliance.
Political experts, including Peter Namukhoyo, believe that any alliance without the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) will not stand firm.
Namukhoyo suggests that Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, a mature and experienced leader, should lead the alliance.Political experts advise the presidents of UDF, UTM, and AFORD to put aside their presidential ambitions and prioritize Malawi’s needs.
The collapse of the Umodzi Alliance highlights the challenges faced by small parties in Malawi.
Their inability to form a united front undermines their chances of making a significant impact in the country’s politics.
The leadership crisis also raises concerns about the parties’ ability to provide effective leadership and address the country’s pressing issues.
For the Umodzi Alliance to succeed, its leaders must put aside their differences and work towards a common goal.
This may involve compromising on leadership roles or seeking external guidance from experienced politicians or mediators.
Ultimately, the parties must prioritize Malawi’s needs and work towards creating a united and effective leadership structure.
The collapse of the Umodzi Alliance serves as a wake-up call for small parties in Malawi.
To succeed, they must put aside their differences and work towards a common goal.
With the right leadership and a united front, these parties can make a significant impact in Malawi’s politics and help address the country’s pressing challenges.
Richard Chimwendo Banda, Secretary General of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), is breathing a sigh of relief following the collapse of the Umodzi Alliance.
“No alliance will dislodge MCP,” Banda said confidently. “As long as I’m alive, MCP is here to stay.” His confidence is a mere hyperbole.
In a previous interview with Leah Malekano on Zodiac Radio, he revealed that MCP’s only real concern is the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), led by Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika. “MCP only fears DPP and not any other party, you also know this Leah,” Banda admitted.
MCP’s strength has miserably dwindled especially in the central region where it is regarded as its base.
As the political landscape in Malawi continues to evolve, MCP’s next move will be crucial.
Will they capitalize on the Umodzi Alliance’s collapse to strengthen their position, or will new alliances emerge to challenge their dominance? One thing is certain: MCP’s survival and success will depend on their ability to adapt and respond to changing circumstances.
The MCP’s structure and grassroots support provide a solid foundation for their continued influence in Malawian politics.
However, DPP’s strength and popularity pose a significant challenge to MCP’s dominance. The outcome of their rivalry will shape the future of Malawi’s politics.
Artist Chawanangwa Malanga, stage name Nthondwa, is set to release his new song,titled ‘Zilipo’, on April 11, 2025.
The song, which will be available on various music streaming platforms, including Spotify, iTunes, and YouTube, carries a positive message of celebration and resilience in the face of hardship.
In an interview with 247 Malawi News, Nthondwa said the inspiration behind ‘Zilipo’ came from Pemphero Mphande’s grandmother, whom they visited to celebrate his birthday in Thoza, Embwangweni, Mzimba.
Nthondwa
He explained that despite the challenges they faced, they found joy in the little things, which sparked the idea for the song.
“The message is positive, reminding people that despite our struggles, we need to keep pushing forward and celebrate the little we have,” said Nthondwa.
The artist said ‘Zilipo’ was produced by a team of three producers: Dkiez Walker, Papa Juxy, and additional vocals from MOD.
He expressed his excitement about the upcoming release, which he believes will resonate with his fans and the nation at large.
Commenting on the state of the music industry in the country, Nthondwa noted that there is progress in marketing and artist promotion.
He observed that local artists are now able to gain millions of views on YouTube, a feat that was rare in the past.
Nthondwa started his music career in 2016 while he was in college.
He has released several songs, including ‘Mega’, which featured a collaboration with various local artists.
In a puzzling turn of events that stirred speculation across the political spectrum, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) last week quietly cancelled its annual memorial service for its founding president, the late Bingu wa Mutharika. What was once a grand stage for blue regalia, rehearsed tributes, and choreographed loyalty suddenly dissolved into an anticlimactic “postponed until further notice” communiqué—no reason given.
Officially, DPP spokesperson Shadric Namalomba released a terse statement confirming the cancellation. But while the press release danced around the edges, inside party sources sang a different tune—one riddled with worry, whispers, and medical files.
Bingu memorial was cancelled
At the heart of it all was Arthur Peter Mutharika (APM), the late Bingu’s younger brother and the party’s current president. Rumours, which came with alarming consistency, suggested that APM had been unwell, and that the party was scrambling behind the scenes to arrange for him to be flown to South Africa for medical treatment.
The man once dubbed “the constitutional law don” was, by multiple accounts, not in fighting form—neither physically nor politically.
The Collapse of a Ritual
For the DPP, the annual Bingu memorial wasn’t just about remembering the fallen founder—it was an opportunity to rally the faithful, project unity, and remind Malawians that the “Blue House” still had some fire in its belly. Cancelling the event, especially without explanation, was not just a logistical footnote—it was a political alarm bell.
The silence from the top brass said more than any official press release could. It painted the picture of a party caught off-guard, scrambling to project control while the centre quietly unraveled.
In DPP circles, loyalty has often hinged on proximity to the Mutharika dynasty. Bingu was the lion who roared, and Peter—the reluctant heir—carried the flame. But when the lion stumbles, the cubs begin to circle, each eyeing the throne with sharper interest than sorrow.
At 84, APM had already been a subject of health rumours in recent months. His limited public appearances, subdued tone, and guarded movements all hinted at a leader not quite ready for another political marathon. Yet the party, ever clinging to his legacy, insisted he remained their best hope for 2025.
But the sudden memorial cancellation—widely believed to have been a result of his deteriorating health—threw that narrative into disarray.
If APM was fit and well, as some in the party claimed, why cancel an event that was entirely orchestrated to honour his brother—and by extension, himself? Why allow the silence to speak so loudly?
Within the DPP, insiders described an atmosphere of controlled chaos. Senior officials were said to be “deeply concerned” about what would come next. No succession plan had been clearly articulated, and the usual whispers of “who next” began to echo louder in backrooms and WhatsApp groups.
This wasn’t just about health. It was about the party’s fragile future, which for too long had rested on a single ageing figure. The cancellation exposed more than a scheduling issue—it revealed a power vacuum waiting to happen.
A Memorial Without a Message
In cancelling the Bingu memorial, the DPP didn’t just lose an opportunity to honour the past—it failed to secure its present. The party that once roared with confidence suddenly looked like it had lost its voice.
And Malawians, well-versed in the theatre of politics, could see through the curtains.
The big question now wasn’t just whether APM would recover—it was whether the DPP could. As the party awaits his possible trip to South Africa for treatment, it might also consider a trip into introspection: What happens when your only plan is the man—and the man is no longer fine?
In politics, as in chess, even kings must eventually fall. The DPP now faces the endgame—and there’s no guarantee the board is still blue.
