Minister of Mining, Kenneth Zikhale Ng’oma, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to restoring macroeconomic stability to foster economic growth and alleviate the enduring poverty affecting Malawi.
Ng’oma made these remarks in Lilongwe during the launch of the World Bank’s 20th Edition of the Malawi Economic Monitor (MEM).
Zikhale Ng’oma
Ng’oma stressed that the government is diligently collaborating with partners, including the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), to achieve these objectives.
The Minister further emphasized that Malawi is currently navigating significant macroeconomic and climate challenges.
In this regard, he expressed optimism that the Malawi Economic Monitor will provide valuable insights to help tackle the country’s economy
Minister of Homeland Security, Ezekiel Peter Ching’oma says is geared to take Prison Bill to Parliament saying once the bill passes into law will address issues of congestion.
Speaking in Lilongwe when the Minister toured Malawi Prison Services Headquarters, Ching’oma beamoned overcrowding which the Malawi Prisons are facing.
Hon Ching’oma
“We have the problem of overcrowding, whereby the capacity as it is now, the capacity of all prisons is 8000 inmates but the prisoners that we have is around 17,000 which is like double the capacity that we are supposed to have in our prisons. So in this new Act, there are provisions that will see prisoners being given community punishments whereby they will not all be needed to be in prison,” he said.
He said the good news is that the process of enacting that bill into law has already started.
“Of course, it’s something that I have found already in the pipeline, but we will push for the enactment of this new Prison Service Act that will address some of the problems that are being encountered now by the prison services,” he said.
The Minister commended the great work which the Malawi Prison Services is doing in the country.
“You know, I came here this morning just to appreciate the mandate that the prisoners are doing. And the work that they are doing and the challenges that they are facing. So far, I can say we still have work to do,” he said.
Speaking during the tour, Malawi Prison Commissioner General (CG) Wiscot Ng’ombeyagwada commended the Minister for visiting the Nation Headquarters. Ng’ombeyagwada said the bill which the Minister is championing is very important because it focuses on Prisons integration with the community, while the act being used now focuses on punishing.
He also said that the bill which being championed will allow inmates to do community work instead of committing them to prisons.
Roselyn Kasunda, a young and ambitious agripreneur, is passionate about promoting bee farming as a viable and profitable business venture for Malawi’s youth. As the CEO of Peculiar Honey Bee Products, Kasunda has firsthand experience of the benefits and opportunities that bee farming presents.
Kasunda’s enthusiasm for bee farming is contagious, and she is eager to share her knowledge and expertise with others. She emphasizes that bee farming is not only a lucrative business but also plays a critical role in preserving the environment and maintaining ecosystem balance. By promoting bee farming, Kasunda hopes to inspire a new generation of young entrepreneurs to take up this sustainable and rewarding venture.
Roselyn Kasunda
One of the significant advantages of bee farming, according to Kasunda, is that it requires minimal land and resources, making it an ideal venture for small-scale farmers or individuals with limited means. This accessibility factor, combined with the high demand for bee products in the local market, makes bee farming an attractive business opportunity.
Kasunda’s own bee farm in Lilongwe is a testament to the success of bee farming in Malawi. Her farm produces a range of products, including honey, beeswax candles, and pollinated seeds, which are in high demand. By sharing her experiences and expertise, Kasunda hopes to empower other young people to follow in her footsteps and explore the opportunities that bee farming presents.
The Football Association of Malawi (FAM) awards are just around the corner, scheduled to take place on February 21, 2025, at the Sunbird Soche Hotel in Blantyre. Inspired by the spirit of supporting football excellence, these awards aim to recognize and honor the outstanding achievements of football players.
FAM President Fleetwood Haiya’s vision is to transform the game through initiatives like these awards. By acknowledging the hard work and dedication of football players, the awards seek to inspire the spirit of competition and contribute to the development of football in the region.
Tulipo Mwenelupembe
According to FAM Marketing and Broadcasting Manager, Tulipo Mwenelupembe, the nomination process for the awards is designed to be transparent and fair. A shortlist of players will be compiled based on their statistics, accolades, and performance in the just-ended season. This list will then be sent to captains and coaches of Super League teams, who will cast their votes to select the top players.
“The votes from team captains and coaches, sports journalists, and fans will also have the opportunity to participate in the voting process. Fans will be able to vote online for their favorite players, ensuring that the awards truly reflect the opinions of the football community,” added Mwenelupembe.
To ensure the transparency of the process, a detailed information pack will be made available on the FAM website. This pack will outline the nomination and voting process, providing clarity and assurance to all stakeholders.
The FAM awards are set to become a sustainable and annual event, with plans to create value and partner with current and potential sponsors. Several sponsors have already been secured, and their support will be crucial in ensuring the long-term success of the awards.
The Social and Community Affairs Committee of Parliament has acknowledged the urgent need to push for increased funding for Early Childhood Development (ECD) programs in Malawi. The committee, led by its Chairperson Savel Kafwafwa, expressed concern over the inadequate financial support for ECD after visiting several community-based childcare centers in Zomba.
During the visit, the committee observed that many ECD centers are struggling to provide quality early education due to a lack of infrastructure, resources, and proper learning environments. One of the most striking examples was Namiwawa Nursery School in Traditional Authority (T/A) Mwambo’s area, where 115 children are receiving their education in a church. This arrangement was made possible by Partners in Harvest Pentecost Church, which offered space after the children were previously learning under a tree due to the absence of proper classrooms.
The situation at Namiwawa Nursery School is a reflection of a broader crisis affecting ECD services across the country. According to Zomba District Commissioner (DC) Reighngard Chavula, the district has approximately 940 ECD centers and over 4,000 caregivers. However, despite the high number of children relying on these services, the social welfare office in Zomba receives only about K500,000 per month for ECD activities. This gross underfunding severely limits the capacity of caregivers and social welfare officers to provide necessary support, training, and materials for early childhood education.
DC Chavula emphasized that the current allocation for social welfare is insufficient, as the limited funds must be shared among various other social programs. He suggested that ECD should have a separate and dedicated funding stream to ensure that children receive the necessary resources to support their development. The committee acknowledged these concerns and agreed that budgetary reforms are essential to addressing the funding shortfalls that hinder the effective delivery of ECD services.
Early Childhood Development plays a crucial role in shaping the cognitive, social, and emotional growth of children, laying the foundation for their future education. However, with inadequate funding, many children are forced to learn in unsuitable conditions, while caregivers lack the support needed to provide quality early education. The committee’s recognition of these challenges and its commitment to advocating for increased funding is a step in the right direction.
As Malawi strives to improve its education sector, prioritizing ECD funding will be critical in ensuring that all children, regardless of their background, have access to quality early learning. Moving forward, it remains to be seen whether Parliament will act on these recommendations and allocate sufficient resources to support the future of Malawi’s youngest learners.
