Category Archives: Malawi

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Malawi

Chakwera arrives from Italy, Germany successfully

Malawi News Agency (MANA)

By Leonard Masauli

LILONGWE-(MANA)-President Lazarus Chakwera on Saturday afternoon arrived from Italy and Germany where he went for official duties.

Speaking on arrival at Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe, Chakwera said his visit pose a great deal for the country’s Development.

Chakwera said during his visit to Italy, he met Pope Francis where he discussed a number of issues as well as visiting Saint Egidio which he said is instrumental in helping the youths and development in the country.

“The visit is a great advantage to Malawi. I had a chance to meet the President of Germany and signed a number of Memorandums of Understanding among other agreements for us to benefit, in terms of trade, democracy, natural disasters and disease out breaks.

“We also had a meeting with the Pope, people who are praying for the country and wishing us well, as well as the community of Saint Egidio who are doing a lot to help the youths. We also signed agreements to revamp Marine development and transportation in the country,” said Chakwera.

Before going to Italy and Germany, the President traveled to Mozambique for the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) meeting in Zambabwe.

Upon arrival the President was welcomed by Vice President, Dr. Michael Usi, Minister of Homeland Security Ken zikhale Ng’oma, Minister of Information and Digitization Moses kunkuyu, Minister of Health Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda, Minister of Gender Community Development and Social Welfare, Jean Sendeza, Minister of Justice Titus Mvalo, Secretary to President and Cabinet Colleen Zamba, other Senior government officials and Chiefs.

Business, Malawi

Confident Finance Minister Chithyola lauds: “Come September, Malawi will successfully implement the ECF programme”

MaraviPost

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Fresh from India where he has successfully negotiated a debt restricturing deal with Indian banks that Malawi owes, Finance Minister Simplex Chithyola says he acknowledges the issues raised by Eric Meyer as pertinent; however, government is already addressing those issues and come September Malawi will successfully unlock second tranche of IMF funding, under ECF, and keep the country on the path of economic recovery.

In an interview with the media yesterday, Meyer—who is the US Department of Treasury Deputy Assistant Secretary for Africa and the Middle East—said the US government is worried about Malawi’s failure to deliver on commitments necessary to unlock second tranche of IMF funding and keep the country on the path of economic recovery.

Meyer noted that there have been delays by Malawian authorities in reaching an agreement on necessary debt restructuring with some of Malawi’s international creditors and also ballooning of the expenditures. These and many others, according to Meyer, has been further complicated by deals that Malawi is pursuing with some investors that could undermine Malawi’s agreements with the IMF and bilateral creditors.
FIVE THINGS MALAWI GOVERNMENT IS ALREADY IMPLEMENTING TO STILL BE WITH ECF PROGRAMME FROM SEPTEMBER

Finance Minister Simplex Chithyola has given detailed information with regards to what government is doing on: improving under collection at Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA), on ballooning of public expenditure, on debt restructuring, on investments that would undermine ECF programmes and, also, on policies that needs intervention of the National Assembly.

  1. On under collection by MRA

We understand that there is under collection at MRA which is affecting the implementing of the program. As a ready measure, Malawi government has just appointed the commissioner general who is going to facilitate for the collection of the same, but we need to also understand that the business environment in this country is contributing towards under collection.

  1. On ballooning of expenditure

Secondly, the issues about ballooning expenditure are real but also justifiable in the sense that as in the government we need to meet the social obligation. We need to procure fuel in this country, if the county runs dry that will be a very big challenge. We need to also procure medical supplies in this country, if you look at some of the expenditures those are falling under social obligations that we cannot do without.

  1. On forex management

However, we have remained compliant in terms of ECF programme management this country. What we agreed with IMF is what we are doing now. We reducing the forex expenditure but also at the same time building our forex reserves that is a positive progress that we’ve made.

  1. On debt restructuring

In terms of debt structure, we are just we are just landing in this country today from Indian where we met the Indian bank discussing the very issues of debt structure. In the week to come we will be heading to china to discuss with the China banks on the same issues. Remember, we are also engaging other creditors for us to reach an agreement in terms of debt restructuring that we are progressing well.

  1. On investment that would conflict ECF programme

The issues about investments that cause a challenge to implementation of this years’ programme. Please remember that of the investments are not liabilities; they are investments that are potentially aiming at generating forex into this country through value addition but also increased exports, so we believed that if we are to do all this in the weeks to come we will be able to successfully to pass through this first reviews that are scheduled to be done in September.

  1. On legislative policies

I would like to also make mention that some of the issues and conditions required intervention of the National Assembly. The Parliament will be meeting starting from Monday and those issues that are touching on pieces of legislation that will be brought before Parliament for debate and also agreeing on how best we can move forward.

  1. Conclusion

So we are very optimistic as government that will remain on track and that come September we will successfully implement the ECF program

Human Rights

CDEDI pens Parley for urgent probe on spate of abductions

MaraviPost

By IOMMIE CHIWALO

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-The Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) has written the Speaker of Parliament to commission a joint parliamentary committee including the Trade and Industry Committee and the Defense and Security Committee to conduct a public inquiry on the spate of abductions.

CDEDI Executive Director Sylvester Namiwa says that the inquiry will help Malawians exercise their right to know and ascertain if Malawi is a safer place to live or do business.

He says there is a need for urgent attention because Malawians are living in fear since the abduction allegation remains a
serious security concerns globally as they usually involve foreign nationals and businesspersons.

Namiwa gave an analogy of reported cases beginning with what happened in 2021 where Malawi reported two instances of Tariq Noorani and Faizal Aboo, while a three-year-old boy Aaraf Kapadia was also abducted in June 2022.

“We, therefore, urge your committee to summon the current Inspector
General (IG) of the MPS, Madam Merlyn Yolamu to explain to the nation whether she is in control of the country’s security system, including giving an explanation on the apparent security breakdown in the country,” he said.

Namiwa emphasizes that the deafening silence from the authorities is creating fear and panic among Malawians, over and above that it has the potential to scare
potential and existing investors, thereby threatening attempts to recover the ailing economy and create much-needed jobs among the youth.

CDEDI strongly believes that the inquiry will address pertinent questions as to why does Malawi Police seem not interested in these serious security concerns whether it is a question of incompetence or utter negligence.

Namiwa says Malawians will also know whether the demanded ransom was paid in all these cases and to who?

As a mouthpiece of the voiceless citizenry and in the exercise of its governance watchdog role, CDEDI wants a thorough investigation to establish if the reported abduction cases are a result of business deals gone sour.

This year, on Thursday, July 24, Malawians learned with shock that a 26-year old business person, a British national of Indian descent, Muhammad Kasiman was abducted around 2pm on his way back to the office from Falls
Estate (Area 1) Mosque in Lilongwe.

The nation got an assurance from the Lilongwe Police that they were on top of things, only to be told later by the same police, that Mr. Kasiman was released on Saturday night, July 27, 2024, without further details and arrests.

Now almost a month down the line, there is no official statement from the law enforcement agencies let alone the family or the survivor.

Opinion, Politics

My Take On It: 2024 US presidential elections….Kamala Harris, Tim Walz get unanimous Democrats’ support

Janet Karim

That the cross still stands / And the blood still speaks / And the grave’s still empty / Jesus, I believe / You’ve already overcome / You’ve already won it all / The victory belongs to You / It’s too late to lose / You’ve already made a way / There is power in Your name / The victory belongs to You / It’s too late to lose — Kyle Lee; Michael Paul Bethany; Mitch Wong

Rosa sat, so Ruby could walk, so that Kamala could run. – T-shirt campaign slogan

This past Tuesday August 20, 2024, an overwhelming majority of Democratic Party delegates voted to nominate Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party. She amassed over 4,900 delegate votes; the required number to get the nomination to run on the party’s ticket is 2,300 delegate votes. There was something that topped this magnificent: the feat of being the first African American and of Indian origin vice president, who when elected this coming November, will be the first woman president of the United States. But Tuesday night Harris and her running mate, veteran and current Minnesota Governor Tim Walz showed their crowd-pull, unmatched by any presidential candidate.

While state after state made their perfunctory delegate votes in a packed-to-capacity conference hall in Chicago, Candidate Harris and her running mate 1tim Walz, were at another packed-to-capacity conference hall in Wisconsin; at the same time. The crowd sizes in both halls were over 10,000 and 18,000. Among the crowd were a star-studded line up of Democratic heavy weights such as current President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, former President and former First Lady Barack and Michelle Obama; former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

On Day Two, the convention schedule included the vice presidential candidate accepting the nomination. It also amassed heavy weights in America, these included former eloquent speaker on all things economics former president Bill Clinton, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, governors and senators and the entertainment stars like Stevie Wonder, John Legend, Oprah, Amanda Gorman, Beyonce (her Freedom song is the theme of the DNC 2024 Democratic Party campaign), Taylor Swift, Robert De Niro, Jane Fonda, the football team members from Tim Walz’ high school.

On the other side, former president Donald Trump and the RNC have been criticizing Harris and her running mate. He has ridiculed her on her dual race, called her stupid and not intelligent. Watching from the sidelines and frenzied on the policies of the Harris/Walz team, its supporters know Harris is tough, experienced, and ready, shouting “when we fight, we win!”

As a former prosecutor and activist, Harris is mindful of the numerous black women before her, and who’s contributions in the United States are telling stories that spell out a long time coming for a woman (black or white) to take the helm of leadership in the capital of democracy.

The non-exhaustive list of African American women who rose even as they faced hardships, mud-slinging, and obstructions, and sometimes death.

1.     Harriet Tubman – leader of the Underground Railroad that helped transport slaves from the south to the north.

2.     Sojourner Truth – outspoken critic of slavery; was a leading voice for women’s right to vote.

3.     Ida B. Wells – journalist, abolitionist, and feminist; founded the National Association of Colored Women’s Club.

4.     Rosa Parks, Ruby Bridges civil rights activists that fed into Martin Luther King leading African Americans demands for equality in the US.

5.     Coretta Scott King — activist and wife of civil rights leader MLK.

6.     Oprah and Maya Angelou, Lorraine Hansberry, Amanda Goman, Nikki Giovanni are among the literary and entertainment giants.

7.     The three hidden women of effort to the moon – Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Dorothy Vaughn), Mae Jemison, engineer and physician and NASA astronaut, first black woman to travel to space; Marie Maynard Daly, first African American woman to receive a doctorate in chemistry.

8.     Shirley Chisolm – first African American woman in congress; Carol Morsley Baun – first African American senator, (Kamala is second black woman on the senate floor); Barbara Jordan – congresswoman and gifted public speaker on civil rights and racial equality.

9.     Serena William – great tennis sports star, Simone Biles – great Gold Medal Olympian.

10.                        Musicians – Mahalia Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Tina Turner, Whitney Houston, Jennifer Hudson, Gladys Knight, Beyonce,

11.                        Actresses – Lena, Horne, Kerry Washington, Pam Grier, Halle Berry, Angela Bassett, Diahann Carroll, Whoopie Goldberg, Ruby Dee, Phylicia Rashard, Cicely Tyson, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer.

12.                        Michelle Obama – author and former First Lady.

13.                        Katenji Brown Jackson – first black justice on the US Supreme Court.

14.                        Former first lady Michelle Obama once said, “we (African American women) are standing on the shoulders of giants.” Kamala Harris is one such person, however, Kamala is a different package, a package that her critics are finding difficulty in making their insults stick on her.

Kamala Harris has in 20 years held five elected and notable very distinct positions as follows:

1.     San Francisco district attorney (2004-2011).

2.     California attorney general (2011-2017). During this time, she worked with a young Delaware attorney general by name of Beau Biden (son of then Vice President Joe Biden).

3.     In 2017 she was elected as California senator – becoming the second African American woman to acquire such a seat. During her questioning of Bill Barr and Brett Cavanaugh, many eyes were on fellow senator Cory Booker, who seemed to be in awe of the Senator’s questioning manner.

4.     Harris entered the Hall of Historic fame when chosen as Biden’s running mate, became the first woman (black, white, Asian) to be elected US Vice President. Any time President Biden is outside the country, VP Kamala Harris becomes Acting President. Harris is skillful, courageous, tenacious and full of wisdom. Her running mate-pick in middle aged white man from the Midwest is pulling in the benefits.

5.     On Day three of the convention, Harris accepted the nomination, promising “when we fight, we win!”

The policies that VP Harris will follow as POTUS47, may be similar to Biden (POTUS46), but they will come in with the saucy punch of “This is Wo-Mahn, Madame President Kamala Harris speaking.” As I expressed a few weeks ago about my great expectations, there have been truckloads of African American men and women, white men and women from the DNC, and this week a truckload of members of the Republican Party, that has jumped ship and turned up at the conference hall, pledging to vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in November 2024.

I’m riding with Kamala all the way!

AMA, Health

Dengue or Malaria ? How to distinguish mosquito-borne diseases

MaraviPost

KAMPALA, Uganda, 23 August 2024 /African Media Agency (AMA)/- World Mosquito Day is commemorated every year on the 20th of August, and it is an opportunity to raise awareness on the dangers posed by mosquito-borne diseases and the ongoing efforts to combat the world’s deadliest creature.

Both malaria and dengue are transmitted by female mosquitoes and cause severe illness in humans. Because of some similarities, the two diseases, and mosquito species, are often confused by patients and medical personnel. 

“Dengue and malaria are two very different diseases caused by different pathogens and different mosquito species,” says Dr. Charles Guissou, co-Principal Investigator for Target Malaria Burkina Faso at the Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS). “Misdiagnosis between malaria and dengue is common and this can then contribute to unappropriate medical care.”

Malaria causes every year 200 million cases worldwide, leading to 600,000 deaths. Most of these deaths happen in Africa where children and pregnant women pay the highest price. The World Health Organisation (WHO) reported that, in 2022, Africa was home to 94% of malaria cases (233 million) and 95% (580 000) of malaria deaths. Children under five accounted for about 78% of all malaria deaths.

The global incidence of dengue has grown significantly in recent decades. Cases reported to WHO increased from 505,430 in 2000 to 6.5 million in 2023. 

“At Target Malaria we are committed to contributing to an Africa free of malaria. We also want to be able to educate as many people as possible about the differences between the Anopheles mosquito, which transmits malaria, and the Aedes mosquito that carries the dengue virus. Malaria and dengue should be distinguished from each other so that adequate preventions and treatments can occur,” says Krystal Birungi, Field Entomology Coordinator for Target Malaria Uganda at the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI)

Some of the noteworthy differences between dengue and malaria are below:

“The risk of potential infections is staggering. Approximately 3.9 billion people are at risk of dengue and 3.3 billion people of malaria infections. Innovative, sustainable solutions are needed in the fight against these diseases, especially in Africa. This is why African voices and expertise play a central role in the development and evaluation of these technologies,” adds Birungi.

Target Malaria is pioneering the use of gene drive, a natural genetic mechanism, to spread a genetic modification in malaria mosquitoes that biases the rate of inheritance and affects their ability to reproduce. This innovative approach holds the promise of being a sustainable and cost-effective method to reduce the population of malaria mosquitoes and ultimately halt malaria transmission.

More information on the differences between dengue and malaria can be found here.

Distributed by African Media Agency on behalf of Target Malaria.

About Target Malaria

Target Malaria is a not-for-profit research consortium that aims to develop and share new, cost-effective and sustainable genetic technologies to modify mosquitoes and reduce malaria transmission. Our vision is to contribute to a world free of malaria. We aim to achieve excellence in all areas of our work, creating a path for responsible research and development of genetic technologies, such as gene drive. www.targetmalaria.org

Target Malaria receives core funding by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Open Philanthropy. The lead grantee organisation is Imperial College London with partners in Africa, Europe and North America.

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The post Dengue or Malaria ? How to distinguish mosquito-borne diseases appeared first on African Media Agency.

Source : African Media Agency (AMA)

Human Rights, Law and order, Lifestyle

RSA gay Clement Hadebe killed at lodge for dishonest “Not being a woman in bed”

Lloyd M’bwana

JOHANNESBURG-(MaraviPost)-The brutal murder of Clement Hadebe aged 29 has highlighted the dangers faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in South Africa.

Hadebe, originally from Madadeni in Newcastle, in KwaZulu-Natal province, was found shot nine times at a bed and breakfast lodge in Johannesburg in the early hours of Monday morning.

Hadebe’s friends have alleged that he met his alleged killer at the bustling KwaMai Mai Market downtown Johannesburg, where the man bought him alcohol.

One friend who requested anonymity recounted how the man and his two friends joined their group at a table, offering to buy them drinks.

“They offered to buy us drinks. We couldn’t say no to free booze,” the friend said.

He noticed that one of the men, who he believed to be straight, was showing interest in Hadebe. He advised Hadebe to tell the man that he was gay, but Hadebe brushed off his concerns.

“I could tell that the guy is straight, but Hadebe just played along. When he asked Hadebe to go home with him, I again called him to the side and begged him to reveal his sexuality, but he brushed me off,” the friend said.

Another friend told ZiMoja that he left with the men and Hadebe in their car, but was ordered to jump out on the way to the hostel in Jules where the men stayed. The friend said they only wanted to be with Hadebe again.

Tragically, the next day, Hadebe was found shot nine times, allegedly by the man he had left with the night before.

Friends believe that the man killed Hadebe after discovering he was gay.

“The guy spent a lot of money on us, and he was sure that he took a woman home. He even booked a room at a bed and breakfast place,” said one friend.

“We thought that he was straight,” the friend added.

“But that did not give him the right to kill. He could have just let him go. What he did is horrible. I pray that he rots in jail for this horrific crime. Hadebe was a lovely person who loved life; he did not deserve this,” the friend said.

Gauteng SAPS spokesperson Colonel Noxolo Kweza confirmed that the police are investigating the murder.

“A murder docket is being investigated after a man was shot and killed on Monday,” she said.

Source: celebgossip.co.zaAug

Human Rights, Malawi

ActionAid Malawi’ 2024-2028 Strategic Plan to address social injustices for marginalized communities

Lloyd M’bwana

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Action Aid Malawi (AAM) on Thursday, August 22 launched the much awaited 2024-2028 Country Strategic Paper VI with an ambitious goal of achieving social justice, gender equality and poverty eradication.

The five-year strategic plan which is pegged at MK36 billion (£16 million) aimed at transforming governance and economic systems to achieve social justice for marginalised communities.

The document focuses much on advancing women rights, redistributing power and resources, and strengthening community resilience to climatic shocks.

During the launch in the capital Lilongwe, Minister of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare Jean Sendeza commended ActionAid for addressing critical gaps.

Sendeza says engaging local organisations when implementing such policies is crucial for sustainable development.

“The key priority areas in this strategy complement government efforts as we address challenges affecting the country, as we aim at poverty reduction and economic growth,” said.

AAM board chairperson Grace Mkupu says the strategy has been developed to respond to the key enablers of the Malawi 2063 on human development, gender equality and ending gender based violence among others.

Mkupu says the document also seeks to promote participation of women and young people in decision-making platforms and positions and enhance wealth creation among the marginalized groups and economic Justice.

She therefore emphasized the organisation’s commitment to supporting women, children, and youth who face gender and intersecting inequalities that fuel exclusion and poverty.

This is the 6th Country Strategic Paper that AAM has developed since it started operating in Malawi since early 90s.

Health, Lifestyle

Controversial Ghanaian rapper Medikal confesses- “I don’t like sleeping with women with condoms”

MaraviPost

ACCRA-(MaraviPost)-A controversial Ghanaian rapper Medikal has opened up about his heartbreak, marital struggles, and his preferences when it comes to relationships.

In a candid conversation on Efia Odo’s podcast, Medikal discussed various aspects of his personal life, including the fallout from his marriage to actress Fella Makafui.

Medikal, who recently finalized his divorce from Fella Makafui, revealed that despite being married, he found himself in the talking stage with other women.

He admitted to engaging in conversations with other girls while still in a relationship with Fella, which contributed to the strains in their marriage.

When asked about his relationship with Sister Derby, his ex-girlfriend, Medikal was quick to clarify that he wouldn’t sleep with her, even if given the chance.

He also opened up about his approach to relationships, stating, ‘I don’t like using condoms when doing the thing. I prefer going raw. When I go into relationships, I go in with all my heart, and that’s why I don’t like it when people take me for granted.’

See the video below;

https://www.instagram.com/p/C-5UgM5M0SA/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading

Source:Ghanacelebrities.com

Development, Malawi

NRB registers 12.3 million Malawians

Dorica Mtenje

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The National Registration Bureau (NRB) has registered 12.3 million since the exercise started in 2016 that many Malawians have national Identity Cards (IDs).

Mphatso Sambo, Principal Secretary responsible for National Registration in the Ministry of Homeland Security told the news conference on Thursday, August 23 in the capital Lilongwe that despite the bureau reaching the target will continue registering every Malawian as mandated by law.

“Despite challenges with delayed issuance of national identity cards, the registration rate has increased by 75%, with 200,000 cards being printed monthly,” said Sambo

He therefore assured the public that all remaining unprinted cards will be completed by September this year.

Sambo also emphasized that the bureau is on track to meet the Sustainable Development Goals of registering every eligible person by 2030.