LILONGWE – (MaraviPost): Media practioners from print, electronic and online houses in Malawi have formulated the much awaited grouping, Journalist Network on Tobacco (JNT) aimed at advocating the rights of farmers and fight against international ban on the crop.
The establishment of the network comes amid growing campaign internationally on the crop which is dubbed as a “Greed Gold” for the country whose General Domestic Product (GDP) relies on it.
Not only but also the current trend of buyers who are offering law deals of prices to growers while the country’s neighbour farmers are getting better prices with the same buyers.
The network will work closely with all stakeholders in the tobacco industries including, government departments, buyers, regulatory bodies, transporters, farmers and among others.
The grouping executive members includes the President, AIfred Chauwa-Nyasatimes) whose deputy is
Treasure General (TG) is Angela Banda Chapepa from Nkhoma FM radio while committee members are Cathy Maulidi (MIJ FM Radio), Alnord Mnelemba (Ufulu FM Radio), Lloyd M’bwana (The Maravi Post), and Lifu Litete (MIJ FM radio).
Speaking an exclusive interview with The Maravi Post after the born of the grouping, JNT’s President Alfred Chauwa disclosed that the network will strive to fight the crop’s growers whose welfare remain in dare state despite decades of cultivating the green gold.
Chauwa emphasized the need for country’s media to stand together in the battle against international ban on tobacco which is prompting Malawi government to abandon the crop despite whose revenues comes from the same.
“As you are aware that tobacco is facing numerous campaign globally. At the same time Malawi GDP relies much on the Golden Leaf. Western countries are the ones promoting various campaigns against African countries, because they want us to be beggars forever. In view of this, journalists drawn from various media houses including electronic, print and online have come together to fight for this course.
“This is a duly and elected independent body which will work with all players in the tobacco industry. The network will have structures from all regions of the countries to have full representation.
“In weeks, to come will officially launch the network. Therefore, we are appealing to all interested journalists in Malawi to join the group as in oneness there is power”, urges Chauwa.
While this is yet another tragedy to a reeling Malawi; I feel our politicians are lazy in not lobbying developed nations special rights to allow us ease into a diversified agro-economy rather than being forced into it. After all, for nearly half a century some of their economies have flourished from tobacco.
Governments should be bold enough to point out to these buying nations that we share their sentiments but our lives matter too! A phased diversification is a better way forward than the suicide pill on offer! After all, they might not like it were we to start exporting weed!