Tag Archives: Malawi Council for Disability Affairs (MACODA)

Development

Minister Navicha urges increased investment in disability inclusion in Malawi

MaraviPost

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare Mary Navicha has called for stronger and sustained investment in the Malawi Council for Disability Affairs (MACODA).

She emphasised that the institution must be fully resourced to achieve its mandate and ensure that people with disabilities are empowered to shape the nation’s development agenda.

“For MACODA to function effectively, it requires adequate and reliable resources.

Disability inclusion is not an act of charity, it is a national responsibility,” Navicha stated as she donated K1 million to the council.

She described her contribution as part of the government’s duty to uplift marginalised and underserved communities.

Navicha made the remarks on Friday at Parliament during the launch of this year’s MACODA Flag Week in Lilongwe.

The event renewed national attention on the need for inclusive development that places persons with disabilities at the centre of Malawi’s growth trajectory.

Guest of honour Vice-President Jane Ansah underscored the importance of integrating disability inclusion across all national development strategies.

She noted that millions of Malawians continue to face systemic barriers that limit their participation in social, economic, and political life.

“Sustainable development requires proactive disability programming at every stage of planning and implementation,” Ansah said.

She also urged stronger collaboration among stakeholders to remove obstacles faced by people with disabilities.

Reaffirming the administration’s commitment, President Arthur Peter Mutharika pledged K5 million to the initiative.

Vice-President Ansah contributed K2.5 million to support the MACODA Flag Week.

This year’s MACODA Flag Week seeks to raise funds and heighten public awareness to advance disability rights.

The initiative also aims to expand access to essential services and promote the meaningful participation of all citizens in Malawi’s development.

Human Rights

Veep Ansah sets firm expectations for disability inclusion as MACODA Flag Week Begins

Burnett Munthali

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The country’s Vice President Jane Ansah has delivered a decisive call for practical progress on disability inclusion as she inaugurated the 2025 MACODA Flag Week in Lilongwe.

Rather than treating the ceremony as a routine annual tradition, she positioned it as a moment for renewed commitment and clearer accountability across all sectors.

Dr Ansah emphasised that this year’s theme—advancing disability rights through both reporting and action—must serve as a direct challenge to policymakers and institutions to abandon symbolic gestures and pursue tangible outcomes.

She made it clear that Malawi cannot afford an approach that prioritises statements over results if it aspires to build a genuinely inclusive society.

At the heart of her message was the conviction that national development must benefit every citizen, regardless of disability, gender, or background.

She stressed that this vision should be reflected consistently in both policy formulation and programme implementation.

Reflecting on the recent enactment of the Persons with Disabilities Act of 2024 and the adoption of the National Disability Policy, the Vice President noted that such milestones offer a strong policy framework.

However, she warned that these achievements will remain largely symbolic unless they are enforced with diligence and seriousness.

She urged duty bearers to ensure that the legislation translates into meaningful improvements in the daily lives of persons with disabilities.

Dr Ansah directed local councils to outline precisely how they will integrate disability considerations into the utilisation of public resources.

She pointed particularly to funds such as the Constituency Development Fund and economic empowerment allocations, insisting that persons with disabilities must be deliberately included in these financial interventions.

She argued that disability inclusion should never be left to chance but must be a planned and central element of development initiatives.

The Vice President also underscored the importance of supporting learners with disabilities through the free secondary education programme.

She reiterated that economic hardship must not be allowed to block educational opportunities for disabled pupils.

Turning to agriculture, she highlighted that the reintroduced FISP remains vital for vulnerable households, including those with disabilities.

She urged agricultural and district authorities to ensure that disabled farmers are prioritised and not overlooked when distributing subsidised inputs.

Looking ahead, Dr Ansah reaffirmed the government’s commitment to embedding disability rights within the broader Malawi 2063 vision.

She noted that disability inclusion forms a fundamental part of the country’s long-term development aspirations and must remain central in national planning.

She acknowledged the operational and financial challenges faced by MACODA and appealed to the Ministries of Finance and Trade to support viable initiatives such as the Bangwe Weaving Factory.

To ensure the factory’s sustainability, she encouraged government institutions to procure textiles from the facility, thereby strengthening economic opportunities for persons with disabilities.

Dr Ansah also stressed that accessible infrastructure is essential for real inclusion, noting that progressive policies mean little if public spaces remain physically restrictive.

She called upon construction and transport authorities to make accessibility a standard requirement rather than an optional feature.

In closing, the Vice President thanked participants for their commitment before officially launching the 2025 MACODA Flag Week.

Her address not only outlined clear expectations for disability inclusion but also set a tone of urgency, responsibility, and long-term commitment.

Through her remarks, she positioned disability rights as a vital component of Malawi’s social and economic advancement.

Development

Veep Ansah to open MACODA’s National Development Week at Parliament

Burnett Munthali

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Parliament will today host the official opening of MACODA’s much-anticipated Flagship Week, with Vice President Jane Ansah set to preside over the ceremony scheduled for 12:00 pm.

The gathering is expected to draw participants from across Malawi, reflecting the broad interest in the development initiatives that will be featured throughout the week.

The Malawi Council for Disability Affairs (MACODA) has planned the event to spotlight national development programmes and strengthen public participation in shaping policy and progress.

To ensure seamless communication, the Office of the Vice President circulated detailed briefing notes to both government departments and media teams ahead of the launch.

In her address, Vice President Ansah is likely to focus on the importance of cooperation between state institutions, community organisations, and development partners in securing long-term national growth.

The event will bring together government officials, traditional authorities, and representatives from various development agencies to discuss achievements and consider strategies for enhancing project implementation.

Her participation underscores the administration’s ongoing commitment to programmes that deliver real and measurable results for communities across the country.

Parliament’s selection as the venue also highlights the government’s emphasis on transparency and accountability in national development efforts.

Journalists covering the launch are expected to provide Malawians with clear insights into the goals and activities lined up for the Flagship Week.

The inauguration is anticipated to set a positive tone for a week centred on collaboration, reflection, and renewed energy towards driving Malawi’s development agenda forward.

Human Rights

MACODA empowers persons with disabilities in Mwanza with tricycles

Maravi Post Reporter

By Jones Gadama

The Malawi Council for Disability Affairs (MACODA) has taken a significant step towards promoting the mobility rights of persons with disabilities in Mwanza District by donating 32 tricycles to individuals with disabilities.

This initiative, done in collaboration with Action for Progress, aims to support the economic empowerment of persons with disabilities and enhance their overall quality of life.

During the handover ceremony, MACODA Executive Director George Chiusiwa emphasized that mobility is a fundamental right for persons with disabilities.

He highlighted the importance of accessibility and inclusivity in promoting the well-being of individuals with disabilities.

Chiusiwa’s sentiments were echoed by Mwanza District Commissioner, Mathar Simeta, who commended MACODA for the gesture, saying it complements their efforts at the district level in promoting inclusiveness and improving the lives of people with disabilities.

One of the beneficiaries, George Pambaya, expressed gratitude for the tricycle, pointing out that it will ease his mobility challenges and enhance his ability to operate his business. Pambaya’s sentiments reflect the positive impact of MACODA’s initiative on the lives of persons with disabilities in Mwanza.

The tricycles will undoubtedly improve the mobility and independence of the beneficiaries, enabling them to participate fully in their communities.

This donation is part of a larger initiative by MACODA to distribute over 200 tricycles in six districts, including Mchinji, Nsanje, Phalombe, Neno, and Thyolo.

The organization is committed to promoting the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities, and this initiative is a significant step towards achieving that goal.

MACODA’s efforts to empower persons with disabilities are not limited to providing mobility aids.

The organization has also partnered with World Vision Malawi and the Federation of Disability Organizations in Malawi (FEDOMA) to empower children with disabilities to express their concerns and advocate for their rights within their communities.

This collaborative initiative aims to foster a culture of inclusivity and accessibility, promoting the participation of children with disabilities in community decision-making processes.

The Persons with Disabilities Act of 2024, which established MACODA, underscores the importance of promoting and protecting the fundamental rights of persons with disabilities.

The Act provides a framework for addressing the needs of persons with disabilities and promoting their inclusion in society.

MACODA’s efforts to provide tricycles to persons with disabilities in Mwanza District are a significant step towards implementing the provisions of the Act.

MACODA’s donation of tricycles to persons with disabilities in Mwanza District is a commendable initiative that promotes mobility rights and economic empowerment.

The organization’s commitment to inclusivity and accessibility is evident in its efforts to provide mobility aids and empower persons with disabilities.

As MACODA continues to implement its initiatives, it is essential to recognize the impact of its work on the lives of persons with disabilities in Malawi.

The Malawi Council for Disability Affairs (MACODA) is a statutory body established by the Persons with Disabilities Act of 2024 to promote and coordinate all matters relating to persons with disabilities in the country.

With its mandate to promote and protect the fundamental rights of persons with disabilities, MACODA is playing a crucial role in shaping the lives of individuals with disabilities in Malawi.