President Prof. Arthur Peter Mutharika Wednesday morning joined a high level delegation at the UN General Assembly in discussing the alarming education crisis that has left close to 264 million children and adolescents out of school.
Mutharika, together with leaders of Norway, France, Senegal co-hosted the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) event focused on Sustainable Development Goal Four on quality education with the theme “Financing the Future: Education 2030.”
During his statement, President Mutharika stressed on the importance of education to human existence and the planet we live in.
“Our ability to improve the living conditions of mankind depends on the quality of decisions we make.
These decisions and choices also depend on the access and quality of education given to individuals,” Mutharika said.
He added that the ability to protect the planet we live on also depends on our ability to understanding contemporary complexities and fragilities of human existence.
The Malawi leader pointed out that the prevailing global mindset of taking education more as a service to the people than as an investment and humanitarian cause has done little in uplifting education standards in many parts of the world.
“We left the funding of education to individual countries as their responsibility to provide services to their people. We need to take the education of all children of the world as a common responsibility of our global community,” Mutharika said.
He expressed hope that the GPE would change the current situation for the better because its progress shows that the “dream to educate all children is possible.”
Mutharika then called upon all partners to support replenishment efforts for GPE in ensuring that access to education reach as many children as possible.
Norwegian Prime Minister, Erna Solberg, French President Emmanuel Macron and Senegalese President Macky Sall also delivered their statements on GPE.
The meeting, which was chaired by UN Special Envoy for Global Education and Former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown, also showcased success stories of country-led initiatives with increased domestic resource mobilization towards education.
The UN Secretary General, António Guterres and his deputy Amina Muhammad were also part of the high level delegation that attended the meeting.
Malawi’s President Prof. Arthur Peter Mutharika on Monday called on his fellow leaders to invest in the education of young people as a means to break the circle of poverty in Africa.
President Mutharika made the call at Labouisse Hall, UNICEF House in New York, during a side event entitled Accelerating efforts to eliminate child marriages in Africa by 2030.”
“Investing in the human capital is one of the surest means of breaking the poverty cycle. In short, we are talking about investing in the education of young people,” Mutharika said.
However, Mutharika reminded the leadership in Africa that investing in education is not enough, if young people are not protected from other forces that threaten their education.
President Mutharika cited early and child marriages as one of the major challenges threatening the future of young people.
“Early marriage is a barrier to girls’ education in Africa. All over the continent, early marriages shatter dreams of mothers and fathers in every community.
“Unless we protect and prepare our young people against child and early marriage, the resources we invest in education, will always be like rain that falls on fields that cannot bear fruits,” he said.
President Mutharika said Malawi is implementing a number of legal frameworks in arresting the problem of child marriages.
The Gender Equality Act (2013); Child Care, Protection and Justice Act (2010) Trafficking in Persons Act (2015), and the Marriage, Divorce and Family Relations Act (2015), are some of the blueprints the Malawi Government is using to eliminate child marriages.
But the amendment and harmonization of provisions in the Constitution on Child Age and Marriage Age to 18 years, has billed as a game changer in Malawi’s efforts to end child marriage.
Since 2015, the prevalence of child marriages in the country, has declined from 52 per cent to 46 percent in 2016, President Mutharika informed the delegates.
Meanwhile in a related development, the President is expected to deliver the Malawi statement in the afternoon, today at the UN General Assembly, UNGA. US President Donald Trump, as leader of the host country, delivers his statement this morning.
And the Lord spoke unto Moses, Go unto Pharaoh, and say unto him, thus saith the Lord, Let my people go, that they may serve me. Exodus 8:1
Kamuzu Banda: first Malawi President
Former President, father and founder of Malawi, Dr. H. Kamuzu Banda, was an orator. He could speak. For long hours. His record was six and a half hours at one of his many rallies, opening bridges, a road or commissioning something — with his name on it; but his average speaking time was four hours.
When an engagement was scheduled, the whole country stopped to listen. The man could speak; and he enjoyed it too that all ears, Malawi or foreign were listening to him. There were times one couldn’t help think he loves to hear himself speak.
As the song writer aptly put it “Zonse zimeni Nza Kamuzu Banda!” (All thing belong to Kamuzu Banda.
That being the fashion in one party Malawi Congress Party Malawi, Kamuzu was also Chancellor of the lone University of Malawi. He gave public lectures, whereas students, we were compelled to put on undergraduate gowns, sit in the scorching sun, and have all the appearances of listening.
His voice rang loud, his voice rang alone and his voice rang strong.
From the University, to capital hill, or to the market place, the voice of Dr. Kamuzu Banda got things done, or undone. He spoke, and we filed into line, or chilled by the anger of the president.
At the dawn of democratic dispensation in Malawi in 1994, there appeared to be so much fervor in unraveling the fearsome power Banda had on the people’s body, mind and soul, that various segments of leadership (even at the highest office), were tampered with; diluted. It makes you wonder and sometimes ask, “Hey, who’s in charge here?”
Democracy does not mean you muzzle the leader. While you exercise your right to free speech, the President must have his vested powers. We must not disinvest his authority, his voice.
Of course leadership styles differ; having been used to stern-stuff Banda, Muluzi’s flippant and oftentimes jest, sometimes made people believe and even hold it to be true – “the President is my friend.”
The first Mutharika, I believe was a scholar of the good Bandaism (the initiative, dream, didactic and no-nonsense parts). Although unlike Banda who leaned West, Mutharika advanced Malawi East.
Having a woman President was exciting because issues that were swept under the carpet, were now table talk.
Enter the second Mutharika or Mutharika II, and strikes involving the entire education sector – university lecturers, primary school teachers in a nation-wide called by the national teachers association. Near anarchy erupted in the primary school ranks.
The debate even entered the Parliament where daggers were drawn on Education Minister Emmanuel Fabiano, asking him to resign.
Through the melee that ensured and almost erupted into chaos, it was discovered that the University Act excludes minister of education: he has no power, no jurisdiction or mandate. Minister Fabiano is merely a spectator, not someone to resign!
Last Friday, the gentle quiet giant, summoned teachers union, UNIMA Council, Minister of Education; and Mutharika whisked them into the Presidential “Listen-to-me-Lounge.”
I don’t know what he said or how he said it, but by the time the boys and girls from institutions were all “It is well…….” picket placards dropped and chalk picked up. It’s back to school.
Now that’s the effects of the President when he speaks — things happen, people listen, people act upon instruction given from above.
This past Thursday (yesterday) UNIMA Chancellor, who is the State President, announced through Chief Secretary, a newly constituted UNIMA Council. At first glance, it must be said, we appreciate that member number one is a woman. Bravo Bwana President. With the Kamuzu College of Nursing Principal being a woman, it is guaranteed that two women sit on the Council from the word “Go!”
To the other appointing bodies (ex-students and UNIMA Students Union), please follow the President’s style: appoint a woman, and men.
The moral of my story: Let us hear you speak Bwana President. We are listening.
Girls in central Malawi protest child abuse and early marriage. (Photo: Lameck Masina)
BLANTYRE, MALAWI — Malawi President Peter Mutharika has signed a constitutional amendment raising the legal marriage age to 18. The amendment marks the final step in a years-long process in Malawi to outlaw child marriage. But rights campaigners say it is just a start, and the country must now enforce the ban.
Parliament approved the change to the constitution in February. Prior to the amendment, the constitution allowed minors aged 15 and older to marry with parental consent.
The amendment comes into effect two years after parliament passed a revised family code that raised the marriage age to 18.
“That amendment is showing exactly the aspiration of Malawians that we are saying ‘No’ in totality to child marriage and the loopholes that were remaining of giving consents to parents are no longer there,” said Jessie Kabwila, chairperson of women’s caucus in parliament.
A constitutional amendment in Malawi raises the legal marriage age to 18. (L. Masina/VOA)
Malawi has one of the world’s highest rates of child marriage. According to the government survey released last year, 47 percent of women and girls are married before age 18. The survey said the child marriages have contributed to an increase in deaths of mothers and babies at birth.
Hilda Banda was married at the age of 15.
“When I was about to deliver my first baby,” she said, “I faced unbearable pains which I believe was because I was too young to give birth. The doctors had no option but to take me for a cesarean operation.”
Now a mother of five, Banda says the new law gives her hope for her three daughters.
“I will only allow them to marry after 20 years of age,” she said, “because this is time they will be mature enough to face the challenges of married life.”
But child rights advocates say enforcing the law will be difficult unless the government also addresses the poverty that drives families to marry off their young daughters. Some families cannot afford school fees for girls, or simply have too many mouths to feed.
Dowries can also be a factor. In northern Malawi, prospective husbands can pay a cow or more to a bride’s family.
But rights advocates say it is important that Malawians’ acceptance of the practice changes, according to Malick Mnela, the president of Media Advocacy for the Advancement of Child Rights.
“We expect to highlight those who are in conflict with the new law,” Mnela said, “to ensure that there is some sense of fear instilled in those that will continue to maintain the bad practice in terms of child marriages and getting involved sexually with children under the age of 18.”
The amended law states any person who enters into a marriage ceremony knowing the marriage is invalid or illegal commits an offense punishable by a fine of $143 and five years’ imprisonment.
Peter Mutharika: angered with insults on social media
President Peter Mutharika on Wednesday, said his government will bring to book anyone in Malawi who insults othe people or spreads false information against others on social media platforms.
This comes a few days after unknown some persons circulated Malawi Vice President’s forged resignation letter.
Speaking during a briefing on Fibre Project initiative, that is expected to improve internet services in the country at Kamuzu Palace, Mutharika said he will not allow the country to turn into a society of anarchy.
Mutharika asked Malawians should learn using social media as a tool to develop the country, and not to destroy it.
“Let me warn those people who think they can commit cybercrimes and get away with it, that the time of doing that is over. My government has put everything in order to bring to book such culprits,” said Mutharika.
The President then urged Malawians to use their Facebook and WhatsApp accounts responsibily. The President said “my government has now enacted some laws to criminalize anyone who misuses the internet.”
The Malawi leader described the social media as a tool for economic and political empowerment when it is used responsibly.
“Other countries have developed economically as well as politically because of the social media. We can also do that as a country, especially if we use social media with sense of patriotism, integrity, and responsibility,” he added.
Minister of Information, who is also government spokesperson Nicholas Dausi, said that the coming of the Fios project, will improve all services that depend on internet accessibility.
The said project is expected to be launched on 26 April, 2017 at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe, and is likely to set to improve internet speed countrywide.
A company from China, is expected to work in conjunction with the Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM), who are an implementing company.
BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)— Malawi President Peter Arthur Mutharika on Thursday, urged the Malawi Congress of Trade Union (MCTU) to work with the government in nation building.
Mutaharika made the remarks at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe, where he had an audience with the MCTU leadership led by its President Luther Mambala.
Speaking before the trade union delegates, President Mutharika said it was a great pleasure for him to welcome the leadership of the MCTU at the Palace.
Mutharika then asked the MCTU leaders to be partners in developing the nation so that labourers should have a conducive environment to contribute to sustainable development.
“There is need for trade unions to be involved in nation-building, not destruction. The more stable a country is, the better working environment it becomes for labour and its value.
“You don’t need to always be adversarial when conveying your messages to your employers. Avoid disruptions, violence, and destruction of property when you are grieved,” the President said.
“Be dedicated to duty. Assist your employers attain the objectives of the company or organisation. Work hard, be punctual, and be responsible and be trusted. You are part of progress,” Mutharika added.
President Mutharika further said he looked forward to be updated on the programmes that the MCTU is doing for the improvement of labour relations in the country.
“As you all know, my Government established community colleges in order to improve knowledge and skills. We will have community technical colleges in all districts in this country. Skilled labour has higher value and is instrumental in the economic growth and development of a country,” said Mutharika.
The Malawi leader encouraged the MCTU, and all unions, to continue working with his government.
He told the MCTU delegation that his leadership delegated the Ministry of Labour, Youth, Sports and Manpower Development to be the point of contact on daily basis.
On his part, MCTU President Mambala said the trade union is ready to work with the government in uplifiting the welfare of labourers in the country. He thanked the president for creating room for contact and dialogue, saying his leadership will make use of it for the betterment of the nation.
Malawi president Mutharika: wants Malawi to be a state of one-opinion
DPP and it’s leader Peter Mutharika want Malawi to be a state of one-opinion because the republican president and it’s party are Fearpreneurs.
They are the people who live in fear from their own actions.
Eversince Peter Mutharika controversially became the head of state, he has been laying stones of development. Almost every district there are foundation stones that have become nothing three years later. He has not stopped, he is still laying foundation stones everywhere only to find out that by the end of his term, none of those stones will grow to become Mombera University or what he tells citizens.
The song of the DPP has been to root out corruption and they have been sharpening knives with the intention to silence the opposition and to change Malawi to become a state of one opinion: (their opinion) forgeting that they are not witnesses or signatories, not even mediators and negotiators of our hard-won freedom that to some of us started way back in the 1980s, under the tutelage of late Kanyama Chiume, Atati Mpakati, and the Bwanausis.
At least, we were there when the supreme document was drafted and hatched. Some of us were part of the team when the likes of Professor Peter Meinz and Dr. Kirby were lecturing over how we could adopt the new constitution.
Coming up with a proposal to amend the document for a 50+1 vote system, is a brilliant idea and timely because we are the people who jotted it down and negotiated it when the Malawi Congress Party then wanted to push it in their favour.
We do realize that we made some mistakes because we had to meet our opponents half way, who had the baton of power then.
Now that the baton of power is wholly controlled and run by democrats, we are not going to allow or tolerate some few people who, by then were enjoying spaghetti in America, to come and impose their own propaganda where their intentions are to make Malawi a nation of one opinion.
Peter Mutharika thought government is an easy thing; he thought one can run a state through deception or let-me-say-lies-in-simple-English.
He promised to stop corruption and arrest all culprits; on the contrary, he has instead Arrested Development in the country.
The developments of his brother Bingu are “playing chess” all of them “on stalemate.” All road networks have stopped from being completed. The names of corruption instead of pointing to the opposition, are pointing back to himself and his cabinet.
Corruption has since grown horns and is developing stigmas soon it will be germinating in multiples but Peter Mutharika is silent and quite.
When the person he had entrusted all his trust to replace him as a successor is caught in corruption scandals, including money laundering, he lives like an ostrich with his head buried in the sand, because of shame.
Instead of doing the right and presidential obligation, he turns against patriots and men of integrity and start planning to silence critical views and free thinking.
NIB and the cadets are on the look out to chasowalize the likes of the Utopian, KK (Kalua), Michael Usi, and many who stand for the country.
Money is being spent to silence these men of truths.
Under Peter Mutharika Malawi has become a failed state. Under Peter Mutharika Malawi has become the most corrupt country after Nigeria.
Under Peter Mutharika corrupt thieves are imune from prosecutions. Under Peter Mutharika Malawi has become a nation in bankruptcy.
There is no envoy represented in Malawi that has not warned of the doldrums that Malawi is speeding into. A few days ago, Norwegian Ambassador just narrated similar sentiments forcing the mafia organization IMF to come to the rescue of Peter Mutharika by lying that the economy of Malawi is stabilizing.
DPP cadets who are not familiar with the strategy of new global economy, clap hands and ululate in ignorance, not knowing the secret of IMF.
I will prolong this conversation by becoming a tutor of the blue flag. My school of Network 21 reveals that global powers have made sure that America, Europe and Asia, make any means possible to see to it that money work for them. In return they have made Africa to be the only continent that work for money in essence making Africa a forever slave of the world.
When they meet puppet leaders whose muscles and nerves of finance functions through corruption, they come with millions of US dollars in credit and make the puppets sign for it. This is why the World Bank and the IMF have not condemned corruption and cash gate in Malawi.
Do not be fooled with sentiments of these two institutions; do not forget that Bingu fell out with them when they demanded the devaluation of our currency; Joyce Banda became a darling of the west because she agreed to devalue the Kwacha.
The truth is what the Norwegian envoy decried about our economy. That is the utmost truth.
Malawi will never be made to be a nation of one opinion as long as George Chaponda enjoys freedom when Uladi Mussa and others know what police cells smells like.
The FEARPRENEUR is therefore asked to do the needful, sack Chaponda from the party and have him arrested, freeze his accounts, and all the monies found in his house.
Until then stop threatening or tracking truth tellers because even if the voice of reason in the three can be cut off, truth will always be truth m, and voice of reason will rise again.
Be the listener of Bwande Bwantasa you will know that Malawi is not and will never be a state of one opinion.
DISCLAIMER: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not, in any way, reflect the views of The Maravi Post.
The Malawi Government is informing the general public that the mandate of the Civil Service and Public Service Reforms Commission expires on 31st January 2017.
VP Chilima: headed the public reforms commission whose mandate expires Jan 31
PRESIDENT PETER MUTHARIKA’S SPEECH DURING THE SWEARING IN CEREMONY FOR
THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY,
THE CHIEF SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT,
THE JUDGE OF THE HIGH COURT OF MALAWI
AND
MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION OF ENQUIRY ON MAIZE PROCUREMENT
FRIDAY, 6TH JANUARY, 2017
KAMUZU PALACE,LILONGWE
Pres. Mutharika: “follow what the laws say, and be impartial.”
A very warm welcome to you all to Kamuzu Palace. I hope that you all had merry Christmas and New Year celebrations.
I wish each one of you a prosperous 2017. As you all know, I made a number of public appointments.
I appointed Honourable Nicholas Dausi as Minister of Information and Communications Technology.
I appointed Mr. Lloyd Muhara as Chief Secretary to the Government.
Malawi President Arthur Peter Mutharika has called upon senior government officers to execute their duties with utmost impartiality and fairness towards citizens of Malawi emphasizing that that is the only way the nation can register social and economic growth.
Malawi Pres. Mutharika: tells members of maize-gate commission to be fair and impartial
He was speaking on Friday at Kamuzu Palace during swearing-in ceremony of newly appointed senior officers and members of a special commission of inquiry on maize procurement.
Those sworn in as new appointees were new Minister of Information and Communications Technology, Nicholas Dausi; Chief Secretary to the Government, Llyod Muhara and High Court judge, Nyakwawa Usiwausiwa.
From the Special Commission of Inquiry on Maize Procurement those sworn in were Retired Chief Justice Anastazia Msosa (SC),Solicitor General Dr. Janet Banda, Mr. Isaac Kayira and Mr. Mike Chinoko from the Law Commission.
The President reiterated the need for the officers to execute their cause nobly.
“Let me remind all of you that the eyes of the nation will be on you by virtue of your positions. As public figures, your professional conduct and the decisions that you will be taking will be scrutinized and sometimes harshly so,” he said.
“You must all remember to follow what the laws say, and be impartial. Malawians will expect you to be above question at all times,” he added.
The Malawi leader further called upon the new appointees to work collectively with colleagues in order to attain desired results in public service delivery.
“Above all, let us work as a team. No arm of Government can single-handedly do everything without support from each other. Let us work to end poverty, to protect the environment, to make Malawi a performing society and restore integrity in our systems.” Mutharika advised.
Dausi was appointed weeks ago replacing Malison Ndau while Muhara moves in to take over from George Mkondiwa who is heading to India for a diplomatic responsibility.
As for the Special Commission, it was instituted following media reports and subsequent outcry from Malawians over a maize purchase deal between government grain marketer, Admarc and Zambian suppliers.
The commission will wind up its investigations on January 31 and thereafter present its findings to the appointing authority.
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