Saturday, 12 May 2012
News and Views across Africa: Britain refreshes its Aid to Malawi
News and Views across Africa: Britain refreshes its Aid to Malawi: The British Government has announced its urgent support for the Malawi health system which is aimed at preventing the cancellation o...
Britain refreshes its Aid to Malawi
The British Government has announced its urgent support for the Malawi health system which is aimed at preventing the cancellation of vital vaccination and bed net programmes.
Making the announcing Britain International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell said the support is part of a refreshed development partnership between Malawi and Britain.
According to Mitchell the emergency support will provide Malaria and TB drug, Therapeutic feeding for malnourished children, training equipment for new health workers and support services delivered by the Christian Health Association of Malawi.
Mitchell further disclosed that Britain will also bring forward previously-agreed funding to help the new President, Joyce Banda, to continue with a positive reform programme in the face of economic turmoil which is threatening to engulf the country.
As part of this support, Andrew Mitchell has agreed with the Governor of the Bank of England for a British economic official to be drafted in to help the Government of Malawi deal with the effects of devaluing the kwacha.
Andrew Mitchell, Secretary of State for International Development, said:
"I am encouraged by President Banda’s early progress in office. She has put the people of Malawi right at the centre of her Government’s programme and she is listening to the sensible advice from the IMF about how to get the economy back on its feet."I called President Banda to tell her that Britain will support Malawi’s Health Ministry and the Christian Health Association of Malawi to ensure that vital services are taken off the ‘at risk’ list and are delivered for the people of Malawi."We are also bringing forward financial support to help the Malawian economy following devaluation and the Governor of the Bank of England has kindly agreed to provide technical assistance in this area."
President Banda welcomed Britain's commitment to Malawi and said she was looking forward to discussing her future plans with Andrew Mitchell in more detail.
Reacting to the announcement, President Banda said:
"We welcome this much needed support from the UK for health and to support the economic recovery of Malawi. This support is provided at a critical time for Malawi and will help to manage the impact on the poor and most vulnerable."I look forward to welcoming the Secretary of State for International Development to Malawi in the near future and to discussing the future of UK aid in Malawi with him."
In the past two years alone, UK support has provided food security for over 3.5 million people, of which almost two million are women; improved access to emergency drugs for 200,000 people.
The British Government suspended budget support to Malawi last year after deceased former president Bingu wa Mutharika failed to address concerns over economic management and governance. As a result, British funding earmarked for general budget support has been rerouted via NGOs working on the ground with poor Malawians.
Andrew Mitchell will travel to Malawi at the end of the month to meet President Banda in person and have detailed discussions to help stabilise the economy and support necessary reforms.
The early indicators about President Mrs Joyce Banda's Presidency
There many Malawians I have talked to who say it is too early to place
any degree of judgment on the performence of President Joyce Banda.
Give her a break the lady has just taken over the Office
Perhaps that's so but Joyce Banda has come from outside. She was
Bingu's Vice President and although there had been apparently some bad
blood between the two any claim that she is new to doesn't wash. It
the first few day in the Office that provide the nation the direction
and tone of the President and her Administration - the President's
actions, speeches and the very posture
Two reported actions of the President's I find rather disconcerting:
a. The President's appointment of Perliamentary leaders. Perhaps the
Constitution of the Republic of Malawi gives the President that
authority. I haven't checked but this part of my ignorance doesn't I
think in anyway excuse the anomaly. A government consists of three
branches nameli Legislature, Executive and the Judiciary. I expect the
Constitution clear states that there is between these branches the
Separation of Powers. I understand by this to mean the legislature
must ont function like they are the executive or Judiciary. the same
applies to the executive and the Judiciary, The principle of
Separation of Powers is for the protection of the peoples of the
country. These branches like parts of a living body are interdependent
- a necessity for the proper functioning of the entire government but
without compromising the principle of Separation of Powers
If news item is correct that said President Mrs Joyce Banda appointed
Parliamentary Leaders then I find that action to compromise that time
honoured principle of separation of powers in a truly free and
democratic country. The Parliament in such states elect its own
leaders in a session convened for that purpose. Preserving the
independence of Parliament, protecting democracy as well as freedom of
the citizens
This event is one of the reasons why in Malawi we need Constitutional
Reform. Perhaps a complete rewriting of the Malawi Constituion is more
appropriate. In its present form the Constitution encourages
dictatorship. A Constitution is meant to limit the authority of
elected representatives. It would appear this is not the case in our
country. Any wonder malawi has had only dictatorships for all thsese
decades - since 1964? My fellow citizens you are the Sovereign,
Authority is yours and it must be you to lend part of that your
authority to the elected government officers. I suppose the present
Constitution does not express your will. It doesn't express my will at
all. PAC is now silent on their demand for Constitutional Reform. This
their demand must be carried through. We must stop building our nation
around personalities. It is time now to make Malawi a nation of laws -
not a nation of men. Now that Mrs Joyce Banda is President does not
remove the dire need for reformingthis Constitution or better still
writing a new one. A constitution is supposed to a living document and
as such need to change as time and people change
b. Donations
This unethical chain practice started by Kamuzu Banda apparently has
assumed a life of its own. Muluzi, Bingu not only continued the
malpractice they extended it. Muluzi even used to throw Banknotes to
crowds at public meeting! And poor Malawian scramble to have a grab of
some notes. Those able cheered. Joyce Banda is doing the same. For one
big reason I expected her never to it. But she is continuing the
malpractice. A Government holds all the country's resources in trust
for the people. The President as Chief Executive Officer controls the
resources such as the country's Treasury. Do these Presidents of
Malawi, previous and present, dead and alive failt o see any conflict
of interest in thie distasteful conduct? How do the people of Malawi
tell that the donations come from their taxes? Besides it show the
President is campaigning already at the expense of taxpayers and to
the disadvantage of other Presidential hopefuls in opposition parties
and even in her own party. That is unethical. That is an excercise in
the creattion of personality cults as well as in personalising the
government. And the country to have forever dictators - providing them
doors for illegal self enrchment. And poor Malawians? Perpetual
poverty
I'm roundly disappointed in President JB
Now it's for and I fellow country to reclaim our sovereignty, our
authority. Lets once and for all decide which of our authority we give
to the federal government specifing which for Parliament, which to
President and whuch to Judiciary. Then which of our authority we lend
to provincial government - Parliament, Governor, Judiciary
in a a new Constitution of the republic of Malawi. Our country
By Aston Cheyo Nyondo
any degree of judgment on the performence of President Joyce Banda.
Give her a break the lady has just taken over the Office
Perhaps that's so but Joyce Banda has come from outside. She was
Bingu's Vice President and although there had been apparently some bad
blood between the two any claim that she is new to doesn't wash. It
the first few day in the Office that provide the nation the direction
and tone of the President and her Administration - the President's
actions, speeches and the very posture
Two reported actions of the President's I find rather disconcerting:
a. The President's appointment of Perliamentary leaders. Perhaps the
Constitution of the Republic of Malawi gives the President that
authority. I haven't checked but this part of my ignorance doesn't I
think in anyway excuse the anomaly. A government consists of three
branches nameli Legislature, Executive and the Judiciary. I expect the
Constitution clear states that there is between these branches the
Separation of Powers. I understand by this to mean the legislature
must ont function like they are the executive or Judiciary. the same
applies to the executive and the Judiciary, The principle of
Separation of Powers is for the protection of the peoples of the
country. These branches like parts of a living body are interdependent
- a necessity for the proper functioning of the entire government but
without compromising the principle of Separation of Powers
If news item is correct that said President Mrs Joyce Banda appointed
Parliamentary Leaders then I find that action to compromise that time
honoured principle of separation of powers in a truly free and
democratic country. The Parliament in such states elect its own
leaders in a session convened for that purpose. Preserving the
independence of Parliament, protecting democracy as well as freedom of
the citizens
This event is one of the reasons why in Malawi we need Constitutional
Reform. Perhaps a complete rewriting of the Malawi Constituion is more
appropriate. In its present form the Constitution encourages
dictatorship. A Constitution is meant to limit the authority of
elected representatives. It would appear this is not the case in our
country. Any wonder malawi has had only dictatorships for all thsese
decades - since 1964? My fellow citizens you are the Sovereign,
Authority is yours and it must be you to lend part of that your
authority to the elected government officers. I suppose the present
Constitution does not express your will. It doesn't express my will at
all. PAC is now silent on their demand for Constitutional Reform. This
their demand must be carried through. We must stop building our nation
around personalities. It is time now to make Malawi a nation of laws -
not a nation of men. Now that Mrs Joyce Banda is President does not
remove the dire need for reformingthis Constitution or better still
writing a new one. A constitution is supposed to a living document and
as such need to change as time and people change
b. Donations
This unethical chain practice started by Kamuzu Banda apparently has
assumed a life of its own. Muluzi, Bingu not only continued the
malpractice they extended it. Muluzi even used to throw Banknotes to
crowds at public meeting! And poor Malawian scramble to have a grab of
some notes. Those able cheered. Joyce Banda is doing the same. For one
big reason I expected her never to it. But she is continuing the
malpractice. A Government holds all the country's resources in trust
for the people. The President as Chief Executive Officer controls the
resources such as the country's Treasury. Do these Presidents of
Malawi, previous and present, dead and alive failt o see any conflict
of interest in thie distasteful conduct? How do the people of Malawi
tell that the donations come from their taxes? Besides it show the
President is campaigning already at the expense of taxpayers and to
the disadvantage of other Presidential hopefuls in opposition parties
and even in her own party. That is unethical. That is an excercise in
the creattion of personality cults as well as in personalising the
government. And the country to have forever dictators - providing them
doors for illegal self enrchment. And poor Malawians? Perpetual
poverty
I'm roundly disappointed in President JB
Now it's for and I fellow country to reclaim our sovereignty, our
authority. Lets once and for all decide which of our authority we give
to the federal government specifing which for Parliament, which to
President and whuch to Judiciary. Then which of our authority we lend
to provincial government - Parliament, Governor, Judiciary
in a a new Constitution of the republic of Malawi. Our country
By Aston Cheyo Nyondo
Friday, 4 May 2012
Polytechnic confirms the death of its student
The University of Malawi the Polytechnic has confirmed the death of one of its students who died on the road accident on 3rd May 2012
According to the statement released on 4th May 2012 the two students are disclosed as Thokozani Chalemera and Mphatso Chipala.
"The two students involved were studying with our Management Developing Center.Both were studying Human Resources Management" read the statement
The statement further disclosed that the two were rushed to the Queen Elizabeth Centre Hospital were Thokozani Chalemera was pronounced dead on arrival while Mphatso Chipala still being treated after sustaining serious injuries.
According to the statement the body of Thokozani which is being kept at College of Medicine mortuary will be taken to her home village in Mangochi.for burial
"The body of late Thokozani will be taken from College of Medicine mortuary at around 10:00 am this morning to Mangochi district where burial will be conducted on Saturday, 6th May 2012 at Mpondasi area."
According to the statement released on 4th May 2012 the two students are disclosed as Thokozani Chalemera and Mphatso Chipala.
"The two students involved were studying with our Management Developing Center.Both were studying Human Resources Management" read the statement
The statement further disclosed that the two were rushed to the Queen Elizabeth Centre Hospital were Thokozani Chalemera was pronounced dead on arrival while Mphatso Chipala still being treated after sustaining serious injuries.
According to the statement the body of Thokozani which is being kept at College of Medicine mortuary will be taken to her home village in Mangochi.for burial
"The body of late Thokozani will be taken from College of Medicine mortuary at around 10:00 am this morning to Mangochi district where burial will be conducted on Saturday, 6th May 2012 at Mpondasi area."
Monday, 30 April 2012
Litany of events affecting Press Freedom in Malawi
May 3 is World Freedom Day. The UN first proclaimed World Press Freedom Day in 1993 to celebrate the fundamental principals of press freedom; to evaluate press freedom around the world and to defend the media from attacks on their independence.
Freedom House, a nonprofit organization with consultant status at the United Nations, finds that press freedom is declining around the world, and that only 15 percent of the world population lives in a country with a truly free press.
Malawi is one of the countries where journalists are facing a number of challenges, Recently Former President Bingu wa Mutharika made a shocking move when he signed a newspaper ban law, which was described as an intimidation and a threat to the journalism profession.
As we join the rest of the world in commemorating the World Press Freedom day I call upon the new president Joyce Banda who vowed to protect press freedom in the country to remove or suspend the Law.
The following is an outline of recent events that affected press freedom
The Malawi National Assembly amended Section 46 of its Penal Code and made it into a new law in November 2010.The statute now reads “if the minister has reasonable grounds to believe that the publication or importation of any law publication would be contrary to the public interest, he may, by order published gazette, prohibit the publication or importation of such publication.” Initially,the Penal Code empowered the information minister “to prohibit the publication of any seditious materials”
Local political and law experts have questioned these amendments and Blessings Chisinga, a renowned political analyst from the university of Malawi described the amendments as “a strategic movement towards 2014 general election”
According to Chisinga the signing of the new law further thwarts the ratification of Access to Information Bill which has not yet been passed since it was drafted in 2003, which could have helped journalists to easily access information.
Police and ruling party supporters have also been implicated in the intimidation, arbitrary arrest and beating of journalists attempting to report on political events. On October 11, police summoned and questioned two journalists from the Malawi News, Innocent Chitosi, a deputy editor, Archibald Kasakula, a reporter and George Kasakula of Weekend Nation after two papers published stories about the death of a university of Malawi student activist Robert Chasowa and Mutharika’s critic who was murdered at the campus of Polytechnic College.
On September 12, police arrested and questioned a journalist, Ernest Mhwayo, for taking pictures of president Mutharika’s multimillion dollar farm. He was charged with “conduct likely to cause breach of peace” and released on the following day. Several journalists were beaten and detained by police in July as they covered demonstrations throughout the country.
But though its called the world press freedom Day, journalists in this world including my country Malawi are not free,courageous journalists are subject to censorship, shutdowns and even death threats.
Freedom House, a nonprofit organization with consultant status at the United Nations, finds that press freedom is declining around the world, and that only 15 percent of the world population lives in a country with a truly free press.
Malawi is one of the countries where journalists are facing a number of challenges, Recently Former President Bingu wa Mutharika made a shocking move when he signed a newspaper ban law, which was described as an intimidation and a threat to the journalism profession.
As we join the rest of the world in commemorating the World Press Freedom day I call upon the new president Joyce Banda who vowed to protect press freedom in the country to remove or suspend the Law.
The following is an outline of recent events that affected press freedom
The Malawi National Assembly amended Section 46 of its Penal Code and made it into a new law in November 2010.The statute now reads “if the minister has reasonable grounds to believe that the publication or importation of any law publication would be contrary to the public interest, he may, by order published gazette, prohibit the publication or importation of such publication.” Initially,the Penal Code empowered the information minister “to prohibit the publication of any seditious materials”
Local political and law experts have questioned these amendments and Blessings Chisinga, a renowned political analyst from the university of Malawi described the amendments as “a strategic movement towards 2014 general election”
According to Chisinga the signing of the new law further thwarts the ratification of Access to Information Bill which has not yet been passed since it was drafted in 2003, which could have helped journalists to easily access information.
Police and ruling party supporters have also been implicated in the intimidation, arbitrary arrest and beating of journalists attempting to report on political events. On October 11, police summoned and questioned two journalists from the Malawi News, Innocent Chitosi, a deputy editor, Archibald Kasakula, a reporter and George Kasakula of Weekend Nation after two papers published stories about the death of a university of Malawi student activist Robert Chasowa and Mutharika’s critic who was murdered at the campus of Polytechnic College.
On September 12, police arrested and questioned a journalist, Ernest Mhwayo, for taking pictures of president Mutharika’s multimillion dollar farm. He was charged with “conduct likely to cause breach of peace” and released on the following day. Several journalists were beaten and detained by police in July as they covered demonstrations throughout the country.
Friday, 27 April 2012
Joyce Banda Spills The Beans
Malawi president Joyce Banda has spilled the beans to say the then ruling party approached Malawi army to conduct a coup in order to stop her from being the president.
She disclosed this in an interview during her first official visit to South Africa since she was elected in power
Banda who applauded the military for restoring order said DPP's plan B was to use a military coup if Peter Mutharika fails to inherit the presidency from his late brother.
She claimed that some top military officials tipped her about a coup plot soon after the death of former president Bingu wa Mutharika was announced.
"The army had an opportunity to take over, in fact for your own information i am told that the army was persuaded to say if we can,t have it she can,t have it just take over but the army resisted such temptations" disclosed Banda
"The fact that the army stood up and restored order is the sign that Malawi has matured as far as democracy is concerned" added Banda
Banda who cited the recent coup in Mali said its high time that Africa should not allow conflicts to take place unnecessarily and carelessly since those who bare the consequences of war are innocent people especially the poor.
"If you can observe Africa is doing well, look at Mali they didn't last two weeks, Africans have decided no, we are not going to allow conflicts to take place unnecessarily because at the end of the day innocent people suffer a lot" said Banda
She disclosed this in an interview during her first official visit to South Africa since she was elected in power
Banda who applauded the military for restoring order said DPP's plan B was to use a military coup if Peter Mutharika fails to inherit the presidency from his late brother.
She claimed that some top military officials tipped her about a coup plot soon after the death of former president Bingu wa Mutharika was announced.
"The army had an opportunity to take over, in fact for your own information i am told that the army was persuaded to say if we can,t have it she can,t have it just take over but the army resisted such temptations" disclosed Banda
"The fact that the army stood up and restored order is the sign that Malawi has matured as far as democracy is concerned" added Banda
Banda who cited the recent coup in Mali said its high time that Africa should not allow conflicts to take place unnecessarily and carelessly since those who bare the consequences of war are innocent people especially the poor.
"If you can observe Africa is doing well, look at Mali they didn't last two weeks, Africans have decided no, we are not going to allow conflicts to take place unnecessarily because at the end of the day innocent people suffer a lot" said Banda
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