Former American President Bill Clinton recently pedged to farmers in Malawi that he will help them to ensure that there is a good road from their area to Blantyre city to ensure they do not suffer when selling their produce.
He was speaking after visiting the construction site where a hospital is being built from funding from him and Sir Hunter of United Kingdom.
He said he is committed to uplift the lives of people in Africa to ensure they can sustain themsleves.
Clinton said he is impressed with the hard work of farmers saying he will try as much to ensure they produce enough for themselves and for sale.
Clinton and Hunter have identified three areas n Malawi.They will build a hospital,construct a good road and put all necessary infastracture to uplift people in the areas.
Tuesday, 24 July 2007
Malawi House meets again Tuesday after Monday’s abandoned session
Malawi’s troubled parliament reconvenes Tuesday following the premature stopping of Monday afternoon’s session due to disagreements on the way forward between the government side and the majority opposition.
The bone of contention was that the government side wanted to change the order paper, whereby the Minister of Finance Goodall Gondwe presented to the house a three-month financial budget of 35 billion kwacha (US$4.9 billion ) from 1 August to 31 October.
The three-month budget is expected to act as a stop-gap measure as the MPs sort out their differences on the conduct of other business in the house.
The disagreement started when deputy leader of government business, Trade Minister Ken Lipenga moved a motion to allow the house to discuss and pass on the finance minister’s resolution on the 2007/2008 Budget.
Explaining his reasoning, Lipenga noted that the budget was long overdue and needed to be discussed and adopted as soon as possible.
"This is a people’s budget. It is not a political but rather a moral issue. Let us adopt it so that we can save the lives of poor Malawians," the minister said, in apparent reference to the funds that are needed to secure medicine for Malawi’s free medical care.
But the opposition members were not impressed. Instead, they went ahead to shoot down the motion by asking the House to follow the agenda on the order paper.
House opposition leader John Tembo said parliament should pass the three-month budget in the order as listed on the agenda paper.
"We don’t want to be blamed for the budget failure because people out there are being told that the opposition side wants to reject the budget — which is not true," Tembo said.
In other words, Tembo wanted the House to discuss the issued of the defecting MPs and when their seats will be declared vacant in accordance with the constitution.
The government side, not happy with this proposal, countered by asking the Speaker of Parliament, Louis Chimango, to adjourn the session till Tuesday.
The bone of contention was that the government side wanted to change the order paper, whereby the Minister of Finance Goodall Gondwe presented to the house a three-month financial budget of 35 billion kwacha (US$4.9 billion ) from 1 August to 31 October.
The three-month budget is expected to act as a stop-gap measure as the MPs sort out their differences on the conduct of other business in the house.
The disagreement started when deputy leader of government business, Trade Minister Ken Lipenga moved a motion to allow the house to discuss and pass on the finance minister’s resolution on the 2007/2008 Budget.
Explaining his reasoning, Lipenga noted that the budget was long overdue and needed to be discussed and adopted as soon as possible.
"This is a people’s budget. It is not a political but rather a moral issue. Let us adopt it so that we can save the lives of poor Malawians," the minister said, in apparent reference to the funds that are needed to secure medicine for Malawi’s free medical care.
But the opposition members were not impressed. Instead, they went ahead to shoot down the motion by asking the House to follow the agenda on the order paper.
House opposition leader John Tembo said parliament should pass the three-month budget in the order as listed on the agenda paper.
"We don’t want to be blamed for the budget failure because people out there are being told that the opposition side wants to reject the budget — which is not true," Tembo said.
In other words, Tembo wanted the House to discuss the issued of the defecting MPs and when their seats will be declared vacant in accordance with the constitution.
The government side, not happy with this proposal, countered by asking the Speaker of Parliament, Louis Chimango, to adjourn the session till Tuesday.
Clinton helps Malawi
Former US President Bill Clinton is giving a helping hand to the people of Malawi, who are among the most disadvantaged in Africa.
85 percent of Malawians work on farmland, and with the help of the Clinton Foundation they have united and are beginning to prosper.
The Clinton Foundation has assisted in securing loans, supplies and agreements with other local businesses.
Bill Clinton himself is impatient about improving conditions in Malawi, saying 'if you ever get satisfied, it's ok with you that kids die.'
85 percent of Malawians work on farmland, and with the help of the Clinton Foundation they have united and are beginning to prosper.
The Clinton Foundation has assisted in securing loans, supplies and agreements with other local businesses.
Bill Clinton himself is impatient about improving conditions in Malawi, saying 'if you ever get satisfied, it's ok with you that kids die.'
Malawi’s President Threatens Opposition
The political tension between Malawi’s President Bingu Wa Mutharika and the opposition is reportedly getting worse with no end in sight. This comes after President Mutharika threatened to suspend parliament and call for early elections if the opposition continues to refuse to pass the budget. But the opposition says President Mutharika’s remarks are irrelevant and misplaced and that they would not be intimidated.
Justin Dzonzi is the chairman of Malawi Human Rights Consultative Committee (MHRCC). From the commercial capital, Blantyre he tells VOA English to Africa Service reporter Peter Clottey that President Mutharika does not have the constitutional mandate to run his government without a budget approved by parliament.
“Our basic reaction, that’s from the point of the constitutional set up of the government, we are essentially saying that there is an order in which certain things are supposed to be done. So as regard to the issue of the budget, whether or not a head of state, whether in Malawi, or indeed under our circumstances whether Dr. Mutharika can this country without an authorized budget. Then our essential reaction was that the issues of budget or expenditures from consolidated funds are stipulated and provided for in our republican constitution,” Dzonzi noted.
He cited a constitutional provision, which he said invalidates President Mutharika’s claim that he could run the country without an approved budget
“When you are looking at sections 171 and I think to about 180, as they have very detailed provisions in terms of what happens. And our basic position is that there is no way the president can do that because the constitution gives the powers to the national assembly to authorize any expenditure from the consolidated fund,” he said.
Dzonzi said there are provisions in the constitution to address potential problems for example in the event the budget was not passed during the fiscal year.
“What the constitution says is that where for any reason it is not possible for the budget to be at the end of the financial year, then the national assembly can authorize the minister of finance to spend out of the consolidated fund for a period of not more than four months. Beyond that, I think there is a presumption that there must be a valid budget which has been authorized by parliament,” Dzonzi pointed out.
He said both President Mutharika and the opposition could resolve the brewing political standoff.
“Obviously, there is if you listen to the story from the executive side, their major concern, is they think that once the speaker of parliament makes his determination on sections 65. As soon as the numerical advantage for the opposition MP’s (Members of parliament) increases to the extent that they can achieve a two-thirds majority, there is a general belief that the opposition wants to move a motion for the impeachment for the president,” he said.
Dzonzi said some concerned Malawians are asking for compromise from both sides to end the political impasse between the president and the opposition.
“The message which we’ve been passing across to the opposition is for the opposition to assure this country that no impeachment proceedings would commence immediately or indeed at any point following the ruling on section 65. Now, the opposition too has this fear that once the budget is deliberated and passed then the president would dissolve parliament. And once that happens then they don’t have an opportunity to deal with this matter, I think while parliament is sitting. And essentially we are also calling on the president to assure the opposition and indeed this country that the issue of sections 65 would be left to take its course,” Dzonzi said.
Justin Dzonzi is the chairman of Malawi Human Rights Consultative Committee (MHRCC). From the commercial capital, Blantyre he tells VOA English to Africa Service reporter Peter Clottey that President Mutharika does not have the constitutional mandate to run his government without a budget approved by parliament.
“Our basic reaction, that’s from the point of the constitutional set up of the government, we are essentially saying that there is an order in which certain things are supposed to be done. So as regard to the issue of the budget, whether or not a head of state, whether in Malawi, or indeed under our circumstances whether Dr. Mutharika can this country without an authorized budget. Then our essential reaction was that the issues of budget or expenditures from consolidated funds are stipulated and provided for in our republican constitution,” Dzonzi noted.
He cited a constitutional provision, which he said invalidates President Mutharika’s claim that he could run the country without an approved budget
“When you are looking at sections 171 and I think to about 180, as they have very detailed provisions in terms of what happens. And our basic position is that there is no way the president can do that because the constitution gives the powers to the national assembly to authorize any expenditure from the consolidated fund,” he said.
Dzonzi said there are provisions in the constitution to address potential problems for example in the event the budget was not passed during the fiscal year.
“What the constitution says is that where for any reason it is not possible for the budget to be at the end of the financial year, then the national assembly can authorize the minister of finance to spend out of the consolidated fund for a period of not more than four months. Beyond that, I think there is a presumption that there must be a valid budget which has been authorized by parliament,” Dzonzi pointed out.
He said both President Mutharika and the opposition could resolve the brewing political standoff.
“Obviously, there is if you listen to the story from the executive side, their major concern, is they think that once the speaker of parliament makes his determination on sections 65. As soon as the numerical advantage for the opposition MP’s (Members of parliament) increases to the extent that they can achieve a two-thirds majority, there is a general belief that the opposition wants to move a motion for the impeachment for the president,” he said.
Dzonzi said some concerned Malawians are asking for compromise from both sides to end the political impasse between the president and the opposition.
“The message which we’ve been passing across to the opposition is for the opposition to assure this country that no impeachment proceedings would commence immediately or indeed at any point following the ruling on section 65. Now, the opposition too has this fear that once the budget is deliberated and passed then the president would dissolve parliament. And once that happens then they don’t have an opportunity to deal with this matter, I think while parliament is sitting. And essentially we are also calling on the president to assure the opposition and indeed this country that the issue of sections 65 would be left to take its course,” Dzonzi said.
Assistant Country Director
Assistant Country Director
GOAL
Location: Malawi ( Nsanje with regular travel to Blantyre, Balaka and Lilongwe )
Closing date: 22 Aug 2007
Job Description
GOAL JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title: Assistant Country Director - Programmes
Job Location: Nsanje with regular travel to Blantyre, Balaka and Lilongwe
Reporting To: Country Director
Contract Length:12 months
Start Date: August 2007
OVERALL DESCRIPTION
General Description of GOAL Programme
The Assistant Country Director – Programmes is a member of GOAL Malawi’s senior management team and has overall responsibility for a) the development and implementation of GOAL’s programmes in Nsanje, Blantyre and Balaka Districts and b) the management of GOAL’s Field Office in Nsanje. The role encompasses programme planning, proposal writing, reporting, and programme monitoring, evaluation and capacity building, as well as coordination with relevant National and District level authorities, UN agencies and other NGOs.
General Description of the Programme:
GOAL has been implementing programmes in Malawi since 2002. These have included the promotion of winter cropping during the dry season and growing techniques designed to increase crop diversification such as community gardens; small-scale irrigation; soil and water conservation; compost-making and 40 tree nurseries producing over 500,000 saplings.
The combination of chronic poverty, bad weather, a bad harvest, and a high prevalence of HIV/AIDS left almost 5 million people in Malawi in need of food aid in the early part of 2006. GOAL distributed maize, oil and beans to over 34,000 households/month in Nsanje district. GOAL also provided technical support to Ministry of Health Supplementary Feeding Programmes in Nsanje and Blantyre districts.
In September 2006, GOAL Malawi commenced the Nsanje Education, Water and Sanitation (NEWS) Programme to improve education facilities, increase access to water and sanitation in primary schools, and raise awareness of healthy behaviour and practices in targeted communities and schools. GOAL Malawi is also currently implementing HIV/AIDS, nutrition and livelihoods programmes as well as small-scale, community-driven construction activities.
GOAL Malawi is based in Blantyre with a large Field Office in Nsanje and a small Office in Balaka.
Key Responsibilities & Duties:
Programmes
* Ensure all GOAL Malawi programmes are implemented to high quality standards which are in line with GOAL Malawi’s Country Strategy, relevant donor requirements, international best practice and the Codes of Conduct and agreements to which GOAL is a signatory;
* Develop, review and/or revise the strategic objectives for GOAL Malawi’s programmes to ensure continual improvement throughout the Country Programme;
* Prepare project/programme proposals in accordance with donor tender documentation and requirements;
* Oversee donor and internal reporting;
* Support the development and utilisation of appropriate M&E and programme management tools and systems;
* Develop and implement internal mechanisms for institutional learning and programme integration;
* Improve the quality of programming through support supervision of key staff, analysis and dissemination of M&E data and lessons learned, and the review of GOAL and other best practice guidelines;
* Represent GOAL Malawi in meetings with donors, coordination bodies and Government representatives, as required;
* Travel frequently to all areas of operation to monitor implementation and ensure that beneficiaries, local authorities, and local staff are represented in programme planning and evaluation;
* Regularly and accurately report the status and progress of GOAL Malawi programmes to the Country Director;
* Liaise with the Country Director, Financial Controller, Logistics Coordinator and Human Resource Manager to ensure that the Nsanje Office has the appropriate staffing and resources required for appropriate, effective and efficient programme delivery.
Personnel
* Ensure appropriate HR planning, training and resource allocation as required for the successful implementation of programme objectives including appropriate support personnel at GOAL’s Nsanje Office;
* Line manage GOAL Malawi’s HIV/AIDS, Nsanje Education, Water and Sanitation (NEWS), and Nutrition Programme Coordinators and Wat/San Engineer;
* Support and mentor Nsanje staff as required.
Finance
* Ensure finance protocols are followed by all programme and Nsanje support staff;
* Liaise with the Financial Controller to ensure continuous oversight and involvement at all stage of the programme cycle.
Requirements For The Position:
Essential
* A minimum of three years overseas experience with development programmes at a senior management level;
* Masters Degree in Health, International Development, or other relevant discipline;
* Experience managing projects and programmes funded by major institutional donors and agencies such as the EC, the UN, WFP, DFID and Irish Aid.
* Strong demonstrable experience in project planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, including financial management and the utilisation of appropriate project management tools;
* Excellent interpersonal, motivational and management skills with extensive experience mentoring staff;
* Exceptional communication, analysis and writing skills;
* Strong experience liaising with governmental/local authorities and other NGOs.
Desirable
* Technical background in one or more of GOAL Malawi’s areas of operation;
* Experience managing organisational change, in particular from humanitarian relief to development.
This Job Description only serves as a guide for the position available. GOAL reserves the right to change this document. Interviews will be held in Dublin or London. Unfortunately GOAL cannot contribute to any financial costs incurred when attending interview. Interviews may be held in London, Dublin or Nairobi.
Vacancies Contact
applications@goal.ie
GOAL
Location: Malawi ( Nsanje with regular travel to Blantyre, Balaka and Lilongwe )
Closing date: 22 Aug 2007
Job Description
GOAL JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title: Assistant Country Director - Programmes
Job Location: Nsanje with regular travel to Blantyre, Balaka and Lilongwe
Reporting To: Country Director
Contract Length:12 months
Start Date: August 2007
OVERALL DESCRIPTION
General Description of GOAL Programme
The Assistant Country Director – Programmes is a member of GOAL Malawi’s senior management team and has overall responsibility for a) the development and implementation of GOAL’s programmes in Nsanje, Blantyre and Balaka Districts and b) the management of GOAL’s Field Office in Nsanje. The role encompasses programme planning, proposal writing, reporting, and programme monitoring, evaluation and capacity building, as well as coordination with relevant National and District level authorities, UN agencies and other NGOs.
General Description of the Programme:
GOAL has been implementing programmes in Malawi since 2002. These have included the promotion of winter cropping during the dry season and growing techniques designed to increase crop diversification such as community gardens; small-scale irrigation; soil and water conservation; compost-making and 40 tree nurseries producing over 500,000 saplings.
The combination of chronic poverty, bad weather, a bad harvest, and a high prevalence of HIV/AIDS left almost 5 million people in Malawi in need of food aid in the early part of 2006. GOAL distributed maize, oil and beans to over 34,000 households/month in Nsanje district. GOAL also provided technical support to Ministry of Health Supplementary Feeding Programmes in Nsanje and Blantyre districts.
In September 2006, GOAL Malawi commenced the Nsanje Education, Water and Sanitation (NEWS) Programme to improve education facilities, increase access to water and sanitation in primary schools, and raise awareness of healthy behaviour and practices in targeted communities and schools. GOAL Malawi is also currently implementing HIV/AIDS, nutrition and livelihoods programmes as well as small-scale, community-driven construction activities.
GOAL Malawi is based in Blantyre with a large Field Office in Nsanje and a small Office in Balaka.
Key Responsibilities & Duties:
Programmes
* Ensure all GOAL Malawi programmes are implemented to high quality standards which are in line with GOAL Malawi’s Country Strategy, relevant donor requirements, international best practice and the Codes of Conduct and agreements to which GOAL is a signatory;
* Develop, review and/or revise the strategic objectives for GOAL Malawi’s programmes to ensure continual improvement throughout the Country Programme;
* Prepare project/programme proposals in accordance with donor tender documentation and requirements;
* Oversee donor and internal reporting;
* Support the development and utilisation of appropriate M&E and programme management tools and systems;
* Develop and implement internal mechanisms for institutional learning and programme integration;
* Improve the quality of programming through support supervision of key staff, analysis and dissemination of M&E data and lessons learned, and the review of GOAL and other best practice guidelines;
* Represent GOAL Malawi in meetings with donors, coordination bodies and Government representatives, as required;
* Travel frequently to all areas of operation to monitor implementation and ensure that beneficiaries, local authorities, and local staff are represented in programme planning and evaluation;
* Regularly and accurately report the status and progress of GOAL Malawi programmes to the Country Director;
* Liaise with the Country Director, Financial Controller, Logistics Coordinator and Human Resource Manager to ensure that the Nsanje Office has the appropriate staffing and resources required for appropriate, effective and efficient programme delivery.
Personnel
* Ensure appropriate HR planning, training and resource allocation as required for the successful implementation of programme objectives including appropriate support personnel at GOAL’s Nsanje Office;
* Line manage GOAL Malawi’s HIV/AIDS, Nsanje Education, Water and Sanitation (NEWS), and Nutrition Programme Coordinators and Wat/San Engineer;
* Support and mentor Nsanje staff as required.
Finance
* Ensure finance protocols are followed by all programme and Nsanje support staff;
* Liaise with the Financial Controller to ensure continuous oversight and involvement at all stage of the programme cycle.
Requirements For The Position:
Essential
* A minimum of three years overseas experience with development programmes at a senior management level;
* Masters Degree in Health, International Development, or other relevant discipline;
* Experience managing projects and programmes funded by major institutional donors and agencies such as the EC, the UN, WFP, DFID and Irish Aid.
* Strong demonstrable experience in project planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, including financial management and the utilisation of appropriate project management tools;
* Excellent interpersonal, motivational and management skills with extensive experience mentoring staff;
* Exceptional communication, analysis and writing skills;
* Strong experience liaising with governmental/local authorities and other NGOs.
Desirable
* Technical background in one or more of GOAL Malawi’s areas of operation;
* Experience managing organisational change, in particular from humanitarian relief to development.
This Job Description only serves as a guide for the position available. GOAL reserves the right to change this document. Interviews will be held in Dublin or London. Unfortunately GOAL cannot contribute to any financial costs incurred when attending interview. Interviews may be held in London, Dublin or Nairobi.
Vacancies Contact
applications@goal.ie
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