A number of such bureaus have since been shut down and officers from the Malawi Police Service are now guarding the closed facilities hours on end.
RBM secretary who is also the bank's legal counsellor Samuel Malitoni said the bureaus that have been closed have not met the criteria for a licence and it is highly unlikely that they will be allowed.
"This is a follow up on forex bureau regulations of 2007 which some of the bureaus challenged and lost and we will conduct this across the country," he said. President of Forex Bureau Association of Malawi Nazir Nathvani has however pledged that the bureaus will endeavour to respect RBM exchange controls.
This is the second move the central bank has taken to control foreign exchange; recently it ordered all bureaus to have seed capital of US$100,000 or risk closure.
Friday, 7 August 2009
Malawi delay slows growth
Malawi's delay in signing an economic partnership agreement with the EU had reduced profit levels for Illovo Sugar, chairman Don Macleod said yesterday.
The delay meant the firm could only sell its sugar to regional markets, which are less lucrative when compared with European markets, Macleod said.
Illovo Malawi reported a 20 percent increase in net profit to 6.3 billion Malawi kwacha (R361 million) from a year earlier on higher cane production.
The delay meant the firm could only sell its sugar to regional markets, which are less lucrative when compared with European markets, Macleod said.
Illovo Malawi reported a 20 percent increase in net profit to 6.3 billion Malawi kwacha (R361 million) from a year earlier on higher cane production.
Malawi delay slows growth
Malawi's delay in signing an economic partnership agreement with the EU had reduced profit levels for Illovo Sugar, chairman Don Macleod said yesterday.
The delay meant the firm could only sell its sugar to regional markets, which are less lucrative when compared with European markets, Macleod said.
Illovo Malawi reported a 20 percent increase in net profit to 6.3 billion Malawi kwacha (R361 million) from a year earlier on higher cane production.
The delay meant the firm could only sell its sugar to regional markets, which are less lucrative when compared with European markets, Macleod said.
Illovo Malawi reported a 20 percent increase in net profit to 6.3 billion Malawi kwacha (R361 million) from a year earlier on higher cane production.
Lawyer helps Malawi children thrive
Edmonton lawyer Andrew Buddle was disappointed when Canada announced it will this September haul down the Maple Leaf flag and close its high-commission office in Malawi.
The small, landlocked country in southeast Africa is the 11th poorest in the world. About half the population of 1.6 million struggles to live on less than $1 a day.
Of the four million people affected by the country's food crisis, more than one million are children under the age of five or pregnant women.
"In Canada, many of us suffer from an out-of-sight-out-of-mind condition," says Buddle.
"But if one travels through small African town and village, the plight of many is impossible to ignore. Sadly, the highest percentage of the world's young people live there.
"But that means there is energy and the potential for great things to happen. Building a promising future needs help. And we Canadians have a part to play."
Canada has slashed its aid to Malawi, which is no longer on its "priority" list of countries needing help.
But Buddle, who spent three months working on human rights issues in West Africa, decided if he did something to help Malawi and encouraged others to do the same, significant change might still be brought about.
He became a member of Edmonton's United Nation Children's Fund leadership council and is helping plan a Sept. 17 gala at The Fairmont Hotel Macdonald.
The goal is to raise $152,000 to help children in Malawi.
"We plan to help in such areas as health and nutrition, water and sanitation, and education and child protection," says Buddle.
On the leadership council are many familiar local names: chairwoman Carole Hunt, accountant Reg Appleyard, former MP Debby Carlson, Dr. Paul and Lorie Grundy, University of Alberta school of business dean Mike Percy, Cold-fX creator Dr. Jackie Shan and Pam Stimpson of the Alberta Cancer Board.
Former deputy PM Anne McLellan was drawn to the event's patrons' council. "Anne quickly attracted other patrons," says Calgary-based Holly Davidson, regional director of UNICEF's Alberta region.
Hunt and Percy joined the patrons' group and community leaders Carol Bentley and Liz Dobrovolsky became gala co-chairwomen.
Also on the council: Epcor senior vice-president Denise Carpenter, Dr. E. Anne Fanning, a U of A faculty of medicine and dentistry professor emeritus; plastic surgeon Dr. Martin Giuffre, Eric Newell, retired chairman and CEO of Syncrude Canada; Edmonton Journal publisher John J. McDonald III; community leader Elexis Schloss, Telus Community Foundation chairman Bob Westbury, and Ralph Young, Melcor Developments president and CEO.
Don't worry about taking your tux or gown to the cleaners. All 250 tickets, including the gold tables at $10,000 each, have been sold.
"Poverty exacerbates all other issues in Malawi," says Carrie Auer, UNICEF's representative in Africa who spoke to leadership council and gala organizers this week at a reception in the Grundys' home.
Food insecurity is not only a major cause of malnutrition, but it has also worsened the risk for diseases such as cholera and AIDS.
"The government, which once focused farming mainly on maize, is now encouraging a greater variety in crops," says Auer. "This will provide a more diverse diet. But people who do grow maize often sell it and buy other items rather than enhancing their diet with nutritional food.
"It's a complex issue, which includes traditional practices of what children should eat and not eat."
Malawi's infant and under-five mortality rates (110 and 175 per 1,000 live births, respectively) are among the world's highest.
Half of Malawi's one million orphans have lost one or both parents to AIDS. And some 61 per cent of the population has inadequate sanitation facilities.
Life expectancy is 47 years, compared with Canada's 80 years.
"It's hard to get a handle on missing children because at present not all births are registered," says Auer. "Less than 50 per cent of births are delivered in hospital."
In the mid-'90s, Malawi abolished all school fees and primary school enrolment is now 92 per cent for males and 97 per cent for females.
"The problem is keeping students in school," says Auer. "But there is still a shortage of 5,000 classrooms.
"With 400 being constructed each year at present, it will take 10 or more years to provide classrooms for the current population."
The democratic government, returned with a landslide in the last election, has made education and health care a priority.
"Headway is being made in some critical areas," says Buddle. "But Malawi could use a little help from its Edmonton friends."
A $13 gift provides 25 sachets of a nutty spread, which helps boost the survival of children facing severe malnutrition. A$30 gift provides an entire class with exercise books. To donate call: 1-800-819-0889.Mention Edmonton's Malawi initiative.
nlees@thejournal.canwest.com
The small, landlocked country in southeast Africa is the 11th poorest in the world. About half the population of 1.6 million struggles to live on less than $1 a day.
Of the four million people affected by the country's food crisis, more than one million are children under the age of five or pregnant women.
"In Canada, many of us suffer from an out-of-sight-out-of-mind condition," says Buddle.
"But if one travels through small African town and village, the plight of many is impossible to ignore. Sadly, the highest percentage of the world's young people live there.
"But that means there is energy and the potential for great things to happen. Building a promising future needs help. And we Canadians have a part to play."
Canada has slashed its aid to Malawi, which is no longer on its "priority" list of countries needing help.
But Buddle, who spent three months working on human rights issues in West Africa, decided if he did something to help Malawi and encouraged others to do the same, significant change might still be brought about.
He became a member of Edmonton's United Nation Children's Fund leadership council and is helping plan a Sept. 17 gala at The Fairmont Hotel Macdonald.
The goal is to raise $152,000 to help children in Malawi.
"We plan to help in such areas as health and nutrition, water and sanitation, and education and child protection," says Buddle.
On the leadership council are many familiar local names: chairwoman Carole Hunt, accountant Reg Appleyard, former MP Debby Carlson, Dr. Paul and Lorie Grundy, University of Alberta school of business dean Mike Percy, Cold-fX creator Dr. Jackie Shan and Pam Stimpson of the Alberta Cancer Board.
Former deputy PM Anne McLellan was drawn to the event's patrons' council. "Anne quickly attracted other patrons," says Calgary-based Holly Davidson, regional director of UNICEF's Alberta region.
Hunt and Percy joined the patrons' group and community leaders Carol Bentley and Liz Dobrovolsky became gala co-chairwomen.
Also on the council: Epcor senior vice-president Denise Carpenter, Dr. E. Anne Fanning, a U of A faculty of medicine and dentistry professor emeritus; plastic surgeon Dr. Martin Giuffre, Eric Newell, retired chairman and CEO of Syncrude Canada; Edmonton Journal publisher John J. McDonald III; community leader Elexis Schloss, Telus Community Foundation chairman Bob Westbury, and Ralph Young, Melcor Developments president and CEO.
Don't worry about taking your tux or gown to the cleaners. All 250 tickets, including the gold tables at $10,000 each, have been sold.
"Poverty exacerbates all other issues in Malawi," says Carrie Auer, UNICEF's representative in Africa who spoke to leadership council and gala organizers this week at a reception in the Grundys' home.
Food insecurity is not only a major cause of malnutrition, but it has also worsened the risk for diseases such as cholera and AIDS.
"The government, which once focused farming mainly on maize, is now encouraging a greater variety in crops," says Auer. "This will provide a more diverse diet. But people who do grow maize often sell it and buy other items rather than enhancing their diet with nutritional food.
"It's a complex issue, which includes traditional practices of what children should eat and not eat."
Malawi's infant and under-five mortality rates (110 and 175 per 1,000 live births, respectively) are among the world's highest.
Half of Malawi's one million orphans have lost one or both parents to AIDS. And some 61 per cent of the population has inadequate sanitation facilities.
Life expectancy is 47 years, compared with Canada's 80 years.
"It's hard to get a handle on missing children because at present not all births are registered," says Auer. "Less than 50 per cent of births are delivered in hospital."
In the mid-'90s, Malawi abolished all school fees and primary school enrolment is now 92 per cent for males and 97 per cent for females.
"The problem is keeping students in school," says Auer. "But there is still a shortage of 5,000 classrooms.
"With 400 being constructed each year at present, it will take 10 or more years to provide classrooms for the current population."
The democratic government, returned with a landslide in the last election, has made education and health care a priority.
"Headway is being made in some critical areas," says Buddle. "But Malawi could use a little help from its Edmonton friends."
A $13 gift provides 25 sachets of a nutty spread, which helps boost the survival of children facing severe malnutrition. A$30 gift provides an entire class with exercise books. To donate call: 1-800-819-0889.Mention Edmonton's Malawi initiative.
nlees@thejournal.canwest.com
the church elders and the gays
Malawi’s Constitution Amendment Bill banning homosexual marriages was passed on Thursday July this year, during a parliamentary sitting to pass the 2009/2010 budget. During this sitting Member of parliament, Edwin Banda proposed that the constitution should include a clause stipulating that Malawi is a “God fearing nation”, a phrase that would cast homosexuality out as it is said to be ungodly.
Banda said Malawi is a God fearing nation, “the whole front benches (Cabinet Ministers) are God fearing people, the speaker is a church elder. We should say no to same sex marriages”
Amidst applause by members of parliament Banda added “the clear position against homosexuality will help protect the sanctity of marriage and Malawi’s belief in God.”
However Minister of Local government, Goodal Gondwe, rejected Banda’s proposal stating that the phrase would be legislate people’s faith.
He said “people have different beliefs that will not be included in the constitution.” Supporting the fight against homosexuality even the speaker of parliament said “as a church elder myself I do not support same sex marriages.”
In Malawi and most countries of Africa, policy makers continue to use religion to criminalise homosexuality. Malawi’s Penal Code like in most African countries outlaws homosexual relationships and homosexuality by 14 years imprisonment or a death sentence.
Banda said Malawi is a God fearing nation, “the whole front benches (Cabinet Ministers) are God fearing people, the speaker is a church elder. We should say no to same sex marriages”
Amidst applause by members of parliament Banda added “the clear position against homosexuality will help protect the sanctity of marriage and Malawi’s belief in God.”
However Minister of Local government, Goodal Gondwe, rejected Banda’s proposal stating that the phrase would be legislate people’s faith.
He said “people have different beliefs that will not be included in the constitution.” Supporting the fight against homosexuality even the speaker of parliament said “as a church elder myself I do not support same sex marriages.”
In Malawi and most countries of Africa, policy makers continue to use religion to criminalise homosexuality. Malawi’s Penal Code like in most African countries outlaws homosexual relationships and homosexuality by 14 years imprisonment or a death sentence.
No Miracle: Body of Lost U.C. Student Reportedly Found in Malawi
The international effort made by family and friends of Gabriel Buchmann to track down the lost Fulbright scholar in Malawi came to a somber conclusion, as a body believed to be that of the Brazilian and French citizen was discovered yesterday.
Malawian media quoted Ralph Makondetsa, the public relations officer for the Mulanje police, as confirming that a trio of locals stumbled across "the dead body of this unidentified white man" while searching for plants that are used as brooms. Buchmann, 28, had been missing since July 17 when he attempted to climb Mount Mulanje alone.
The Web site run by the incoming UCLA doctoral student's family and friends -- a number of whom were on the scene in Malawi and presumably identified the body -- yesterday confirmed that Buchmann was dead.
"It is the hour of goodbye," reads the Portuguese-language Ajude Gabriel Buchmann Web site. "It is with much pain that we give notice that ... after 28 years of giving joy and showing the way, Gabriel departed for the spiritual world."
The date and cause of Buchmann's death have not yet been determined. He is reportedly the second hiker to die on the mountain in the past seven years.
Buchmann had been on the last legs of a yearlong tour around the more impoverished parts of the world in preparation for commencing his Ph.D in public policy this fall. "He could have found a job in any investment bank in Brazil or Wall Street and hit the jackpot," his friends and family wrote on the Web site quickly created last month to raise funds for search parties. "He wanted to make this place a better world, and off he went on this global trip, to get to know the poorest countries."
Malawian media quoted Ralph Makondetsa, the public relations officer for the Mulanje police, as confirming that a trio of locals stumbled across "the dead body of this unidentified white man" while searching for plants that are used as brooms. Buchmann, 28, had been missing since July 17 when he attempted to climb Mount Mulanje alone.
The Web site run by the incoming UCLA doctoral student's family and friends -- a number of whom were on the scene in Malawi and presumably identified the body -- yesterday confirmed that Buchmann was dead.
"It is the hour of goodbye," reads the Portuguese-language Ajude Gabriel Buchmann Web site. "It is with much pain that we give notice that ... after 28 years of giving joy and showing the way, Gabriel departed for the spiritual world."
The date and cause of Buchmann's death have not yet been determined. He is reportedly the second hiker to die on the mountain in the past seven years.
Buchmann had been on the last legs of a yearlong tour around the more impoverished parts of the world in preparation for commencing his Ph.D in public policy this fall. "He could have found a job in any investment bank in Brazil or Wall Street and hit the jackpot," his friends and family wrote on the Web site quickly created last month to raise funds for search parties. "He wanted to make this place a better world, and off he went on this global trip, to get to know the poorest countries."
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