Malawi Information Minister Urges Media Role in Economic Development
The meeting aimed to equip journalists with skills for accurate reporting on NEEF activities while promoting broader economic development objectives across Malawi.
BLANTYRE, Malawi - Minister of Information and Digitalization Moses Kunkuyu emphasized the media's crucial role in promoting national development during an interface meeting between the Southern Region Press Club and the National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) in Blantyre, writes Peter Ngwenyama.
Kunkuyu called on journalists to focus on reporting that can help transform the nation "from poverty to prosperity."
He also encouraged media practitioners to personally access NEEF loans to improve their economic status while addressing misconceptions about the fund's fertiliser loan program for farmers.
NEEF CEO Humphrey Mdyetseni reported significant progress in loan disbursement, with the fund reaching K150 billion in total loans and maintaining an 80% collection rate.
"We have disbursed 150 billion so far, and the collection rate we are at is 80%; that's significant," Mdyetseni said.
However, Mdyetseni expressed concern about gender disparities in loan access, noting that men significantly outnumber women and youth among borrowers.
The fund plans to engage stakeholders to increase loan accessibility for these under-represented groups.
Southern Region Press Club President Ronald Amos welcomed the engagement with NEEF, describing it as a milestone for journalists' economic empowerment.
The club plans to implement additional initiatives to support financial independence among media professionals.
The meeting aimed to equip journalists with skills for accurate reporting on NEEF activities while promoting broader economic development objectives across Malawi.