By Khumbo Msambala Salanje
Minister of Natural Resources, Patricia Wiskes, has called for stronger protection of water sources across Africa, saying Malawi is already implementing measures aimed at safeguarding rivers and promoting environmental sustainability.
She was speaking on Monday at Bingu International Conference Centre (BICC) during Africa Day commemorations held under the African Union theme: “Assuring sustainable water availability and safe sanitation systems to achieve the goals of Agenda 2063.”
Wiskes said Malawi is developing a comprehensive water protection programme aimed at reducing pollution, protecting rivers in both urban and rural areas, and restoring degraded ecosystems.
“We join the African community in emphasizing the importance of countries to protect their water sources on this African Day,” said Wiskes.
She explained that the ministry is introducing measures that will ensure rivers are protected and kept free from waste.
“As a ministry, we have already taken the necessary steps, and we are coming up with a water protection programme that will ensure that all our rivers, including those in towns and rural areas, are protected,” she said.
According to Wiskes, the initiative will also include tree-planting activities to strengthen conservation efforts and mitigate the effects of climate change on water resources.
“We want our rivers to be cleaned, free of waste, and we want to have trees that will strengthen the conservation of our water sources,” she added.
Meanwhile, Ambassador of Zimbabwe to Malawi, Hilda Suka-Mafudze, emphasized the need for African countries to invest in infrastructure such as dams and water-harvesting systems to improve sanitation and prevent water loss.
Mafudze said Africa’s future depends on the successful implementation of Agenda 2063, also known as “The Africa We Want,” which aims to improve the welfare of women and children while positioning the continent as a major global force by 2050.
She also highlighted the role of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in promoting economic inclusion for women and young people and called for Africa to secure permanent representation at the United Nations Security Council.
“Africa is now taking charge of its own future and defining its own direction,” said Mafudze.
