MALAWI: ECM Trains 22 Communications Correspondents in Chikwawa Diocese

The Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) Communications Department has embarked on a project of training correspondents as one way of beefing up the National office with Church news from dioceses. Fr Godino Phokoso said this during the closing ceremony of a 3-day communication workshop for correspondents of the diocese of Chikwawa at the Bangula pastrol centre in Nsanje district.

He said the National Communications office was facing challenges to get news from the Diocese of Chikwawa as well as other the dioceses in the country.

“We observed that Chikwawa Diocese was among the dioceses that lacked correspondents, hence this training which has been possible with funding from Propaganda Fide through SIGNIS. From now we anticipate that the trained correspondents will be able to feed us with news from their diocese, and that the national communication office will send it to various platforms both local and international outlets,” said Fr Phokoso.

He also said that dioceses have many untold stories ranging from bishop’s activities to those of the Pastoral and Social Development Commissions but publicity was lacking due to the absence of a network of correspondents.

‘We have commissions such as Health, Communication, Pastoral, doing a lot of good work in the Lower Shire, but as National Communications office, we were not getting any news from the diocese,” he said, adding that this training will help to bridge the communication gap that existed between the Diocese and the National Communications office.

Fr Phokoso assured participants that the National office is intending to reach out to almost all the dioceses in the country with the training of correspondents who will hand in hand with the National office.

‘We are also seeking funds from well-wishers to procure equipment for correspondents, as this is one of the major challenges the team is currently facing to discharge their duties effectively, added Fr Phokoso.

He also said ECM would like to have an ICT centre in the diocese of Chikwawa as one of the projects for the communications commission of the diocese.

‘This place will be very useful especially to the young people in the diocese, as they will be able to use it in sending their stories as well as learning new technological issues to match with the modern world. Added Fr Phokoso.

Speaking on behalf of the Diocese, the Diocesan Communications Secretary, Father John Lockie appreciated the training, saying that it will help Chikwawa to fulfill its’ mission in as far as communication is concerned.

Fr Lockie also said the training was part of youth empowerment and an opening for some people who would want to pursue their career in journalism.

“We targeted young people who have completed their secondary level, as well as those that are active in their respective parishes,” he said.

However, he admits that lack of equipment will be a major challenge among the participants that have undergone the training.

‘Nevertheless, we are sure that with the presence of trained corresponds in the diocese, the communications office will be having more stories to send to the National Communications office,’ said Fr Lockie.

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By Esther Nyanja-correspondent