Malawians residing in remote parts of Nkhata-Bay rural area have been grappling with a profound absence of local radio signals since the country’s independence. Communities in Thotho, Mangw’ina, Musinjiyiwi, Chisangawe, Masasa, Chitundu, and Sanji under Sub T/A Khoza in Nkhata-Bay district lament the lack of radio reception, depriving them of vital information access.

Without local radio signals, residents like Mr. Yotamu Mhone from Thotho Chisangawe, who has spent six decades in the area, have resorted to tuning into Tanzanian radio stations. “We only subscribe to the Tanzanian public broadcaster – TBC. We ask the government to provide signals for both radio stations and mobile networks so that we can start listening to local radios,” appealed Mhone.

This broadcast blackout has significantly hindered information dissemination, affecting even essential services like education and healthcare. Teachers and healthcare workers struggle with limited access to mobile networks, often having to travel long distances on the lake to transmit reports due to connectivity challenges.

The ramifications of this situation are especially acute for students like Lucy Manda and James Mhone of Thotho CDSS, who express their frustration over the inability to leverage technology for learning. They yearn for access to computers, online education materials, and ICT centers, urging the government and regulatory bodies like MACRA to consider their plea for technological inclusion.

Sub T/A Khoza, echoing the sentiments of his constituents, implores the government to address this significant disparity in access to information and communication. “We have been listening to TBC of Tanzania since the colonial rule. It is my request to the government that we have the opportunity to listen to Malawian radio stations and access mobile networks,” urged Chief Khoza.

In response, Moses Kunkuyu, the Minister of Information and Digitalization, acknowledged the challenges and outlined plans by MACRA to alleviate the radio coverage gaps. Kunkuyu revealed a Universal Service Fund Project aimed at installing 26 towers across Malawi, with Nkhata-Bay slated as a beneficiary. Additionally, MACRA has concluded a reframing exercise, releasing frequencies for new broadcasters, thereby paving the way for communities in Nkhata-Bay to apply for broadcasting stations.

With a population of 7,201, the communities of Thotho, Mangw’ina, Msinjiyiwi, Chisangawe, Masasa, Chitundu, and Sanji eagerly await the fruition of these initiatives, hopeful for an end to their prolonged radio silence.