Chilima inaugurates Malawi Council for the Handicapped flag week

Malawi Vice President Saulos Chilima on Monday inaugurated the 2014  Malawi Council for the Handicapped (Macoha) Flag Week in Lilongwe with a call to uplift and empower people with disabilities, saying they too can contribute to national development.

The aim of the MACOHA Flag Week is to raise funds as well as awareness on the need for inclusiveness of people leaving with disabilities.

“The Malawi government, under the leadership of his Excellency the President, Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika is committed in the implementation of disability programs and also uplifting the lives of persons with disabilities in the country,” said Chilima in his speech after buying the first flag.

The Vice President appealed to organizations and individuals to contribute something to MACOHA during the week.

“I would like to appeal to all Malawians to generously donate towards the MACOHA 2014 Flag Week. We should all remember that disability is a National issue not an Individual issue – therefore we must all take part in empowering persons with disabilities,” he said.

Speaking earlier, both Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare and Peter Ngomwa acting Executive Director for MACOHA said there is need to do much to reach out to the about half a million people with disabilities especially those in rural areas.

The MACOHA Flag Week, which started Monday (October 27, 2014) will on November 1, 2014.