Dar Es Salaam — OVER the last ten years there has been much effort to improve the dental practice in the country, so that even those living in rural areas can directly benefit from available services, within reach of their homes. It was in this respect that Staff Writer IMAN MANI recently spoke with the chief dental officer.
AMONGST his duties the Chief Dental Officer, Dr Ahadiel Senkoro, has to formulate, disseminate and review policies of government on oral health care throughout the country.
He also has to facilitate the preparation, distribution and implementation of plans for these services in the country. It should be stated here that in the not to distant past such persons were called dentists.
The change from being called a dentist to an oral health officer came after stakeholders had decided it is better suited for it reflects more accurately the actual work these doctors, who are concerned with the entire oral section of the body and not only teeth, do.
"Currently most people living in the rural communities do not benefit much from our services because they have to travel to the district or regional headquarters, where most of our dentists are based.
This is a disadvantage. The question has come down to whether one is able to travel because people are poor," Dr Senkoro explains. "Public clinics are subsidised and have a costs-sharing system in operation.
However, they are not always in easy reach of those who need the services provided by them," he adds.
In urban settings, he says, people are aware of the services available so they come from all walks of life to the (dental) clinics and some even demand services within the higher strata of treatment However, in the villages and to a lesser extent in the towns, people only go to a dentist when they have tooth ache, seeking an extraction.
All the same he is able to say that the number of people going for fillings and cleaning is noticeably higher today than years pass. This also applies to request for artificial teeth and various other treatments, like fixing a broken jaw and healing cancers.
This is proof of the availability of a market. Such observations have resulted in a recent pilot study being conducted by the Muhimbili National Hospital in three regions.
According to Dr Senkoro a direct outcome of this study is a plan to train a number of people on what he referred to as "a special dramatic technique", so that these newly trained technicians in turn will train others in the districts.
This treatment, which they are being taught to administer, involves removing all derbies from the teeth then filling in any cavities without the use of machines.
It has been discovered that generally speaking people still refrain from going to the dentist because of a sort of fear of injections and drillings.
Therefore, there has always been the desire to provide treatment without the use of these things.
At the annual meeting of the dental practitioners last month the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Blandina Nyoni, told members they can depend on the ministry to give full support for this plan to be applied throughout the country.
She had asked for her to be sent as quickly as possible their plan of action, with this respect. Two proposals have been sent to her by the dental association, who are currently waiting for a response from her.
The task now in front of the dental fraternity is to find ways to reach out and educate members of the population on what is available and where, so that people can be encouraged to take better care of their oral health.
At a later stage of the exercise, leaflets will have to be produced and various branches of the media will be used towards these ends. "We are trying to modernise dentistry in our country.
We started in 2004 and thought we should send new equipment to the district and regional dental clinics, so that trained personals there can start giving a variety of services to the people.
We started with the dental chairs and units and other instruments and equipment, now we are sending x-ray machines," Dr Senkoro says.
Another advantage, which comes out of the plans to improve the equipment used throughout the country, is that dentists, who graduate from Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences using modern facilities, are more likely to agree to work in the regions if they know such equipment is there.
This way they won't get bored and frustrated but continue to find satisfaction in their work. They will now have concrete beneficial reasons for agreeing to work in the regions, as oppose to the towns and cities.
Within the last ten years, there has been a lot of improvement in the level of awareness of people throughout the country. Nowadays people are demanding services they never had any interest in before
Source:allafrica.com/
Friday, December 11, 2009
Tanzania: Govt Renews Intention to Issue Eurobonds
Dar Es Salaam — THE government has renewed its intention to issue Eurobonds next year to finance infrastructure development in the country.
Before the credit crunch the government announced its intent to issue the sovereign bonds but the plan was put on hold last year following deterioration of global financial markets.
Eurobonds are sovereign bonds issued in a currency different to that of the country or market in which it is issued.
They are attractive financing tools as they give issuers the flexibility to choose the country in which to offer their bond according to the country's regulatory constraints.
In the aftermath of world economic recovery, some countries, including Kenya, announced this week their intentions to issue bonds next year for infrastructure projects.
Speaking to 'the Daily News', the Minister for Finance and Economic Affairs, Mr Mustafa Mkulo, said Tanzania was also in the process and 'right direction' towards that goal.
"We are also in the process and I can say we are in the right direction," said the Minister whose government wishes to put in the market bonds to raise 500 million Euros.
The money is expected to fund infrastructure projects such as roads, railways, power and port facilities.
The Director of Economic Research and Policies with Bank of Tanzania (BOT), Dr Joseph Massawe, said yesterday that by early next year Tanzania would seek international credit ratings before it issues the bonds.
Dr Massawe said the rating could take time but he is optimistic that the country would be able to float the bonds in the international markets.
"What will give us higher rating is stability of our economy, politics and our banking sector rating firms normally looks at how the country is committed to economic reforms," he explained.
Countries are credit rated to assess bond's default risk and prevention of possible financial crisis. Some of the world's reknown credit rating agencies include Standard and Poor, Fitch Rating and Moody's.
The government had planned to receive the rating by March this year but the plan was suspended last year after it was evident that markets were not favorable for such business.
Ghana and Gabon in 2007 became the first African countries outside South Africa to issue Eurobonds but issuance was much reduced last year against the backdrop of the credit crunch.
Source:allafrica.com/
Before the credit crunch the government announced its intent to issue the sovereign bonds but the plan was put on hold last year following deterioration of global financial markets.
Eurobonds are sovereign bonds issued in a currency different to that of the country or market in which it is issued.
They are attractive financing tools as they give issuers the flexibility to choose the country in which to offer their bond according to the country's regulatory constraints.
In the aftermath of world economic recovery, some countries, including Kenya, announced this week their intentions to issue bonds next year for infrastructure projects.
Speaking to 'the Daily News', the Minister for Finance and Economic Affairs, Mr Mustafa Mkulo, said Tanzania was also in the process and 'right direction' towards that goal.
"We are also in the process and I can say we are in the right direction," said the Minister whose government wishes to put in the market bonds to raise 500 million Euros.
The money is expected to fund infrastructure projects such as roads, railways, power and port facilities.
The Director of Economic Research and Policies with Bank of Tanzania (BOT), Dr Joseph Massawe, said yesterday that by early next year Tanzania would seek international credit ratings before it issues the bonds.
Dr Massawe said the rating could take time but he is optimistic that the country would be able to float the bonds in the international markets.
"What will give us higher rating is stability of our economy, politics and our banking sector rating firms normally looks at how the country is committed to economic reforms," he explained.
Countries are credit rated to assess bond's default risk and prevention of possible financial crisis. Some of the world's reknown credit rating agencies include Standard and Poor, Fitch Rating and Moody's.
The government had planned to receive the rating by March this year but the plan was suspended last year after it was evident that markets were not favorable for such business.
Ghana and Gabon in 2007 became the first African countries outside South Africa to issue Eurobonds but issuance was much reduced last year against the backdrop of the credit crunch.
Source:allafrica.com/
Encourage children to save: banker
By Devotha John
Parents should cultivate a culture of saving for future among their children by opening savings accounts for them, a banker has said.
Speaking at the launch of the new Barclays Junior Eagle Account, Barclays Bank Tanzania head of liabilities William Mungai said the account would give children a head start in life.
"It is imperative that children learn discipline and value from an early age? this stems from parental guidance and direction," he said.
Barclays Bank Tanzania Head of Liabilities William Mungai addresses a press conference during the launch of the Barclays Junior Eagle Account in Dar es Salaam yesterday. Right is Barclays Bank Tanzania Retail Director Manoj Anchan.
Mr Mungai said it was equally important in terms of financial discipline for parents to provide an instrument that facilitated the need to have savings for children.
The new account was yet another innovative means to meet this need in Tanzania, he added.
"The account offers quarterly interest rates which will be created into a customer account with an additional bonus if no withdrawals are made within the stipulated period."
The bank's retail director, Mr Manoj Anchan, said the account could be opened with a minimum operating balance of Sh50,000, had no monthly fee and allowed one free withdrawal per quarter.
He said the Barclays Junior Eagle Account was for children under 18 years of age.
Source:thecitizen.co.tz/
Tanzania to play Ivory Coast in friendly
The Elephants, Ivory Coast national team, will land in Dar es Salaam on January 2 for two international friendlies against Taifa Stars.
Briefing reporters yesterday, TFF president Leodegar Tenga, said the teams would clash on January 4 at the National Stadium while the rematch would be on January 7.
Tenga disclosed that The Elephants would come with all their professional players who trade skills in Europe.
Their stars include Didier Drogba and Solomon Kallou of Chelsea, Barcelona midfielder Yahya Toure and Manchester City defender Kolo Toure.
The TFF president said the federation requested the friendlies with Ivory Coast under a full backing of the Government.
"We're embarking on a special programme to promote our stadium ahead of the 2010 World Cup finals, thus the Government has given us maximum support to facilitate the friendly matches," he said.
He underscored: "The matches will not only help market our 60,000-seater stadium, but also strengthen the national team."
Taifa Stars have lately clashed with several African soccer giants including Ghana, Cameroun, Senegal, Egypt and Burkina Faso.
The official said Ivory Coast would stay in the country until a few days before the kickoff of the Africa Cup of Nations slated for Angola.
Commenting on the trip, Ivory Coast Football Federation vice president Idriss Diallo said they were delighted to come and play Taifa Stars.
He said they accepted the invitation due to climatic similarities between Tanzania and Angola.
The Elephants head coach Vahid Halilhodzic echoed Dialo?s comments and confirmed to field a star-studded squad against Taifa Stars.
Source:thecitizen.co.tz/
Briefing reporters yesterday, TFF president Leodegar Tenga, said the teams would clash on January 4 at the National Stadium while the rematch would be on January 7.
Tenga disclosed that The Elephants would come with all their professional players who trade skills in Europe.
Their stars include Didier Drogba and Solomon Kallou of Chelsea, Barcelona midfielder Yahya Toure and Manchester City defender Kolo Toure.
The TFF president said the federation requested the friendlies with Ivory Coast under a full backing of the Government.
"We're embarking on a special programme to promote our stadium ahead of the 2010 World Cup finals, thus the Government has given us maximum support to facilitate the friendly matches," he said.
He underscored: "The matches will not only help market our 60,000-seater stadium, but also strengthen the national team."
Taifa Stars have lately clashed with several African soccer giants including Ghana, Cameroun, Senegal, Egypt and Burkina Faso.
The official said Ivory Coast would stay in the country until a few days before the kickoff of the Africa Cup of Nations slated for Angola.
Commenting on the trip, Ivory Coast Football Federation vice president Idriss Diallo said they were delighted to come and play Taifa Stars.
He said they accepted the invitation due to climatic similarities between Tanzania and Angola.
The Elephants head coach Vahid Halilhodzic echoed Dialo?s comments and confirmed to field a star-studded squad against Taifa Stars.
Source:thecitizen.co.tz/
An interview with the new United States ambassador to Tanzania
TSenior Staff Writer Anaclet Rwegayura (left), being received by the US Ambassador to Tanzania, Alfonso Lenhardt (right), upon arrival for the interview.
he new US ambassador to Tanzania, Alfonso Lenhardt, granted an exclusive interview to THISDAY in Dar es Salaam recently, being his first interview with the media since arriving in the country. Following are excerpts of the interview between the American envoy and our staff writer ANACLET RWEGAYURA...
Q. Your Excellency, welcome to Tanzania. The people would like to know your impression of the country and how you go about your goals as the new US ambassador to this country.
A. I have been fortunate in being selected ambassador to Tanzania because we have a well-established, close working relationship with Tanzania. And in the years that the partnership has developed and matured speaks volumes about the excellent relationship. You asked me what my goals are as the ambassador. It is to preserve and enhance wherever possible the excellent partnership that already exists between the government of Tanzania and its people and the United States. Preserve and enhance wherever possible.
It is a very simple thing for me because I see it as something that all the actions that we have undertaken, whether or not it is the eradication of malaria, the PEPFAR, the MCC (Millennium Challenge Compact), in the local teams that are out helping citizens in the communities and villages, Peace Corps volunteers and others. It is all part of that. It’s preserving and enhancing the partnership that already exists. There are significant resources – money – that is directed to Tanzania each year. In fact, Tanzania receives the largest MCC amount -- $698m – of any compact of any nation so far. That is over five years. That in itself is testimony of this great partnership and relationship
President Barack Obama selected me. He personally made the choice to send me here and it was with that understanding … to preserve and enhance as much as possible the excellent working conditions and relationship of our two nations.
I need to acquire information about the people and so be able to see at first hand. One of the things you can do. If you are not careful because there is such a large workload you find yourself staying here in Dar es Salaam. I [want] to get to the countryside, see the people and see the various projects, programmes and initiatives that we have been working throughout Tanzania. That’s my goal.
The action is out there. That’s where I need to be. As ambassador I want to be out and about and seeing first hand the work that is being done and seeing where the need is and experiencing the great partnership that we have with the Tanzanian government and the Tanzanian people. I have heard so much about it, so I want to see it for myself.
My observations about Tanzania and the people of Tanzania…. I have a very strong impression about the dignity, about the pride and about the industrious nature of the Tanzanian people. They have been clearly welcoming and I have had nothing but a good sense that they are pleased to see me here. As someone coming in from the outside, never having spent a lot of time in this region of the world, it’s always nice to have that feeling. So, I find it very encouraging, very welcoming. And so when I hear welcome, it’s genuine. The feeling that I have about the expression, the friendliness, the kindness from the Tanzanian people, I think it’s something special.
Q. Tanzania was a victim of terrorist attack from al Qaeda in 1998 that targeted the US Embassy in Dar es Salaam. Do Americans find this country secure after that incident and the increasing threats in the region?
A. Sadly, terrorists and other violent criminals attack citizens throughout the world, including in the United States and Tanzania. Americans realise this. We have great respect for Tanzania’s security professionals. We often work closely with them. We are aware of certain areas of the country where political unrest and violence are common during election season. We urge responsible leaders to support peaceful, fair and healthy politics.
Violent crime harms Tanzanians directly and by discouraging tourism. We have noted an increase in violent crime recently. This trend concerns us. We count on Tanzania’s law enforcement officials to put an end to these attacks. Additionally, I recommend everyone take proper individual safety actions to help prevent crime from occurring in the first place.
There is something about terrorism. Terrorism is not just directed at any particular country and/or particular people. Terrorist incidents occur anywhere in the world. There is one thing that we have discovered -- that terrorism is unpredictable. And so the worst thing that can happen is that we would in some way let the terrorists run our lives. We have to look at terrorism as something that happens, but it cannot affect the way we operate.
Terrorism is something that is unfortunate. It’s something that we have to deal with. And President Obama has said that the thing we are going to do with terrorism is that we want to disrupt it wherever possible. We want to deny terrorists the opportunity to commit their nasty deeds, and we want to destroy them when the opportunity presents itself. Terrorism is something that affects everyone, every man, woman and child throughout the world. It’s something that right now is in the news; it’s something that we live with. I don’t put a lot of stock in worrying about it as much as we do with it, because the worst thing that can happen is that a few people who are involved in terrorism, if they are allowed to control our lives, then we’ll always be running scared. That’s not something as a free people, as a democratically elected government, any government wants to experience. Basically, we have to deny, disrupt and destroy terrorism wherever we find it.
We cannot allow these few terrorists to run our lives. In a democracy you must have the ability to do your work in an open framework. The worst thing that can happen is that we want to protect ourselves with walls, and gates and all matter of things. We want to be as open as possible. Be prudent in our precautions and the safety of our people but we cannot let terrorists run our lives.
Q. Being a retired US Army general, your appointment as ambassador to Tanzania is seen by some observers as a signal that security concerns remain at the top of the US agenda in East Africa. Will the war on terror and security issues be the cornerstone of your tour of duty in Tanzania and would you be pleased to see the US setting up a military base in Tanzania?
A. The short answer is ‘NO’. I don’t know how that got started but it’s something that is in no one’s planning, no one’s thinking. I think it’s a rumour that someone got started. It’s simply that, a rumour. Our partnership, the US and the government of Tanzania, is a working partnership that has achieved levels of support, assistance and our relations and cooperation are so strong that there isn’t any need for that. When President Obama spoke a few months ago in Accra, Ghana, he used the expression that ‘Africa is not only important to the United States but it is also important to the world’.
So, there is a strategic framework, a construct that he has in mind that Africa must be completely linked with the rest of the world at all levels. And so to put up any kind of military base doesn’t make sense for the standpoint of focusing and achieving that effort. So there isn’t any plan. No one is talking about establishing a military base of any kind in Tanzania, or for that matter, anywhere else in Africa.
It’s a rumour … it has no basis. It doesn’t make sense. It flies in the face of the things we are trying to do. It is the government of Tanzania who has the lead and primacy in protecting its people and ensuring that they live in a safe, free and democratically elected government. It’s a rumour. Put it to rest.
As discussed earlier, security cooperation is an important aspect of our partnership. We have tremendous respect for Tanzania’s selfless acts of solidarity in sending its peacekeepers to Lebanon and Sudan so that the citizens of those nations can enjoy the same stability and security that Tanzanians have always had. We are honoured to work with the Tanzania People’s Defence Force in support of these efforts.
That said, the largest aspects of our partnership will remain health and infrastructure development, with growing cooperation in education and food security. As to the last part of your question, there are no plans of a military base here. And I know of no one in the United States government who has at any time expressed the slightest desire to have such a base in this country. To my knowledge, at no time has any United States official ever discussed such a thing with an official of the United Republic of Tanzania. General Kip Ward of Africa Command made this very clear to the press when he was here some months ago. And yet this rumour persists. I’d like to know who is spreading such nonsense.
Q. Tanzania has been struggling with the crime problem and the threat of terrorism as well. As a former US Army general and CEO of the US National Crime Prevention Council, will you use your experience to help Tanzania combat crime?
A. Much of my military leadership was in the law enforcement sector. I note that American and Tanzanian law enforcement officials have an excellent record of cooperation in anti-narcotics, anti-trafficking in persons and anti-terrorism, among other areas of mutual concern.
Every society has some degree of crime. Criminals act out in some way. Most of my career has been of a law enforcement officer. And one thing I have never been able to understand in all these years is what causes people to commit crime. There are a couple of things. At one level it certainly is something that sociologists have to understand in terms of how we eliminate opportunities for committing crime. How do we train individuals and [plan] collective actions on how to prevent crime? How do you protect yourself and your family by taking simple precautions?
Crime is something that every society is affected by. The one thing that I have seen in my experience is that when you have citizens working with law enforcement to help prevent crime, crime rates go down. Law enforcement, of course, is the one agency that has the expertise that knows how to defeat crime and what actions to take in terms of identifying and bringing to justice the [suspects] … once they are identified and captured. But it is also the citizens working with law enforcement that help identify the potential crime by doing simple things like making sure that your property is secured, that you have proper lighting around your home, around your business that would deter [criminals] … from doing their nasty things. But it’s also about citizens being the eyes and ears helping police to identify conditions that would be conducive for crime. In the US we have neighbourhood watch in which citizens take an active role in protecting their own communities. They do that by watching out, listening to all indications of crime. If something looks suspicious, it is reported to the police who have the training, the expertise, the ability to respond to prevent an incident from occurring.
Tanzania certainly has its own unique circumstances, but things I am talking about in terms of education, being the eyes and ears of law enforcement have proved to be useful and successful throughout the world.
You have the police force, but training is very important to ensure that you have ability to bring the expertise to a problem for its resolution, to provide whatever you can to prevent, to protect and certainly to arrest. Training is certainly important also for individual citizens. Citizens also should have awareness. Everyone should have a sense of self-awareness, situational awareness before crime occurs. It’s really not that scientific. We all have that ability.
I have not had the honour of meeting Tanzania’s security sector leadership. I plan to do so soon. At that time we will compare experiences and capabilities, with a view toward identifying how my country can be helpful to Tanzanian efforts to reduce the level of crime.
Q. Issues of energy are of great importance to everyone around the world. Is the US interested in working with Tanzania to exploit minerals such as uranium, oil or natural gas?
A. I am not aware of any American companies planning major investments in these sectors. Of course we would be happy to see additional mineral and hydrocarbon resources discovered in Tanzania. We have faith that the Tanzanian authorities would apply appropriate measures to ensure that such resources are developed responsibly and that revenues from such resources would be used in a manner that best serves the interests of Tanzanians.
What we hope to do is work with the Tanzanian government and take the lead from the Tanzanian government. If the Tanzanian government wants to enhance its own mineral resources, oil, metals and other commodities, some of which may not be discovered yet, for the future we want to do whatever we can to help the government and its people. And we hope, by the way, that the Tanzanian government does look upon these opportunities to find additional resources that can then be used to provide for a healthier living situation, helping people secure more improvement of education, improvement of roads and improvement of everything. All that will come as a result of additional resources and utilisation of those resources to help Tanzania and its people.
Q. In your speech before the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee you stressed the need for continued vigilance in the fight against corruption in Tanzania. How are you progressing in this area?
A. Corruption is a problem in every country in the world, including my own. Corruption exists in every country. If I can wave my magic wand, we will eliminate corruption everywhere. But the reality is we don’t know what drives people to steal, to look at themselves to the detriment of everyone else. What is in the mind of a criminal? I absolutely don’t know. Corruption is not beneficial.
Tanzania has had incidents of corruption. What distinguishes countries on this issue is whether or not rich, politically-connected individuals who steal from the public can be prosecuted.
The entire world admires the life story of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere. He lived a modest life. He did not build palaces or acquire large tracts of land and businesses. He did not use state power for personal gain. That is a model of leadership that inspires. I plan to share experiences with my Tanzanian friends of how we address corruption in the United States.
Tanzanian law enforcement officials investigating corruption cases that involve the United States in some way will find that the United States Mission to Tanzania will cooperate to the full extent of our laws, which are quite vigorous as regards this issue.
In the Millennium Challenge Compact, as I mentioned earlier, one of the conditions of securing a compact is that you must identify that the government has anti-corruption mechanisms, laws, regulations and policies put in place before it is given a compact. So, Tanzania has already qualified for that. It has demonstrated that it has taken and it is prepared to take the right steps to eliminate corruption wherever possible. What needs to happen now is to ensure that the rule of law and good governance are the things that we focus on.
Again, Nyerere was a good example. He did what he did because he loved people. He wanted people first. He was not about his self-promotion and self-aggrandisement. He was about the people first. These are the kind of people that you want to put in jobs because they are going to protect the common good.
Q. You cited prosecutions of high level former government officials in Tanzania as a sign that the government does not tolerate corruption. Yet, many investigations into corruption allegations involving the Bank of Tanzania and a former president have not resulted in prosecutions. What will the US do to ensure Tanzania lives up to its responsibilities on good governance, rule of law, transparency and fighting corruption as part of the MCC?
A. Our MCC colleagues review closely Tanzania’s status in the anti-corruption fight. Tanzania’s performance is independently scored every year in relation to its peers. Corruption is the one area for which a failing grade can disqualify an eligible country from receiving MCC funds. We are aware of the outstanding cases that you cite here. We are waiting for further follow up actions. No one can be considered “untouchable”, since every citizen is under the law. I believe that this is one of the fundamental democratic principles shared by Americans and Tanzanians.
Q. President Jakaya M. Kikwete was honoured as the first African leader to visit the White House after President Obama’s inauguration. What was the significance of their meeting?
A. As President Obama made clear in his speech in Ghana, his administration views good governance as the key that will unlock all the pent up talent and creative energy of the African people. President Obama’s invitation to President Kikwete was recognition of Tanzania’s unbroken record of stability, the success of Tanzania in establishing a strong political culture and a dynamic market economy. President Obama sought President Kikwete’s advice on how the United States could best support these shared values throughout the continent, how best to help African nations in crisis, and how to further broaden and deepen our partnership with Tanzania.
Q. Is there any commitment from President Obama to visit Tanzania during his term in office?
A. We do not know President Obama’s future travel plans. However, Tanzania’s vibrant civil society, good governance and media freedom, along with our thriving partnership and President Obama’s friendship with President Kikwete make this beautiful country an attractive destination.
Q. What are the US administration’s expectations from Africa in general and Tanzania in particular?
A. The Obama administration’s policy priorities in Africa are: supporting strong and stable democracies and good governance; fostering sustained economic growth and development; strengthening public health; preventing, mitigating, and resolving armed conflicts; and helping to address transnational challenges. We expect the leadership of African nations to be responsive to and accountable to their fellow citizens and to promote the vision of a peaceful, tolerant and prosperous continent. We are prepared to support that kind of leadership, as we are doing here in Tanzania.
Q. Are there areas/or issues in which the US and Tanzania are following divergent paths in politics, economics or international relations?
A. As I only recently arrived, there are key members of President Kikwete’s cabinet I have not yet met. I look forward to doing so soon. At those times we will share our perspectives on various issues. I will listen to what my Tanzanian friends have to say and I expect they will listen to what I have to say. Even between the closest friends, there can at times be divergent views. It is essential that mutual respect is maintained, that communication remains open and that issues be reconsidered when new information becomes available.
The United States and Tanzania are at different stages of economic development. That is no secret. Our perspectives and interests will indeed at times diverge. That is only natural. However, our shared values are the cement that holds our partnership together. Those shared values will not diverge.
Q. What would you describe as an unforgettable experience that you have had since your arrival in Tanzania?
A. Yes, it’s something that has moved me because it touched me deeply. During my trip to Mbeya last week, I was so inspired by ordinary citizens who were working to help prevent HIV and AIDS from so many of Tanzanians.
These are the people in the government as well as non-governmental organisations who are working in laboratories, in hospitals and in communities to help prevent HIV/AIDS. I was inspired by that. It wasn’t something that they said or did, but you look in their eyes and you can see the dignity of the Tanzanian people. These people had that going in a major way. That was inspiring; they want to help their fellow citizens by working at facilities such as water supply, training institutions. There are so many things to mention. There are others who were working on malaria eradication
On this trip I had the opportunity to visit the Mbeya Institute for Science and Technology. I was inspired by the administrator of the school and the students who were learning more about the tools and, certainly, the opportunities in the 21st century using computers, using various other sophisticated pieces of equipment to better prepare Tanzania to be a leader for the future.
I was out for three and half days. It was good enough for me to see and get a good sampling of the Tanzanian people. I saw it from every level, from the regional commissioner all the way to the people, government agencies and organisations giving everything they have to fight the terrible diseases. Ordinary people were doing extraordinary things. These people don’t do it for publicity. They do it because it needs to be done. That was inspirational response for the right reason because it needs to be done, not for the sake of getting recognition or awards. It is because they care about other people
Source:thisday.co.tz/
Tanzania: The Gains and Pains as Mainland Turns 48
As Tanzania Mainland marks its 48th independence anniversary today, several commentators have acknowledged that commendable achievements have been made though the country still faces many socio-economic problems.
A number of experts interviewed by The Citizen said yesterday that though the country had made remarkable strides in almost all the key areas, it could have done better had it not been for poor leadership.
Besides poor leadership, the analysts, including academicians, said that grand corruption and gender inequality were among the major problems that needed to be seriously tackled.
A former long-serving University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) political science lecturer, Prof Mwesiga Baregu, said the country had gone astray in recent years because of lack of proper planning.
In the 1970s, he added, the leadership had put emphasis on certain areas, and as a result, a lot of progress was achieved, with many factories being put up.
"We had textile mills and farm inputs factories in many parts of the country. These factories helped to stimulate production and increase employment," he said.
In the past 10 to 15 years, he added, the leadership had failed to maintain that productive capacity.
Prof Baregu, a member of the central committee of the opposition Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema), accused the current leaders of lacking focus.
But two UDSM lecturers, Dr Benson Banna and Dr Azaveli Lwaitama, told The Citizen in separate interviews that the country had achieved tangible development since gaining independence from Britain.
But they also highlighted issues they argued had hampered development initiatives.
Dr Banna said the most positive and encouraging achievements had been recorded in the education sector. He said the government had since independence built more schools at all levels around the country.
"When our country attained independence, we had very few schools. And for many years later, there was only one public university. But today, we have more than 20," Dr Banna said.
As a result of improvement in the provision of education, he added, the country today boasts of experts in various fields.
Though there was still a shortage of qualified personnel, the problem had been reduced through the establishment of more institutions of higher learning.
The political scientist said that at 48 years of independence, Tanzania was much younger than some countries, which had been free for several centuries.
"There is no way we can compare ourselves with countries which have been free for centuries because they have had more time to reach where they are today," he said.
And independent Tanzania, he said, had managed to have some influence in the African Union and the United Nations despite having a weak economy.
"This is a great achievement in diplomacy. We should feel proud about it," Dr Banna said.
He also said that maintaining peace and tranquillity in a troubled region and uniting its people were some of the achievements that should not be taken for granted.
Dr Lwaitama said that across the various administrations in the span of the 48 years, Tanzania had ensured that many of its people were educated.
The leadership had also done a lot to improve the productive sectors and build infrastructure.
He also lauded the freedom of expression that Tanzanians, especially media, enjoy today.
"History shows that after independence, this nation had a small number of skilled people who worked mainly as civil servants. When Tanganyika gained independence, there were only three professors in the whole country and only one specialist doctor," he said.
The Tanzania Media Women's Association's executive director, Ms Ananilea Nkya, praised the achievements in uplifting women in society.
Ms Nkya said many women had been included in decision-making organs and efforts to increase their participation should be stepped up.
However, she said there were problems such as maternal deaths, which posed a danger to women's prosperity in the country.
"Currently, we are losing about 8,000 women annually through delivery complications. As a nation, we should not have allowed this to happen 48 years after independence. Something should be done about this immediately," she said.
She said Mwalimu Nyerere had declared the three enemies of the State at independence, as poverty, disease and ignorance, and called for efforts to fight them with a renewed vigour around the country.
Another enemy of the people that needed to be relentlessly fought by all, she said, was grand corruption.
Ms Nkya also lamented poor leadership skills among those entrusted with leading others, and called for efforts to redress this.
For his part, Dr Banna said laziness among Tanzanians was one of the major factors that hampered the achievement of quick results.
Tanganyika gained independence from Britain on December 9, 1961 after prolonged efforts by Tanganyika African national Union (Tanu) under Mwalimu Nyerere's leadership.
In 1964, Tanganyika and Zanzibar formed the United Republic of Tanzania, with Mwalimu Nyerere, as its first President, and Sheikh Abeid Amani Karume, as the Vice President.
Mwalimu retired from national leadership in 1985, and Mr Ali Hassan Mwinyi became the President. After two five-year terms, Mr Mwinyi gave way to Mr Benjamin Mkapa. In 2005, President Mkapa passed on the mantle to Mr Jakaya Kikwete.
The independence anniversary celebrations will be marked at Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam, where President Kikwete is expected to be the guest of honour, and around the country.
Source:allafrica.com/
A number of experts interviewed by The Citizen said yesterday that though the country had made remarkable strides in almost all the key areas, it could have done better had it not been for poor leadership.
Besides poor leadership, the analysts, including academicians, said that grand corruption and gender inequality were among the major problems that needed to be seriously tackled.
A former long-serving University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) political science lecturer, Prof Mwesiga Baregu, said the country had gone astray in recent years because of lack of proper planning.
In the 1970s, he added, the leadership had put emphasis on certain areas, and as a result, a lot of progress was achieved, with many factories being put up.
"We had textile mills and farm inputs factories in many parts of the country. These factories helped to stimulate production and increase employment," he said.
In the past 10 to 15 years, he added, the leadership had failed to maintain that productive capacity.
Prof Baregu, a member of the central committee of the opposition Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema), accused the current leaders of lacking focus.
But two UDSM lecturers, Dr Benson Banna and Dr Azaveli Lwaitama, told The Citizen in separate interviews that the country had achieved tangible development since gaining independence from Britain.
But they also highlighted issues they argued had hampered development initiatives.
Dr Banna said the most positive and encouraging achievements had been recorded in the education sector. He said the government had since independence built more schools at all levels around the country.
"When our country attained independence, we had very few schools. And for many years later, there was only one public university. But today, we have more than 20," Dr Banna said.
As a result of improvement in the provision of education, he added, the country today boasts of experts in various fields.
Though there was still a shortage of qualified personnel, the problem had been reduced through the establishment of more institutions of higher learning.
The political scientist said that at 48 years of independence, Tanzania was much younger than some countries, which had been free for several centuries.
"There is no way we can compare ourselves with countries which have been free for centuries because they have had more time to reach where they are today," he said.
And independent Tanzania, he said, had managed to have some influence in the African Union and the United Nations despite having a weak economy.
"This is a great achievement in diplomacy. We should feel proud about it," Dr Banna said.
He also said that maintaining peace and tranquillity in a troubled region and uniting its people were some of the achievements that should not be taken for granted.
Dr Lwaitama said that across the various administrations in the span of the 48 years, Tanzania had ensured that many of its people were educated.
The leadership had also done a lot to improve the productive sectors and build infrastructure.
He also lauded the freedom of expression that Tanzanians, especially media, enjoy today.
"History shows that after independence, this nation had a small number of skilled people who worked mainly as civil servants. When Tanganyika gained independence, there were only three professors in the whole country and only one specialist doctor," he said.
The Tanzania Media Women's Association's executive director, Ms Ananilea Nkya, praised the achievements in uplifting women in society.
Ms Nkya said many women had been included in decision-making organs and efforts to increase their participation should be stepped up.
However, she said there were problems such as maternal deaths, which posed a danger to women's prosperity in the country.
"Currently, we are losing about 8,000 women annually through delivery complications. As a nation, we should not have allowed this to happen 48 years after independence. Something should be done about this immediately," she said.
She said Mwalimu Nyerere had declared the three enemies of the State at independence, as poverty, disease and ignorance, and called for efforts to fight them with a renewed vigour around the country.
Another enemy of the people that needed to be relentlessly fought by all, she said, was grand corruption.
Ms Nkya also lamented poor leadership skills among those entrusted with leading others, and called for efforts to redress this.
For his part, Dr Banna said laziness among Tanzanians was one of the major factors that hampered the achievement of quick results.
Tanganyika gained independence from Britain on December 9, 1961 after prolonged efforts by Tanganyika African national Union (Tanu) under Mwalimu Nyerere's leadership.
In 1964, Tanganyika and Zanzibar formed the United Republic of Tanzania, with Mwalimu Nyerere, as its first President, and Sheikh Abeid Amani Karume, as the Vice President.
Mwalimu retired from national leadership in 1985, and Mr Ali Hassan Mwinyi became the President. After two five-year terms, Mr Mwinyi gave way to Mr Benjamin Mkapa. In 2005, President Mkapa passed on the mantle to Mr Jakaya Kikwete.
The independence anniversary celebrations will be marked at Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam, where President Kikwete is expected to be the guest of honour, and around the country.
Source:allafrica.com/
Tanzania to borrow a leaf from Caribbean tourism
By Apolinari Tairo, eTN Staff Writer | Dec 10, 2009
Commenting of his week-long trip to the Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Tobago, Cuba and Jamaica, Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete said his country has a lot to learn from the Caribbean beach tourism.
He said the Caribbean tourist development can provide a number of interesting and important lessons for Tanzania’s beach tourism in terms of performance, infrastructure and service provision to the tourists.
President Kikwete said Tanzania needs to invest heavily in its unexplored warm beaches, which stretch from north to south, covering almost 1,000 kilometers of soft sands and nature.
President Kikwete said when speaking to reporters in Tanzania’s capital city of dare es Salaam this week shortly after returning from Trinidad and Tobago where he attended the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting and a tour of Cuba and Jamaica.
He said Tanzania had an extensive coastline, running from Tanga on the Kenyan border to Msimbati area in Mtwara on Mozambican border, but remained idle with no viable investment to attract tourists.
The president said Tanzania has done little to invest in lucrative beach tourism compared with the Caribbean islands of Jamaica and Cuba. “I was very impressed by tourism in Trinidad and Tobago, Cuba and Jamaica,” he said.
He emphasized the need for his East African country to explore beach tourism potentials to add to the existing wildlife based tourist attractions which had attracted over 95 percent of over 950,000 tourists this year.
Tourism accounts for more than 60 percent of Jamaica's economy, making the Caribbean island among the best tourist destination in North America.
Jamaica, which has 2.8 million inhabitants, receives some 2.6 million tourists annually, mainly from the US, Canada and some European countries, while Tanzania with 36 million people with abundant wildlife and other attractions struggling to pull the one million tourists next year.
He admitted that Tanzania had lacked the best plans to utilize its Indian Ocean beaches, which could attract many foreign visitors, taking into account that most tourists are interested in beach tourism and sunbathing.
Tanzania needed to put up thrilling hotels along its Indian Ocean beaches, he said, noting that beach tourism could become an important area in the industry reaping more revenues than the traditional wildlife tourism.
The president linked the underperformance of the country’s tourism sector to poor infrastructure and services offered to tourists.
He said local tourism promoters needed to improve product branding and blend wildlife safaris and beach tourism with historical and cultural attractions.
While in Jamaica, Mr. Kikwete visited various natural and created attractions at Jamaica's Ocho Rios tourist hub in St. Ann region and envied achievements registered by the Caribbean country’s tourism.
Source:eturbonews.com/
Commenting of his week-long trip to the Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Tobago, Cuba and Jamaica, Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete said his country has a lot to learn from the Caribbean beach tourism.
He said the Caribbean tourist development can provide a number of interesting and important lessons for Tanzania’s beach tourism in terms of performance, infrastructure and service provision to the tourists.
President Kikwete said Tanzania needs to invest heavily in its unexplored warm beaches, which stretch from north to south, covering almost 1,000 kilometers of soft sands and nature.
President Kikwete said when speaking to reporters in Tanzania’s capital city of dare es Salaam this week shortly after returning from Trinidad and Tobago where he attended the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting and a tour of Cuba and Jamaica.
He said Tanzania had an extensive coastline, running from Tanga on the Kenyan border to Msimbati area in Mtwara on Mozambican border, but remained idle with no viable investment to attract tourists.
The president said Tanzania has done little to invest in lucrative beach tourism compared with the Caribbean islands of Jamaica and Cuba. “I was very impressed by tourism in Trinidad and Tobago, Cuba and Jamaica,” he said.
He emphasized the need for his East African country to explore beach tourism potentials to add to the existing wildlife based tourist attractions which had attracted over 95 percent of over 950,000 tourists this year.
Tourism accounts for more than 60 percent of Jamaica's economy, making the Caribbean island among the best tourist destination in North America.
Jamaica, which has 2.8 million inhabitants, receives some 2.6 million tourists annually, mainly from the US, Canada and some European countries, while Tanzania with 36 million people with abundant wildlife and other attractions struggling to pull the one million tourists next year.
He admitted that Tanzania had lacked the best plans to utilize its Indian Ocean beaches, which could attract many foreign visitors, taking into account that most tourists are interested in beach tourism and sunbathing.
Tanzania needed to put up thrilling hotels along its Indian Ocean beaches, he said, noting that beach tourism could become an important area in the industry reaping more revenues than the traditional wildlife tourism.
The president linked the underperformance of the country’s tourism sector to poor infrastructure and services offered to tourists.
He said local tourism promoters needed to improve product branding and blend wildlife safaris and beach tourism with historical and cultural attractions.
While in Jamaica, Mr. Kikwete visited various natural and created attractions at Jamaica's Ocho Rios tourist hub in St. Ann region and envied achievements registered by the Caribbean country’s tourism.
Source:eturbonews.com/
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