Which way forward for Mafuguli's government?

Therefore, in the main, it is a compilation of my personal recollections and reflections.

Inspired by the need to participate in developing our country and fully supporting the next President of the United Republic of Tanzania, the Tanzania’s in Geneva saw the following as among the areas requiring the most serious and fundamental attention were outlined.

It is envisaged that the proposals given here will enhance the quality of the leadership of our country and its development.

The fight against ignorance, disease and poverty remain the main battle lines for Tanzanians. Eradication of these three enemies as outlined by Mwalimu JK Nyerere, 44 years ago, remains an unfinished agenda.

Dealing with this agenda depends on a literate population, land and available resources, good policies and good leadership. It is therefore strongly recommended that the highest priority be placed on investing in people.

There should be a commitment that Tanzania will no more be regarded as a poor country. “Tuue Umaskini” could be the slogan for the new government.

The 5th phase government needs to revitalize self-reliance. Reinvigoration of plans on how to implement this policy is an urgent necessity. A new work ethic must be devised whereby children will learn the meaning of work.

Today, they see their fathers wanting to become rich without putting much energy into working for it.

The fifth phase government should create a good team of committed givers and not takers, people who think of developing their country with 100 per cent dedication.

We need a people who will be continuously restless when they see that their neighbours are poor. The term should develop zero tolerance for poverty.

Many believe that Tanzania is now capitalist because we have developed a philosophy of everybody for himself/herself and God for us all. The fifth phase government should enhance the culture of cooperation and community values. This is our African heritage which we cannot and should not let go.

Development model

The fifth phase government should spell out a clear autochthonous development model, which puts Tanzanians at the centre stage. It should seriously focus on poverty eradication by investing in education, health, water, social security, life-giving agriculture, trade, energy, communication, infrastructure development and the war on corruption.

The strategy to implement these priority areas should be a bottom up approach. Care should be taken regarding blanket liberalisation and privatisation which can endanger the role of government in protecting public goods. Additionally, the government should attempt to prevent the growing gap between the rich and the poor.

The philosophy of dependence on donors should change. It does not augur well with existing resources which is the wealth of Tanzania.

Measures should be taken to revive industries like textiles that employed thousands of our young people.

Investor policies should be reviewed in a way that will encourage local entrepreneurs by giving them adequate incentives. Loopholes in revenue collection should be closed. In general, Tanzanians should be able to say good bye to poverty and dependency in as short a time possible.

Think tank

At the outset, it is essential that the President appoints, as a matter of necessity, a group of non-partisan professionals/technocrats whom we can call a Brain Trust or a Think Tank, which will continuously analyse, reflect and recommend to the President solutions to contentious issues of development.

For the present, the group in Geneva came up with 12 major areas that require vital and urgent action.

Peace

The subsequent government inherited a legacy of peace and tranquility in Tanzania from the first phase government. The peace should be nurtured at all national institutions and the people. Without peace there can be no development.

Agriculture

Agriculture will remain the backbone of the Tanzanian economy for years to come though industrialization linked to agriculture is equally important. It must, however, be diversified in such a way as to enable Tanzania to become a food basket to feed itself and to sale surplus food to the region.

In order for this to happen, farmers will require reliable and regular water for irrigation, incentives, mechanization of agriculture, credits and good extension services.

It is imperative to protect farmers from the influx of subsidized agriculture products from other countries. There must be practical measures taken on encouraging Tanzanians to feel that they are cared for and as result to feel determined to improve their own agricultural production.

Slogans are needed such as “Kilimo ni Uhai” instruments to promote new changes in agriculture must be established such as an Agriculture Commission composed of farmers, who can efficiently oversee and implement the new ideas.

Tanzanians who are willing and appear capable of engaging in agricultural activities should be given this opportunity.

Agriculture cooperatives should be strengthened. With the world going and putting emphasis on chemical agriculture, Tanzania could enter the world market niche for the production of healthy organically produced food and other items.

With the effective development of infrastructure, enhanced communication and information, Tanzanians will be able to sell their products within and outside the country.

Education

A country is developed by its educated and skilled citizens. Therefore, the enhancement of this community is the first priority. The world has now entered the era of knowledge.

Illiteracy should be eradicated and higher education and technology skills need to be strengthened because these are paramount in promotion development.

Without education, the country’s competitive capacity in this world of knowledge will not be achieved. In this age, intellectual knowledge of Tanzanians should be protected as their property, for the sake of engagement in global trade and finance. Here, the government must continue investing in people and training them in various skills.

It is imperative to revive and revitalise educational inspectors who are responsible for controlling standards.

Computer science informatics and e-commerce training must be introduced in schools at a very early age. Functional literacy must be revived and vocational education enhanced.

Policies and measures such as providing free primary education should also include education regarding parents’ responsibilities like family planning self improvement, training, reading papers and books.

Various other foreign languages should be introduced in schools. Tanzania has a young population. This should be well educated, trained and given incentives to be productive. These will enable Tanzanians to engage in trade with other countries around the world.

Upgrading of educational institutions

One wonders whether research has been put into determining how much hard-earned foreign exchange is being exported abroad for educational purposes. Efforts to modernise and upgrade our higher learning institutions should be made, and as much as possible match emoluments of educationalists so as to value their skills and elevate literacy level.

The dream is for us to see more Tanzanians acquire higher degrees (doctorates/masters) to match our African citizens elsewhere.

Health

To fight diseases (Mtu ni Afya) was the motto of the first phase government and there were impressive achievements in this area, including extensive coverage of essential primary health care services in rural and urban areas.

Today many Tanzanians cannot afford to meet their basic health needs. Yet, Tanzania cannot build a productive and viable nation without healthy citizens, as people are the most important resource of our nation.

Along with broad based health promotion measures, such as basic sanitation and food security; an effective, affordable, accessible and equitable health system is critical to safeguard the health and wellbeing of the nation.

The HIV/AIDS epidemic has claimed the lives of many Tanzanians and has become a human, social and economic disaster, with far-reaching implications for individuals, families and communities.

It is eroding human security and productivity, undermining economic development, and threatening social cohesion; as it is pushing people deeper into poverty, households are loosing their breadwinners, livelihoods are being compromised and savings depleted by the cost of health care.

This is adding a lot of strain on national institutions and resources, and undermining the social systems that normally help people to cope with adversity.

The fifth phase government will have to elevate the HIV/AIDS concern into one of its top priorities and be more robust in combating the epidemic, by expanding prevention the impact on affected families, especially orphans, vulnerable children and the elderly.

Similarly, the government will need to institute measures to combat new threats from emerging and re-emerging diseases (such as bird flu, SARs and others) which the country may face as the world becomes more and more inter-connected through travel.

Governance

Good governance begins by empowering local government .It is essential to reinforce and/or restructure administration at the district, regional and centre levels. At the national level there is a feeling that there are too many ministries that drain the country’s income.

A small efficient centre government with strong local governments will enhance performance tremendously. Ministers have usually been constituency – committed.

It is expected that the government will have ministers who are loyal to the nation as a whole and not only to a constituency. Most significantly, the new leadership should appoint experts in key areas of economy and poverty eradication.

Technocrats need to be given a major role in the economy so as to monitor good performance and standard.

It is also important to develop ways of seriously talking into account ideals of farmers and small entrepreneurs regarding governance. Participatory budgeting processes and monitoring of budgetary allocations by the government should involve the participation of people from local communities.

In order to guarantee good performance and accountability in the government, civil servants may be employed on a contractual basis renewable on assessment of performance.

Those in the diaspora will international experience should be given opportunities to contribute to the economy and other spheres of the country.

Corruption

“Rushwa kwangu mwiko” should be the slogan for the new government. Eradication of corruption will trigger progress and it will be for the benefit of all Tanzanians. This monster was born in 1970s and now it is 35 years.

In other words, there are children who were born and grew with corruption to adulthood. The struggle is, therefore, hard but possible to bring good results. Let us not allow it to destroy the people of Tanzania and the economy.

In this sphere, it is first and foremost crucial to strengthen the law enforcement institutions and the judicial system of our nations. These institutions need to be financed well and nurtured.

It is essential to be bold in prosecuting perpetrators of crimes without reserve. Behavioral change is imperative through socialization by families, schools, religious institutions and peer groups. Civil and good citizenship education should be enhanced in education at all levels.

People should learn to be honest and to live from their legitimate efforts.

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