WAR ON CORRUPTION: TIMES`S RUNNING OUT

There are things that are so rare or bizarre and therefore so hard to believe that, whenever they happen, one just cannot help harping on.
One such thing is the fact that there is still abundant evidence of corruption, recklessness, mismanagement of financial and other resources and lack of accountability in our public service despite decades of efforts to rein in these vices.
Time comes when one qualifies for pardon for pitying government agencies such as the Office of the Controller and Auditor General for working so diligently and patriotically but, since they don’t have teeth that really bite, end up merely barking, barking, and barking.
Some public officials fall under the same category comprising people dying to ensure that our country becomes a better and better place to live, only for circumstances beyond their individual control to undermine their efforts.
The problems emanating from the conspiracy of these agents of sabotage would have been much easier to contain than actually happens if the power and influence of constructive change always outweighed whatever it is that forces out to give society a hard time rely on in perpetrating their evil ways.
But, alas, we all know of numerous cases of wrong triumphing over right as we hopelessly look on when even the most inconsequential or mutest of interventions would have made world of difference.
Only as recently as earlier this week, a wildlife conservation and development stakeholder was heard recommending the purchase and deployment of state-of-the-art helicopters as part of the government’s strategy to combat poaching in the country’s national parks, game reserves and wildlife management areas.
As the plan was being floated, media reports talked of corrupt civil servants diverting to eight unlicensed or ‘phantom’ dispensaries medical supplies worth 83 million/- the government had meant for public use in Kilwa District between 2007 and 2010.
According to the latter reports, it’s much the same civil servants who had masterminded the scheme under which six of the health facilities were granted registration even before being registered.
What the observer advocating the deployment of modern helicopters in the war on poaching may have forgotten to consider was that the human conscience plays a much bigger and more decisive part in wars than even the most sophisticated of weapons can ever do.
Whoever thinks to the contrary should tour any of our wildlife sanctuaries one of these days and find time to go to the root of the serious drop in the population of animal species such rhinos, leopards, tree-climbing lions and elephants.
With so many people so viciously preying on public resources without the slightest fear of facing justice, it remains to be seen what little will be left of the likes of the Serengeti, Katavi, Manyara and Ngorongoro national parks and Selous Game Reserve.
Likewise, with efforts to tame ferocious undercurrents in the form of so-called ghost workers, projects and programmes yet to come to anything much, we need to put in place mechanisms that would really help us wage a winning war against corruption and other vices. Any further indifference or complacency will prove suicidal.

WHY WE CAN’T EAT POLICIES

Agriculture is the foundation of Tanzania’s economy, yet it has been stunted by poor implementation of policies. The sector accounts for almost half the national income and three-quarters of merchandise exports. It is also the primary source of food and employment opportunities for about 80 per cent of the population.
The government announced the “Kilimo Kwanza” initiative with much fanfare in 2009.  It was meant to revolutionise the sector by 2015. But three years to the deadline, agriculture has yet to register any tangible progress. 
If anything, only members of the business community have profited from the project.  But even they are implementing only a segment of the seventh of 10 pillars of the initiative requiring them to supply agricultural machinery and implements.
Little has been done to implement other equally important pillars, such as the first—which lays emphasis on transforming peasants into commercial farmers and promoting medium and large-scale farmers.
The main problem with agriculture in Tanzania is dependence on unreliable and irregular weather patterns. The country could get round this by investing in irrigation rather than relying on unreliable rainfall in a time of climate change.
Fresh water abounds in rivers, lakes and underground sources and irrigation would triple agricultural output. But to get to that point, land would have to be surveyed and registered if it is to be of interest to peasants. Moreover, the warehouse receipts system must be developed to lift peasant farmers from primitive subsistence agriculture.

HELP YOUNG FOOTBALLERS MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS

Many of our aspiring soccer stars seem to be caught between a rock and a hard place.  There are hundreds of young players in Tanzania who have to make a tough choice between concentrating on their studies and playing soccer on a full-time basis.
The choices have been made even tougher by the tens of millions of shillings that major clubs set aside each year to rope in the best players.  The result is that a significant number of players sign for major local clubs while they are still in school after failing to resist the lure of money.
There are instances of secondary school students being offered up to Sh5 million to join the big Dar es Salaam-based clubs.  For a 17-year-old who has never laid his hands on Sh50,000, let alone a million shillings, this is a lot of money, and it’s easy to see why talented players are dropping out of school in record numbers to devote their time and energy to soccer.
However, this does not always turn out to be a wise decision, and examples abound of players who have ended up in the gutter after their playing days are over, courtesy of their failure to make informed choices.
Young players who are dreaming of breaking into the big time before completing their studies should be made to understand that soccer players have an extremely short shelf-life.  Experts generally agree that ten years is the most that a player can feature at the highest level, especially in developing countries such as Tanzania.
Parents have a key role to play in guiding their children and help them make the right decisions that will benefit them in the future.  Parents and guardians must never allow money to cloud their thinking, and should help their children set long-term goals instead of making rash decisions they could live to regret.

NO TO VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

Though Tanzanians have a reputation for being peace-loving, this does not appear to apply on the domestic front. Society can thrive only when members of each basic unit—the family—support, love, understand and care for each other.
Yet intimate partner violence, physical aggression, forced intercourse, early child marriage and human trafficking are still part of the fabric of our society. A recent study by the World Health Organisation reveals that 48 per cent of Tanzanian women have experienced violence in their lifetime.
About one third of them told no one of their experience and 60 per cent had not sought help from any formal service or authority. The majority of women remain in violent relationships because leaving would mean losing their children, homes and other property.
Another study carried out in Moshi between 2002 and 2003 found that 21 per cent of 1,444 women interviewed were threatened with physical abuse or coerced into intercourse by a partner.Analysis of intimate partnerships reveals that the violence emerges from deeper cultural assumptions about women and their place within relationships, families and communities. 
We are delighted to hear that the ministry of Community Development, Gender and Children has formed a special committee to tackle this social malady.This notwithstanding, a national awareness campaign is required to root out the oppressive mindset that treats women so contemptuously.

         

LET’S TAKE PRIDE IN OUR TOURISM RANKING

Tanzania’s efforts towards promoting its tourism are now paying dividends. The good news is that the country is now placed seventh among 45 places in the world as the preferred destination for tourists to visit this year.
This ranking by The New York Times January edition is no mean achievement by any standards. It is the result of concerted efforts of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, agencies such as the Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB), our diplomatic missions abroad, publicity campaigns as well as travel agencies and other tourism stakeholders. Together, they propelled the country to where it is today.
Tanzania expected to receive one million tourists by the end of 2011 and generate about US$1.7 billion (about Sh2.7 trillion) in revenue if everything went according to plan. This is an improvement from 2009, when the country scooped $1.2 billion (about Sh1.9 trillion) from 714,367 visitors, according to the TTB managing director, Dr Aloyce Nzuki.
This year, he says, TTB will continue to promote sustainable tourism domestically and internationally, with the United States remaining the number one tourism market.
Tanzania should not be complacent about its new achievement, though. It should leave no stone unturned in achieving better performance. This will be possible only if all stakeholders put their heads together and come up with better strategies to achieve this goal.
 This requires a lot of resources in kind and mind from both the government and stakeholders. Here we are talking about raising the budget for tourism publicity and promotion not only locally but also abroad through our foreign missions.
Promotional activities such as tourism exhibitions abroad and tours for agents can do a lot to promote our country as an ideal tourist destination.Besides, we must not forget the development of the country’s infrastructure such as airports, roads, railways and communication in general.
These are crucial if tourists are to reach the country and return home according to their schedules. All in all, being placed among 45 countries that tourists would like to visit this year is no mean achievement. We should all toast to it.

EAC MUST WORK TOGETHER TO END TERRORISM THREAT

Al-Shabaab militants have developed into a threat to regional peace and security. They no longer operate in their hideouts in Somalia but have spread their tentacles far and wide. The havoc that Al Qaeda affiliates wreak not only affects individual countries but also other East African Community member states.
The militants have proved their flexibility in penetrating other territories and staging deadly attacks that have left many dead and hundreds injured.  With memories of the attacks in Burundi, Uganda and Kenya still fresh in our minds, the region has to take urgent measures to ensure peace and security prevails.
Joint efforts are required to ensure that the Somalia-based terrorists and pirates lose the ability to disrupt regional peace and stability. Pursuing them wherever they are is critical to eliminating the menace.
As security experts have warned, ignoring security threats will have deadly consequences as the groups reportedly recruit locals to stage attacks in their own countries. The case of the Kenyan youth who was jailed recently in connection with a terror attack in his country proves that Al Shabaab is using underground recruitment strategies that are hard to detect.
However, the threat to regional peace and security is not posed by terrorism and piracy only. Beatrice Kiraso, the EAC deputy secretary general (Political Federation), has pointed out that potential sources of conflict are still looming in the region.
Tensions at the borders, election-related violence and the proliferation of arms also pose the threat of insecurity and instability.
Let us not leave the responsibility for peace and security to the military only. Citizens can also play a significant role. The region must move quickly to put in place policy guidelines on counter-terrorism, as suggested by a senior Kenyan security official.
Approving the EAC draft Peace and Security Protocol also promises to be a step forward in containing terror. Strengthening financial and logistical support would equip security organs with the required know-how to fight terrorism.EAC member countries need to invest in an early warning mechanism and strategies to avoid such conflicts.

SOURCE OF ENERGY MUST BE RESPECTED

Energy is at the centre of human development. The discovery of fire and therefore energy transformed the economy in ways beyond the imagination. No nation can develop without reliable sources of energy.
It is for this reason that we welcome a forum organised for retired African statesmen by the African Presidential Centre at Boston University. The forum will deliberate on solutions to energy challenges that the continent faces.

Africa's energy demands have grown at unprecedented levels. As the population multiplies in leaps and bounds, so does the demand for energy. Clearly, Africa must invest adequately in discovering and using energy sources if it is to enjoy sustainable and equitable growth.
Tanzania is struggling when it comes to providing environment-friendly energy. Only about 13 per cent of the population is connected to electricity. Even then the supply is erratic, to put it mildly.
Only a small percentage of the population uses gas for domestic consumption. The majority use charcoal and firewood. This inevitably depletes forest resources. What this means is that the country will ultimately find itself trapped in a vicious cycle of poverty.  The Boston forum will, hopefully, seek to ensure that leaders identify and harness sources of energy wisely. This should be done equitably and in a manner that fosters economic growth.
There is no other way to create decent jobs, increase production and provide a supportive environment for sustainable development—assuming, of course, that Africa’s leadership is truly committed to making the continent a better place.