DEMOCRACY MUST BE LINKED TO ECONOMIC GROWTH

Voters turn out in Dili to cast their vote for the parliamentary elections in the morning. Photo by UNMIT/Martine Perret. 7 July 2012

MBEYA: Economic growth, reduction of poverty and improved quality of life rely on good governance and increased accountability, a firm commitment made by Tanzania government through its Strategy for Growth and Reduction of Poverty phase two, Cluster three. 

This is contained in a statement issued on Thursday September 15, 2016 to mark International Day of Democracy by a youth led and youth focused Non Governmental Organization (NGO) Youth Education through Sports Tanzania (YES Tanzania). 

According to YES Tanzania Executive Director Kenneth Simbaya, Tanzania recognizes the importance of democracy and link between democracy and development as demonstrated in National Strategy for Growth and Reduction of Poverty (NSGRP) II popularly known as MKUKUTA II. 

He said MKUKUTA II is very clear on what we need to do as a country to boost our economy and improve people’s lives. 

MKUKUTA II Cluster 3 according to Simbaya, has for broad outcomes; good governance and the rule of law, accountability of leaders and public servants, democracy, political and social tolerance and peace, political stability, national unity, and deepened social cohesion, which are supported by seven goals. 

“Structures and systems of governance as well as the rule of law to be democratic, participatory, representative, accountable and inclusive is among the seven goals supporting MKUKUTA II Cluster 3,” Simbaya said. 

Simbaya hailed the fifth phase government under President John Pombe Magufuri , for being pro citizens, committing to uplift Tanzanian’s life, plugging off corruption loopholes and appealed to the President to continue building democratic institutions, like media, civil society which are crucial if the country wants to boost democracy and good governance. 

He said investing in making citizens capable to question their leaders, is one of the smartest investments the fifth phase government can make, according to Simbaya that will be in alignment with the ‘Hapa Kazi tu’ slogan, and is one of the ingredients of democracy. 

Simbaya appealed for all Tanzanians regardless of their political affiliations to be guided by public interests and in doing so he said there is a need to address barriers to collective actions in the public interests. 

Overall Simbaya said, Tanzania is a success story, the country has avoided conflicts that have engulfed most of our neighboring countries, in 1992 we peacefully managed the transition from one party to multiparty politics, and since then Tanzania is among the few countries in the region where there have not been a single president or indication that the president will extend his term limit. 

In 2007 the United Nations General Assembly resolved to observe 15 September as the International Day of Democracy—with the purpose of promoting and upholding the principles of democracy—and invited all member states and organizations to commemorate the day in an appropriate manner that contributes to raising public awareness . 

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