A joint initiative by the United Nations, The Government of Tanzania and The Economic and Social Research Foundation  

A platform for professionals and experts to meet, share and exchange experiences
Username >

Password >

Forgot | Change Password? Register! Home
Topic : A Better future for All: Is Equitable and Sustainability of Tanzanian Socio and Economic Development Feasible?  
 

Launch of 2011 Human Development Report (HDR) on 3rd November 2011 marked a new beginning of global development policy planning, implementation and funding in the world. The HDR report is recognized and renowned globally by being intellectually independent and providing empirically grounded ...Click here to read more

     
Comments From TAKNET Members
costa john kanaysu  : Monday, May 7, 2012    
  Mie sizan kama umasikkn wa watanzania unatokana na vitu ambavyo juvenary anajalibu kusema.umasikink wetu unatokana na mipango mibaya na kutokuwa na vipaumbele sahihi.suala la wizi lipo dunia nzima na kimsingi Tanzania hakuna tajiri anayetokana na utumishi kama walivyo majiran zetu,hata hao unaosema wanafaidi kimsingi hizi ni siasa unaleta kwenye issue sensitive,kwa mawazo yangu Mwenge una umuhimu mkubwa sana katika maeneo unakopita kulikk gharama unazojalibu kuokoa.Mwenge kila kijijj una ujumbe wa Rais,unaujjmbe kwa vijana,unaujumbe kwa wazee,unaujumbe kwa maendeleo ya eneo husika.kama hujui angalia unakopita mwenge barabara zitaboreshwa,kama kuna dispensary inajengwa itaharakishwa na wananchi ndiyo wanaofaidika.

ni vyema tukafikilia mabadiliko ya mfumo wetu wa kufanya kazi ili kila mtu awajibike kwelikweli,kwa sasa umasikini wetu unatokana na mambobmengi ikiwa nj pamoja na uvivu na uzembe na watu kukalia siasa hata katika mambo ya msingi,wataalamu wameonekana useless na wanafata upepo wa magazeti.

 
     

bigumily francis jovinary  : Monday, May 7, 2012    
  Thanks Bariki for your suggestion of putting the theory/ ideas of members in practice. All the ideas of the members are very important for the development and balancing the the equalitity share of the accumulated resources. Tanzanian are mostly political in their strategic planning and the policy made. many of this are theorytically but no practically. now i think its time to take the things in paper to practise.

kinachoitajika ni kutambua nani na afanye nini kwa wakati gani. Watanzania tumekuwa na siasa ambazo azilengi hata kufaidisha watanzania. Rasilimali zipo za kutosha lakini matumizi yake ni kwa ajili ya kufaidisha wachache walio na nafasi za kupanga na kudanganya wananchi wanaotesekea nchi kwa kutoa mapato yasiyowafaidisha au nisema faida yake ni kidogo sana ukilinganisha na hali halisi ilivyo. Mfano maandamano ya kila siku ya kupandisha mishahara na posho na kumaliza fedha katika kukimbiza mwenge na sherehe za mahazimisho.

how much it cost kukimbiza mwenge wa uhuru, does this make sense to the developing countries like TZ or is just to let people dies and make those involved with the process benefit the taxes of the people.

 
     

Bariki Karosi Kaale  : Wednesday, April 4, 2012    
  Dear All

Our suggestions should be followed by actions with tangible field results to our development. As proposed, suggestions and talking without taking action could be a waste of time. Let us act on expert Japhet wisdom that- Can ESRF and others REPOA initiate a dialougue sesseion...yaani ile kali ya kusema sasa wataalam kuongea na kushauri basi tunataka hatua. Without taking a string stand, we shall all be crusified by the coming generation for not doing our part

Sincerely

Bariki K. Kaale

Energy and Environment Consultant

 
     

Mudith Buzenja Cheyo  : Thursday, March 29, 2012    
  Teams

Sure, the ideas and opinions presented in the discussion are quite pertinent. Prof. Mbelle and Dr. Khamis have put it explicitly. I wish also to emphasize that, every individual in this country has a role to play, let us therefore play each one's role perfectly starting where we are today.

 
     

japjet Makongo  : Thursday, March 29, 2012    
  Dear Colleagues,

The ideas which have been generated from this debate are very valuable...most of them retariates what has always been said over the years, but govt is at the same position. We need a step further by recommending a transformative move to push the givt to act. It is a shame to let all these expert brains wasted and reduced to talks, talks and talks....... Can ESRF and others REPOA initiate a dialougue sesseion...yaani ile kali ya kusema sasa wataalam kuongea na kushauri basi tunataka hatua. Without taking a string stand, we shall all be crusified by the coming generation for not doing our part

------------------------------

Japhet Maingu Makongo

Ubunifu Associates Ltd

 
     

John Ernest kitoka  : Thursday, March 29, 2012    
  Dr. Hamisi, your views on the government's Lucksideckle approach to development are spot on!...One thing is clear, though, this government is both unwilling and incapable to reinforce any pro-people and pro-nation development agenda. PUNTO!

John E.Kitoka,

Management Consultant,

INNOVEX Development Consulting Ltd,

 
     

Omari Mwinyi Khamis  : Wednesday, March 28, 2012    
   Indeed Prof.Mbelle is completely right. I have often suggested several times since 2004 that our mineral wealth ,especially gold could help Tanzania in the fight against poverty but I have also received a deaf ear from the Tanzania government. I have myself worked in the mining industry in Tanzania,Spain,Greece,30 years in Mineral Exploration and mining in Sweden and have evaluated gold mines in Saudi Arabia, Copper deposit in Chile(Kolahuasi) and Nickel deposits in Finland and Lead ,Zinc deposits of Bukina Faso. This means I have international exploration and mining experience and besides I have also worked at Madini and STAMICO. But Tanzania government do not trust its own national experts. The question is Why it is training us abroad or at our own universities in Tanzania? What is the use if it can't trust us but only Politicians and foreign mining investors?

Dr.Khamis

Consultant Exploration and Mining Geology

Project Manager-Exploration

Sweden.

 
     

Prof. Ammon Mbelle  : Wednesday, March 28, 2012    
  True Mr. Mbamba, there is a lot that the leadership can and should do to ensure that Tanzanians live the better life they desreve. There is salvation in the mineral wealth that is being abused through greedy contracts signed by our leadership! Recall in the 1960s Botswana was a very poor country with the economy predominantly of hunters and gatherers. After discovery of mineral wealth the leadership defied all dictates of the so called foreign investors who even threatened to ensure that Botswana will have no outlet for its diamonds. What happened? The leadership said to hell; and demanded that Tswanas must be in the deep shafts, in the strong room and at sale outlets!!, the Govt must have significant share, the investors on top of that pay royalty, etc. The investors never left todate! Chevez and the American investors? Zambia and its copper? Nothing like any of these in TZ. We give this advise to the Government and we are met with a deaf ear and branded "theorists". It is our duty to keep shouting and we believe one day we will get a listening ear. Follow closely what is happening now in the mineral sector, partly an influence of our "shouting"! Prof. Mbelle  
     

ILDEPHONCE MABAMBA  : Monday, March 26, 2012    
  Gerald moses, good morning

It is unfortunately that our country is still in the process of primitive capital accumulation. In reality the situation is too contradictory, while we think we are learned, our practices do not reflect that. we have theories which we don't put into practices because our our corrupt systems, cultures and our poor determinations. The work performance lacks drives for change and the very state capture that predominate do not allow things to happen. our policies are neither reactive nor proactive to the situation , we just let the water find its own course. As now number of tax evaders increases, drug dealers and corrupt men as a way to accumulate capital, we therefore waiting to go for feudal system where the capital will require to employ majority of marginalized Tanzania. when the vast land will be put into use. I am not so sure that industries which were left at its infant stages if will be able to cope with current global competition but we have left only with one option, to make our people cheap labour, determined and work focused so that investors may be attracted to put plants and machinery in our country. should Tanzania change the attitude to work this could happen; otherwise our professors will remain symbols of economy.

Mabamba Ildephonce

 
     

GERALD MOSES  : Friday, March 16, 2012    
  Dear Members of TAKNET, first of all i would like to congratulate all of you for your contributions and comments on various topics. Despite my little knowledge and experience on economic issues but i can still understand what you have been discussing here and i got to know that my country have well experienced and good experts who can help poor people in eradicating their poverty. But why are we still poor? what are you people doing? i have been attending lectures of Prof Mbele in course of Economic policy, planning and programming here at University of Dar es salaam and i have realized that he is a good economist our country have blessed with, but people of this country they dont know him.  
     

Marja-Liisa Swantz  : Thursday, March 15, 2012    
  Reply to Otto Muba,

The Vikoba as a way saving and starting small projects works well with women's groups in Iramba with which i am most recently seen it - also by the way in the home village of President Kikwete. It helps to have a metal box as a safe way of keeping the money to which three people have a key and it is opened when all of them are present and the 25 members also. This is not dependent on bank, the District provides the boxes and teaches the use of it and women start by regularly putting in money which they agree on. Sometimes they get external start money. This is the same as the traditional women's saving system, but now they have a place to put their money in regularly. This method is not connected with Grameen bank system.

Not knowing how to deal with health threats and poor drinking water is not a sign of poverty, it is a failure of the village health system. Tanzania gave up the village health workers and Mother Child Health workers etc which were the categories for people on the ground.

People do not live on one dollar per day, they live on the produce they grow which is never counted as part of the GDP.

Marja Swantz

 
     

Otto Matern Muba  : Wednesday, March 14, 2012    
  Marjan Liisa, probaably i should agree with you that people do not want to be associated with the word poor possibly because of its negative connotation but it is not fair to use the world rich because it will deny the right effort to work on the poverty as a problem if we set objective it should be to Reduce extreme poverty and not richness. I remember when i was Facilitating SDC Funded in Kilombero District using Methodology like PHAST,CELTS or CBHI On behavioural Change it was insisted that inorder to bring about behavioural participants must agree that their illness is associated with drinking faecal contaminated water from identifying their problem then they can work properly plan of action to reduce the negative situation ,Liisu this is similar to poverty as a problem people should not be consoled they shoul identify their status then work plan of action to alleviate poverty.

Liisa you also mentioned Villadge Community Bank(VICOBA) as alternative Solution in the rural area Liisa in 2008 i wrote my concept paper intended to strengthen the existing Kibati tradition economic self help to womem savings and credit Association (WOSCA) taking Grammeen model of prof. Yunus in Bangaladesh when asked my friend Prof. Alfredo of Uregon University he told me "you have very nice idea but most of successiful microfinance are the once who advance loan to the people with credible financial background he added Grammeem succeeded not because they were kind no! They were actualy brute they put mechanism to ensure that loan are repaid" Liisa iam afraid that administration part porous need much capacity building to much to direction it is intended. Furthermore microfinance intended to build asset on poor through credit ,transfer and insurance.

Still Mpango wa kurasimisha proved more slow and beaucratic to the extent that people in the village resort to relative financing and people who lend money with high interest rate (which is burden to common mwananch) another alternative is transfers of money from urban area to rural area through Mobile Financial service which is fast adopted technology can mediate to urban rural economic stimulus.Lissa i appreciate Donor effort in emphasizing that grant should be for productive project and not as social entertainment arena.Still pravate micro finance institution find it profitable to offer customer certain degree of investment or other usage choice since loan is repaid. (OTTO MUBA is MBA-CM student at Mzumbe University Morogoro Tz and former project coordinator SolidarMED support Unit -IFAKARA

 
     

Marja-Liisa Swantz  : Thursday, March 1, 2012    
  Do not get desperate with Tanzania. Do not use the vocabulary of poverty. People do not like to be called poor.

It might be that the government does not do what it should but the people do. You go to the countryside and see how well people mange their lives. They do not depend only on the poorly operating government, the politics of the country or the donors, they find ways to manage. For instance the Vikoba is a way of getting small projects going and managing families. Go to the countryside and be encouraged.

Bibi Marja Swantz with experience from Iramba

 
     

Care for Vulnerable People Tanzania  : Wednesday, February 29, 2012    
  It is pathetic to note that Tanzania has sunk so deep in poverty. This is due to the following:

1. Bad Governance. If you listen to all the miss use of Public Funds, outright stealing, lack of A countability in Public Service one goes sick.

2. One follows up the BAD CONTRACTS entered between Our Government and The so called WAWEKEZAJI, especially in the mining sector, and wonders whether these resources are ours or WAWEKEZAJI'S. So if we have sold the country to foreigners what do we expect?

Theresa Minja.

 
     

Safari Isaac  : Wednesday, February 29, 2012    
  Dear Kabuje,

I agree with you Kabuje. Tanzania has lost key values necessary for sustained development and that is individual effort, initiative and commitment to national benefits. Markets do not offer everything especially at the initial stages of development. They sharpen poles.

We have failed to lay strong foundation for consistent increase in productivity. Our mind set has sunk into superiority of external forces for our own development. Therefor it is not surprising to see where Tanzania has reached. We worked hard for it.

Safari

 
     

Kabuje Furaha  : Friday, February 17, 2012    
 

Dear all,

I have gone through the opening remarks from moderator and some few contributions from my colleague (b’se of limited time); and i came up with few observation as well as sugestion;

Regarding alternative sources of financing for socio economic development after debt crisis in euro zone, recently I read with astonishment in the east African newspaper 6-12 February 2012, that Tanzania continue to sink deeper into donor aid dependence. In 2011 the country became the world third largest recipient of aid after Iraq and Afganistan. So sad after 50 year of independence are similar with countries trying rebuilding their economies after war!!!

I am limiting my contribution based on our development performance versus what could have been achieved as far as equity is concerned. Its possible to attain relatively equity but I think we have lost basic principal/morals in commitmtnet on our own effort to development somewhere after Nyerere leadership. This is because with the same resources, programme and policies, I believe we would have been at least better than todays level of development.

My suggestion would dwell at individual level effort to development initiatives , as this contribute to the national efforts as well ;

1.       Tanzanians need to return to our morals and Change mindset toward hard working discipline and self motivation. Let us start with public service by establishing effective employee appraisal system. I believe this would lead to greater accountability. Accountability need to be natured from the young generation in schools, students and pupils need to be tought on uzalendo

2.        I believe the war against corruption is quite important to start with. I liked system of fighting corruption I learnt in china and Japan. Apart from effective government machinery in punishing the culprits (severe jailing, assets confiscation and the like), the community also have social punishment for a person found to break social values to the  extend of the respective person will not live to enjoy his/her assets.  

I will be back in a shortwhile

Kabuje

 
     

Omari Mwinyi Khamis  : Thursday, February 16, 2012    
   Thanks Mr.Jones. Actually the water after passing Hale or Kidatu could be repumped back to these dams and reused to generate more electricity. It could also be preserved in small dams in lower valleys and from these valleys farmers could collect water for irrigation purposes. Building these lower dams is not very expensive for even villagers could build them using safety measures to pevent busting. The second thing is that our exhausted mines (open pit mines as well underground mines,Sekenke Mine Kiomboi as example)could be used to store enormous amount of water that could be used for irrigation. Yes a farmer can marry a second wife instead of using money to reduce poverty! LET US NOT ALLOW THE RAIN WATER TO FLOW UNSED TO INDIAN OCEAN after generating electricity. The Egyptians are using the river Nile water for irrigation. However, the source of river Nile is partly originating from Lake Victoria!!!Dr. Khamis, Sweden  
     

omar bakari  : Tuesday, February 14, 2012    
  I am supporting tne importance of education but these people who are not educated does not mean they can not things successfully. Look at registered patent data base at BRELA majority are non or basic education. Also see barefoot program and Grass root inovation in india.  
     

Omari Mwinyi Khamis  : Monday, February 13, 2012    
   Thanks Dr.Lazaro. The government is aware of the need of free education in our primary and secondary education system. I have even discussed this matter with certain NGO from Denmark and it has put it as first priority while helping Tanzania. Most of our generation including previous presidents,PMs,Ministers and the current Prsident have received free education up to FORM VI during the Colonial Period and during 1961..... 1970. That's is why we are educated to our level.

A strong foundation in education is good for any nation. We can give loans to University Students but how can they pay such loans if there are no jobs when they have completed their studies?Look at the problem that Greece is currently facing, no jobs and some people have no where to live.They are living in the streets and this is also poverty!! We must create jobs, build indistries, roads and railways. Dr.Khamis,Sweden

 
     

Jones Kapeleka  : Monday, February 13, 2012    
  This topic had brought thoughtful inspiration for the fate of our nation. I tend to agree to most contributions, but one thing I suppose is that, the farmers, and most Tanzanians at large are poor, not just because they've not gone to school, or "not educated" as being pointed out BUT mostly because most of us, who are "educated" are LAZY. Lets,

just think, how long had the faculties of engineering and agriculture, at both UDSM and SUA are in place? Had they have not inverted even a simple machine to replace a hand hoe?

We are blessed with adequate rains, sometimes in excess to cause floods and death as we witnessed, but all the waters flows to the seas! Have we failed to come up with a simple technology to harness this water for irrigation? Am not going to talk about the waters that had been already harnessed at Mtera, Kidatu, Hale, Kiansi.etc. but what does it do after generating electricity?

Lets not put the blame on farmers, that the are not "educated", what technology do we expect them to adopt, yet all the technologies/innovations are meant for publications and promotions? How sure are we that once free education is provided to their children, farmers will invest their savings in wealth creation project not marrying a second or third wife, or even moving from drinking local brew to some safaris and castle?

In my view, Equitable and Sustainability of Tanzanian Socio and Economic Development will only be Feasible once we, the "educated" realize our responsibilities and that we were not "educated" for our sake, but for the good of our nation and take the role of change agents. Farmers need only to be educated, BUT enlightened to LEARN, since, no one will bring about development to the farmers, but themselves. Its them to realize that they are poor, and to make wise

decisions and plans to develop. Our role is to make them see feasible, simple and affordable alternatives for their problems.

 
     

stephen Mbundi  : Monday, February 13, 2012    
  Dr Khamis, I wish to differ with you on the issue of dead capital. Very simple question, who own the land ( I hope it is the Government). Secondly, Is the land a capital on its own? To me no this is just the means as for it to be useful you need some other factors to come in. For that land to be useful we need to invest alot, the fact which is still a dream to us. For the case of Maiko, it is not that his parents has failed but education is not a priority to them, can you imagine a family with ten cows, rice fields and 14 hectares of land to fail to pay a school fee. May be we need to undertake mental revolution before we consider other issues.

Sent from my iPad

 
     

Lazaro S. P. Busagala  : Monday, February 13, 2012    
  Khamis I agree with most of your principles. It is true that without free education it impossible to reduce poverty. How can you encourage a farmer to adopt new agricultural technologies and best practices if he/she is not educated still believing in supersition even in issues that somebody would use common sense. How can you teach uneducated man/woman to do business if can not comprehend very simple economic principles?

What is happening now, we creating a great gap between the educated and the non-educated. The circle of failure to join our schools due to lack of tuition fee and other expenses continues like that.

--------------------------

L.S.P. Busagala (Ph.D.)

 
     

Omari Mwinyi Khamis  : Sunday, February 12, 2012    
   ”Maiko, a Form Three leaver, who is from Shinyanga District, says his family owns a farm of 14 hectares, ten cows and rice fields. Despite these resources, he couldn’t finish his secondary school due to lack of tuition fee.”GUARDIAN SUNDAY

This is just one example showing that school fees is a burden to certain parents in Tanzania.Many Tanzanians living abroad are paying school fees for their relatives in Tanzania.

”The big problem of countries like Tanzania is not that it lacks capital, but that its capital is simply a dead capital. A travel from Dar es Salaam to Mwanza region by a bus may help to grasp this truth as one will witness hundreds of thousands of hectares completely unutilised.”GUARDIAN

Dr.Khamis,Sweden


 
     

Omari Mwinyi Khamis  : Friday, February 10, 2012    
   

Thanks for taking up the school fees. The meaning is that the money spent by parents to pay school fees could be utilised to buy other things and help in reducing poverty. There is no development without electricity and that is needed in our villages so that villagers could have a meaningful life. You can build an industry in a village that has no electricity an even some of the irrigation farming depends on pumps that are using electricity. The effecient of milking cattle is done by using electricity and our farmers need this technology in order to compete in the modern market (erg in EAC).

Gold mining is very expensive for individuals only big companies can afford it. Tanzania government had gold mines in 1970's and the experince is within STAMICO.

Dr.Khamis,Sweden

 
     

Derick Moshi  : Friday, February 10, 2012    
  I wont agree in this Khamis,

It’s not true that we can’t afford primary/secondary school fees, majority of Tz can do this, and from my experience pr. /sec. school cannot add any value to our economy as compared to after sec. education, the only angle that our government could think should be in strengthening our college/university in quality, ensured the sustainability of loan, indeed, everyone should have a chance/afford to attend (if selected). 2. it’s not about encouraged irrigation, the government should prepare the perfect infrastructure for irrigation, i.e. they can adapt Chinese model of irrigation 3. Before going to electricity, rem. this is too expensive, even, people who are living in town can’t afford it, neither satisfied with, let’s focus in rural infrastructure that can easily lower transportation cost 4. for the gold mining; we had tried this, though, due to corruption and various constraints we failed; let us try to change our mining policy in favor of our local people, this will be the only way to feel our resources.

 
     

Omari Mwinyi Khamis  : Thursday, February 9, 2012    
  Poverty in Tanzania can be reduced when the government has the will to do the following:

1.Giving free education to all children from primary school to secondary school. This will reduce the burden of paying school fees for parents.

2. The government could encourage farmers to employ irrigation farming so that they can produce their products without depending on rain.

3. The government can provide electricity to all villages in Tanzania so that certain industries could be built in villages and not in big towns.

4. The government could engage itself in gold mining so that the profit obtaining from gold can be invested in the country and enable in reducing tax to its citizens.

Dr.Khamis

Sweden

 
     

Catherine Kowero  : Friday, February 3, 2012    
  Hi! This sounds good but not practically possible. Prices of most commodities are dictated by the forces of demand and supply to the greater extent. The government can subsidize producers and production also only to a limited extent. This scenario will tell you that the only way to lower prices of commodities is to increase production at all levels. The production sector must be expanded and diversified - coupled with boosted professionalism.

I remain wondering about the term 'equitable' when there is no evidence of political will towards curbing corruption. Could we be focusing on 'Towards an improved standards of life for all?

Cathy

 
     

Godwin Martin Nyelo  : Friday, February 3, 2012    
  In deed, the contribution from Faraji makes a lot of sense. My small understanding of economics tells me that our taxation system is bad. Eg total tax on a mtumba from Japan is almost the same as the cost of the vehicle. This is similar for other consumer goods. What is wrong with our economists at Hazina?

I think without changing our attitudes regarding tax levels we can as well forget about maisha bora kwa kila M-TZ.

 
     

Festo E. Maro (Moderator)  : Thursday, February 2, 2012    
  Dear TAKNET members!

Thanks for your insightful contributions to the discussion!

Prof. Mbele your observations are valid and it's because I didn't quote the source. I used World Bank data on equity and inequality. Nevertheless your points are very clear; the first being we shouldn't worry until Gini coefficient clicks at 45% and secondly is why poverty reduction is low?-when GDP growth is high and Gini coefficient is low? Here many contributors (Elisha, Catherine and Prof Mbelle) have attempted to provide explanations such as capital flight, repatriation of investment, eliminate public funds and asset embezzlement, high level of corruption and little linkage between macro and micro economic activities. In another twist to the discussion, Faraja and Mhache don't believe in increasing income as a way to poverty reduction. However they support employment creation and controlling inflation are important options/strategies for government to pursue.

 
     

Catherine Kowero  : Wednesday, February 1, 2012    
  I strongly believe it is time we venture to think out of the box so that we may increase productivity in more of joint ventures and joint aggression. It is not so much of equality as it is of increased productivity that will raise the standard of our livelihoods.This  submit humbly with appreciation of this sharing and all the opinions, keep up!
Cathy
 
     

Faraji Abdallah Izungo  : Monday, January 30, 2012    
  In my opinion, Increase in income is not necesarily a solution to poverty reduction, normally increase in incomes by the way of salary increase result into increase in prices for goods and services and for the case of Tanzania where we have little control of price fluctuation, increase in income can result to increase in prices for goods and services to almost twice or thrice of the former prices. What is important is the purchasing power of the money and income of some one. We can leave the income to be costant but at the same time control the fluctuation of prices (inflation) for which the same income can purchase more goods and services insteady of rising income with less control of prices.

Its about time the government should review its tax systems by reducing importation taxes which affect the prices of goods and services. By doing so we will have low prices for many services and goods and inturn our low income can purchase more goods and services.

Iam not an economist who might put it in proper way but that is what I can say, Poverty can not be reduced by increase in income.

Faraji Izungo

Mobile:+255712786587

Email:faraji84@yahoo.co.uk

Dar es salaam.

Tanzania

 
     

Elisha Sibale  : Monday, January 30, 2012    
  Its not possible to escape Poverty in Tanzania without increasing Income of the People:

Income of the people do determine the purchasing power of both Basic needs (Necessary) and other Luxurious commodities which all these play part to alleviate poverty in Tanzania.

The following measures should be taken to improve income equality in Tanzania;

Total combating the corruption and Embezzlement of public funds in Tanzania, Income Inequality in Tanzania is nowadays a big issue because of corruption, some Government and Non Government officers are using the Public fund for their own benefits and others are trying even to use the public assets for their businesses. Now the only way to solve this is to impose a severe punishment to those who are caught and confirmed to commit such crimes.

Another is to ensure Mass employment to the People, both the Government and Non Government sectors should create employment opportunities through initiating development projects where people can acquire equal access to Employment for all people in Tanzania hence reduce the gap to those who have and those who have not.

Using labour Intensive technique of Production, instead of using Capital intensive technique of production the government of Tanzania should create a policy of ensuring that all private sectors including both domestic and Foreign sectors are complying with the policy of using labour intensive technique of production.

Extending entrepreneurship skills and have with them the access to financial assistance, this should be done in both rural and urban areas because can enable people to generate income and to a large extend remove the so called income inequality.

Another is to Diversify our Economy, the worrying issue is the current situation occurring in Tanzania where Agriculture seems to be back borne our mostly vulnerable Tanzanians which is too terrible and widen the gap between those who have and those who have not. The only way to solve this terrible issue is through diversifying our Economy by putting much efforts in developing other sectors and make them the center of employment opportunities, these sectors are such as Mining, Fishing, Tourism, Transportation, Industry etc

If all the above measures are well implemented and the Government is Committed to work on behalf of the people i am much sure that we can reduce the existing gap that seen to be a bitter pill on peoples development.

 
     

Prof. Ammon Mbelle  : Monday, January 30, 2012    
  A correction first. The Gini coefficient as reported in 2007 HBS was 0.35 (Mainland Tanzania) corresponding Figures being 0.34 HBS 1991/92 and 0.35 HBS 2000/01 - a very marginal increase 1991/92-2007.. These are low figures. Start worrying when the coefficient is high (0.45). The basic issue for discussion has to link the information Festo Maro has given with growth experience (1991/92 to 2007). Why has poverty reduction been very marginal when the change in growth has been large at a time when the Gini coefficient is that low? (a low Gini coefficient leads to high reduction of poverty when there is growth). A number of questions arise: where did all the growth go to? Possible explanations are many - significant size of foreign nationals in the growth process - repatriation; capital flight, (Recall GDP counts their contribution also) etc; weak macro-micro link, etc. Another issue concerns credibility of responses to HBS questionnaire. The relatively rich understated their incomes/wealth! In all counts, it doesn't augur well with observations in reality that between 1991/92 and 2007 the income gap between the richer and the poor has remained almost same! Prof. AVY Mbelle  
     

Emmanuel Patroba Mhache  : Friday, January 27, 2012    
  I read the suggestion by Festo Maro and come with the following comments.

Nyerere, the father of nation in some of his speech said that, "Fedha si msingi wa maendeleo". When I said money (fedha) I equate it with income. There are different ways of increasing income. One, for the employees is through increasing salary/wages; two, for the famers is by increasing prices of produce; traders by increasing prices of their goods including reducing taxes, to mention a some. what is happenin' in the poverty reduction is opposite, is to increase the povery rate. When government increases let say salaries/wages, prices of goods, other things like fuels, electricity tarrif, inputs are also going up. When you calculate the difference between (the income and running cost) what people are left with is almost zero or negative. Have you reduced poverty or widen the gap. I am not an economist.

 
     

Festo E. Maro (Moderator)  : Thursday, January 26, 2012    
  Dear TAKNET Members,

Let discuss the following basic development indicators for Tanzania in the context of our topic and questions!

Poverty Headcount ratio: the poverty headcount ratio decreased from 38.6% in 1992 to 33.4% in 2007. This is good trend for poverty reduction. But the Gini coefficient (income) for Tanzania has been increasing overtime from 33.83% in 1992 to 37.58% in 2007. This is worrying trend in reducing income inequality. Why do you think the two indicators don't match in other words can someone escape poverty in Tanzania without increasing the income? What should be done then to improve income equity in Tanzania?

N.B:

Poverty Headcount ratio: measures the percentage of the population whose per capita incomes or expenditures are below the poverty line. This means the population cannot afford to buy a basic basket of goods.

Gini coefficient of: It measures inequality of the distribution in this context is income distribution usually expressed in terms of percentage values between 0 and 100. Gini coefficient of zero shows a perfect equality while at 100 it shows perfect inequality.

 
     

Festo E. Maro (Moderator)  : Sunday, January 15, 2012    
  Thanks Chris for the posting and I see your point is centered on developing a culture of setting goals and monitoring them by starting at the personal level. Your desirable outcome is to have citizens who are result oriented and hence from them we will have leaders who possess traits for greater accountability for the outcomes.

Am sure you will agree that much has been written and discussed on cleverness of Tanzania in preparing development policies, programs and projects. In fact some other countries copied our policies/program/project and made considerable progress. But the same policies/program/policies didn't work for us. This means we have weakness in implementation of our own policies/programs/project. What are the issues which limit proper implementation of the policies/program/projects in Tanzania?

 
     

Christian Mbena  : Tuesday, January 10, 2012    
  To increase greater accountability for outcomes in Tanzania there should be intensive encouragement on people to evaluate their own performance to achieve the set goals/objectives  
     

Festo E. Maro (Moderator)  : Thursday, January 5, 2012    
  Dear TAKNET members,

Happy New Year and wishing you best of luck for 2012!

I am delighted to read divergent opinions over the feasibility for having equitable and better future for all in Tanzania. In general both of you seems to converge over the feasibility for equitable and better future. But each one of you had different opinion on how to attain equitable and a better future for All. Mr. Deo Mutalemwa stressed diligence over public expenditure to have equitable benefits especially on health outcomes. On the other had Audax pointed out three tips for equitable and sustainability of Tanzania Social Economic Development. First is the promotion for self esteem, second is better environment for private sector to facilitate taxation and third is a better social protection policy to marginalized segment of the population.

Bariki Kaale viewed feasibility for equitable and better future for all is undermined by lack of transparency on tax expenditures. This makes few minorities to benefit from tax expenditures and left out majority of the population. Unequal distribution of benefits results into poor outcomes. As a result Mr. Denis Silayo observed that inequality is brought by poor implementation of the development programs in the country.

So what should be done to increase greater accountability for outcomes in Tanzania?

 
     

Denis Silayo  : Wednesday, December 14, 2011    
  I would like to say this, I beleave we have good economist, and policies well set { just the fact that we have different views; result to criticizms}. Then why cricies result apon our economy? Is why we give our views here, on what economist could have done, we forget what already they have done, aplicability and the implementation { together with implementors} The power to implement and to enforce implementation is vested on who? Economist{ those who make policy or politicians or who?} I THINK ITS WORTH TO CRITICIZ A POLICY BY SAYING THE -VE CONCEQUENCE THAT IT WILL LEAD OUR ECONOMY TO... Otherwise the problem is in the implementation process  
     

Bariki Karosi Kaale  : Wednesday, December 14, 2011    
  Dear TAKNET MEMBERS

Many thanks to Hon Deo contributions. A better future for all ----- is possible. However collective efforts are required to make it possible. Unfortunately the majority poor citizens are paying for the rich people for example in subsidized electricity, health services etc.

The underlying cause of the problem is that expenditure of peoples' tax is not transparent. Few are benefiting on the expenses of the majority. In the future, all Government expenditure should show indicators on value for money, results and impact. In many cases people are paid for maintaiing a position with no tangible results.

Last month I visited a Primary school in Kwimba district with 770 pupils of which only 43pupils had desks. The rest were sitting on the floor - after 50 years of independence. Funds used for HALAIKI, etc could be used for purchasing school desks as a component of celebrating 50 years of indepence. If current situation will be allowed to continue - a better life for all is a wishful thinking. The poor majority have to stand up and fight for their rights - as the few rich people are exploring opportunities of getting richer including Waheshimiwa.

Sincerely

Bariki K. Kaale

 
     

Elisha Sibale  : Wednesday, December 14, 2011    
  Dear all,

Look at what the world government leaders! There is no justice under the sun, leave alone their sweet promises. A better future for all... seamed possible under African Socialism, postulated by Mwl. J.K. Nyerere the father of Nation. The gap between the haves and the have not was very slim. We all received free Education, Free health care service. Students at the Hill University ate nutritious meals. Deo go back to the Hill today and meals our students eat, It wali maharagwe, dagaa and nyama kiduchu. What outcome do you expect. Mwalimu meant what he said and did stand for. But He was Betrayed by his own people nearer, just as the case of Jesus and judas. All the good people are not for this world. They will not leave longer to see the world evils happening before their eyes.

LOOK at the big nation how they were pooling out of the Kyoto Protocol. They polluting this planet as if they do not know the effects. For Money humanity looses his dignity and love for his neighbor. Just wait and see what will happen after the new constitution. The Katiba will not change the people's mind set. Though it is one step in climbing mount kilimanjaro in search for a better future for all. We have done well with Utaifaifa badala ya ukabila. We should keep on the track to building a national culture of respect, love, good leadership without a trace of Ufisadi. We unayekula milo 3 mkumbuke na jirani yako anaye sumbukia mlo mmoja!

Watanzania we have now two opportunities if we shall be given enough time to make correct decision for the future we need. 1. to participate and contribute to new constitution, bring in changes that will matter to our destination, 2. Register and vote well for your future leaders. Leaders who can sacrifice for their people. Leaders like Nyerere who kept his salary low. Let us pray also for a free election commission. And finally look for the world tomorrow in which just will prevail. do not harm to your neighbor one day he wil save you from danger.

Elisha S. Mwamkinga

 
     

AUDAX RUKONGE  : Wednesday, December 14, 2011    
  Hi Colleagues!

I would like to commend Mr Deo Mutalemwa for his observations

Basically, as a social scientist, I believe that Equitable and Sustainability of Tanzania Socio Economic Development is Feasible.

I would like to point on three key issues

1. Promotion of self-esteem.

Indivivually people need to know that the policies and environment provide for them to be living a life of dignity, and therefore need to work hard to earn their living. This should be in conjunction with availability of fair treatment and level playing field. This must be go beyond what is in the constitution and policies but much more in our conduct. We can also follow the enforcement of some laws such as Sheria ya Nguvu Kazi...because otherwise how do you perceive meeting youth between 20th -45 years old in the morning around 0800hrs to 1200hrs on pool tables, visiting grossaries, visiting bars....and many cases sitting idle. This is a wastage of labour power! But then, the government need to ensure such youths and graduands are given support required to maximize nguvukazi zao.

It is also about self-esteem. I mean, this is more of historical than simple discussion. Honest, people should feel ashamed of being given food handouts!

2. Better environment for private sector

To promote economic sustainability, the focus must be on domestic investment not on FDIs. With the current policies, we should expect very little from FDIs but more on domestic private firms. In this context we also need to set kind of policies that will ensure we collect as much tax as possible. This is KEY! If we cannot collect enough tax then we are doomed! In the interest of FDIs and local firms, we need to institute laws that ensure enforcement and increased openness....transparency. Their businesses should be easy to trace and tax. Tax evasion must be among the practices that are grossly punished. We should also ensure that whatever is collected is reinvested in a manner that propagates production and productivity. This means we must know what our priorities are and ensure we prudently and wisely spend the hard-earned resources.

In the same context, a certain preference to domestic firms must be instituted to encourage local producers and partinerships between Tanzanians and foreign companies. This way we can reduce capital flight and unnecessary tax heavens!

3. Better social protection policies

We can not talk about equitable if the policies on social protection is not addressing the challenges of watoto wa mitaani, wazee and walio-staafu kwa mjibu wa sheria na makundi mengine ndani ya jamii wanaohitaji usaidizi wa namna moja au nyingine. How do we promote equitability (much as Mr Deo has said it is a moving target) in the context of 'God for us ....everybody for herself?'. This is very critical. But if we want to reduce street children and a number of people suffering unnecessarily while we promote the human dignity, we should uphold policies and practices that articulate the challenges faced by such groups

Audax

 
     

Deo Mutalemwa  : Monday, December 12, 2011    
 

Dear TAKNET.


I like to comment on the discussion topic:  "A Better future for All: Is Equitable and Sustainability of Tanzanian Socio and Economic Development Feasible?”  I limit my comments to a couple of points today as follows:


Sustainability is feasible. Equitable is a moving target if it referring to equality: but it is all right if it referring to justice and fairness as well as inclusiveness. The call for A Better future for All  is elegant and sensible only as policy statement but not possible to achieve fully.


Let me continue with a digression: On 9th December 2011 I read in a newspaper one  heartening information. It was about three government ministers and an MP who had been sent by government to India several months back and were returning in the country after recovery from  life threatening diseases. Coincidentally, the same day I visited Muhimbili National Hospital in DAR at Sewahaji Ward and was sickened by the abhorable situation I found there. Very sick accident victims and others were sleeping in the corridor and on  the ward floor with no beds and no mosquito nets. A fellow visiting a relative, as I was doing, retorted :  We are celebrating 50 years  of Independence  today with pomp at the National Stadium with so much money and yet we fail to have compassion for such miserable human beings.


These two contrasting situations : sending patients to India while  others are sleeping on the floor in Dar in our national hospital and at the same time we afford  merry making and celebrating in the national stadium,  are together a strong message that the challenge to equality or equity is still  a daunting task. Is it possible to tackle? Yes it is: we need compassion for our neighbours and frugality in spending public funds. I am not going to say anything about the much publicized MPs sitting allowances.


Another little bit of encouraging reading has been in the Tanzania's Human Development Index (a standard measure of wellbeing designed by UNDP). In 2010 Tanzania was ranked worldwide as number 152 behind Kenya (142) but slightly better than Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, Mozambique or Zambia. So, on that score we are not doing badly, even if Tanzania’s ranking worldwide has not improved radically for the past 15 years. Nonetheless, there are rays of good performance for instance in closing the gender gap, by which Tanzania has a relatively respectable ranking. It ranked 24 out of 154 countries according to The Global Gender Gap 2006 Report based on the survey conducted by the World Economic Forum 2006. Similarly,  Tanzania ranked 38 out of 130 countries surveyed in 2008 with a score of 0.707 out of 1.00 (full equality) with school enrolment gender equality almost matching  that of Switzerland (in 2004).


My conclusion is that A Better future for All should be depoliticized and enshrined in the pending new Constitution of the country and translated into measurable yardsticks in the 5-year plans. But above all, it has to be practiced at person to person levels in the public social services delivery.


By Deo Mutalemwa

 
     

Festo E. Maro (Moderator)  : Wednesday, December 7, 2011    
  Dear TAKNET Member,

2011 Human Development Report (HDR) was launched on 3rd November 2011 marking a new beginning of global development policy planning, implementation and funding in the world. 2011 HDR report comes with a theme on “Sustainability and Equity: A Better Life for All”. According to 2011 HDR Tanzania as a country has managed to climb one step up from last year. This is due to improvements in health, education and gender development indicators. TAKNET would like to invite you once again to this interesting policy discussion "A Better future for All: Is Equitable and Sustainability of Tanzanian Socio and Economic Development Feasible?”. This discussion is primarily concerned with economic, social and political challenges Tanzania is currently facing and suggesting creative yet feasible options for creating sustainable and inclusive growth hence raising the status of Tanzania in Human Development Ranking Index. While contributing its worthy taking into account various policy measures which have been implemented and their outcomes in economic, social (education, water and health), governance, gender, and other cross cutting issues. In this way it will be possible to make effective policy recommendations to the policy makers based on the evidence.

To get more information about 2011 HDR you can download it from the following link http://hdr.undp.org/en/media/HDR_2011_EN_Complete.pdf

You're kindly requested to organize your contribution by responding to the following questions;

•What economic measures can be done to minimize price volatility which may also ensure inclusive growth?

•What measures should be taken to improve equity in the country?

• What should be done to increase greater accountability for outcomes?

• What should be done to increase social fairness, justice and greater access to a better quality of life?

• Given the debt crisis in the Euro zone what are alternative sources of financing for socio and economic development of Tanzania?

You're contributions will then be summarized into a policy brief and it will be posted in this website.

Karibuni wote!

Festo Maro (moderator)

 
     

  This topic has been closed. You can only view comments!  
     

 

 

  ESRF
  Tanzania Development Gateway
  Tanzania Online
  Government of Tanzania
  United Nations (UN)
More»
 
v  
v TOP CONTRIBUTORS
  Omari Mwinyi Khamis(156)
  Festo E. Maro(69)
  Abdallah Hassan(49)
  japjet Makongo(30)
  Kabuje Furaha(26)
   
All Contributors»



 
Tanzania Knowledge Network (TAKNET) Platform is supported by The Government of United Republic of Tanzania,
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and coordinated by Economic and Social Research Foundation (ESRF).


Disclaimer | About Us | Feedback | Membership | Contact Us | Admin
© 2015 Economic and Social Research Foundation. All Rights Reserved.