EDITORIAL : THE CITIZEN, TANZANIA

World must feed self

An Oxfam report paints a gloomy picture of food availability, citing a billion people going to bed hungry every night. And the World Food Programme has reported that 8.75 million people need humanitarian assistance in the Horn of Africa alone. Although Oxfam acknowledges that floods, drought and other natural disasters have been causing famines for years, it warns that global food insecurity is worsening because of deep imbalances in opportunities and control of resources. It calls on Tanzania and other developing countries to reform food policies and forging good governance. It has criticised few politicians and business elite for pushing for a more industrial agriculture, controlled by a few big corporations, using yet more resources. It warns that such an approach is wrong because it benefits only a few people, leaving the majority of smallholder farmers poorer. We share Oxfam’s sentiments. Recently, poor countries have been seeing foreign agricultural companies conniving with governments to grab large tracts of land, displacing small-scale farmers. Such outmoded policies are deepening poverty. It is shameful for many African countries to continue begging for food — 50 years after independence. They should take a leaf from Malawi’s book on food self-sufficiency. African politicians and planners should stop politicking and chasing personal goals at the expense of the rest of the people. With all available scientific and technological advancements, it is shameful for people to die of hunger.

Youth of Africa need relevant Education

The world is changing fast, thanks to globalisation that  is catalysed by advancements in science and technology. The situation poses unique challenges for Africa, more so the sub-Saharan countries such as Tanzania, which for long lagged behind on account historical disadvantages that must be overcome. If a majority of African countries are to develop into middleclass economies within the decade as aspired in the context of the much-touted millennium development goals (MDGs), then education for the youth must be given a priority. And by education, we are not talking about simply sending to school and college as many youngsters as possible; no! We are talking about quality and relevant education. There is a need for a fresh look into what is offered in our learning and training institutions. Educationists must ask the question: Is the education offered tailored to prepare the young for the challenges of globalisation? Given the trend of workforce reduction in virtually all sectors, how are our learners readied for self-employment and job creation? According to the 2011 Youth Report entitled “Addressing the Youth Education and Employment Nexus in the Global Economy” African governments must give priority to youth education so as to enable them to reap employment benefits of globalisation. When it comes to seeking opportunities for employment, our youth, for instance, must be able to think beyond Tanzania. Now that is where the education system comes in – it must be one that empowers a young Tanzanian to apply and get a good job in Kenya, Canada or Malaysia. In today’s world, productivity is not just about working hard (as political leaders were apt to urge us during the early post-independence years); it is also, and maybe mostly, about working smart. Africa is capable of lifting itself up, rid itself from shame of poverty as well as dependence and flourish in a globalised world, but that will require that we provide our youth with good education.