We must not take peace for granted
The call by the minister for Information, Culture and Sports, Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi, that Tanzanians should nurture the country’s peace and shun mistrust could not come at a more appropriate time.
He made that call in a statement read on his behalf by the minister for Home Affairs, Mr Shamsi Vuai Nahodha, at a function to mark the peaceful co-existence of people in the world, organised by the Ishik Medical and Education Foundation in Dar es Salaam.
He said since the world was now a “global village”, thanks to science and technology, people must learn to live together as one. It is a pity that we have countries neighbouring ours, that are in turmoil, a situation which could overspill to Tanzania.
Ours has, for a long time, been home to refugees fleeing from Congo, Burungi, Rwanda, Uganda and even Kenya, a few years ago. The main cause was animosity in those countries based on differences in tribal and political affiliations. Happenings in Tanzania since the last General Election have been giving the indication that peace and tranquility that we have enjoyed since independence is being threatened.
We are referring to protest marches in which participants end up being beaten up by the police, in which political leaders are arrested and incarcerated.
He made that call in a statement read on his behalf by the minister for Home Affairs, Mr Shamsi Vuai Nahodha, at a function to mark the peaceful co-existence of people in the world, organised by the Ishik Medical and Education Foundation in Dar es Salaam.
He said since the world was now a “global village”, thanks to science and technology, people must learn to live together as one. It is a pity that we have countries neighbouring ours, that are in turmoil, a situation which could overspill to Tanzania.
Ours has, for a long time, been home to refugees fleeing from Congo, Burungi, Rwanda, Uganda and even Kenya, a few years ago. The main cause was animosity in those countries based on differences in tribal and political affiliations. Happenings in Tanzania since the last General Election have been giving the indication that peace and tranquility that we have enjoyed since independence is being threatened.
We are referring to protest marches in which participants end up being beaten up by the police, in which political leaders are arrested and incarcerated.
The police in Dar es Salaam distanced itself from the action, saying it was simply carrying out a court order. But, surely, more restrain should have ben exercised, given that Mr Mbowe, chairman of Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema), was attending parliamentary committee meetings and preparing for the Budget session.
It is such things, small as they seem, that could mothball into a serious mess that could end up spoiling the reputation of Tanzania as an island of peace in a turbulent continent.We all need to nurture a culture of understanding, love and tolerance if we are to retain the country’s heritage of peace and tranquility.
It is such things, small as they seem, that could mothball into a serious mess that could end up spoiling the reputation of Tanzania as an island of peace in a turbulent continent.We all need to nurture a culture of understanding, love and tolerance if we are to retain the country’s heritage of peace and tranquility.
RAISE RESEARCH BUDGET
To realise development in an entity or indeed, a country, ample funds should be spent on research. That way, solutions to various problems and insights to the way forward are found.
There is a dearth in research in most African countries, mainly because of limited funds set aside for this key undertaking.In the 2010/11 fiscal year, Tanzania’s 44 public research institutions had a total budget of Sh30 billion, which was too little to undertake such activities accordingly.
The Africa Technology Policy Studies has hinted that despite efforts to establish a number of research and development institutions, research benefits are yet to be fully realised because the policy is hazy.
The East African Legislative Assembly has resolved that the EAC member states should spend at least one per cent of their gross domestic product on developing science, technology and innovations.
That is in tandem with the African Union resolution passed in 2007 to the effect that each member state allocates at least the same percentage to the same course.It is crucial for African countries to put aside more funds for research if they are to attain meaningful development.
It is pointless to claim that resources for research are scarce while a lot of money is embezzled or misused on sideshow activities such allowances and endless seminars.
There is a dearth in research in most African countries, mainly because of limited funds set aside for this key undertaking.In the 2010/11 fiscal year, Tanzania’s 44 public research institutions had a total budget of Sh30 billion, which was too little to undertake such activities accordingly.
The Africa Technology Policy Studies has hinted that despite efforts to establish a number of research and development institutions, research benefits are yet to be fully realised because the policy is hazy.
The East African Legislative Assembly has resolved that the EAC member states should spend at least one per cent of their gross domestic product on developing science, technology and innovations.
That is in tandem with the African Union resolution passed in 2007 to the effect that each member state allocates at least the same percentage to the same course.It is crucial for African countries to put aside more funds for research if they are to attain meaningful development.
It is pointless to claim that resources for research are scarce while a lot of money is embezzled or misused on sideshow activities such allowances and endless seminars.
0 comments:
Post a Comment