President J. Kikwete of Tanzania becomes the first African head of State to meet the newly elected Present of USA, Mr. Barak Obama

The sitting of Tanzania National Assembly in Dodoma

Prof. Anna Tibaijuka receives a medal from Qutar Minister for her effects on human settlements

Africa Need a golden Generation to Face Challenges

Since the WWII it is now becoming clear that a particular type of a generation can has a formidable impacts on any continet, and this is increasing becoming rather a theory of Golden Generation. This theory became clear after the second WW when Europe was devastated by war, it was the Golden Generation in Europe in the 60s to 70s that brought with it spectacular achievements. The Golden Generation of Europe brought with it technological development and economic performance that enabled Europe to meet in short time challenges brought by war devastations.

Because of this achievement, the people who lived during this period became part of the European Golden Generation. Since then the theory of Golden Generation has now moved to Asian Countries, the Golden Generation in there has managed to brought with it also what is now know as Eastern Asian Miracles or sometimes Asian Tigers. We can therefore believe that the Theory of Golden Generation works, and a continent has to have such a generation to meet development challenges.

When I turn to Africa economic and social challenges that do not respond to any policy packages, it reminds me of this Theory and sometimes I tend to believe that Africa has never had a Golden Generation. Probably when Africa will have its Golden Generation it would be able to formulate policies that are dynamic enough to respond to its socio-economic challenges and be able to get its people out of miseries.

Now the question that I would ask is when Africa will have its own Golden Generation that will be up to the task facing the continent? or we have missed that generation already?

Tanzania is Removed from SECO Priority Countries

Tanzania has been removed from SECO priority countries and this move could impact on development assistence to Tanzania from Switzerland. SECO website describes Tanzania as follows;
With a population of 37.6 million inhabitants (2004) - 36% living in urban areas - Tanzania is the fifth most populous country of the Sub-Saharan Africa. It is endowed with a rich natural resource base (agriculture, natural gas, mineral deposits). It is also one of the most stable countries of the region. On the other hand, the average income per capita (USD 340) is still amongst the lowest in Sub-Sahara Africa, and income poverty remains high at an estimated 36.1% of the population.
Since 1986 Tanzania has moved away from a one-party political system and a controlled economy, through gradual - although sometimes erratic - adjustments. In 1995, the country embarked on the current program of economic stabilisation and structural reforms supported by the World Bank and the IMF. The main reforms include prudent fiscal and monetary policies, the privatisation of public enterprises and the creation of a more conducive business environment. The government is also committed to the implementation of a Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) adopted in 2000, whose second generation, the National Strategy for Growth and Reduction of Poverty (NSGRP or MKUKUTA according to its Swahili acronym) was completed in early 2005.