Forum calls on govt to act as institution

BAK · 2017-11-30T11:04:56+00:00

Thursday, November 30, 2017 Forum calls on govt to act as institution In Summary Speaking during a debate on “Our democracy” hosted by Twaweza — nongovernmental organisation — debaters said laws that encouraged secrecy and restriction of the information flow should be repealed. By Louis Kolumbia @Collouis1999 lkolumbia@tz.nation media.com Dar es Salaam. The government has been urged to act as an institution instead of concentrating on implementing presidential directives. Speaking during a debate on “Our democracy” hosted by Twaweza — nongovernmental organisation — debaters said laws that encouraged secrecy and restriction of the information flow should be repealed. They were debating a presentation titled “How can we close the gap between the strong commitment to transparency and inclusion shown by the government, particularly through the anti-corruption agenda, and the prevailing reality and a culture of secrecy, propaganda and politics?” Contributing to the debate, ACT Wazalendo leader Zitto Kabwe said institutions like the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau, the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee and the Local Authorities Accounting Committee should be strengthened. “These institutions should be empowered to ensure that they initiate, probe and unearth the rot instead of receiving directives from government leaders,” he said. He noted that scandals, which had shaken the country in recent years, were uncovered by either the media or parliament, warning that secrecy would negatively impact on the nation. “Secrecy will plunge our country into huge scandals. Therefore, that should be avoided,” he said. Mr Deogratius Bwire of the Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition said laws that restricted free access to information and its dissemination should be amended. “The country should reaffirm its commitment to the international community such as the Open Governance Partnership from which we withdrew without concrete reasons,” he said. “Leaders should change their mindset and not hide information because under the current advancement of science and technology, nothing can remain secretive.” Jamii Forums co-founder Maxence Mello challenged the government on classifying information related to expenditure of taxpayers’ money, noting that only issues of national security may be restricted.

Thread starter BAK
Start date Nov 30, 2017

BAK

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Forum calls on govt to act as institution

BAK

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