AS
days are numbered counting down to the transition of power between the
incumbent Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) Chairman, Dr Jakaya Kikwete, passing
the leadership baton dutifully to his successor, Dr John Magufuli, the
country is thrilled.
Our nation is overwhelmed by so many
challenges from ghost workers to economic sabotage, but one thing that
is critical facing the party is fulfilment of its manifesto which was
promised to the people in 2015 elections.
Recently, we all
learned what happened in Britain when the former Prime Minister, Mr
David Cameron had made a pledge to the people to conduct a referendum,
which if he had not promised, probably the political landscape in
Britain would have not shaken. Indeed, quite a lesson to our local
politicians because Tanzania is not an Island and our citizens are aware
what is going on in other corners of the world.
Perhaps Party
members would not be ready to take things for granted this time at the
forthcoming Party traditional powering handing over conference. For
instance, the British electorate are having high expectations on their
new Prime Minister Theresa May.
It is clear that the people
might not support the Conservatives if they fail to deliver the Brexit.
It is the same thing with the CCM ruling party which is facing a similar
challenge after the electorate elected it in power.
However,
the public has high expectations in terms of the country moving to the
middle income bracket. Tanzania has over the years been trying different
economic models to transform its economy. We went from socialism to
capitalism.
I have thought of sharing an economic model which
resembles our circumstances and situations. For example, the Chinese
economic growth model calls for nations to adopt growth which is genuine
and not inflated.
China like many other countries has been
confronted with a complex international economic situation, as well as
the demanding tasks of reform, development and stability. But President
XI Jinping of China has a ‘Magic Bullet’ or remedy, especially an
undiscovered one in some parts of the world, with wonderful specific
properties.
The advice from the president is that the best
option is for the developing economies to undertake a scientific
approach to development like the way China did by focusing on
transforming their economic growth model. CCM can borrow a leaf from
China and other sound world economies by acting promptly to improve
macro control and place more emphasis on sustainable development.
The
Chinese experience in adopting this model has seen their country
recording positive results in many areas, including steady economic
growth, adjustment of the economic structure, reform to a deeper level
and improvement of the people’s well being.
Since CCM has
continuously promised the people of Tanzania to deliver better life for
all, the party has a duty to guide the government on fiscal policies
which have a direct bearing both to the economy and the people.
President
Jinping makes a point when he said in his book: The Governance of
China; “Every coin has two sides. We must see both the advantages and
disadvantages in the international and domestic situations, make full
preparations for adversity, and strive to get the best possible
results.” As I penned down this article we just learn of the foil coup
attempt in Turkey where the mutiny was defeated and the government has
taken control.
The coup was not successful because the people
support their democratic elected government. We all are aware that the
party strength emanates from the people who have elected them, and it is
paramount for CCM leaders to listen to their concerns, be ready to
accommodate their plight and come up with sustainable solutions. It is
not helpful for the party leaders to be timid and deny the obvious. The
party cannot win hearts and minds of the people if it creates rift
within the caucus or use intimidation.
People want to see
progress and prosperity. People are not asking for a piece of moon in
this country. Our people are asking for basic needs which can only be
achieved through scientific social and economic development.
All
successful economies of the world, including China focus on improving
the quality and efficiency of economic growth, steady growth, fostering
innovation, lay down a solid foundation for future development, press
forward with reform and opening up their economies to potential
investments. Once this is the commitment the country can be assured of
realising sustainable and healthy economic development together with
social stability and harmony.
We mentioned that CCM top
leadership should take ownership of the economy by maintaining
reasonable economic growth characterised by proactive fiscal and prudent
monetary policies. In President Jinping advice, the secret is for
nations to pursue real rather than inflated economic growth.
Another
secret is consolidating the position of agriculture as the foundation
of the economy, which should see increase support for agriculture,
improve policies that benefit farmers and bring prosperity to them.
This
should go hand in hand with accelerating modernised operation of
agriculture and ensure the supply of grain and other important
agriculture implements. Also another one is our nation should strive to
make substantial progress in economic restructuring, expand domestic
demand while stabilising external demand.
At the same time
intensify industrial restructuring and upgrading and promote well
planned and healthy urbanisation. In addition the secret is to carry out
reform to improve the countries fiscal and monetary policies among
other things, which in President Jinping approach is based on improving
the socialist market economy. Also having a good top-level design, carry
out timely and targeted reform measures, combine steady progress in
overall reform.
But even more important, is this final secret.
It is the CCM party commitment and walking the talk when they tell all
Tanzanians that the shift to the middle income economy is definite.
Leaders of CCM if they want to remain relevant in Tanzania politics they
have to improve the people’s standard of living, with a particular
focus on low-income groups. They should engage in keeping the employment
market steady while doing all they can to expand it.
How much
impact is CCM to make in the coming four years ahead before the next
general election is their ability to improve the urban and rural social
security system.
President Jinping who is the proprietor of the
aforementioned model or call it ‘Magic Bullet’ concludes in his precious
book that:” We will encourage the people to achieve prosperity through
hard work, thereby combining the aim of the Party and the government’s
work with the goals that ordinary people strive for.” Is this not what
CCM stands for?
Thus, I wish the fourthcoming CCM Conference all the success. To be continued next week
-source: Daily News
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