As a nation, we need to reflect on our past and think about the future

BY EDITOR

2nd January 2016.

The year 2015 has come and gone. There is no doubt that, at the individual level, everyone had dreams which either came true or completely failed to materialize.

 

Those whose dreams failed to come true in 2015 should never give up, simply because giving up in life is tantamount to committing a criminal offence.  But for those whose dreams did materialize, they should now strive to sustain the successes or consolidate them.

 

A famous leader once said: “The reason most people never achieve their dreams is because they simply give up. Life was never meant to be easy – it is a constant struggle, with extreme lows and extreme highs. Remember that the times when it is most important to persevere are the times that you will be most tested”.

 

Success is never easily attained. Plans that each individual person draws up towards success should go hand in hand with strategies on how to implement them, or else nothing will be achieved.Likewise, at the national level we have the duty to make an objective assessment whether or not our development plans are being correctly implemented. For instance, if each ministry took stock of its affairs things might not look encouraging.

 

Last year our nation passed through a very difficult time. For instance, as we start the New Year we have got to make a critical self assessment and, if possible, come up with strategies on how poaching of endangered species is likely to be curbed, if not eliminated altogether.  Poaching throughout the year 2015 tarnished the image of our nation, with little signs of taming it despite efforts being made by the authorities to fight it.

 

Following the arrests last year of several individuals suspected of being the ringleaders in poaching, some of whom were of Chinese origin, there is hope that the anti-poaching drive could now be yielding fruit.

 

Drug trafficking is another vice that has proved to be an uphill task for the authorities in the country to stem. The fourth phase government in 2006 announced zero-tolerance to the vice, before it went a step further and declared that it had the list of suspected culprits. Unfortunately, no tangible bold steps were seen to have been taken to take the suspects to task.

 

Now the new government of President John Magufuli has also put it clear that it would throw its weight behind tackling the problem. The only thing the people are now waiting for is to see whether the government will walk its talk.

 

Falling education standards have also been a thorn in the flesh of this country for quite a long time. Our neighbouring nations such as Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda have all along been appearing to perform better while the case has always been quite different for us.  

 

Fortunately, this time around the new minister responsible for educational is a no-nonsense person, if her track record is anything  to go by. We hope, with her in the driving seat, the situation might be rectified for the better.

 

Generally, as a nation, we have not fared well in the provision of social services to the public, with good governance being questioned due to rampant corruption and theft, embezzlement and misuse of public monies.

As we start the New Year 2016, we need to redefine our destination because, for sure, we had veered off the track.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN