FIGHTING CORRUPTION: Govt mulls new tactics

DODOMA: THE government has called on stakeholders to develop innovative strategies to combat corruption, warning that the vice undermines human dignity and hinders national development.

Speaking during the African Anti-Corruption Day workshop held in Dodoma yesterday, Minister of State in the President’s Office Public Service Management and Good Governance, Mr George Simbachawene, said there is a need to build strong anti-corruption institutions capable of addressing graft in society.

He said that the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in public service delivery has significantly reduced human interaction, thus helping to curb corrupt practices.

Reflecting on this year’s theme, “Promoting Human Dignity in the Fight Against Corruption,” the minister said that fighting corruption establishes a solid foundation for respecting human rights.

“Corruption degrades human dignity. Therefore, every effort we make to fight corruption helps to protect and promote human dignity whether for Tanzanians or foreign nationals,” he stated.

Mr Simbachawene also noted that Tanzania has made significant strides in combating graft in recent years. He said the National Anti-Corruption Strategy and Action Plan Phase IV (2023–2030) demonstrate the government’s ongoing commitment to fighting corruption, which he described as a major obstacle to national prosperity.

As part of this strategy, he said, the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) has continued working with stakeholders to provide public education, particularly in targeting youths in primary schools, secondary schools and universities.

“The goal is to ensure that citizens understand what constitutes corruption, its consequences and most importantly their role and responsibility in combating it,” he said.

Citing a Transparency International report, he highlighted Tanzania’s improved rankings in the Corruption Perceptions Index moving from 87th in 2023 (40 points) to 82nd in 2024 (41 points) out of 180 countries.

“These are national achievements that should inspire us to aim even higher,” he urged.

Meanwhile, Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Prof Palamagamba Kabudi, linked Tanzania’s recent anti-corruption successes to President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s 4Rs Philosophy—Reconciliation, Resilience, Reform and Rebuild.

He said these values have restored public confidence and human dignity.

Prof Kabudi further explained that under the 4Rs approach, the government established a commission to investigate the country’s criminal justice system, not to tolerate corruption but to reform it while upholding human rights.

At the same event, Mr Benjamin Kapera, a member of the African Union Advisory Board Against Corruption (AUABC), described corruption as an “assault on human dignity,” as it breeds poverty, deepens inequality, erodes public trust and diminishes people’s sense of self-worth.

“Corruption denies children access to education, healthcare and clean water. Our anti-corruption strategies must go beyond financial aspects and focus on protecting human dignity. A human centred approach should lead all anti-corruption efforts,” Kapera emphasised.

On his part, Director General of Zanzibar Anti Corruption and Economic Crime Authority (ZAECA), Ally Abdallah Ally said dignity and human rights must be safeguarded in all anticorruption efforts to foster good governance and sustainable development.

“African societies recognise corruption as a crime that hinders development and denies citizens essential services. This commemoration should serve as a wakeup call for the public to reject corruption and stand for justice and accountability,” he stated.

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Closing the event, PCCB Director General Crispian Chalamila said the forum was aimed at producing actionable resolutions that will reinforce the country’s anticorruption efforts while safeguarding human dignity.

“Corruption is a major barrier to social well-being and often leads to other exploitative acts prohibited by our Constitution. By strengthening our fight against corruption, we will help achieve the government’s goal of improving social welfare and upholding the dignity of every Tanzanian,” Chalamila said.