DAR ES SALAAM: In a significant step towards enhancing communication standards within Zanzibar, the Institute of Public Relations Tanzania (IPRT) has officially signed an agreement with the Zanzibar Treasury Registrar to jointly organise the highly anticipated Zanzibar Communication Excellence Awards (ZCEA) scheduled for July 5, 2025, in the Isles.
The agreement was signed earlier today in Dar es Salaam by IPRT Director Dr Titus Solomon and Zanzibar Treasury Registrar Mr Waheed Muhammad Ibrahim Sanya, representing their organisations.
Dr Titus noted that the newly forged partnership is aimed at bolstering the skills and capabilities of journalists, media organizations, and information officers across various sectors of the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar. “Our objective is to equip these professionals with the tools necessary to perform their duties with heightened professionalism and efficiency,” he articulated.
This collaboration, he added, serves as a vital catalyst for amplifying public communication related to key information that influences the populace—particularly concerning development projects championed by the government in Zanzibar over the past four years.
“We envision this partnership enhancing the flow of critical information that not only informs the public but also incites timely government interventions based on the needs identified by media stakeholders,” Dr Titus pointed out.
Highlighting the importance of the awards, Dr Titus noted that they aim to inspire media practitioners to hone their expertise in specific fields, thereby enabling them to contribute more substantively to society. He revealed that a launch event for the awards will soon take place in Zanzibar, where organizers will outline the various categories eligible for the awards and accompanying cash prizes.
He further clarified that prior to this launch, journalists and information officers will engage in specialization training based on their specific interests. Invitations for these training sessions will be distributed to media houses in the near future, ensuring that participants are well-prepared and informed.
Dr Titus expressed a strong belief that this partnership would yield substantial benefits, invigorating media professionals and enhancing communication practices between public institutions and the communities they serve.
Providing insight into the IPRT’s mission, Dr Titus highlighted the organisation’s commitment to conducting specialized training in strategic communication and good governance across Tanzania, both on the mainland and in Zanzibar. Notably, he mentioned that the Tanzania Police Force alone has seen over 1,600 officers undergo such training, underscoring the program’s impact.
“The Zanzibar Revenue Authority (ZRA), the Zanzibar Bureau of Standards (ZBS), Zanzibar Teachers’ Union (ZATU), Tanzania Tourism Board (TTB), Norwegian Church Aid, Tanzania Teachers’ Union, Tanzania Federation of Co-operatives (TFC) and the Drugs Control and Enforcement Authority (DCEA) are among other institutions that have benefitted from our initiatives,” he noted, showcasing the extensive reach of IPRT’s training programs.
From his perspective, Mr Sanya, expressed optimism that the proposed awards will catalyze substantial progress in Zanzibar’s development landscape by promoting the dissemination of accurate and professional information about government projects.
“We strongly believe that our collaboration with IPRT has laid the groundwork for enhancing the capacity of our key stakeholders, particularly journalists and information officers, who play a pivotal role in reporting on government initiatives,” he stated.
Furthermore, Mr Sanya elaborated on the shared commitment of the two institutions to offer training focused on strategic communication and good governance, aimed at empowering leaders of various organizations within the Isles.
“As the countdown to the Zanzibar Communication Excellence Awards begins, expectations run high for our partnership to reshape the communication framework in Zanzibar, paving the way for more informed communities and a transparent government framework,” he pointed out.
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In discussing the awards, Zanzibar Economic Empowerment Agency (ZEEA) Executive Director Mr Juma Burhan Mohamed, expressed his congratulations to the two partners for their initiative to create these awards for media stakeholders. He highlighted that this effort will significantly improve the access to accurate information that upholds journalistic standards.
“When the public receives accurate information, particularly regarding government-implemented projects, it serves not only the interests of the general public but also benefits our leaders as the correct information enables them to gather genuine feedback from the citizens, allowing for timely and responsible actions based on that data,” Mr Mohamed stated, adding: “I commend the Office of the Registrar of the Treasury of Zanzibar and IPRT for this remarkable endeavor.”
