President Samia swears in ministers, top officials
ZANZIBAR: President Samia Suluhu Hassan has administered the oaths of office to ministers and other top government executives following the recent minor cabinet reshuffle announced by the State House.
One notable adjustment involved transferring the information sector from the Ministry of Information, Communication, and Information Technology to the Ministry of Culture, Arts, and Sports.
At a ceremony held at the State House in Zanzibar on Tuesday, Dr Ashatu Kijaji was sworn in as Minister for Livestock and Fisheries, succeeding Mr. Abdallah Ulega, who assumed the role of Minister for Works.
The Head of State also swore in Prof Palamagamba Kabudi as the new Minister for Information, Culture, Arts, and Sports.
Dr Damas Ndumbaro took the oath of office as Minister for Constitution and Legal Affairs, having previously served as Minister for the restructured docket of Culture, Arts, and Sports.
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Meanwhile, Advocate Jerry Silaa was sworn in as Minister for Communication and Information Technology.
Mr Ulega replaced Innocent Bashungwa, who was sworn in as the new Minister for Home Affairs.
Engineer Hamad Yusuf Masauni, previously the Minister for Home Affairs, was sworn in as Minister of State in the Vice President’s Office (Union and Environment).
In other appointments announced on Sunday, Gerson Msigwa was named Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts, and Sports, while retaining his role as Chief Government Spokesperson.
Dr James Kilabuko and Dr. Stephen Nindi were appointed Deputy Permanent Secretaries in the Prime Minister’s Office (Policy, Parliament, and Coordination) and the Ministry of Agriculture (Cooperatives and Irrigation), respectively.
Dr Suleiman Serera was transferred to the Ministry of Industry and Trade as Deputy Permanent Secretary.
Ambassador Dr John Stephen Simbachawene assumed a new role, while Prof. Mohamed Janabi was named Presidential Advisor on Health and Medical Treatment, in addition to his duties as Executive Director of Muhimbili National Hospital.
In diplomatic appointments, Mr Anderson Mutatembwa, Mr Mobhare Matinyi, Zanzibar Commissioner of Police (CP) Hamad Khamis Hamad, CP Suzan Kaganda, and Mr Thobias Makoba were appointed as ambassadors and will be assigned duty stations.
Earlier Vice President Dr. Philip Mpango called on newly appointed leaders to collaborate effectively with their counterparts in their respective positions.
He emphasized the importance of respecting the expertise of professionals in these roles, stating; “Respect the views of the professionals you encounter in your positions, so that we can bring victory to Tanzanians.”
Dr. Mpango also urged ambassadors to prioritize the successful implementation of the country’s economic diplomacy agenda, ensuring that the President’s initiatives, particularly the R4 philosophy, are executed to their fullest potential.
