DAR ES SALAAM: TRUST is the foundation upon which any successful government is built.
Without trust, the relationship between public institutions and the citizens they serve begins to fray, undermining the very core of governance.
The government has long recognised that building and maintaining trust requires more than just providing information it demands transparency, credibility and alignment between internal and external stakeholders to ensure a shared vision and common objectives.
In response to this need, the Office of the Treasury Registrar (OTR) has taken proactive steps to strengthen the framework of governance, focusing on transparency and clearer communication.
These efforts are designed to enhance trust within government institutions and between the public and the government itself starting with an overhaul of OTR’s internal communication systems.
OTR’s communication transformation began by strengthening its internal communication framework.
Recognising that trust must begin within the organisation, OTR had strengthened its communication unit to ensure that the messages coming from the government were not only clear and consistent, but also trustworthy.
This overhaul empowered staff to communicate more effectively both internally and externally, fostering improved institutional collaboration and building public confidence in government actions.
“We understand that for government institutions to truly serve the people, they must first earn the trust of both their internal teams and the public,” said Mr Nehemia Mchechu, the Treasury Registrar.
Adding: “Through clear, consistent and transparent communication, we are laying the groundwork for a more unified and effective government that the people can rely on.”
A critical moment in this process was the summit held in Arusha in August 2023, where OTR brought together heads of institutions and board chairs from across the government.
This gathering was more than just a meeting it was a platform designed to align leadership with the government’s broader vision.
By directly engaging with key leaders and ensuring they understood their roles and the expectations placed upon them, OTR fostered a sense of shared responsibility and commitment.
This alignment has been instrumental in creating a unified leadership front, allowing the government to move forward with a clearer, more coordinated approach.
OTR also recognised the importance of clarifying expectations with external partners, particularly with government-affiliated companies where the state holds minority shares.
In March 2024, OTR facilitated a key meeting with board directors from these companies to outline the government’s vision and strategic goals.
This meeting helped establish a transparent framework for collaboration, ensuring that these companies were aligned with the government’s priorities.
By fostering clear communication with these partners, OTR is building the trust necessary for long-term, successful partnerships.
Another crucial element of OTR’s communication strategy has been its engagement with the media.
To ensure accurate, timely and transparent information flows to the public, OTR introduced weekly meetings with journalists and editors.
These sessions provide an opportunity for the media to engage directly with government representatives, ask questions and clarify information.
This direct interaction has played a pivotal role in fostering a transparent relationship with the media, enabling the press to report more accurately and promoting a well-informed public.
These efforts go beyond improving communication systems they represent a broader strategy of cultivating a culture of trust throughout the government.
By aligning leadership, ensuring transparency and fostering collaboration, OTR is creating a government framework that is not only more efficient, but also more responsive and accountable to the public.
As a result of these reforms, the government is already seeing the positive impact of a more unified approach to governance.
Clear communication and trust between internal leaders and external stakeholders have streamlined operations and improved the effectiveness of public service delivery.
Moreover, by engaging with the public through the media and maintaining transparency, OTR is fostering an environment where citizens feel more connected to the government and confident in its actions.
In this new era of governance, trust is no longer just a passive byproduct of good practices it’s an active driver of success.
OTR’s communication efforts are paving the way for a more open, collaborative and responsive government, one that builds strong relationships with its citizens and works to fulfil its promises with integrity.
