Potential for the Community Economic Development Programme Supporting the Local and Central Government Reforms in Tanzania

Mbwette, T.S.A. and Shungu, H.A. (2010) Potential for the Community Economic Development Programme Supporting the Local and Central Government Reforms in Tanzania. Huria Journal, VIII (1). pp. 160-178. ISSN 0856 6739

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Abstract

The paper focuses on the contribution of the Community Economic Development Programme (CED) run by The Open University of Tanzania in collaboration with the Southern New Hampshire University based in the United States of America in political and economic empowerment in Tanzania. The government of Tanzania in its efforts to facilitate the community empowerment process at both political and economic levels had resolved to institute political devolution and decentralization hence the establishment of the ongoing central and local government reforms. Embodied in these reforms are components such as capacity building and training for realisation of the reforms. Selectively, the study underscores the impacts and achievements in the sectors of capacity building and training through CED. The findings of the study support the contention that the ongoing reform programmes in the central and local government, require some intervention by other stake-holders in as far as capacity building and training is concerned. The study also underscores the levels attained in democratization, governance, empowerment and the degree of participatory practices all of which are objectives of the reforms. The findings of this study are based mainly on seven Councils that include Kilombero, Tandahimba, Mbozi, Rungwe, Babati, Kilwa and Mbeya. Responses from respondents have-to a large extent, thrown some light on the course of action to be taken with regard to capacity building and training. It can be noted that as one of the stakeholders, OUT- CED, has the potential to undertake the task of capacity building and training jointly with other stakeholders who are already involved in such exercises. As a result of this study civil societies and the private sector are seen to have a role to play in the social and economic development of the district and urban councils

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