Africa-Press – Tanzania. THE government has expressed its commitment to ensure that it comes up with strategies that will promote culture and traditional values.
The commitment was given on Wednesday by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Sports, Dr Hassan Abbasi.
Dr Abbasi gave the commitment when opening the meeting that drew a diversity of stakeholders to strategies on drafting a review of the 1997 cultural policy and how to run the Cultural Fund.
He said Tanzania culture, norms and values have to a large extent been affected by the globalisation and digital technologies.
“The changing technological patterns in the world have to a large extent affected our culture, norms and values thus endanger their existence for the upcoming generations,” he said.
Knowing the benefits of upholding the culture, norms and value, Dr Abbasi said, President Samia Suluhu Hassan has made a bold move to revive the Cultural Fund and 1.5bn/- has been pumped into to support the fund.
Dr Abbasi said President Samia is upbeat to see that the culture, arts and sports sectors are moving forward, that is why she has formed a special ministry to serve the purpose.
He said despite the challenges of globalisation and digital world, the government has strengthened its control and monitoring machinery, to ensure culture, norms and values are safeguarded.
The meeting that was also attended by traditional chiefs, whereas Dr Abbasi urged them to come up with strategies that will ensure the traditions, culture, norms and values are preserved for the better future.
He called for openness in discussing the issues of their interest and challenges so that will be worked out for betterment of having traditions, culture, norms and values are in line.
Dr Abbasi said some of the issues will be incorporated in the new policy but those which cannot wait for the policy should be implemented now.
The Permanent Secretary said Tanzania has been trusted to preparing and writing Africa liberation struggle history, saying the chiefs have an important role in making it superb.
On his part, Director of Culture Development, Emmanuel Temu said they committed to address issues of cultural and moral decay.
He said youth have developed a tendency of not valuing the country’s traditions and norms and instead, they are copying foreign culture.
Temu said the draft has taken into consideration a number of factors to accommodate the changing life patterns.
