Africa-Press – Tanzania. ✏️ *Content*
THE government has unveiled a national secretariat aimed at strengthening coordination and accelerating the implementation of the National Ageing Policy, with the goal of improving services and protection for older persons nationwide.
Minister for Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups, Dr Dorothy Gwajima said that the establishment of the secretariat marks a major milestone in putting in place robust systems for coordination, monitoring and evaluation of the National Ageing Policy of 2003 (2024 Edition) at all levels of administration.
Speaking during a virtual meeting with members of the Policy Implementation Coordination Secretariat over the weekend in Dodoma, Dr Gwajima said the secretariat will serve as a key link between sector ministries, public institutions, local government authorities and development partners.
She noted that the arrangement will ensure programmes and services targeting older persons are properly planned, effectively implemented and aligned with the actual needs of beneficiaries.
Dr Gwajima called on sector ministries, regional administrations and local government authorities to fully mainstream elderly issues into their annual plans and budgets, while ensuring the timely submission of implementation reports.
She said that the success of the National Ageing Policy depends on the collective commitment of the government and all stakeholders to care for, value and protect older persons as a national asset. Deputy Minister for Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups, Engineer Maryprisca Mahundi, urged coordinators of elderly affairs to ensure the policy is translated into action rather than remaining a document on paper.
“It is clear that we share a collective responsibility to ensure the policy is implemented effectively across sector ministries and institutions. Cooperation, accountability and close coordination are the foundation for achieving this goal,” she said.
The meeting brought together stakeholders from sector ministries, regional and district administrations, as well as various forums, and also marked the official launch of the National Secretariat responsible for coordinating the implementation of the National Ageing Policy.
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