Policy Forum monthly breakfast debate on the 28th of July, 2017 was dedicated to the launch of the last of a series of the Tanzania Governance Reviews (TGRs) by Policy Forum that measure the quality of governance in Tanzania. Entitled “Tanzania Governance Review 2015/16: From Kikwete to Magufuli: Break from the past or more of the same?”, the publication was presented by Brian Cooksey from the Tanzania Development Research Group.

Civil society representatives have called upon the government to uphold freedom of expression in the country after a spate of draconian legislation enacted in recent times. Speaking at the Policy Forum’s breakfast Debate titled “Taking Off to the Inclusive Society: Freedom of Expression in Tanzania” that took place on 31st March 2017, Anna Henga of the Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC) said that the Cybercrimes Act No.14 of 2015, the Statistics Act of 2015 and the Media Services Act No.

Policy Forum elected its new Board of Directors during its 2017 Annual General Meeting held in Dar es Salaam on the 17th of March. The outgoing board members are Donati Senzia-PELUM, Charles Meshack -Tanzania Forest Conservation Group (TFCG), Dr.

Policy Forum (PF) is conducting a study to probe its radio programmes on Social Accountability in Lindi and Mtwara regions from 18th to 22nd September, 2016. The programmes were aired since 2015 in three radio stations namely Info Radio FM (Mtwara), Mashujaa FM (Lindi) and Safari FM (Mtwara).

After nearly Eight months into the new Magufuli administration, stakeholders in Tanzania met at the Policy Forum Breakfast Debate held on the 29th of July 2016 to discuss and reflect on the role of civil society in enhancing governance and human rights in the current political context.

Prior to the October 25th 2015 general elections, civil society organizations under the Policy Forum Budget Working Group prepared and presented what was termed “Our KEY ASKS to the Next Government” for the consideration of different political parties that were taking party in the polls.  The document contains a number of critical issues that required the attention of the government.    

The Commission of Human Rights and Good Governance (CHRAGG) has pledged to further enhance its interactions with civil society organisations so as to improve on extending the socio-economic rights so as to see the effective delivery of public service to the people of Tanzania. This vow was made by the Chairman of the commission Hon. Bahame Tom Nyanduga during a meeting with Policy Forum members.

Tanzanians have been urged to look closely at the relevance of global development goals to the local context if the country is to make substantive inroads to reduce poverty and inequality. This was one of the main sentiments emerging from a breakfast debate entitled: “MDGs and Post 2015 Development Agenda: Where are we and where are we heading?” organised by the Policy Forum.

Members of the Policy Forum Local Government Working Group (LGWG) have proposed that local government elections that were slated for October this year should be postponed and coupled with the 2015 general elections.

Civil Society Organizations have been praised for their contribution in educating the Tanzanian society on crucial issues including the ongoing constitutional making process. They have been advised, however, to provide solutions and advice to the government on key governance issues instead of merely criticizing the executive.