Kilimanjaro RAS commends Swedish support to media
KILIMANJARO: KILIMANJARO Regional Administrative Secretary (RAS), Mr Kiseo Nzowa has praised Sweden for its extensive support to Tanzania, particularly in the media sector, which he said has significantly improved the well-being of Tanzanians.
Mr Nzowa extended the gratitude recently in Moshi, during the visit of Swedish Ambassador to Tanzania, Ms Charlotta Ozaki Marcias, who was on an official visit to the Kilimanjaro Region.
Ambassador Charlotta’s visit included a tour of the Media Club of Kilimanjaro (MECKI) to observe the ongoing operations of the media club, which operates under the Union of Tanzania Press Clubs (UTPC).
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The UTPC is among the institutions receiving support from the Swedish government.
“The 60-year cooperation between Tanzania and Sweden has yielded significant benefits for many Tanzanians, especially those in rural areas, thanks to Sweden’s contributions across various fields,” Mr Nzowa said.
He further added, “The support you have provided and continue to provide, complements our government’s efforts to enhance the wellbeing of its people.
” Mr Nzowa noted that Ambassador Charlotta’s visit was a continuation of the longstanding collaboration between the two countries in various development sectors, including media.
He also highlighted the effective partnership between the Kilimanjaro Regional Secretariat and the regional media, which has accelerated development in the area.
“I assumed my post here only two weeks ago and even in this short time, I have witnessed the tangible benefits of this cooperation,” he said, acknowledging the prior briefings he received from the regional information officer.
Ambassador Charlotta emphasized Sweden’s enduring commitment to Tanzania, rooted in a longstanding friendship that dates back to Tanzania’s independence.
She highlighted Sweden’s significant contributions to Tanzania’s educational EP4R programme, the TASAF programme, rural electrification projects as well as the media sector.
She encouraged media practitioners in the region to continuously advance their skills in journalism and keep pace with growing information technology, which is crucial for the media sector’s development.
Ambassador Charlotta stressed the importance of media reporting that supports national development, particularly in rural areas.
The Executive Director of UTPC, Mr Kenneth Simbeye noted that Sweden’s support over the past decade has transformed the information and communication sector and enhanced journalists’ performance.
“Thanks to Sweden’s support, journalists are better equipped to provide valuable news to their audiences.
We look forward to continuing this progress with ongoing support from Sweden, the government and other stakeholders,” he said.
Earlier, MECKI Chairman Mr Bahati Mustapha highlighted the club’s impact since its establishment in 1999.
He noted that MECKI has been instrumental in uniting journalists in the region with key stakeholders, which has been vital for their daily activities.
