A critical component for the success of national and continental development plans will be the ability of leadership to provide guidance through the transitions that have to be made, said Hon. Angellah Kairuki (MP), Minister of State for the President’s Office, Public Service Management and Good Governance.
Hon. Kairuki made the statement at the launch of the new Board of Directors for UONGOZI Institute, the institute housed under the President’s Office which is mandated to develop the leadership competencies of leaders from the public sector and beyond.
“Supporting leaders and preparing leaders to face development challenges is what is expected of UONGOZI Institute,” said Hon. Kairuki, “we are confident that this new Board will steer the Institute in carrying out its mandate, and realizing its vision of a prosperous, equitable and sustainable Africa.”
This is the second group of Board of Directors for UONGOZI Institute, that has been operational since July 2010. The new Board of Directors were appointed by President John Pombe Maghufuli, President of the United Republic of Tanzania, on 31 May, 2017.
The newly appointed Board of Directors include Amb. Kari Alanko (Chair), Finland’s Ambassador to South Africa; Prof. Idris Kikula, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Dodoma (UDOM); Dr. Laurean Ndumbaro, Permanent Secretary, President’s Office, Public Service Management and Good Governance; Dr. Stergomena Tax, Executive Secretary of the Southern African Development Community (SADC); Prof. Penina Mlama, Professor at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM); Dr. Cristina Duarte, Former Minister of Finance, Planning and Public Administration – Cape Verde; Ms. Iina Soiri, Director of the Nordic Africa Institute – Sweden; and Mr. David Walker, Former Director of the European School of Administration – United Kingdom.
On his part, the CEO of UONGOZI Institute, Prof. Joseph Semboja said that thus far, the Institute has succeeded in laying a solid foundation to become a renowned centre of excellence in leadership development for Africa.
“Over 1700 leaders have been trained, over 70 courses have been delivered for leaders, an internationally recognized post-graduate diploma programme on leadership is being offered in collaboration with Aalto University Executive Education in Finland, and over 40 high level policy forums and roundtable discussions have been organized, many with regional and international participation,” outlined Prof. Semboja, among other achievements of the Institute.
Going forward, Hon. Angellah Kairuki expressed that the outlook seems positive.
“I believe that UONGOZI Institute has a lot of exciting and challenging work ahead, and for this, it has the Government of Tanzania’s full support,” said Hon. Kairuki.
