Friday’s Independence Day festivities in Tanzania has been canceled by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who has instead ordered that the budget be used to construct dormitories for children with special needs.
The $445,000 cost of the 61st Independence Day celebration will be utilized to construct eight dorms in elementary schools around the nation.
On Monday December 5 2022, Tanzania’s minister of state, George Simbachawene confirmed that the money has been disbursed, thus the East African country will celebrate Independence Day by having public dialogues on development.
Celebrations of Independence Day in Tanzania are typically distinguished by pomp and state banquets.
It is however, not the first time Tanzania has canceled the celebrations.
In 2015, then-President John Magufuli canceled celebrations and diverted funds towards the building of a road in the commercial capital, Dar es Salaam.
In 2020, he did the same and directed that the budget be used to buy medical facilities.
The current president, Hassan, is Tanzania’s first female head of state.
She drew attention by ordering big-bellied policemen to lose weight to be more effective at work.
She also reversed her predecessor’s stance on contraceptives by urging Tanzanians to embrace family planning. Magufuli discouraged the use of contraceptives.