What you need to know about Zanzibar’s Blue Economy?
According to the World Bank, the blue economy is the “sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of ocean ecosystem.” European Commission defines it as “All economic activities related to oceans, seas and coasts.
Lawmakers role in Zanzibar’s Blue Economy
HOUSE of representatives in Zanzibar have been cited as key drives for an ambitious Blue Economy programme in Zanzibar.
Deputy Speaker of the Zanzibar House of Representatives, Mgeni Hassan Juma, stated this when she officiated at the opening of capacity building workshop on various Blue Economy instruments’ (proposed legislation) for the Members of the Zanzibar House of Representatives.
She said the progress towards a successful Blue Economy lies on the commitment, better laws and sustainable development of socioeconomic activities including fisheries, aquaculture and tourism.
“We need to work together to ensure that the Blue Economy and fisheries benefit all as the majority of people engaging in marine resources-related activities (seaweed and sardine drying) are women.
“Policies and laws along with researches in marine are important in achieving our goals,” Ms Mgeni emphasised.
The Minister for Blue Economy and Fisheries, Mr Suleiman Masoud Makame said the purpose of meeting was to provide an opportunity for Members of the House of Representatives to understand the development, so far, in the making of policies and laws on the Blue Economy in Zanzibar.
Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Dr Aboud Suleiman and other experts from the ministry made presentations on fisheries, aquaculture, marine conservation and research legislation, saying the legislation was important in realising the Blue Economy agenda, which leaves no one behind as it included gender.
UNDP’s Tanzania Economic Adviser, Ms Weyinmi Omamuli, said UNDP is proud to be partner of the government of Zanzibar in various initiatives.
She said UNDP fully supports the Ministry of the Blue Economy and Fisheries and all its initiatives and has Blue Economy high among its priorities.
“Since 2021 UNDP has been working with the ministry through a a number of initiatives, supporting development of various instruments to enable Zanzibar achieve the Blue Economy agenda which is the pillar for Zanzibar Vision 2050 to attain middle income status by that year,” she said.
Ms Omamuli said that the Marine Protected Areas Act will ensure better protection of marine resources and related biodiversity and ecosystem necessary for an ocean-based economy.
The law provides directives on how Tanzania can protect and conserve resources to ensure sustainability of the environment.
Legislator Mr Suleiman Makame thanked the ministry and the UNDP for facilitating the seminar.
“People engaging in fishing and seaweed farming and other marine resource activities, must be involved in making laws. Their views are important in having better laws.”
Source: allafrica.com
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Tanzania Declares End of Marburg Virus Disease Outbreak
Tanzania today declared the end of Marburg virus disease outbreak after recording no new cases over 42 days since the death of the last confirmed case on 28 January 2025.
The outbreak, in which two confirmed and eight probable cases were recorded (all deceased), was the second the country has experienced. Both this outbreak, which was declared on 20 January 2025, and the one in 2023 occurred in the north-eastern Kagera region.
In response to the latest outbreak, Tanzania’s health authorities set up coordination and response systems, with support from World Health Organization (WHO) and partners, at the national and regional levels and reinforced control measures to swiftly detect cases, enhance clinical care, infection prevention as well as strengthen collaboration with communities to raise awareness and help curb further spread of the virus.
Growing expertise in public health emergency response in the African region has been crucial in mounting effective outbreak control measures. Drawing on experience from the response to the 2023 Marburg virus disease outbreak, WHO worked closely with Tanzanian health authorities to rapidly scale up key measures such as disease surveillance and trained more than 1000 frontline health workers in contact tracing, clinical care and public health risk communication. The Organization also delivered over five tonnes of essential medical supplies and equipment.
“The dedication of frontline health workers and the efforts of the national authorities and our partners have paid off,” said Dr Charles Sagoe-Moses, WHO Representative in Tanzania. “While the outbreak has been declared over, we remain vigilant to respond swiftly if any cases are detected and are supporting ongoing efforts to provide psychosocial care to families affected by the outbreak.”
Building on the momentum during the acute phase of the outbreak response, measures have been put in place to reinforce the capacity of local health facilities to respond to potential future outbreaks. WHO and partners are procuring additional laboratory supplies and other equipment for disease detection and surveillance and other critical services.
Marburg virus disease is highly virulent and causes haemorrhagic fever. It belongs to the same family as the virus that causes Ebola virus disease. Illness caused by Marburg virus begins abruptly. Patients present with high fever, severe headache and severe malaise. They may develop severe haemorrhagic symptoms within seven days.
In the African region, previous outbreaks and sporadic cases have been reported in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, South Africa and Uganda.
Source: allafrica.com
