THE JAKAYA MRISHO KIKWETE FOUNDATION (JMKF) LAUNCHED IN DAR ES SALAAM

Former President, Jakaya Kikwete poses for a souvenir photo with Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete Foundation (JMKF) Board of Directors during the introduction and soft launch of the fund in Dar es Salaam on Monday.

Retired President Jakaya Kikwete on Monday launched the Board of Trustees of his foundation, outlining four key priority areas of focus, promising to work closely with the government and other organisations with similar ambitions.

Mr Kikwete further led the board members in their maiden meeting to deliberate on various issues for the best interest of the ambitious foundation that goes by the name “Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete Foundation” (JMKF).

Addressing a news conference for the first time since he handed over presidential powers to the Fifth Phase Government and a few minutes before launching the board, Mr Kikwete said the foundation decided to focus on four areas as it could not deal with everything.

They include sustainable development, health, education and youth and good governance. According to Mr Kikwete, on good governance the foundation intends to focus on poverty eradication, climate change and small scale farming.

On health, the foundation seeks to end maternal and new born deaths, malaria eradication as well as fighting both communicable and non-communicable diseases, among others.

“In regard to education and youth we decided that youth should acquire quality education and we want to develop their talents as well as providing mentorship in leadership and entrepreneurial skills,’’ he said.

On the area of good governance, the former president said the JMKF will focus on social inclusion, gender equality, social harmony, corruption and impunity. He added that the aim of the foundation was not to fight the government, but to help the government in solving problems bedevilling people.

“I spent more than 40 years since I graduated from university to dedicate my contribution to the public service in various capacities, beginning from the army to the highest office of the land. And I believe that the foundation will continue fulfilling my ambition and dream to continue serving the people inside and outside the country,” he stated.

Yesterday’s launch of the board of trustees was occasioned by a meeting of board members led by JMKF Chairman, Mr Kikwete, at Hyatt- Kilimanjaro Hotel in Dar es Salaam. The board includes members from within and outside the country.

The purpose of the meeting was to approve official documents that make up the foundation. To begin with, Mr Kikwete said he will be the chairperson of the board but he will later appoint another person to lead the board.

The board members are former Chief Secretary, Ambassador Ombeni Sefue; University of Dar es Salaam Vice- Chancellor, Professor Rwekaza Mukandala; renowned surgeon, William Mahalu and Former Tanzania envoy to the United Kingdom and United States, Ambassador Mwanaidi Sinare Maajar.

Others are: Ms Genevieve Sangundi, who is the Managing Director of Carlyle Company of South Africa and a member of the Board of Governors of the Central Bank of Nigeria and Managing Director of Said Salim Bakhresa Group of Companies, Mr Abubakar Bakhresa.

The board members from outside Tanzania are Ambassador Charles Stith from the United States, Dato Sri Idris Jala from Malaysia and Dr Carlos Lopez from Guinea Bissau.

Daily News