YOUNG TANZANIANS DEBATE ON THE NEED OF NEW CONSTITUTION

Tanzania needs a new constitution

Sunday, 30 January 2011 10:37

Form Six students from Benjamin Mkapa Secondary School in Dar es Salaam in a debate whose motion is: Tanzania needs a new constitution. Below are their views: Proposers: Ramadhani Pango Tanzania needs a new constitution because the one we have is already outdated hence failed to tackle some touchy issues. We need the constitution that will incorporate and address everyone’s problems. There are a lot of controversial issues that need urgent attention among them being the land issue. Gwamaka Ulimboka We need a new constitution because the current one lacks political legitimacy because it was drafted and adapted without the involvement of Tanzanians. The current constitution also rests a lot of powers and immunity to our present leaders especially the president, making him untouchable even when he commits grave mistakes. We therefore, need the new constitution to shave off some of these powers and hold everyone responsible regardless of his or her title. Edina Ngowi, Form Six EGM Our nation desperately needs a new constitution to steer forward development and democracy. The new constitution will address issues such as private political candidates contesting in our national elections. The constitution will also make other important institutions like the PCCB, Nation Electoral Commission (Nec) more effective in the sense that, they will not be accountable to the president but by the parliament for instance. Opposers: Rose Tairo, Form Six There is no need for the new constitution. What we need are just some few amendments in some items. The exercise of drafting a new constitution is very costly to the nation’s already crippling economy. So, there is no need to engage ourselves in such an expensive exercise right now when we have other important issues to address like building classrooms and so on. Halima Selemani, Form Six Our problem is not the absence of a good constitution but lack of proper ethics. So, an overhaul change of the constitution is only a waste of time, money and energy if our morals are not upright. We, therefore, first of all, need to instil within ourselves a culture of respect, responsibility and hard work before we demand a new constitution. Rehema Clinus, Form Six PCM I don’t see the need for a new constitution, but I only see the need for some few amendments in some sections. The public should improvise on the current one before thinking of the new one. WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS ON THE MOTION?