Millennium Challenge Account - Tanzania

On 24th July, 2008 the Millennium Challenge Account - Tanzania was honored to host one of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Board Members Mr. Ken Hackett who is also President of the respect Catholic Relief Service (CRS).

His Official visit to Tanzania was to get him an update on the CRS activities in Tanzania, but being an MCC Board member he decided to use the opportunity to exchange views with relevant authorities responsible for the implementation of the Millennium Challenge Account program in Tanzania.

During his visit, Mr. Hackett had a chance to meet and discuss on various issues of national interest with Mr. Philemon Luhajo, the Chief Secretary; Mr. Gey Mgonja Permanent Secretary Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs and Chairperson to the MCA-T Board; MCA-T Board members who were in Dar Es Salaam and had a very productive meeting with MCA-T Management Team. He also visited the Embassy of the United States of America in Dar Es Salaam and held discussion with the US Ambassador, H.E. Mark Green and MCC Acting Country Director Mr. Metthew Kavanagh.

In short he was briefed on the set-up of the MCA-T Program, Major achievements so far made, expected potential impacts of the program to the common man and the economy, but also on the implementation chasllenges. On the other hand, Chief Secretary assured Mr. Hackett of the Government's full support and determination to make sure that the program a success story that our two countries can be proud off. On this part, Mr. Hackett expressed his wish that Tanzania becomes a model for other MCC supported countries. He promised his countinued support for the Millennium Challenge Account initiatives and hoped the coming New US Administration will accord it the importance it deserves as a valuable initiatives of the American people to help the developing world.

Overall Mr. Hackett was impressed with the progress made so far by MCA-Tanzania and adviced MCA-T to speed up process so as to start implementation soon given the five year clock.