By backing clean energy initiatives and recognizing teachers—a key voting bloc—President Samia Suluhu Hassan is reinforcing her political appeal and her commitment to environmental and social progress. Photo: Courtesy
By Adonis Byemelwa
Arusha--President Samia Suluhu Hassan has commended 5,000 primary and secondary school teachers in Arusha for receiving gas cylinders and stoves from Oryx Gas Tanzania, as part of efforts to promote clean cooking energy.
Speaking via phone today 6th October 2024, during the distribution ceremony organized by Arusha Urban MP Mrisho Gambo, President Samia expressed her satisfaction with the initiative and pledged to provide additional stoves to the teachers in the future.
“I made this call to commend the teachers for this important gathering. The MP informed me of the clean cooking energy meeting, and I want to congratulate you for embracing this agenda. I promise to contribute more stoves for the teachers later,” President Samia stated.
Deputy Minister of Education, Science, and Technology, Omar Kipanga, representing Education Minister Prof. Adolf Mkenda, thanked President Samia for her ongoing efforts to encourage the use of clean energy in cooking. He emphasized the government’s goal to ensure that by 2034, 80% of Tanzanians adopt clean cooking solutions. This aligns with the President’s nationwide campaign, launched in May 2023, aimed at promoting safe and environmentally friendly cooking energy across the country.
Minister Kipanga praised MP Gambo and Oryx for donating the gas stoves, explaining that this initiative would empower teachers to become ambassadors for clean energy in their communities. The Ministry of Education, he said, has prioritized clean energy by starting with all institutions serving over 100 people. In this context, the 5,000 teachers receiving the gas stoves will undergo training on the proper use of clean energy, allowing them to pass on this knowledge to others.
Oryx Gas Tanzania’s Managing Director, Benoit Araman, stressed the critical role of educators in advancing clean cooking energy, calling them essential links in the national movement. Teachers, receiving gas stoves in Arusha, were encouraged to be advocates for clean energy within their schools and communities. MP Gambo echoed this sentiment, noting that providing gas stoves to teachers not only honors their contributions but also positions them as champions of sustainable energy.
This gesture took place on World Teachers’ Day, observed globally on October 5, a day that celebrates educators' vital role in shaping the future. It also holds significant political weight ahead of Tanzania's 2025 general elections. By backing clean energy initiatives and recognizing teachers—a key voting bloc—President Samia Suluhu Hassan is reinforcing her political appeal and her commitment to environmental and social progress.
President Samia’s leadership on clean energy extends beyond Tanzania’s borders. During her visit to Paris in May 2024, she co-chaired the Heads of State Global Summit on Clean Energy, with a focus on Africa. The summit, mobilizing $2.2 billion, was a breakthrough in raising global awareness about clean cooking energy, particularly the challenges faced by women and children. At the event, she called for a $12 billion replenishment of the African Development Fund to further support clean cooking initiatives.
Her commitment to clean energy was also evident at COP28 in Dubai, where she launched the African Women Clean Cooking Support Programme (AWCCSP), emphasizing women's role in driving this agenda. Despite these achievements, President Samia acknowledged ongoing hurdles, including insufficient funding and the need for more research and innovation in clean cooking technologies.
In Tanzania, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) adoption has steadily increased, with over 2.5 million users as of 2020. Former Energy Minister Dr. Medard Kalemani credited this growth to improved infrastructure and competitive pricing, led by players like Taifa Gas Ltd. While LPG is becoming more accessible in urban areas, challenges persist in rural regions, where refills remain costly despite efforts to provide free cylinders. Addressing these disparities is crucial to ensuring that clean energy solutions are both accessible and affordable nationwide.
The President's commitment to sustainable development, alongside her focus on improving the lives of ordinary citizens, is positioning her as a leader whose policies are rooted in practical solutions. This clean energy agenda is not just a green initiative—it’s a strategic move that could solidify her influence in the lead-up to the 2025 elections. As clean energy becomes a national priority, educators, like the 5,000 teachers in Arusha, will be key allies in spreading this mission across Tanzania, ensuring that the campaign resonates at every level of society.