RELIGIOUS and cultural leaders including community groups have been urged to actively educate the public to abandon superstitions, revenge-driven behaviours and excessive greed for wealth and power.

Njombe Regional Commissioner, Anthony Mtaka made the call yesterday in a special statement, addressing issues such as stunted growth, gender-based violence, and killings in the region. 

He urged the message to be read in all places of worship during Christmas Day services   and on the New Year eve.  

Mtaka also requested that the statement be read in places of worship from January 3 to 5, 2025.

In his statement, Mtaka expressed deep concern over the rising incidents of gender-based violence and killings in parts of the region in 2024, describing these acts as serious violations of human rights that cause both physical and psychological harm to the victims.

“These acts are a grave violation of human dignity and tarnish the good image of our region. They should be condemned in the strongest terms by all the people of Njombe, as they are not part of our cultural heritage, our national identity, nor our Tanzanian values. Such actions do not reflect the true nature of God’s creation,” Mtaka said.

He further called on law enforcement agencies to take strong legal actions against anyone involved in these crimes, ensuring that justice prevails.

 “I emphasise that our justice institutions must play a key role in supporting the victims of these disgraceful acts and ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable. It is vital that citizens cooperate with the authorities by reporting any such incidents to government offices,” Mtaka said.

Regarding the issue of stunting, Mtaka highlighted that Njombe faces a significant challenge, with 50.4 percent of children under the age of five being affected, according to the 2022 Health, Demographic, and Malaria Indicators Survey.

“This is a tragic situation that requires concerted efforts from all of us, as stunting has severe impacts on both the physical and mental development of children. It contributes to poor school performance, reduced cognitive ability, and diminished creativity,” he said.

The Regional Commissioner noted that the regional government, in collaboration with various stakeholders including the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Tanzania Food and Nutrition Centre (TFNC), United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and other partners, is actively engaged in a campaign to accelerate efforts to reduce or eliminate stunting.