Mwinyi’s lean team as he leaves door open for ACT

Dar es Salaam – Zanzibar president Hussein Mwinyi yesterday lined up his lean cabinet as he introduced changes to focus on growing the economy.

Dr Mwinyi named 13 ministers out of the 15 slots while he waited for the opposition Alliance for Change and Transparency (ACT-Wazalendo) which will fill the two vacancies if it agrees to form the Government of National Unity (GNU) as per the law.

The position of First Vice President was also left vacant for the same oppositiion party which came second in the elections.

The President reduced the cost of running the cabinet by not appointing deputies, saying his aim was to have a thin and efficient team. He said he would only name them should need arise.

The cabinet which is dominated by largely young and new faces allows Dr Mwinyi to focus on growing the economy after putting key portfolios under his office. Four of the ministers were women.

The president’s office will have four ministers instead of three previously, including the new Economy and Investment docket formed as a separate portfolio. Finance and Planning was moved to his office.

By Alawi Masare

Original Article on the Citizen