James Mathew Mgaya – Art in Tanzania internship
GDH is a new term to many, but it holds significant value in many countries. Gross National Happiness (GNH) is a measurement of the collective happiness in a nation. Gross National Happiness (GNH) is a measure of economic and moral progress introduced by the king of the Himalayan country of Bhutan in the 1970s as an alternative to Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The kingdom of Bhutan’s first legal code, written at the time of unification in 1729, stated that “if the government cannot create happiness for its people, there is no purpose for the government.”. GNH has nine domain pillars of measurement, which currently work internationally. These pillars provide the foundation for happiness, manifest in the nine domains of GNH: psychological well-being, standard of living, good governance, health, community vitality, cultural diversity, time use, and ecological resilience. In simple terms, it is a country that prioritises the interests of its people through self-government, fostering peace and harmony among its citizens.
The value of GNH?
Encourage investment; a country with high gross domestic happiness will attract more foreign direct investment, contributing to the country’s gross domestic product (GNP). FDI means that more foreign investors will start their businesses in Tanzania, thereby increasing our national revenue. Moreover, it encourages entrepreneurship and the establishment of new companies and enterprises that residents own (Tanzanians). Valuation of currency: The value of a currency, such as the Tanzanian shilling, is influenced by factors including interest rates, exports and imports, the currency’s purchasing power internationally, and foreign exchange reserves, which refer to the amount of currency held by foreign governments.
, the value of a currency increases according to its circulation of money within international borders, facilitated by good diplomatic relations through global trade, financing, and business. GDH can provide a good standard of living, which means an available market, consumer purchasing power, and stable money circulation. Good diplomatic relations internationally; GNH provides good governance and psychological well-being. This means the government can maintain good relationships with neighbouring countries and engage in international collaborations that are economically, politically, and socially beneficial. Psychological well-being means that the government, through its resources, can ensure a satisfactory life to some degree through its services, creating peace and harmony among its citizens. A mentally stable country brings relief to nearby countries. It fosters friendship due to the availability of a skilled labour force and the absence of political unrest, which attracts more investment from multinational companies and promotes international relationships. An increase in national production enables the government to incorporate principles such as good governance and sustainable development into its public policy decisions. This is when the government focuses on the public good to boost the citizen economy and infrastructure in Tanzania, and strategic city projects provide formal and informal employment to citizens.
Building transportation enables citizens to increase production from farmers to producers, ensuring the availability of water and electricity in rural areas. This stimulates production and leads to urbanisation of rural regions, which in turn brings closure of factories due to the availability of public goods. Increase in national income: for citizens to enjoy their government, they need a sustainable income; for example, in Tanzania, strategic projects are used to build public infrastructure goods, such as roads, railways, bridges, aviation, and marine transport. This is a life satisfactory to citizens who use transportation, but it has a positive income side for the government and individuals. It creates formal and informal employment for citizens and generates income through tolls, such as the bridge toll at Kigamboni, Dar es Salaam. Similarly, air Tanzania can contribute to national income, and marine transport in the lake zones can also create employment and national income. If citizens are satisfied with their government, it means there is no political unrest, and the national income will thrive.
The verdict
There is much to talk about regarding gross domestic happiness and what it can offer if considered. It is an alternative to Gross Domestic Product, which focuses strictly on quantitative economic measures. Gross National Happiness, on the other hand, considers an evolving mix of quality-of-life factors. The centre provides an overview of national performance across these pillars. It provides the foundation for happiness, manifesting in the nine domains of GNH: psychological well-being, standard of living, good governance, health, education, community vitality, cultural diversity, time use, and ecological resilience.
