James Mathew Mgaya – Art in Tanzania internship
To many, Gross Domestic Happiness (GDH)/ Gross National Happiness (GNH) is new terminology, but it bears the most important value to the countries. Gross Happiness (GNH) is a measurement of the collective happiness in a nation. The king of Bhutan, the Himalayan country, introduced Gross National Happiness (GNH) in the 1970s as a measure of economic and moral progress and an alternative to Gross Domestic Product. 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, manifested 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 short, the country prefers people to self-governed interests by living peacefully and harmoniously with its citizens.

What is the value of GNH?
Encourage investment; a country with good Gross Domestic Happiness will attract more foreign direct investment (FDI), which will contribute to the particular country’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product). More FDI means more foreign investors will start their business in Tanzania and increase our national revenue. In addition, it also encourages entrepreneurship and the establishment of new companies and enterprises owned by local residents (Tanzanians).
Valuation of currency: an increase in the currency’s value, like Tanzanian shillings, depends on interest rates, exports and imports, the purchasing power of the currency internationally, and foreign exchange reserves (the amount of currency held by foreign governments). Simply, the value of currency increases according to its circulation of money within international borders by good diplomatic relations via international trade/financing/business. GDH can give a good standard of living. This means there will be more available markets, the purchasing power of consumers, and sound money circulation.
Good diplomatic relations internationally; GNH gives good governance and psychological well-being. This leads to governments that can have good relationships to neighbouring countries and international collaborations economically, politically, and socially. Psychological well-being means, through its resources, the government can ensure life is satisfactory in some degree of its services, creating peace and harmony among the citizens. Mentally stable countries bring relief to nearby countries and allow friendship due to available labour forces and no political unrest, which attracts more investments to multinational companies and international relationships.

Increase of production nationally: GDH allows the government to build into its public policy decisions like good governance and sustainable development. This is when the government focuses on the public good, boosting their citizen economy and infrastructures, such as in Tanzania’s strategic cities projects, which give formal and informal employment to the citizens. Building transportation means that citizens can increase production from the producers to the consumers, and the availability of water and electricity to rural areas stimulates production. It leads to the urbanisation of the rural regions, increasing connectivity between factories and available raw materials.
Increase of national income; for citizens to enjoy, their government needs sustainable income. For example, they use strategic projects in Tanzania to build public goods infrastructure like roads, railways, bridges, aviation, and marine transports. This is life satisfactory to the citizens using transportation, bringing good income to the government and individuals. It creates formal and informal employment for the citizens while simultaneously creating income through toll bridges, like Kigamboni and Dar es Salaam. Air Tanzania can create national income and marine transport in lake zones create employment and national income. If citizens are happy with their government, it means no political unrest and its national income will thrive.

The verdict
There is so much to talk about regarding gross domestic happiness and the things it can offer if considered. It is an alternative to Gross Domestic Product, focusing strictly on quantitative economic measures. Gross National Happiness considers an evolving mix of quality-of-life factors. The centre provides an overview of national performance across these pillars, providing the foundation for happiness, shown 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.