Benjamin W. Mkapa
Former President, United Republic of Tanzania
Benjamin W. Mkapa, a seasoned journalist, diplomat and politician, was President of Tanzania
from 1995 to 2005. From 1974 to 1976, he served as Press Secretary to the President of Tanzania,
and in 1976, was the Founding Editor of the Tanzania News Agency. From 1980 to 1982, he was the
Minister of Information and Culture, and ten years later, the Minister of Information and Broadcasting.
He served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1977 to 1980, and again in 1984. In the
1980’s, he served as High Commissioner to Canada then as Ambassador to the US. In 1992, he
served as Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education. He is active in conflict prevention
and resolution in the Great Lakes Region of Africa, and in regional economic co-operation
within the East African Community, and the Southern African Development Community. In 2002,
President Mkapa was appointed Co-Chair of the World Commission on the Social Dimension of
Globalization. His book, Truth and Transparency: The People’s President Talks to the People was
published in 2003. Recently, President Mkapa took over from Dr. Boutros-Boutros Ghali as the New
Chairperson of the South Centre.