Africa-Press – Botswana. Government is confident in the abilities of the National Governing Council (NGC) of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) as it was appointed following a rigorous, but transparent process.
Minister for State President Mr Kabo Morwaeng said this in Gaborone yesterday at the launch of the first members of the council, who were appointed in September last year.
He said as a result of such a recruitment process, the council comprised men and women of high integrity and calibre.
“The task before you, of spearheading the APRM process in Botswana, is a challenging one. It requires complete dedication and hard work and I have trust and confidence that you will execute your mandate diligently and successfully,” he said.
Mr Morwaeng said the council was gender-sensitive, which reflected government’s commitment to maintaining gender balance when appointing for senior positions.
He also said recruitment of one member of the 17-man council would soon be completed after another turned down the offer citing ill health. He said members would be divided among four thematic groups being Democracy and Political Governance, Economic Governance and Management, Corporate Governance as well as Socio-Economic Development.
Mr Morwaeng assured the council of government’s full support in exercising its mandate.
“Our expectation as government, is that the NGC will provide the necessary oversight in ensuring that the national review process is technically competent and credible without bias,” said the minister.
He said the official launch reaffirmed Botswana’s commitment to the APRM process as well as its resolve to join it in 2019, which he said was premised on the country’s commitment to upholding the ideals of democracy, good governance, respect for human rights and the rule of law.
Mr Morwaeng also applauded President, Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi’s decision to ensure that Botswana acceded to the African Peer Review Mechanism, which he said was a reflection of belief and commitment in Pan Africanism and multi-lateralism.
He said national review process would help Botswana improve its governance commitments made at the regional, continental and the global levels.
He said implementation of the APRM commitments would help improve Botswana’s image globally, including international rankings.Mr Morwaeng urged the NGC to speed up its work to make up for the considerable time lost in implementing its roadmap.
For her part, permanent secretary in the Ministry for State President, Ms Goitsemang Morekisi said arrangements were in place to invite the APRM Continental Secretariat for a sensitisation mission next month.
She also assured the council of any support it may require. She said the ministry was still putting together a secretariat to support them.
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