29 Sep 2014

The Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) will continue to provide leadership on all matters pertaining to national development and prudent financial and economic management.

The deputy permanent secretary in the ministry, Mr Bob Mannathoko said their mandate was, among others, to raise awareness on corruption.

He said the ministry would provide leadership on all matters pertaining to sustained economic development

Speaking at an anti-corruption day launch in Maun recently, Mr Mannathoko said the ministry has noted corruption on public workers.

He added that they were in the frontline against corruption as they were the first ministry to launch an anti-corruption committee.Mr Mannathoko said the ministry would ensure that appropriate anti-corruption training and risk identification were in place.

For her part, the Directorate on Corruption on Economic Crime (DCEC) senior assistant director, Ms Erica Ndlovu said the country had ratified and domesticated the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) .

The convention calls upon each state party to deal with corruption in accordance with the principles of its legal system. 

She added that the convention also calls upon countries to implement and maintain effective, coordinated anti-corruption policies that promote the participation of society. 

She added that proper management of public affairs and property, integrity, transparency and accountability were essential.

Ms Ndlovu encouraged all parties to never doubt whatever they were doing as any effort counts to reduce corruption in the country.

She noted that Botswana was ranked as one of the least corrupt countries in Africa. ENDS