09 Dec 2014

The implementation of the Non-Governmental Organisations’ (NGO) policy will lead to formulation of strategies and programmes, which are more responsive to needs of the population; particularly the poor and the marginalised.

A press release from the Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs stated that Minister Edwin Batshu said this during his meeting with the NGO Council at the ministry’s headquarters. Mr Batshu said once implemented, the policy would also lead to improved partnerships between government and NGOs.

The policy, stated that the release provided a framework guide to NGOs and government relations, including among others the institutional and administrative structure and processes for overseeing and facilitating these relations.

It further said the NGO Council advised government on the implementation of the policy, including establishing strategic partnerships for resources mobilisation and facilitating effective government support of NGO programme. According to the release, the NGO Council was constitutional in accordance with the NGO policy which was launched in April 2013.

The minister also appreciated progress made on the activities of the council since its inception despite the challenges.  

It stated that he also drew the attention of the council to the priorities set out in the BDP red card, which carries a set of priorities which were the subject of general elections campaign and the BDP was returned on the basis of the priorities and the election manifesto.

The priorities in the red card include a corruption free nation, job creation, citizen economic empowerment, poverty eradication and elimination of mother to child transmission of HI/AIDS (PMTCT), said the release.

Minister Batshu made an appeal that all are expected to rally around those priority areas and to ensure that they are delivered as promised to Batswana.  The NGO Council is expected to align its activities to the red card, he said.

Mr Batshu said the challenges being experienced were teething problems as the NGO Council was still at its infancy stage. It further states that the minister pledged his commitment and support as the mother ministry to ensure that the council is fully fledged and facilitated to achieve its objectives. ENDS