19 Nov 2015

The government appreciates the role played by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in augmenting efforts to develop the disadvantaged and marginalised countrymen, says the Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Mr Edwin Batshu.

Officially opening the NGOs Council and inaugural stakeholder’s forum this week, Mr Batshu said some of the civil society organisations’ presence could be traced back to independence.

The forum was held under the theme: Strengthening partnerships for development, and discussed thematic areas such as strengthening partnerships for the achievement of SDGs and setting national priorities for sustainable resource mobilisation among others.

“This being a new endeavour for us as a country, our partnerships are extended to learning how institutions such as this one operate, it is in that light that the government has sought the support of the European Union in supporting CSOs to take up their role,” he said.

Mr Batshu said CSOs play a critical role in bringing to the attention of government topical issues such as climate change, poverty eradication and gender equality. 

He, however, said their limited capacity to engage has watered down the critical role the civil society plays.

“In noting the proficiency and capacity issues and the important role the NGOs play in the development of this country, a programme has been developed to address this discrepancy,” said Mr Batshu.

He commended the NGO Council for hosting the forum, saying it would make an input towards achieving sustainable development goals, and challenged them that in their future interaction they must include other topical issues such as job creation, youth unemployment and corruption.

“Specifically, fighting corruption is a matter which is considered with high regard by my government as it can have a direct impact on your ability to mobilise resources, and this is an evil that must be guarded against at all times and uprooted where it is found to have established itself,” he said.

He added that resource mobilisation for Botswana has become a serious challenge particularly following the categorisation of the country as a middle income country. 

He said the challenge of corruption could be worsened by allowing it to infiltrate the country’s noble endeavours, as donors would be hesitant to render any support further.

For his part, the Ambassador of the European Union in Botswana, Mr Alexander Baum said he believed that the government  could not and probably should not be the only driver of development.

He said any society needs the initiative and engagement of its citizens to move forward. Ends