28 Sep 2016

President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama has re-organised and re-designated government ministries and portfolio responsibilities.

A statement from the Permanent Secretary to the President Mr Carter Morupisi states that the ministerial offices have been increased from 16 to 18, while the number of offices of assistant minister has increased to 10.

The portfolio Ministry for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration has been re-designated Ministry of Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration to coordinate government affairs and public administration, in which good governance is of paramount importance.

In this portfolio, the re-designated Ministry of Presidential Affairs will ensure that corruption and maladministration are not tolerated in all sectors of the economy. Mr Morupisi emphasises that all stakeholders, government institutions, the private sector and civil society must be accountable to the public.

In this regard, emphasis is placed on responsiveness to public demands as well as efficient use of available resources, while employing processes that meet the needs of society.

The Ministry of Agriculture has been re-designated Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food Security.

The ministry will work to increase the production of food locally, while reducing the bill for food imports, as well as creating sustainable long term productive employment in a diversified agricultural sector.

A key objective of the ministry is to build a culture of consumption of local food as a first choice.

The Ministry of Infrastructure, Science and Technology has been re-designated Ministry of Infrastructure and Housing Development. The ministry will focus on construction and maintenance of government buildings. In this portfolio, the ministry will ensure that citizens have access to affordable housing or shelter, and promote home ownership through affordable housing schemes.

The Ministry of Education and Skills Development has been re-designated Ministry of Basic Education, focusing on early childhood development and learning for pre-primary up to senior secondary education. The re-designation of the ministry has further resulted in the new Ministry of Tertiary Education, Research, Science and Technology.

In this portfolio, the ministry will handle policy on student financing, tertiary institutions, as well as coordinating research, science and technology development to transform Botswana into knowledge based economy, while producing graduates that are relevant to industry requirements.

The Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism has been re-designated Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism. The ministry will coordinate environmental issues and tourism. This will involve conservation of natural resources, development of forests, wetlands, fisheries, game reserves, wildlife and management of scenic sites, as well as conservation of protected and ecological areas.

The Ministry of Finance and Development Planning has been re-designated Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, responsible for coordination of national development planning, monitoring implementation, mobilising and managing financial and economic resources.

This is to ensure the achievement of inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development and overall national prosperity. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation has been re-designated Ministry of International Affairs and Co-operation. The ministry will manage international relations and promote Botswana's interests abroad, as well as safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The Ministry of Health has been re-designated Ministry of Health and Wellness. Apart from preventing diseases, the ministry will promote wellness through healthy living which entails nutrition, physical fitness, mental health and self-care by citizens.

The Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs has been re-designated Ministry of Employment, Labour Productivity and Skills Development. The ministry will deal with employer-employee relations, safety at work, health and environment, productivity across workplace sectors or work ethics, as well as vocational and skills development.

The re-designation of the ministry has further resulted in the creation of the new ministry of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs. In this portfolio, the ministry will safeguard national identity, facilitate movement across borders, regulate residents and work permits among other responsibilities.

The Ministry of Lands and Housing has been re-designated Ministry of Land Management, Water and Sanitation Services. The ministry will ensure proper land administration and management to facilitate socio-economic development through land servicing. The ministry will also be responsible for the delivery of water and re-use of grey water for domestic and agricultural development.

The Ministry of Minerals, Water and Energy Resources has been re-designated Ministry of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security. The ministry will among other things, coordinate mineral development and regulation of mining. With green technology, the ministry will ensure the use of renewable energy to minimise environmental pollution, as well as energy sustainability and security.

The Ministry of Youth Sports and Culture has been re-designated Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development. In this portfolio, the ministry will deploy youth empowerment initiatives to empower young people for active participation in the socio economic development of the country. The ministry will further maximise the potential of sport and culture to diversify the economy, to build character and promote culture.

The Ministries of Defence, Justice and Security, Local Government and Rural Development, Investment, Trade and Industry and Transport and Communications remain unchanged.

Mr Morupisi said the expansion and re-designation of ministerial portfolios is intended to ensure enhanced delivery and commitment by government to its key priorities of sustained economic development, accelerated job creation and dignified lives for Batswana among others.

The changes, effected in terms of the Ministerial Offices Act No 4. of 2016, take effect from October 1st, 2016. ENDS