06 Aug 2017

The Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development is desirous to implement holistic programmes to empower the youth to contribute to the well being of Botswana, says permanent secretary Mr Kago Ramokate.

Speaking at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the ministry and African Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Partnership (ACHAP) recently, Mr Ramokate stated that recently they rebranded its services and one of the ways in which they could empower young people was to foster partnership with strategic organisations to augment their mandate.

He said ACHAP would focus on health in youth, because it had been identified as key area for development of young people.

Mr Ramokate said organisations such as ACHAP heeded their call for partnership since they also had youth as their customers.

ACHAP, he said had the relevant structures, skills and resources to implement specific programmes on health and youth development at any given time to ensure youth empowerment programmes were holistic and inclusive.

Mr Ramokate acknowledged that some areas of cooperation need specialised skills for them to be effectively implemented so as to have an impact on programming for the youth and ensuring sustainability.

Thus, he called on other players to assist in specified programme implementation.

Mr Ramokate also pointed out that following restructuring in 2014, the ministry officers in their respective districts had experienced an increase in their responsibility regarding current programme offering, leaving little prospect for specialisation.

Also, he stated that partnership in the areas of youth character development, promotion of public health, research, networking and social mobilisation would give the youth an opportunity to open up on health issues and take necessary care of themselves and others around them.

Another benefit derived from the partnership, Mr Ramokate said would be in terms of coverage across the country and uniform or standard application of health measures through capacity building efforts.

For his part, ACHAP CEO, Dr Jerome Mafeni stated that the collaboration with the ministry had always been going.

As the ministry took care of the youth, he said the signing puts the health of a young person first.

He said the partnership would add value and make a positive impact on the lives of youth as the implementation plan of the MoU would be designed to cater for the health of youth.

Dr Mafeni stated that they were aimed at building character, skills to mould the youth for tomorrow. ENDS