26 May 2019

Ministry for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration has a critical role to play in the public service transformation agenda.

Speaking at the Ministry’s performance awards ceremony in Gaborone on May 24, Minister Nonofo Molefhi said as a ministry responsible for coordinating government programmes and policies, it should take lead in the promotion of good governance and ultimately improve the quality of lives of Batswana.

In addition, he said his ministry should provide strategic direction and guidance in public governance and without exception. 

Minster Molefhi said that the success of the employees within the presidency ministry could not be assessed only by the awards they received, but rather by the support they accorded to the presidency, especially the execution of the president’s roadmap as well as the implementation of flagship programmes such as poverty eradication and job creation for youth.

Furthermore, the minister said that the presidency ministry had a primary responsibility of upholding and advancing the nation’s tradition of good governance.

“Being a lead ministry we can never say we have done enough except only when our efforts are reflected in a meaningful improvement in the lives of our fellow citizens,” said Mr Molefhi.

However, he said excellence did not in any way denote absence of challenges at either individual or organisational level.

He applauded the award recipients and also encouraged other employees to have a renewed commitment to serve better and do more for the country. 

He said the contribution of employees to the country’s development was invaluable and must always be nurtured.

The performance awards across ministries were aimed at recognising, rewarding and promoting excellence in the public service. 

The awards are a build up to the commemoration of Public Service Day in June; a day which highlights the contribution of the public service in the development process. 

It also recognises the work of the public servants and encourages young people to pursue careers in the public sector.

Public Service Day will be celebrated under the theme Public Service Innovation and Transformation. 

Mr Molefhi said the theme was appropriate for Botswana as a middle income country in a journey to transition from resource based to knowledge based economy driven by innovation; which is well represented and articulated in Vision 2036. Ends