21 Oct 2020

Botswana’s fight against COVID-19 pandemic is in line with the country’s human rights based approach to development, President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has said. 

He said this yesterday during a virtual African Union event marking Africa Human Rights Day held under the theme: “Deepening the culture of human and people’ rights: The opportunities and challenges of COVID-19 in Africa”.

President Masisi, who was also shared lessons on Botswana’s response to COVID-19, explained that respect for human rights was one of the pillars underpinning the country’s development path.  

The President said government had introduced policies and strategies through consultation, which he said was the cornerstone of democratic dispensation.

He said the presidential COVID-19 task force was set up to coordinate all national activities pertaining to the containment of the pandemic. 

Furthermore, he said, a legal framework comprising constitutional and legislative provisions was created as a basis for a state of public emergency. 

“The state of public emergency was subsequently affirmed and extended by Parliament, the main objective of which was to allow the country sufficient legal leverage in disease containment and control, mobilisation of resources and preservation of jobs,” he said. 

President Masisi also said government adopted a COVID-19 response plan in April and subsequently, a relief fund was established with the support of government, private sector, civil society, development partners and individuals. 

He said the funds were expended on provision of food hampers to those needing support, wage subsidies, health supplies and services, education sector and citizens in the diaspora. 

Beyond the plan, Dr Masisi said government also developed the Economic Recovery and Transformation Plan to respond to the economic challenges posed by Coronavirus as well as to effectively implement a roadmap for the national transformational agenda. 

On other issues, the President called on leaders to provide a platform for engaging youth  on issues that affected them .

He stressed the need for consultative instead of  confrontation as the youth constituted the majority of the continent’s citizenry. 

Their plight should be addressed as they were the future leaders, said Dr Masisi. Ends