30 Aug 2022

New permanent secretaries have been advised to lead strategically and to use government resources to improve the lives of Batswana.

Permanent Secretary to the President, Ms Emmah Peloetletse gave the advice yesterday during a two-day permanent secretary induction workshop  facilitated by Botswana Public Service College (BPSC) in Mmashia.

Noting that Batswana had, through the national vision, expressed their desire for prosperity by 2036, they had high expectations of public officers who were at the forefront of implementing strategies towards the vision’s realisation.

“This can be achieved if we do things right and we should remember that we are departments’ torch bearers,” she said.

Ms Peloetletse also advised the senior civil servants to understand and develop their organisations’ culture. 

Organisational culture consisted of shared beliefs and values established by the leadership and ultimately shaped employees’ perceptions, behaviour and understanding, explained the PSP.

She expressed confidence that as smart and young as they were, together they could help Botswana climb the economic ladder.

On other issues, she praised BPSC for delivering on its mandate of promoting leadership development through its senior management courses.

For his part, the college’s executive director, Mr David Mosetse said educating senior civil servants was part of enhancing public service performance.

BPSC, he said, had contributed significantly to skills development in the country.

Some of the topics on the workshop’s programme include the Constitution of Botswana,  separation of powers, interface between the role of cabinet ministers and permanent secretaries as well as processing of parliamentary business.ENDS