04 Feb 2026

Public officers in the northern region, including Francistown, Sowa Town, Tonota, North East and Tutume districts, have been urged to take accountability and ensure consistent feedback to the citizens they serve.

Speaking during a meeting with officers  on February 2, Permanent Secretary to the President, Ms Emmah Peloetletse, emphasised the pivotal role public officers play as key implementers of government policies.

She urged them to seek clarity from their superiors regarding the services they provide, stating that understanding these responsibilities was essential for effective communication and accountability.

Ms Peloetletse pointed out that delays in service delivery often stemed from inadequate information sharing within government departments, leading to situations where citizens were redirected multiple times for services that could be provided at one location. This lack of coordination, she said  had contributed to public dissatisfaction regarding service quality.

She also indicated that some public officers were falling short in their duties due to a lack of familiarity with their responsibilities, which had resulted in a public outcry for improved service delivery.

To address these issues, Ms Peloetletse announced ongoing efforts to digitise services aimed at expediting processes. She noted that this transition required public officers to be prompt in responding to online requests, thereby enhancing service standards and reducing congestion in physical offices.

Furthermore, she encouraged public officers to reach out to her office directly regarding any challenges not promptly addressed by their superiors.

Despite the financial and physical challenges facing the country, Ms Peloetletse expressed confidence in curbing leakages that drain government resources, which she believed would contribute to realising the vision of a new Botswana.

She also noted that while National Development Plan 12 and the Botswana Economic Transformation Plan were underway with their coordinators, public officers were welcome to propose ideas for rebuilding and revitalising the nation’s economy.

In response,  officers suggested to the Permanent Secretary that the government should consider reducing allowances paid to some officials, including senior government employees, to align with the current financial climate.

They also supported the re-insourcing of previously outsourced services, such as security and cleaning, which they said had historically facilitated corruption and inflated charges by service providers, adversely impacting employee compensation. ENDS