14 Sep 2026

Africa must focus on implementation, execution and results in addressing the health challenges facing the continent, the Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Mr Ketlhalefile Motshegwa, has said.

Speaking during the 9th World Organisation of Family Doctors (WONCA) Africa Regional Conference 2026 Thursday in Gaborone, Mr Motshegwa said the problems of Africa and Botswana were known and what was needed now, were solutions and results.

I always say to my team, we will not be remembered for what we said, but we will be remembered for what we did, Mr Motshegwa said.

He expressed gratitude that the conference came at an important moment when Africa was asking a fundamental question of how to build a primary care system fit for Africa of today and prepared for Africa of tomorrow.

He therefore, encouraged African countries to identify their own problems, devise and craft solutions as Africans, stressing that “African solutions must be informed by African evidence and realities.”

Mr Motshegwa said leadership remained critical to the success and failure of any organisation, institution, government and programme, noting that progressive and transformational policies would not bear fruit without the right leadership hence called for particular emphasis on human resources because doctors, nurses, cleaners and drivers were all critical in primary health care.

“Don’t build an organisation, build the people, the people will build the organisation,” he said, stressing the importance of morale, motivation, welfare and conditions of service.

He challenged delegates not only to identify challenges but to provide workable solutions.

“Do not end at the problem. Collaboration should not remain a principle, but should identify who needs to collaborate, around what, with what resources and towards what results,” he stressed.

Furthermore, minister Motshegwa said the conference declaration should be more than a document and speak to health professionals, universities, communities and partners, “but importantly to the individual whose life you are trying to improve and save.”

He urged delegates to focus on impact, outcomes, results, implementation, execution, monitoring and evaluation.

Africa, he said possessed enormous assets and resources, including human resources, resilience, creativity and communities that had survived and adapted to difficult circumstances. ENDS