17 Dec 2020

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi says a consultative meeting between the executive and the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) central committee and senior government officials is a forum to track progress of policies and programmes under the BDP government.

 Giving a key note address at the consultative meeting at Notwane Farms on Wednesday, Dr Masisi said the consultative process was of the highest level, to keep track of what the BDP has pledged to deliver in its manifesto, following the 2019 general elections.

He said the meeting was meant to give cabinet and technocrats a chance to cascades pertinent issues with central committee members, who would pass on the message to the party structures as well as the electorate.

“The meeting is fairly unique in the sense that it is probably the first time we are having a meeting of this nature, but it is a deliberate meeting.” he stated.

He said the framework of the meeting was to apprise party central committee on the developments achieved thus far on the five years’ mandate.

Furthermore, he said the gathering was meant to buttress on one of the norms central to Batswana culture; the practice of consultation, initiating it at the highest level of decision-making in government, and reporting to the masters of the manifesto, being the BDP central committee.

“So, today we are gathered here to justify our existence to the masters, being the BDP central committee.

We are here to account,” he stated.

He stated that some ministries were sampled to present to BDP central committee on their programmes, noting that going forward, other ministries would  also be given a chance to present to the committee.

Setting the tone for other ministries, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Dr Thapelo Matsheka presented an overview of the government financial outlook since the beginning of the current financial year.

Dr Matsheka also briefed the gathering on his ministry’s future plans.

Following the meeting, Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Mr Kabo Morwaeng observed that the consultation was fruitful as it supported the initiative of accounting to the ruling party.

He said the meeting was meant to cross check on if government was delivering on the party manifesto.

He said since cabinet ministers did not form part of the central committee, the meeting also bridged the gap between cabinet members and the party central committee.

The BDP secretary general, Mr Mpho Balopi emphasised that the platform was an opportunity for BDP central committee to discuss, at highest level, progress of programmes as agreed in the party manifesto.

He said the meeting sought to give guidance to the executive about pledged programmes, adding that it would become the party’s new norm to discuss issues that concerned electorate such as ‘bread and butter’ issues and provisions of basic commodities.

“The cabinet should account to the party about government performance as guided by the party manifesto,” he stated.

The BDP deputy secretary general, Mr Shaw Kgathi said key issues raised by the central committee members included access to markets by small producers to resuscitate the economy, provision of water, land, and electricity to electorates. ENDs