11 Nov 2024

In a bid to align government operations with the aspirations of the citizenry, President Duma Boko has proposed the establishment of an ‘agile’ government focused on responsive and effective economic strategies.

An agile government, as defined by President Boko, is one that is adaptable and quick to respond to the hopes and needs of its people. 

He said this during a media briefing in Gaborone today, where he announced six cabinet ministers and two deputies.

He argued that rebuilding the economy necessitated robust situational awareness, marked by continuous assessments of the socio-economic landscape.

“By following this strategic framework, we can ensure that our actions are aligned with the aspirations of the citizens, leverage the media effectively, and build strong institutions capable of fostering sustainable change for our country’s future,” he said. 

To facilitate this vision, President Boko highlighted the importance of utilising data analytics for monitoring key economic indicators. He pointed out the necessity of engaging a diverse array of stakeholders to gain a comprehensive understanding of the challenges ahead. 

“Vision setting would be a cornerstone of this initiative, with clear, long-term strategic goals developed in line with national interests,” he said. 

He stressed the importance of fostering a culture of transparency and accountability throughout the goal-setting processes. In doing so, he underscored the need for careful handling of statistical data to prevent misinterpretations, advocating for clarity in how data was presented to the public and decision-makers.

Encouraging critical thinking and media literacy, Mr Boko urged citizens to evaluate the narratives surrounding statistical information critically, adding that collaboration with media outlets would play a key role in government’s strategy to effectively communicate its initiatives and gather public feedback.

Mr Boko also outlined plans for institutional change, emphasising the identification and empowerment of key institutions necessary for implementing strategic reforms. He acknowledged the need for training and capacity-building programmes to enhance the effectiveness of institutional staff.

He further said a comprehensive forecast with defined priorities for national development would be developed and communicated to the public, fostering a shared sense of purpose. 

Engaging citizens in discussions about future goals would be integral to enhancing public involvement and commitment, he said. To build resilience across institutions, the President noted the necessity of reassessing and redesigning institutional frameworks to enhance their responsiveness. 

“The establishment of multi-sectoral task forces was envisioned to address specific challenges swiftly,” he said.

 The President also reiterated the need for fairness and accuracy in reporting on government actions and outcomes, advocating for the engagement of independent entities to evaluate and audit government’s performance regularly. 

He expressed a commitment to fostering an environment of open communication, where citizens could voice their concerns and contribute feedback on governance initiatives. Ends