- restructures ministries
- Boko appoints members of opposition to cabinet
- cabinet appointment to be finalised today
- reshuffling of heads of departments and parastatals to follow
With the Tuesday 12th government gazzete having already detailed the new ministries and their portfolios formed under the new administration, President Duma Boko is heading towards finalising formation of his new government structures.
Out of the 18 ministries, Boko had by yesterday (Thursday), already appointed 12 respective ministers and their deputies with the last batch expected to be announced this morning(Friday).
Some of the highlights of the appointed ministers include, Minister Justice and Correctional Services, Nelson Ramaotwana, Minister of local government and Traditional Affairs, Ketlhalefile FC Motshegwa, Minister of Mineral and Energy, Bogolo Kenewendo, Minister Labour and Home Affairs, Major Gen Pius Mokgware as well Minister Trade and Entrepreneurship, Tiroyaone Ntsima who is deputized by Baratiwa Mathoothe.
The appointment of Mathoothe marks the second one Boko has appointed Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) Members of Parliament after appointing Lawrance Ookeditse as Deputy Minister of Health.
Boko has previously indicated that he had initially proposed for 10 ministers but after engaging with many professionals he was convinced otherwise and settled for 18.
The new ministries are, Ministry for State Presidency, Ministry of International Relations, Ministry for Justice and Correctional Services, Ministry of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Ministry of Lands and Agriculture, Ministry of Communications and Innovation, Ministry of Child Welfare and Basic Education, Ministry of Higher Education, Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Ministry of Finance.
There is also the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs, Ministry of Water and Human Settlement, Ministry of Minerals and Energy, Ministry of Trade and Entrepreneurship, Ministry of Youth and Gender Affairs, Ministry of Sports and Arts and Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure.
Major changes have been made with regards to the ministries and their portfolios in comparison to the previous administration that was led by former President Mokgweetsi Masisi of Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) who lost government to the Umbrella for Democratic Charge (UDC).
The changes include among others the introduction of new ministries with others realigned while some departments have been moved to other ministries.
Some of the restructuring includes the shifting of the Botswana Defense Force (BDF) and the Botswana Police Service (BPS) from the Ministry of Defense and Security to the Office of the President (OP) while the Botswana Prison Services (BPS) have been moved to the Ministry of Justice and Correctional Services. The Botswana Police Service and the Botswana Defense Force will be joining the Directorate of Intelligence Services (DISS) and the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) under OP.
Also noticeable is the transfer of the management of Community-Based Natural Resources (CBNRM) from the Ministry of Environment and Tourism to that of Lands and Agriculture.
The new changes also saw formation of new ministries such as the Ministry of Child Welfare and Basic Education that is led by Nono Kgafela-Mokoka that will focus solely on children’s welfare and education.
Following the unveiling of new ministries and their respective ministers next is expected to be the reshuffling heads of government departments and parastatals which will see some redeployed while others will be released paving way for new faces.
Boko will next week Tuesday deliver his inaugural State of the Nation Address (SONA) where he is expected to update about the status of the nation covering wide ranging political, economic and social matters. The address will be marking the opening of the 13th parliament.
