Speaking at his historic inauguration at the National Stadium on Friday, he said his government intends to uphold human dignity and the rights of all persons. To endeavour to improve the lives of all citizens, Boko said they will drive and consolidate the transformative agenda towards attaining an inclusive society, with high economic growth that is inclusive and yields sustainable development and peace for all.
“The thrust of the transformation will, amongst other things, be in terms of improving the legislative and policy environment regulating all aspects of life, including the formulation and execution of projects and programmes with high impact on people’s social conditions and opportunities for success, and which also enhance the ease of doing business in Botswana. “This government will be proactive in removing bottlenecks, bureaucratic hurdles, and unnecessarily restrictive regulations that make doing business a mountain to climb,” he said. Boko said their transformative agenda will be focused on the re-building of institutions for the delivery of public services in a manner that is effective and efficient, transparent and accountable. He said they are committed to the structural organisation of the economy through diversification in order to play a critical role in the global economy, particularly in enhancing its sustainability and competitiveness.
Boko further said the government pledges to strengthen democratic ideals, governance, and security. “The time is ripe, and the moment is opportune to review our Constitution and determine where it needs to be improved, strengthened, or even overhauled. This is our kairos moment as a nation,” he said. “We dare not toy with it. We dare not play coy with it. We dare not squander it. We dare not miss it. This is a sacred responsibility that we must treat with utmost gravity and gravitas. We will learn from the international standard, the best practice, and look to implement what will for us here.” The former Gaborone Bonnington North legislator said his government will strive for an inclusive economy that is founded on social democracy, human rights, meritocracy, accountability, and innovation. “We will run an agile government that is driven by a dynamic private sector and State-Owned Enterprises (SOE) in strategic sectors of the economy to achieve sustainable development and an expedited transition to a green economy. We aim to diversify the economy and grow it to above 10% GDP per annum, an economy that produces quality goods and services, creates jobs, and distributes wealth equitably to all citizens,” he said.
To confer dignity upon people, Boko said his government will ensure a fair distribution and efficient use of land, provision of decent housing, sustainable environmental management, transitioning to a green economy and reduction of carbon-based production systems that adversely impact the environment and accelerate global warming. He also said they will provide education that will equip learners for the world of work and business and to become players in the global economic space. “Our education will emphasise technical and vocational skills and aim to produce a multi-skilled human resource. Education for productivity is the beat and the drum roll to which our feet will march. I hope to be the Pied Piper leading this charge and this march; not to the precipice of doom but to the doorstep of a prosperous future,” he said.
He further said they will provide a responsive, supportive, and robust healthcare system for all citizens regardless of their social stations and status. He said they will prioritise health and that of the nation at large stating that health is a basic, non-negotiable human right that must be relentlessly pursued and promoted. The President said they will both seek new friends and allies, as well as deepen and strengthen our already existing international relations and our participation in the global market. “We will, thus, establish a robust foreign policy in our quest to promote international peace, justice, democracy, and good government,” he said. Boko said he is a believer that this country has great things awaiting it. “Today, as I scan your faces, I believe that our nation has been born again and will proudly and in unity move forward and upwards. Today, there is only Botswana and Batswana mo fatsheng leno la rona le eleng mphô ya Modimo le boswa ja bo rraetsho,” he said.
