source: Republic of Botswana (25/1/09): TAUTONA TIMES no 1 of 2009
The Weekly Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President "Democracy, Development, Dignity and Discipline"
B4) 17/12/08: REMARKS BY CUTHBERT MOSHE LEKAUKAU, DIRECTOR GENERAL, GOVERNMENT IMPLEMENTATION COORDINATION OFFICE (GICO) AT THE CONTRACT SIGNING CEREMONY OF THE NATIONAL PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION COORDINATION PROJECT GICC, GABORONE
Please find below this afternoon's remarks by the Director General GICO at today's signing ceremony of the National Programme Implementation Project. Please also find attached the project brief [previously forwarded, available on request]
Senior Public Officers
Managing Director of Accenture Botswana
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen:
1. We are today witnessing the beginning of one of the landmarks in the quest to operationalise the Government Implementation Coordination Office (GICO) which was set up by the Presidency and started operating on 2 May 2007. Since that date, it has been a tall order because the office had to be set up from scratch including the selection and recruitment of professional and support staff.
2. GICO is not unique in the world. This is because, it is no longer just enough that governments are able to develop policies for their people; it is now imperative that such policies are implemented through programmes and projects to benefit the society. The ideal goal of any country is thus to spend 100% of its annual development budget. It is the mandate of the Government Implementation Coordination Office (GICO) to aid the nation to achieve this ideal. GICO aims to do this through driving and coordinating all Government policies, programmes, and projects.
3. The leverage to achieving such an ideal goal is the utilisation of an effective project monitoring and evaluation system that informs the coordination office about the status of any major project in the country at any given time. Such a system ought to take into account the context within which it is embedded for it to be effective and it can not thus just be purchased off the shelf. The challenge lies in the development and application of relevant and proven project management systems, processes, measures and structures to ensure sustainable project success.
4. We are here today to sign a contract with Accenture which will enable the realisation of such a project. The core project objectives are as follows: • Objective 1: to design the Framework for Implementation & Coordination of Policy-Related Programmes and Projects • Objective 2: to design a Monitoring and Evaluation Strategy and Model • Objective 3: to design and Implement a Programme Management Office • Objective 4: to design and Implement an Effective Project Management System • Objective 5: to train public officers on advanced project management and handholding on use of the system. The Consultants will also be expected to provide troubleshooting and maintenance support to Government.
5. These objectives are amply described in a project brief which will be distributed shortly. The following are the anticipated benefits of the project:
• Multiple reporting formats problem will be solved through development of a comprehensive reporting tool from which information will be extracted for different purposes.
• It will be easy to track projects and flag those that are running behind schedule.
• It will be easy to determine the root causes of projects that are running behind schedule and advice on the way forward.
• Ministry cross-cutting projects will be easy to coordinate owing to clarity of roles of the different players and timelines for delivery.
• Resource utilization will be optimized owing to the fact that overloading points and under-loading time zones will be easily identified and the problems resolved.
• Fast tracking of projects will be aided owing to the fact that the project plans will indicate areas for possible concurrent engineering to be undertaken and the impact of crashing the project can be simulated.
• Actual project expenditure and percentage of project completion can be known at any given time
The project will significantly aid the Government in its drive of attaining 100% development budget expenditure. The project will significantly contribute to the Government drive to fast tract development projects to the nation. It will save time and money in trying to develop multiple un-integrated systems in various Ministries
6. Ladies and gentlemen, I will now briefly highlight some of the other key achievements of GICO since its establishment:
• GICO has conducted workshops with all Ministries and Departments on project planning and developed a standard format for reporting on projects using Gantt Charts. The workshops were aimed at kick starting the process of empowering public servants with project management skills.
• Policy and Programmes Division’s primary mandate is to monitor implementation of strategies, policies and programmes. The Section advises Ministries on formulation of policies and also coordinates their review to ensure synergy and alignment to national goals.
• GICO serves as the technical advisor to Cabinet Committee on Economy and Employment, which is chaired by His Honour the Vice President.
• GICO acts as the interface between BOCCIM and the Private Sector with Government and serves as Secretariat to the HLCC. GICO intends to extend this service to other organs of the private sector not currently represented by BOCCIM.
• NDP 10 will have a Chapter on Monitoring and Evaluation which is being drafted by GICO. The draft Chapter was presented at the NDP 10 Stakeholders’ Conference in October, 2008. In addition, GICO is a member of the NDP10 reference group.
7. I am pleased to inform you that the Business Economic Advisory Council (BEAC) report titled “Botswana Excellence – Strategy for Economic Diversification and Sustainable Growth” has recently been approved by Cabinet and we will be rolling out its distribution to the public starting first quarter of 2009. Currently, the Strategy is being translated into Setswana. My goal is to ensure that all Batswana should have access to the Strategy. May we wish you a Merry Christmas! PULA!
Monday, January 26, 2009
Statement by the Minister of Communications, Science and Technology on the Second Reading in Parliament of MEDIA PRACTITIONERS` BILL
source: Republic of Botswana (25/1/09): TAUTONA TIMES no 1 of 2009
The Weekly Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President "Democracy, Development, Dignity and Discipline"
B3) 10/12/08: Statement by the Minister of Communications, Science and Technology on the Second Reading in Parliament of Bill No 15 of 2008: MEDIA PRACTITIONERS' BILL
1. Honourable Speaker, I presented the Media Practitioner’s Bill during the last meeting of this House. The debate that followed, both in the House and in the public media, bore testimony to the democratic culture and processes that exist in this country, as well as the tradition of consultation. I withdrew the Bill in order to assure myself that absolutely no stone was left unturned to engage with Batswana, and especially the main stakeholders of this Bill, the media fraternity, to give their input into the Bill.
2. Several months have elapsed since I stood in this House and in that time we have all had an opportunity to reflect on the Bill and to devise ways in which it can be improved. During these few months of reflection, I have continued to receive constructive comments from colleagues in this House, as well as from individuals. Mr Speaker, it is with great regret, however that I stand before you to present this Bill for the second time, having not engaged as fully as I would have wished to with some of the key stakeholders in the media industry. I regret to inform this House that the media fraternity, represented by the Press Board and the Publishers Forum, declined to discuss the Bill. They demanded instead that I should withdraw it from the business that is before the House before they could discuss it with me and through various publications they rejected the Bill in its entirety.
3. Mr Speaker, I beg your indulgence to remind this House that the Bill that I am presenting to this house was the result of several years of consultation with stakeholders spanning no less than 10 years. The Media Advisory Committee adopted certain principles that would underpin this Media Practitioners Bill, these are:
• To produce a more overarching media bill that covers all media; • To produce an enabling bill consistent with international best practice and the treating Botswana has signed and ratified; • To give the Press Council legal recognition; • To promote self regulation;
• To promote access to official information;
• To guarantee editorial independence;
• To address the Minister’s role; and
• To address right of reply.
Members of the private media have representation on the Media Advisory Committee. In fact my vice chairperson is from the Press Council.
4. This Bill’s intention was, and remains, to establish a Media overseer which will monitor the activities of the media and ensure the maintenance of high professional standards. The overseer will provide for the registration and accreditation of resident media practitioners. It was on the request of the members of the current Press Council, which was established by a Deed of Trust that this Bill was crafted to give due recognition to the existence of the Press Council within the Law.
5. Mr Speaker, I have brought this Bill back to the House with the knowledge that I have exercised my duty to uphold the values that are enshrined in the Constitution of this country. I remain convinced that it is my duty to protect the rights of the media to freedom of expression as articulated in clause 12 of the Constitution.
6. I exercise that duty, Mr Speaker, in recognition of clause 3 of our Constitution which, requires us all to ensure that the freedoms enjoyed by one section of the population should not prejudice the rights and freedoms of others, and the public interest. In particular, Clause 12 secures protection of individual privacy.
7. This Bill is premised on the principle of self-regulation of the media. Editorial independence has been guaranteed to ensure free flow in the delivery of information by the media. The Code of Ethics adopted in this Bill as produced by the Press Council of Botswana. Honourable Members will recall that I presented it to an all party caucus before I adopted it for use in the government media. I did this because I am convinced that the document is a commendable product. Amongst the resolutions of Media Advisory Committee was one that demanded that all media houses produce their own editorial policies and make them known to the public. All of these steps are acceptable worldwide as a good basis for self regulation of a free media. It is purely on the basis of these unprecedented legal and administrative undertaking that I am convinced that government has fulfilled one part of its obligation to freedom of expression.
8. It is in my effort to manage the other part, which is the right of individuals to privacy that I have insisted on ensuring that the rights of those who might feel offended by any action of the media should also be guaranteed access to mediation structures that are not under the direct control of the media. The Bill introduces and protects the public by granting the Right to Reply. This, Honourable members can only help further improve on the professional conduct expected of media practitioners.
9. Mr. Speaker, in spite of the refusal of the appointed representatives of the media to meet with me and my staff in order to address their concerns regarding this draft law, our commitment to democracy motivated me nevertheless to examine their points of view and to take on board those that will enrich this legislation and which are consistent with the principles of the Constitution of this country.
10. Currently, Mr Speaker, the registration and accreditation of media practitioners is a function that is executed by a government department. Clause 6 proposes to hand this function over to the media. It is my belief that in a self-regulated environment, it makes sense that the media be responsible for the maintenance of the membership records since they are in a better position to determine acceptable qualifications from time to time. This function will be extended to include the accreditation of local journalists.
11. I also included the request of the stakeholders to make a provision to protect media practitioners from political influence. Clause 4 of this Bill provides for the independence of the Council from Government and from any political party.
12. Mr Speaker, I take this opportunity to highlight other salient parts of the Bill.
13. My original intent was to adopt the existing Press Council of Botswana in the operations of this Bill, but due to their unwillingness to be part of this document, I will have to move amendments at the committee stage to ensure that they are not included. It is still my wish that once the bill is in operation and the current apprehensions that surround it have been allayed, the Press Council will review their current stance.
Contents of the Bill
14. The main objectives of the Media Practitioner’s Bill at Clause 3 are to establish a media council which will monitor the activities of the media and ensure the maintenance of high professional standards, and to provide for the registration and accreditation of resident media practitioners.
15. Freedom of the Press and self-regulation are guaranteed at clauses 4 and 5 of the Bill.
16. At clauses 3 and 17, the Bill also provides for the establishment of the Complaints Committee and the Appeals Committee whose main functions are to adjudicate on complaints brought by members of the public about any particular publication. The Complaints and Appeals Committee are empowered to administer appropriate disciplinary measures and impose sanctions, where necessary, in order to promote an atmosphere of accountability, mutual trust and respect between media practitioners and the public.
17. The Bill also provides for the appointment of the Chief Executive and other staff of the Council at clause 24 who shall deal with the day to day management of the Council. Also specified in the Bill are provisions for meetings which are to be held by the Council, including the quorum and the procedure for convening such meetings.
18. At clauses 32 and 33, the Bill has also made provisions relating to the funds and financial year of the Council. It also deals with the Executive Committee’s regulation-making powers, as well as the Minister’s power to make regulations by statutory instrument.
19. I hasten to explain that I have chosen to present the Bill without attaching the consequential regulations, in order to permit flexibility in further consultations with all stakeholders.
20. Honourable Speaker, the Bill addresses all these issues, and goes further to recognise the Media Code of Ethics which would have been drawn by the media itself. The Bill sets up a media council; it promotes regulation; it guarantees editorial independence; and further protects the public by granting the Right of Reply.
21. I urge all stakeholders to adopt it in the spirit in which it is intended.
22. Honourable Speaker, I therefore beg to move that the Media Practitioners Bill, 2008 Bill (No. 15 of 2008) be read a second time. I thank you Mr Speaker.
The Weekly Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President "Democracy, Development, Dignity and Discipline"
B3) 10/12/08: Statement by the Minister of Communications, Science and Technology on the Second Reading in Parliament of Bill No 15 of 2008: MEDIA PRACTITIONERS' BILL
1. Honourable Speaker, I presented the Media Practitioner’s Bill during the last meeting of this House. The debate that followed, both in the House and in the public media, bore testimony to the democratic culture and processes that exist in this country, as well as the tradition of consultation. I withdrew the Bill in order to assure myself that absolutely no stone was left unturned to engage with Batswana, and especially the main stakeholders of this Bill, the media fraternity, to give their input into the Bill.
2. Several months have elapsed since I stood in this House and in that time we have all had an opportunity to reflect on the Bill and to devise ways in which it can be improved. During these few months of reflection, I have continued to receive constructive comments from colleagues in this House, as well as from individuals. Mr Speaker, it is with great regret, however that I stand before you to present this Bill for the second time, having not engaged as fully as I would have wished to with some of the key stakeholders in the media industry. I regret to inform this House that the media fraternity, represented by the Press Board and the Publishers Forum, declined to discuss the Bill. They demanded instead that I should withdraw it from the business that is before the House before they could discuss it with me and through various publications they rejected the Bill in its entirety.
3. Mr Speaker, I beg your indulgence to remind this House that the Bill that I am presenting to this house was the result of several years of consultation with stakeholders spanning no less than 10 years. The Media Advisory Committee adopted certain principles that would underpin this Media Practitioners Bill, these are:
• To produce a more overarching media bill that covers all media; • To produce an enabling bill consistent with international best practice and the treating Botswana has signed and ratified; • To give the Press Council legal recognition; • To promote self regulation;
• To promote access to official information;
• To guarantee editorial independence;
• To address the Minister’s role; and
• To address right of reply.
Members of the private media have representation on the Media Advisory Committee. In fact my vice chairperson is from the Press Council.
4. This Bill’s intention was, and remains, to establish a Media overseer which will monitor the activities of the media and ensure the maintenance of high professional standards. The overseer will provide for the registration and accreditation of resident media practitioners. It was on the request of the members of the current Press Council, which was established by a Deed of Trust that this Bill was crafted to give due recognition to the existence of the Press Council within the Law.
5. Mr Speaker, I have brought this Bill back to the House with the knowledge that I have exercised my duty to uphold the values that are enshrined in the Constitution of this country. I remain convinced that it is my duty to protect the rights of the media to freedom of expression as articulated in clause 12 of the Constitution.
6. I exercise that duty, Mr Speaker, in recognition of clause 3 of our Constitution which, requires us all to ensure that the freedoms enjoyed by one section of the population should not prejudice the rights and freedoms of others, and the public interest. In particular, Clause 12 secures protection of individual privacy.
7. This Bill is premised on the principle of self-regulation of the media. Editorial independence has been guaranteed to ensure free flow in the delivery of information by the media. The Code of Ethics adopted in this Bill as produced by the Press Council of Botswana. Honourable Members will recall that I presented it to an all party caucus before I adopted it for use in the government media. I did this because I am convinced that the document is a commendable product. Amongst the resolutions of Media Advisory Committee was one that demanded that all media houses produce their own editorial policies and make them known to the public. All of these steps are acceptable worldwide as a good basis for self regulation of a free media. It is purely on the basis of these unprecedented legal and administrative undertaking that I am convinced that government has fulfilled one part of its obligation to freedom of expression.
8. It is in my effort to manage the other part, which is the right of individuals to privacy that I have insisted on ensuring that the rights of those who might feel offended by any action of the media should also be guaranteed access to mediation structures that are not under the direct control of the media. The Bill introduces and protects the public by granting the Right to Reply. This, Honourable members can only help further improve on the professional conduct expected of media practitioners.
9. Mr. Speaker, in spite of the refusal of the appointed representatives of the media to meet with me and my staff in order to address their concerns regarding this draft law, our commitment to democracy motivated me nevertheless to examine their points of view and to take on board those that will enrich this legislation and which are consistent with the principles of the Constitution of this country.
10. Currently, Mr Speaker, the registration and accreditation of media practitioners is a function that is executed by a government department. Clause 6 proposes to hand this function over to the media. It is my belief that in a self-regulated environment, it makes sense that the media be responsible for the maintenance of the membership records since they are in a better position to determine acceptable qualifications from time to time. This function will be extended to include the accreditation of local journalists.
11. I also included the request of the stakeholders to make a provision to protect media practitioners from political influence. Clause 4 of this Bill provides for the independence of the Council from Government and from any political party.
12. Mr Speaker, I take this opportunity to highlight other salient parts of the Bill.
13. My original intent was to adopt the existing Press Council of Botswana in the operations of this Bill, but due to their unwillingness to be part of this document, I will have to move amendments at the committee stage to ensure that they are not included. It is still my wish that once the bill is in operation and the current apprehensions that surround it have been allayed, the Press Council will review their current stance.
Contents of the Bill
14. The main objectives of the Media Practitioner’s Bill at Clause 3 are to establish a media council which will monitor the activities of the media and ensure the maintenance of high professional standards, and to provide for the registration and accreditation of resident media practitioners.
15. Freedom of the Press and self-regulation are guaranteed at clauses 4 and 5 of the Bill.
16. At clauses 3 and 17, the Bill also provides for the establishment of the Complaints Committee and the Appeals Committee whose main functions are to adjudicate on complaints brought by members of the public about any particular publication. The Complaints and Appeals Committee are empowered to administer appropriate disciplinary measures and impose sanctions, where necessary, in order to promote an atmosphere of accountability, mutual trust and respect between media practitioners and the public.
17. The Bill also provides for the appointment of the Chief Executive and other staff of the Council at clause 24 who shall deal with the day to day management of the Council. Also specified in the Bill are provisions for meetings which are to be held by the Council, including the quorum and the procedure for convening such meetings.
18. At clauses 32 and 33, the Bill has also made provisions relating to the funds and financial year of the Council. It also deals with the Executive Committee’s regulation-making powers, as well as the Minister’s power to make regulations by statutory instrument.
19. I hasten to explain that I have chosen to present the Bill without attaching the consequential regulations, in order to permit flexibility in further consultations with all stakeholders.
20. Honourable Speaker, the Bill addresses all these issues, and goes further to recognise the Media Code of Ethics which would have been drawn by the media itself. The Bill sets up a media council; it promotes regulation; it guarantees editorial independence; and further protects the public by granting the Right of Reply.
21. I urge all stakeholders to adopt it in the spirit in which it is intended.
22. Honourable Speaker, I therefore beg to move that the Media Practitioners Bill, 2008 Bill (No. 15 of 2008) be read a second time. I thank you Mr Speaker.
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