Botswana president sees peace elusive in many countries
Botswana President Ian Khama said on Tuesday that peace and stability remain elusive for many countries and that Batswana should not take their stable political environment for granted.
Botswana President Ian Khama reviews an honor guard after being sworn-in as the country’s forth democratically elected president in Gaborone. Khama has been sworn-in as Botswana?s fourth democratically elected president, pledging to diversify the country’s diamond-dependent economy.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
Speaking at his inauguration ceremony after his Party the Botswana democratic Party (BDP) won 78 percent of parliamentary seats, Khama said “We must use this opportunity to count our blessings, and remember that many societies find peace and stability elusive which we take for granted; that horrendous atrocities have fallen upon many countries; and that economic ruin has resulted from poor governance which places sectarian interests ahead of national interest.”
“We must forever remain vigilant and guard our treasure of democracy jealously.”
Khama also acknowledged that his government faces challenges such as unemployment, poverty, crime, HIV and AIDS, shortage of shelter, declining social values, environmental degradation and global competition.
“I am happy to report that we have put in place a number of policies, programs and projects, measures and initiatives to tackle most if not all of them and will continue to do so in the coming Term.”
“These measures cover a whole range of the development agenda. Particular attention will also be paid to agriculture, education and skills development, health, housing, youth empowerment, sports,t he arts, diversification and sustainable use of resources”, Khama said.
He vowed that he remains committed to turning around the agricultural sector so that production levels of both livestock and crops are increased significantly.
“Through commercialization of areas where we have comparative advantage, provision of infrastructure, as well as facilitation of credit, the agricultural sectors’ contribution to GDP as well as our food security should improve.”
Khama also outlined that skills development remains critical, adding that there is the need to move with speed into a knowledge society. “Communication, science and technology will be key in this. More use of ICT for service delivery, coupled with strengthened research and development, should not only give us greater efficiency, but opportunities for diversification beyond diamonds should be enhanced.”
“Innovation and creativity, especially amongst the youth will be encouraged and promoted. Through communication infrastructure development, access for rural areas and international connectivity, as well as telemedicine will be greatly improved”, Khama declared.
On minerals which have been the backbone of the Botswana economy, accounting for over 60 percent of GDP, Khama said considerable investment will continue to go into mineral beneficiation, as well as infrastructure development in all sectors including transport, energy and water.
Khama won the presidential election held on Friday.