President Duma Boko has called for a stronger and more effective Parliament, emphasising its central role in protecting democracy, promoting accountability, and ensuring that government policies and programmes serve the interests of Batswana.
Speaking at the opening of the Parliament Executive Leadership Programme in Kasane, Boko said Members of Parliament must move beyond procedural debates to focus on the quality of legislation, robust oversight, and ensuring public resources translate into meaningful improvements in citizens’ lives.
He stressed that as Botswana advances its national transformation agenda amid fiscal constraints, Parliament bears a critical responsibility to scrutinise public spending, demand accountability from public institutions, and monitor the implementation of development projects. Achieving this, he noted, requires enhanced parliamentary capacity, independent research support, stronger committees, and more rigorous oversight structures.
Boko also called for institutional reforms to enhance legislative independence and capability, highlighting the need for a Parliamentary Service Act and the establishment of a dedicated Parliamentary Budget Office. He further underscored the importance of an inclusive, accessible Parliament where the voices of women, youth, persons with disabilities, and rural communities meaningfully shape national policy.
While acknowledging the distinct constitutional responsibilities of the Executive and the Legislature, Boko maintained that both arms share a primary obligation to the public.
He concluded that respect for the separation of powers must be balanced with constructive institutional cooperation, ensuring that each branch operates within its constitutional mandate while advancing the broader national interest.
