Botswana’s vice-president to double as finance minister
Newly elected President Duma Boko has announced the first ministerial positions in his cabinet
11 November 2024 - 16:33
byBrian Benza
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Newly elected president of Botswana, Duma Boko, looks on during his inauguration ceremony in Gaborone, Botswana, November 8 2024. Picture: REUTERS/THALEFANG CHARLES
Gaborone — Botswana’s vice-president, Ndaba Gaolathe, will double as finance minister, new President Duma Boko said on Monday, announcing the first ministerial positions in his cabinet.
In a shock election result earlier this month, Boko’s Umbrella for Democratic Change coalition ousted the party that had ruled the Southern African country for nearly six decades.
Analysts say mounting economic grievances, particularly among young people, contributed to Boko’s landslide victory.
High on Gaolathe’s to-do list will be lifting economic growth, which the International Monetary Fund projects will slow to 1% this year mainly due to lower diamond production.
“We are in a dire economic and financial situation. He has a huge job in his hands. He has to steer us through these choppy and turbulent waters,” Boko said during a media conference, referring to Gaolathe.
Boko also named an opposition legislator as deputy heath minister and an independent legislator as deputy agriculture minister.
He has not yet announced the new mining minister, a job that is especially closely watched as Botswana is the world’s top diamond producer by value.
Boko told reporters that more cabinet appointments would be announced in the coming days.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Botswana’s vice-president to double as finance minister
Newly elected President Duma Boko has announced the first ministerial positions in his cabinet
Gaborone — Botswana’s vice-president, Ndaba Gaolathe, will double as finance minister, new President Duma Boko said on Monday, announcing the first ministerial positions in his cabinet.
In a shock election result earlier this month, Boko’s Umbrella for Democratic Change coalition ousted the party that had ruled the Southern African country for nearly six decades.
Analysts say mounting economic grievances, particularly among young people, contributed to Boko’s landslide victory.
High on Gaolathe’s to-do list will be lifting economic growth, which the International Monetary Fund projects will slow to 1% this year mainly due to lower diamond production.
“We are in a dire economic and financial situation. He has a huge job in his hands. He has to steer us through these choppy and turbulent waters,” Boko said during a media conference, referring to Gaolathe.
Boko also named an opposition legislator as deputy heath minister and an independent legislator as deputy agriculture minister.
He has not yet announced the new mining minister, a job that is especially closely watched as Botswana is the world’s top diamond producer by value.
Boko told reporters that more cabinet appointments would be announced in the coming days.
Reuters
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