Botswana vice president will double as finance minister
Boko also named an opposition lawmaker as deputy heath minister and an independent lawmaker as deputy agriculture minister.
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.
More To Read
- Women in Botswana make up 54% of voters, but less than 10% of parliament: political parties can change that
- Botswana's BDP party loses power in election, local media report
- Botswana heads to the polls with diamond downturn in focus
- Diamond-rich Botswana votes with President Masisi seeking second term
- Botswana unearths world's second-largest diamond
- Kenyan envoy to Botswana presents credentials to president Masisi
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 press conference, referring to Gaolathe.
Boko also named an opposition lawmaker as deputy heath minister and an independent lawmaker as deputy agriculture minister.
He has not yet revealed 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.
Top Stories Today
- MP Salasya: I was targeted by armed men after Isiolo rally
- Housing, Public Works warn of project delays, seek Sh6.8 billion boost
- Senate demands answers as land disputes turn deadly
- Politician Philip Aroko freed on bail in Kasipul MP murder case
- Livestock ministry warns budget shortfall will delay key projects
- Gabon's ousted president Bongo flies to Angola with family
- Google prepares Chrome for Android to auto-fill SMS verification codes
- Former Busia governor Ojaamong acquitted in Sh8m graft case
- Court suspends UDA's disciplinary case against Senator Orwoba
- Mitumba trade no threat to local textile industry, new report finds
- FKE warns of job losses as high taxes force businesses to close
- Boda boda rider in Kasipul MP’s murder case detained for 20 days
- Lack of clarity on harmful pesticides ban alarms farmers
- Farmaajo accuses Somali president of deepening crisis through constitutional breaches
- KWS advocates for 10pc tourism revenue share to local communities
- Petition filed to halt vetting of Ruto’s IEBC nominees over alleged irregularities
- RSF drone strikes cut power in Khartoum as war escalates
- Gachagua drops pre-impeachment cases, shifts focus to overturning ouster in court
- Environmentalists raise alarm over hotel being built in Ngong Road Forest
- Wajir residents want state to prioritise water, roads in upcoming budget
