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BDP MPs sabotage Gaolathe

August 1, 2016, 2:45 am
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Gaolathe
The opposition is reading malice in the collapse of quorum on Friday when parliament was supposed to debate the motion by the MP for Gaborone Bonnington South, Ndaba Gaolathe. Last week Gaolathe presented a motion which was calling for government to establish an independent and autonomous water and power regulator to create an environment in which the water and power sector may benefit from significantly greater investment. The motion was given the nod by the Minister of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources Kitso Mokaila noting that they have something similar in the pipeline and was supposed to be debated on Friday. When it was time for the motion to be debated, Members of Parliament from the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) walked out of parliament leaving only Minister Mokaila. Efforts by the speaker Gladys Kokorwe to ask them to come back in as the quorum was collapsing hit a snag. They continued with their tea outside forcing the Speaker to adjourn Parliament proceedings for the day. There was speculation that BDP were revenging on after the opposition did the same thing during a debate on the Constitutional Amendment Bill when they walked out at voting time only to come back…
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DCEC informer’s saga

August 1, 2016, 2:56 am
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The Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime’s (DCEC) ability to protect sources of information (informers) will be put to test next week when Statistics Botswana (SB) squares off in court against one of its employees who is accused of leaking confidential information. An employee of SB, Marang Teisi, is fighting to save her job after she was suspended and later summoned to a disciplinary hearing on suspicion that she leaked confidential information to the media, exposing the rot at the parastatal. Issues included ranged from controversial recruitment, appointments and dismissals, unfair labour practices, and allegations of misappropriation of funds. As the author of the document, which she later availed to DCEC following a formal request from the graft busters, Teisi was later fingered by her employer (SB) as the mole who fed the media with information in her custody. Notwithstanding her protestation and denial of any knowledge of how the document was leaked to the newspapers, she was dragged through a protracted disciplinary hearing, which dragged on into 2016. The Patriot on Sunday is in possession of documents showing that on August 25, 2015 Teisi appealed for the intervention of DCEC to protect her using provisions of the Corruption and…
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Wildlife Dept breaking law?

August 1, 2016, 3:00 am
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Wildlife Dept breaking law?
In its zeal to seal the borders against poachers through a deadly shoot-to-kill stance, the department of Wildlife could seemingly have been breaking the law by accumulating and using arms of war when they have not been recognised as a disciplined force. Only now is the minister responsible moving to have the department’s anti-poaching cadres recognised as a disciplined force. PHILLIMON MMESO reports. He is regarded as one of the most outspoken cabinet ministers – he speaks his mind without fear irrespective of place or the audience at hand. Tshekedi Khama – the Minister of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism – has since his appointment as the minister of MEWT spoken out against poaching, adopting a controversial ‘shoot to kill’ stance which puts Botswana at loggerheads with some of its neighbouring countries especially Namibia. The Namibian government is not happy with Botswana’s policy and during his recent state visit to Botswana President Hage Geingob called on his counterpart to review the shoot-to-kill policy. Over 30 Namibians and 22 Zimbabweans had their earthly departures fast-tracked by the Botswana’s anti-poaching operations. In an interview the unshaken Tshekedi Khama insists that the shoot-to-kill policy has worked wonders for Botswana as they have seen the…
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Billy opposes increase of MPs

August 1, 2016, 3:10 am
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Billy opposes increase of MPs
The MP for Francistown East Buti Billy – one of the reserved legislators – broke his silence on the recently adopted constitutional amendments debated in parliament. Billy shocked his colleagues in the ruling party when he differed with the constitutional amendment which seeks to increase the number of specially elected MPs. Starting his debate on a high note, Billy said that the current amendments should not be divorced from the aspirations of the constituents they are representing. “The difference between my constituency and others is that it has well informed and educated people who advise me on several issues,” said Billy, adding that one of his great concern is that there is too much ambiguity on the bill as it does not clearly state which ministries need to be divided or which ones will be created. He said that his constituents have informed him that enough consultation was not done and as such they want a referendum on the proposed amendments. Efforts by Vice President Mokgweetsi Masisi to remind him that he had a chance to consult his constituents during the parliamentary break did not bear any fruits as Billy informed him that he did but they advised him that…
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BDP MPs reject media inclusion in whistleblowing bill

August 3, 2016, 6:29 am
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BDP MPs reject media inclusion in whistleblowing bill
Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) MPs, among them Eric Molale, Unity Dow, Slumber Tsogwane took turns rejecting the amendments proposed by Gaborone Central MP Dr Phenyo Butale to the Whistleblowing Bill in Parliament this week. Among a raft of other amendments, which were accepted by MPs on both sides of the aisle, Dr Butale has proposed the extension of persons to whom disclosure of impropriety may be made to include media houses, the Law Society of Botswana and the Competition Authority and the Botswana Prison Services. While Molale argued that the media is not a government institution and therefore cannot be regulated with the existing statutes, Dow insisted that the media and the Law Society of Botswana (LSB) would be misplaced if they are included as institutions to which disclosure of impropriety may be made. "The purpose of this Act is to cause an institution to whom a report is made to conduct an investigation and bring culprits to book. Beyond just writing stories, the media does not have any investigative powers vested on the police and other state agents. The same with the LSB; they are not an investigating authority. The LSB would open floodgates with other associations like nurses…
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"Ke tlaa go shapa" (I will beat you) – MP Tshireletso

August 3, 2016, 6:37 am
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• Calls MP Nkaigwa a demi God possessed by demons The floor of Parliament was once again reduced to a circus on Tuesday afternoon during the discussion of the Whistleblowing' Bill, when an irate MP for Mahalapye East Botlogile Tshireletso lunged into Haskins Nkaigwa-MP for Gaborone North - threatening to beat him up. Nkaigwa invited the ire of Tshireletso - the assistant minister of Local Government and Rural Development - when he questioned her credentials as a cabinet member after the latter erroneously rose on a Point of Order, when seeking clarification on his submissions. Rising on a point of Order, which forced Nkaigwa to yield to allow her interruption, Tshireletso reminded the MP that the general assembly (a private meeting of all parliamentarians) had, contrary to his claim, agreed that religion should not be used to attack other MPs on the floor of parliament. "Tumelo ya gago mo Modimong ga yaa tshwanela go dirisiwa go sotlha ba bangwe. Ga rea dumalana gore go seka ga buiwa ka Modimo jaaka o bua," said Tshireletso. The Speaker, Gladys Kokorwe, advised Tshireletso that her intervention was not a point of order but sought clarification, which she accepted. But all hell broke loose…
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The late Justice Elijah W.M.J. Legwaila

August 3, 2016, 6:49 am
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The late Justice Elijah W.M.J. Legwaila
(8-8-1939 to 27-2016) President Ian Khama has sent a condolence message to the family of the late Justice Elijah Legwaila, who passed away last week. A member of the Court of Appeal at the time of his death, during his long and distinguished public career the Honourable Justice Legwaila made an immense contribution to Botswana reputation for Good Governance and respect for the rule of law. Known for his personal qualities of modesty, firmness tempered with patience and teamwork, Justice Legwaila was an internationally respected lawyer, judge and long serving senior civil servant. His career highlights included his tenures as the Permanent Secretary to the President and Secretary to Cabinet from 1989 to 1998 and Judge President of the Industrial Court from 2000 to 2011. Justice Legwaila was born in Mathathane village in the Bobirwa sub-District on the 8th of August 1939. He taught primary school before completing his secondary school studies at Moeng College. In 1972 he earned a law degree (L.L.B.) from the then University of Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland, subsequently earning a Master’s Degree in Law (L.L.M.) at Harvard University in 1980. In 1972, he began his career in the public service as State Counsel in the…
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Venson-Moitoi: I am running again

August 3, 2016, 7:11 am
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Venson-Moitoi: I am running again
Botswana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ms Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi has this week confirmed she will continue with her campaign for the African Union (AU) Chairperson’s seat. She said on Tuesday that Botswana Cabinet has already endorsed her decision to run again after failing to get the position in July AU summit when she couldn’t get the required two thirds majority for the position from African Heads of State. She will next week present her candidature to the SADC Foreign Ministers for re-endorsement though this time around the regional block could find itself split between Venson-Moitoi and former Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete who has since singalled his interest to run for the position. Kikwete’s name came on the backdrop of general concerns from some African states and leading individuals over the low quality of candidates that ran for the position. Venson-Moitoi ran against Equatorial Guinea’s foreign minister Agapito Mba Mokuy and Uganda’s former Vice President, Dr. Specioza Naigaga Wandira Kazibwe. Failure by Moitoi to garner enough votes has partly been blamed on President Ian Khama’s disinterest in attending AU meetings. Some feel had he been more active and in touch with other African leaders, they would have easily voted…
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Okapi knife was mine – Tawana

August 4, 2016, 3:31 am
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Kgosi Tawana
The recent mystery over the Okapi knife, which was found at Parliament after metal detecting machines were installed, was solved on Wednesday. Security had to be stepped up in Parliament following recent violence incidents that broke out, with one MP having thrown a water bottle at the Deputy Speaker. The MP for Maun West Tawana Moremi – when debating the amendment to the Whistleblowing Bill – said he was disappointed that the deputy speaker Kagiso Molatlhegi has revealed the information confided to him. “I came to your office accompanied by the Member of Parliament for Mogoditshane Sedirwa Kgoroba and Sergeant in Arms and informed you that the knife belonged to me but I was shocked to hear honourable Patrick Ralotsia talking about it in Parliament,” said Moremi. The Maun West MP said he abided by the security procedures mounted at Parliament and only to find that the information he shared with the Deputy Speaker has now been made a joke. Moremi said that he suspects that the Deputy Speaker, who sits next to Ralotsia, might have passed the information something which he said was wrong. Though Molatlhegi denied that he is the one who leaked the information to Ralotsia, Moremi…
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Statistics Botswana sued

August 8, 2016, 1:54 am
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Majelantle and Motsamai
Statistics Botswana (SB) will on Thursday lock horns with several of their employees at the high court over the disparity in the new pay structure and discrepancy of its implementation with educational qualifications since the migration exercise of 2012. Statistics Botswana, which gobbled P64 million (2015/16) in basic salary costs, allowances, overtime and other indirect staff costs, was formed in 2009 taking over the functions of a government department previously known as Central Statistics Office. Soon after the migration exercise to Statistics Botswana in 2012, a number of employees raised grievances that they were unfairly notched and graded. A Salary Grievances Task Force was formed to holistically look into the pay structure, assess grievances and make recommendations to management for a final decision. Management of the embattled parastatal is now accused of discrimination and favouritism during implementation of the new pay structure recommended by the task force. Although management and the board assured the complainants that they will act on the recommendations to address the discrepancies that never happened. Statistics Botswana even failed to attend a hearing for intercession on the matter before the district labour office in September 2014. Without opposition, a default award was made to the complainants.…
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Tawana and the knife

August 8, 2016, 1:57 am
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Tawana Moremi
Members of Parliament for Maun West and Tati East Tawana Moremi and Biggie Butale have clarified the issue of ‘knife in Parliament’ issue. In an interview with The Patriot on Sunday, Moremi said that he was misquoted in Parliament when he talked about the knife incident. “The incident I was talking about happened in March last year when I approached the Deputy Speaker Kagiso Molatlhegi about security at the revenue office and was accompanied by MP Butale and Sergeant in Arms,” clarified Moremi adding that the knife was not even Okapi but hunting knife. He said that he was shocked when Minister of Agriculture Patrick Ralotsia used the incident to mock him in Parliament and realised that it was Molatlhegi who leaked the story to him. “That is why I was saying I am disappointed with Molatlhegi because I shared the information with him as Deputy Speaker but he betrayed my confidence in him,” said Moremi. Moremi said that the reason he carried the knife was for his protection and for eating meat. Butale confirmed that the incident happened last year and it was Moremi who voluntarily showed Molatlhegi as a way for showing that security at the Parliamentary revenue…
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Medic wins P1m for wrongful dismissal

August 8, 2016, 2:02 am
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Dr Marape
Botswana Baylor Children's Clinical Centre of Excellence was last week ordered by the Court of Appeal (CoA) to cough up approximately P1 million as damages for wrongful dismissal of Gaborone-based medical doctor, Dr Marape Marape. Three Court of Appeal judges Justice F.D.J. Brand, C.T. Howie and I.B.K Lesetedi concurred that Dr Marape was unlawfully dismissed by the Executive Director Professor Gabriel Anabwani in December 2013, just six months into a two-year contract. Prof Anabwani dismissed Dr Marape after the latter fell ill on December 5, 2013 and on the advice of a medical practitioner (who also produced a medical certificate) that he could not report for work for the next two days. He was dismissed without any disciplinary process being followed as stipulated in the contract the parties had entered into on July 1, 2013. The judges, therefore, agreed with the high court decision that Dr Marape be paid damages for loss of earnings for the unexpired period of his contract, which amounted to 18 months, since the clinic had failed to demonstrate that any other conditions like reduction of staff or demotion were expected to occur in that period. In fact all the arguments supporting the appeal against damages…
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Botswana’s most serious internal threat

August 8, 2016, 2:06 am
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WARNING; Mokgware warns against intelligence wars
The proliferation of government security and intelligence services in Botswana is emerging as one of the most serious internal security threats facing the country, The Patriot on Sunday has learnt.Sources within the state security apparatus have revealed that there is growing tension and mistrust among them which could threaten the country’s peace and tranquillity. The tension is said to have been exacerbated by the recent establishment of Tourism Intelligence Unit, which is said to be arming itself to the teeth. Information gathered by this publication have revealed that TIU, which is under the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP), is currently arming itself with weapons of war even before it could be recognised as a disciplined force. In an interview recently Minister of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism Tshekedi Khama confirmed that they have an intelligence unit which deals with poaching and its related crimes. “Ours is highly specialised as it deals with wildlife while others deals with multiples issues,” he said adding that theirs is the best. The recruitment of highly trained deputy commander of BDF Major General Otisitswe Tiroyamodimo and BDF Special Forces personnel by DWNP is said to not settling well with the BDF anti-poaching Unit. Recently…
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Wilderness bigwigs in P12m payout

August 8, 2016, 2:14 am
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Vincent
Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE) listed tourism outfit Wilderness Holdings has paid over P12 million to its three executive directors. The information is contained in the company’s latest annual report made available this week through the BSE website where it has a primary listing. Chief Executive Keith Vincent was remunerated with total of P3 980 828 for the 2016 financial year with P2 422 729 being a salary of the year. He was paid a further P1 461 895 for benefits and bonuses while P96 204 was for employee provident and medical aid. Wilderness, whose board chairman is Parks Tafa, rewarded its Chief Financial Officer Ami Azoulay with a sum of P4 127 385 which is a combination of salary, bonuses, employee provident and medical and shares. Azoulay salary’s for the year stood at P1 389 470, gaining a further P265 298 under the employee provident and medical aid while the rest came from shares and bonuses. Wilderness’ Executive Director Derek de la Harpe – who occupies the positions of Commercial Director and Chief Sustainability Officer – earned a total of P4 474 894 for the period under review. He earned P1 625 844 as a salary for the whole financial…
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Marole for Parley?

August 8, 2016, 2:19 am
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Marole for Parley?
By end of this week there is all likelihood that Parliament would have adjourned having elected new Specially Elected Members of Parliament. This comes after the adoption and passing of the bill on the amendment of the constitution to allow for the increment of specially elected Members of Parliament from four to six. This will pave the way for President Ian Khama to shuffle his cabinet, bringing in two new faces to it. Sources at government enclave have revealed that bill is expected to be enacted into law before the end of this parliamentary session, which comes to end on Friday.This week political landscape at Government Enclave and at Tsholetsa House was heavily pregnant with claims that the former Debswana Managing Director Blackie Marole was the leading candidate for the SEMP together with former Botswana Defence Force (BDF) Lieutenant General Tebogo Masire. MaroleAhead of the 2014 General Elections there were talks that Marole was seriously considering challenging Shaw Kgathi for the party primaries. This was prompted by his attendance of meetings of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) BOMASE region which comprises Bobonong, Mmadinare and Selibe Phikwe constituencies. His strong corporate background is said to be one of the reasons President…
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Hoax news: Khama World’s best president

August 8, 2016, 6:45 am
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Hoax news: Khama World’s best president
Botswana’s Office of the President has become aware and wishes to dissociate itself from a hoax news report being widely circulated online with the headlines - "President Seretse Khama Ian Khama Named The World's Best President" & "Botswana's Ian Khama announced as World's best president, tipped as the next UN Secretary General". OP says, “To our knowledge the source of the said reports is "Smith Rise", which is a self-proclaimed "online satirical blog", along with the apparently associated "Malawi Punch" websites and social media.” “With respect to Smith Rise we further note that the blogs' home page contains the following disclaimers "Our Stories are purely fictional." And "They are all fake, any resemblance to the truth is purely coincidental." In the above context it may be further noted that neither H.E. the President nor anyone else in authority from this Office was contacted by either of the above sites with respect to the hoax report. [Source: Dr Jeff Ramsay, Presidential spokesman]
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Police arrest, beat protesting youth at Parley

August 8, 2016, 7:32 am
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Youth masses invade parliament decrying lack of employment by the gorvenment
On a dramatic Monday afternoon members of the unemployment movement protested in front of Parliament, seeking to raise alarm about their plight. At the end some were arrested while others beaten by the police. “As a sign of defiance to the police job seekers are now holding hands and praying for jobs and seeking police protection. Botswana Police riot squadron is watching,” reported Phillimon Mmeso, The Patriot on Sunday political reporter who covered the event. The MP for Gaborone Central Dr Phenyo Butale advised job seekers movement to pen down a petition which he will present to Parliament. Butale's intervention came after the anti-riot police advised them to disperse as they did not have permission to gather in front of Parliament. The movement, which is mainly made up of unemployed graduates, wants government to address their plight. At the time of going to press, Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) had refused to comment on the demonstration.
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E-Botswana reporter asked to delete protest video footage

August 8, 2016, 8:21 am
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MP for Gaborone Central addressing masses of youth in front of parliament
There was drama at Parliament on Monday afternoon when Botswana Police reacted violently to the unemployed youth who picketed in front of parliament, seeking legislators’ intervention to have Government create more jobs. The youth, some of whom came draped in their graduation, wanted to have a peaceful demonstration seeking Members of Parliament to address their concerns. The police, who were armed, demanded that the job seekers to disperse as they did not have permit to demonstrate in front of Parliament. The MP for Gaborone Central Dr Phenyo Butale asked the job seekers to write down their petition so that he can present it to Parliament the following day. After the demonstrators refused to disperse, choosing to hold hands and pray, the police officers reacted by beating them and arresting some of them in the process. One of the arrested was the Botswana National Front Youth League (BNFYL) President Richard Khumoekae. Efforts by Dr Butale to have the police stop arresting the demonstrators hit a snag as they were whisked away in police vehicles. One journalist from E-Botswana was arrested after he refused to delete a video footage he took during the demonstrations. He is currently detained at the Central Police…
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Minister Kgathi warns

August 10, 2016, 1:58 am
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Minister Kgathi warns
The Government of Botswana wishes to express its serious concern about the events that occurred outside the National Assembly on Monday 8 August 2016, where some individuals conducted themselves in a manner that had the effect of undermining public order. Although police investigations are ongoing, I considered it appropriate as the Minister responsible for public order and law enforcement to share my concerns with Honourable Members, with a view to soliciting their assistance in this regard. Whilst the Constitution of Botswana provides for the right to freedom of assembly and association, it must be noted that this right is subject to certain limitations, such as laws regulating public order and safety. To this end, a number of laws have been enacted with a view to maintaining public order, such as some sections of the Penal Code dealing with Unlawful Assemblies, Riots and other Offences against Public Tranquility. Similarly, the Public Order Act, CAP 22:02 is intended to regulate and control public meetings and public processions, by, among others, giving the police powers, in section 4, to take steps to ensure the preservation of public order. These legal provisions and their implementation by various government agencies have served this country well,…
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P250m agriculture project failing

August 15, 2016, 3:58 am
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P250m agriculture project failing
Project implementation, which has eluded government departments for time immemorial, has reared its ugly head at the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) where millions of public funds will be lost due to failure to deliver the Agricultural Services Support Projects on time. The five-year multi-million pula Agricultural Services Support Project (ASSP) established in 2012 to support smallholder agricultural production, is doomed for failure with only seven months left before completion, The Patriot on Sunday has learnt. Currently most of the components of the project are running behind schedule, four years after ASSP was rolled out. The project budget for the entire five year period is USD 25,022 million (P250m), which comprises of a loan, a grant and contribution from government of Botswana. The budget for the final year of the project, ending on 30th March 2017, is P56 million. International Fund for Agriculture and Development (IFAD) is the international partner in ASSP and play both an advisory role and provision of funding to the project. At the current rate ASSP is set to fail on its primary goal of "contributing towards economic diversification, reduction of rural poverty, food security and improved livelihoods of rural communities". The projects has been facing challenges…
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