[AfrICANN-discuss] Botswana: Parliament Launches Website for e-Governance

[Anne-Rachel Inné]

Botswana: Parliament Launches Website for e-Governance

Moshomane Mokoena

3 April 2009

The Botswana Parliament website launched on Tuesday is expected to be used
to brand the National Assembly.

Launching the website, former Education Minister and Serowe South Member of
Parliament (MP) Dr Gaositwe Chiepe said it will also assist Parliament to
communicate better and serve its stakeholders more effectively. She said
Parliament treats its public image with care, hence it had to delay the
launch to ensure that whatever appeared on the website was accurate and
factual.

"Today websites are the face of organisations because your website can speak
for you when you cannot, " she said. "The websites are dynamic and
interactive in that people will be able to log in to the Hansard, Order
Paper, Bills, Motions, Questions and papers tabled in Parliament.

"This will enable people to follow the debate in the chamber. The standing
order, committee membership and members' CVs are also part of the
information that will be found on the website."

The former cabinet member said the intention was to put all the information
on the website to inform the public of services that Parliament renders its
members, including the Speaker of the House.

She said it was Parliament's intention to finally link up with constituency
offices to keep people in touch. This, she said, would make constituency
offices a miniature of Parliament where people may access information at the
touch of the button.

"Parliament believes in the acquisition and utilisation of ICT as a means to
facilitate the implementation of e-governance, which aims to make all
appropriate government information and services accessible electronically,"
Chiepe said.

"ICT usage can create an enabling environment for e-democracy which will
facilitate a two-way communication with the public to transform citizens
from passive participation to active participation in the legislative
processes."

Maun West MP Ronald Ridge said every effort should be made to ensure that
sufficient levels of awareness, understanding and knowledge about Parliament
were achieved. Ridge said information was of vital importance to good
governance. The MP said Parliament was currently engaged in an intensive
public education drive.

"This is because we have realised that a majority of Batswana are not
adequately informed on Parliament and its functions," he said. "The website
will therefore enable efficient and timely communication and information
dissemination. The delivery of services by Parliament to the public and
other stakeholders will be enhanced through the development and
implementation of electronic service delivery (ESD).

The website can be accessed by logging onto www.parliament.gov.bw.
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