<h1 class="headline">Botswana: Parliament Launches Website for e-Governance</h1>
<p class="reporter">Moshomane Mokoena</p>
<p class="date"> 3 April 2009</p><p>The Botswana Parliament website launched on Tuesday is expected to be used to brand the National Assembly.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>"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.</p>
<p>"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."</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>"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.</p>
<p>"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."</p>
<p>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.</p>
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<p>"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).</p>
<p>The website can be accessed by logging onto <a href="http://www.parliament.gov.bw">www.parliament.gov.bw</a>.</p>