New York — Statement by Festus G. Mogae, president of the Republic of Botswana, accepting the National Leadership Award from the Africa-America Institute at the 18th annual awards dinner, September 17, 2002.
It is a great honor and privilege for me to accept the Africa-America Institute National Leadership Award. I accept it as an honour to Botswana and my fellow citizens. I accept it on behalf of my predecessors, convinced democrats, who left a legacy of good leadership, good governance and condition in which, the people of Botswana are the ultimate source of authority in the management of public affairs.
I am particularly grateful to the AAI for inviting me here to receive this expression of their friendship and solidarity. I take it as a recognition that there has been some effort on my part to maintain the gains of the past, and advance the cause of peaceful and orderly development. I am humbled to be considered worthy of this Award, and to follow in the footsteps of an internationally acclaimed statesman - former President Nelson Mandela of South Africa.
I also wish to express my deep appreciation for the contribution which the AAI has made over the years towards the development of human resources in all of Africa, including Botswana. Over the years scores of young Africans, Batswana among them, acquired the education and stalls that are critical to the needs of a growing economy. They returned home to contribute to the social and economic development of their respective countries. Certainly in the case of Botswana.
The AAI created the much needed institutional capacity and at the same time promoted the development of human relations, friendship and mutual understanding between the people of Botswana and the people of the United States of America. Today, this proud history of partnership, collaboration and equipping the people of Africa with the education and skills that are so vital to sustainable- development, is writ large as you honour one of your distinguished alumna the Honourable Joy Phumaphi, MP, Minister of Health of Botswana-
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen and Friends, later this month Botswana will be celebrating 36 years of her existence as an independent and sovereign nation. This is a short period in the history of nations but in terms of peace, stability and opportunities for development, it means a period of uninterrupted exercise of human creativity.
It has meant the establishment of social and institutional infrastructure, the building of roads, schools and clinics. It has meant educating our people and empowering them with the skills to enable them to affectivity participate in the national development effort.
It has meant the exploitation of our mineral resources, such as diamonds for development, for the creation of wealth, an improvement in living standards of the people and the equitable distribution of benefits. It has been conducive to nation-building, as well as the development and growth of national institutions. It has meant peaceful conditions in which to take care of the environment and develop tourism as an engine of economic growth.
It is for these and many other reasons that we are strongly convinced that all the people of Botswana across the length and breadth of our county must have access to the benefits of development This is wily we would like some of the San people of Botswana to voluntarily relocate from the Central Kalahari Game Reserve to areas outside the Game Reserve where Government is providing amenities such as clinics, schools, water, so that they too can enjoy the benefits of development alongside their fellow citizens,
It is important that all our people enjoy the fruits of development. It is part of their human rights. Human rights are universal. They are valid for all human beings and it is the duty and responsibility of every accountable Government not only to uphold, and defend human rights but also to promote them. As a Government, it is our duty to chart a path of sustainable development for all our people and to create conditions in which Batswana can truly celebrate their history, culture, diversity, and at the same time applying the achievements of science and technology for their comfort and convenience alongside the rest of humanity.
Excellencies, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, there can be no doubt that within the life of one generation we made some progress and it is clear we were on the road to a faster tomorrow. But today, we; face a serious challenge that Is by far greater than any that we have had to contend with in our history. I am of course referring to the dreadful and insidious HIV/AIDS epidemic.
The threat posed by HIV/AIDS to the lives of our people and to the social and economic development of our country cannot be over-emphasised. HIV/AIDS is public enemy number one that is waging a war on society in which there are no prisoners. All the victims die a slow, painful and costly death. There is no alternative therefore, to the fight against HIV/AIDS. The challenge is to Intensify our comprehensive response to the epidemic by promoting sexual behaviour change, the use of condoms, abstinence and interventions such as isoniazid treatment, prevention of mother-to-child transmission and anti-retroviral drug therapy.
The impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic can certainly generate a sense of despair. But the global partnership and alliance against HIV/AIDS is strong and growing. There can be no doubt that the anti-AIDS messages that are being sent out to the people and the interventions that are being put into place will ensure that hope displaces despair.
I stand before you today, representing a nation determined to fight the epidemic and eternally grateful for the strong support which we continue to receive. Last week Raymond Gilmartin [Merck and Co. Chairman and CEO] was in Botswana. We shared a platform at a ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of a House of Hope Centre (a Centre for Orphans) and officially opened an HIV/AIDS Resource and Treatment Centre, one of twenty to be established in the country.
The visit of Gilmartin represented the strong commitment of the Merck and Company Incorporated, Merck Company Foundation and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to the partnership with the Government of Botswana under the framework of the African Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Partnerships. This partnership which provides for a total funding of US$100 minion over a period five years from 200I-2005 has had a dramatic impact in the efforts to combat the epidemic.
It injected a new sense of hope as it buttressed our comprehensive anti-HIB/AIDS programme. It enabled us to; introduce Anti-Retroviral Drug Therapy in public health facilities, improve access to prophylaxis and the treatment of opportunistic infections, undertake needs assessment in HIV/AIDS prevention and care in all districts of Botswana based on the goal of the Medium Term Plan which is at the prevention of HIV infection and the provision of care and support for the infected and affected.
Our partnership with the Harvard AIDS Institute is focusing on the reduction of mother-to-child transmission, treatment of HIV- infected patients, development and testing of vaccines as well as the training of physicians, nurses and pharmacists for the use of anti- retroviral drugs. Last year, we opened a Botswana/Harvard HIV Reference Laboratory. The Laboratory is vital to HIV/AIDS research and diagnosis. It is a source of new knowledge and research results as well as a source of clinical laboratory support in the treatment of HIV/AIDS patients.
The United States Centers for Disease Control is a pillar of strength in the establishment of a network of voluntary counseling and testing centres, tuberculosis preventive therapy, strengthening of counseling capacity, education on HIV/AIDS in schools, the youth and work place.
I am delighted that the US Secretary for Health and Human Services, Mr., Tommy Thompson visited Botswana this year and saw first hand the efforts we are making, the areas that need further assistance and how to address current challenges. United States Senate Majority Leader Thomas Daschle was also in Botswana about three weeks ago and saw the situation on the ground and the Work that is being done.
Bristol Myers Squibb is in the forefront of pediatric treatment and resistance study, supporting the establishment of a Centre of Excellence for Pediatric Research in Gaborone as well as supporting Botswana/Harvard HIV Reference Laboratory.
The United Nations system is at the cutting edge of providing technical support to our multi-sectoral response. This entails, inter alia, support for surveillance, research, monitoring and evaluation, consultancy in anti-retrovirals, building teacher capacity, and drafting a national HIV/AIDS Strategy on Information, Education
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan was in Botswana about three weeks ago and I have no doubt that he had a rare opportunity to see the enormity of the challenge and the role that the United Nations is playing to make a difference. All these visits are important as they not only demonstrate the commitment to the war against AIDS but also because a good general must lead his troops in the field or theatre of action.
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The United Kingdom Department for international Development (DFID) has allocated £7,5 million for HIV/AIDS programmes in Botswana, Namibia, Swaziland and Lesotho. We welcome all the assistance we can receive including the provision of regional funds because the epidemic knows no boundaries.
The Swedish Agency for International Development Is currently supporting our Ministry of Local Government to establish capacity in mainstreaming the fight against HIV/AIDS into district wide activities. The success of this project will contribute in no small measure to the multi-sectoral onslaught against HIV/AIDS.
Director of Ceremonies, Ladies and Gentlemen, if I spoke at some length about Botswana and the fight against HIV/AIDS, it is because the epidemic poses a grave threat to everything we have achieved, our prospect for further advancement, the quality of human life and above all, our very existence. The threat is enormous, the response is urgent and a united global action is not only necessary but imperative.
I must state however, that the people of Botswana derive courage and strength in their common humanity with the nations of our planet. We are convinced that with the support of the international community we shall succeed. The war against HIV/AIDS b a war in deterrence of humanity and 'no human being is an island, the preventable death of every human being diminishes humanity. There is no time, therefore, to ask for whom the bell tolls because tolls for all.'
On that note, Ladies and Gentlemen, let me conclude by stating that I shall cherish the National Leadership Award as a recognition and encouragement to the people of Botswana that they must remain faithful to the principles that have sustained them as a nation. I shall also cherish It because it is rare for one to be honoured by United States legislators and United States citizens within a space of three days. I shall take the AAI National Leadership Award as an endorsement by the people of the decision of the legislators and therefore representative of the spirit of this land.
