Botswana, 22 January 2015 - Gaborone, The new WR to Botswana Dr Martins OVBEREDJO presented his credentials to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Honourable Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi this morning.

When welcoming him to the country, Honourable Venson-Moitoi assured Dr Ovberedjo of total support and cooperation from the Government of Botswana and intimated that the country looks forward to continuation of the good work WHO has always done with the government. She highlighted public education especially in schools as an area of special need. She is confident that entrenching good social values and a mind-set that aspires for and seeks good health could shape young people into healthier societies.

The Honourable Minister suggested that perhaps bringing comprehensive life skills education from the periphery and infusing it into the core curriculum would benefit the students and youth. The Honourable Minister called on WHO to work in partnership with Government to address and improve on this situation. “This gap in a way is the unspoken and unseen cause of the many health and social ills we see rather late in our lives. The earlier we address them the better our outcomes later on, we need to catch them young”.

In response, Dr Obveredjo thanked the Honourable Minister and the country for the warm welcome and assured the Minister of absolute commitment to supporting the priorities of Botswana. “From where I stand, the approach from my team and I will always be Botswana first, Botswana second and Botswana third. Our purpose is to support the country to achieve its goals and priorities. I come here at a momentous time when we have the first female Regional Director for Africa, who has brought with her the typical Botswana values of inclusivity, responsibility and accountability. We thank Botswana for availing her to us and I bring special greetings from her and the WHO Director General.”

Dr Ovberedjo also assured the Minister that her thoughts about a healthier society are very well in line with WHO’s Social Determinants of Health Approach, Health Promoting School and Promoting Health Through the Life Course Initiatives which are some of the key areas WHO support will focus on. In the end, Dr Ovberedjo presented a copy of the report of the Regional Director’s first 100 days in Office, which is a first report card on her leadership of the Transformation Agenda for the WHO Africa Region, to the Honourable Minister.

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For more information, please contact:

GABORONE Moagi, Email: gaboronem [at] who.int

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Below:

01. Dr Ovberedjo presenting his Crentials.

02. Ovberedjo Presenting RD's First 100 Days report