In order to enhance donor confidence and effective cost management in their affairs, the Botswana Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS (BONEPWA) has resolved to empower the relevant officers on appropriate skills though “Capacity building and skills development for civic society organizations.”
According to Richard Dikeme, BONEPWA’s Food Security Coordinator, the training programme is scheduled to take three days and aims to impart knowledge on the role, qualities and desired characteristics as well as competencies of a strong leader.
“It is intended that that the training be prefaced by a session on the ability to balance divergent or sometime conflicting interests, so that as we proceed the participants will already be having a feel of the sensitivities of their leadership mandate,” said Dikeme.
The attendees, who will include 10 recently elected members of the Board of Governors of BONEPWA, Management and representatives from key stakeholders working hand in glove with BONEPWA on the a magnanimous food security project , namely Botswana College of Agriculture (BCA) and Ministry of Agriculture(MOA).
To accord the workshop due recognition, it will be officiated by the Chairperson of the Zambia based, Golden Valley Agriculture Research Trust(GART) which co-sponsors BONEPWA Food security projects, Namukulu Mukutu, accompanied by the Trust Director Dr Stephen Maliokela.
Dikeme pointed out that other important element expected to form part of the course, relate to Board procedures, Board committees and the role of the Board in promulgating the corporate strategy as well as Corporate strategy as a tool against corruption.
In the same vein, participants will leave the occasion equipped with skills on latest concepts in Risk management, Budgeting, financial reporting and indemnification of Directors, while at the conclusion of the event they will be assisted to come up with Action plans to enhance their functions.
The Officials from GART are expected to initiate contacts with Government authorities at the MOA as a way of paving the path for ultimate signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between BONEPWA and MOA, as soon as practicable.
Again GART officials are scheduled to embark on a few days tour of some of BONEPWA’s 28 Food Security projects around the country.
“Preferably, they might visit Bokopano Support Group in Serowe and Kabelano Lerato food security projects in Bobonong, as there will be limited time, and we believe that should serve as reflection enough of broader view of the whole project.
Apparently, the Corporate Governance workshop which is set for the 22-24 February, 2010 at Brackendene Lodge, is co-sponsored by Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) and Norwegian organization called NORAD, which are also key funders for the ongoing food security projects run by BONEPWA.
The key facilitator, Mumba Kapumpa, is reportedly a renowned Advocate from Zambia, and is currently facilitating similar training workshops in Lesotho for the Rural Self Help Development Agency and for Namibia’s Agronomic Board.
