Botswana’s President Ian Khama has received yet another
thumbs up after his country was ranked the top African nation in this
year’s Legatum Prosperity Index.
The diamond-rich nation, under the leadership of
Mr Khama, fared well in the Governance and Personal Freedom categories,
which encompasses freedom of speech, religion, national tolerance for
immigrants and ethnic and racial minorities.
Botswana also scored well in Entrepreneurship and Opportunity sub-indices.
This comes a few months after the African
leadership index ranked the Botswana leader Africa’s best head of state
together with Mauritius Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam.
The Legatum Index is an annual assessment of
global wealth and well-being, which benchmarks 142 countries around the
world in eight distinct categories: Economy; Education; Entrepreneurship
and Opportunity; Governance; Health; Personal Freedom; Safety and
Security; and Social Capital.
Biasness
Botswana’s opposition parties have, once again, come out guns blazing accusing rating agencies of misleading people.
Opposition leader, Mr Dumelang Saleshando of
Botswana Congress Party (BCP) argued that the ratings are primarily
drawn from the Gross Domestic Product and inflation levels, something he
feels may be misguiding.
“They turn a blind eye on the fact that these do
not always translate into a better economy, health and education system,
good governance and employment,” the BCP president said.
Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) spokesman, Mr
Moeti Mohwasa also accused the rating agencies of bias towards their
own interests.
Programme Director for the Legatum Prosperity
Index, Mr Nathan Gamester, said the latest report gives reason for
cautious optimism in Africa.
“The potential for development and growth across
the world’s most dynamic continent is enormous. Good governance and a
supportive business environment remain crucial for building a prosperous
country. As such, our hope is that growing prosperity across the region
will empower the people of Africa to demand more from their governments
and institutions, enabling them to progress yet further on the path to
prosperity.”
The annual index is reviewed by a panel of scholars and academics representing a range of disciplines.
SOURCE: AFRICA REVIEW
SOURCE: AFRICA REVIEW
