Botswana President Duma Boko: “Don’t Tell Me About Problems – Give Me Solutions”
Botswana President Duma Boko delivered a blunt message to politicians and leaders, insisting that merely pointing out problems is a waste of time and that their true responsibility is to deliver solutions.
“Any politician who comes to me and tells me there’s a problem, you’re wasting my time. I know the problem… Let’s engage on solutions, strategies to get us from where we are to where we ought to be. That is your job. That is your responsibility,” Boko said.
He continued: “What is your job? Not to tell us about problems, no. Your job is to solve the problems, give us a solution, let us debate solutions.”
The remarks, made during a public engagement, reflect the president’s consistent call for solution-oriented leadership. Boko argued that problems such as unemployment and dilapidated infrastructure are already well-known and documented, and that leaders must instead focus on practical strategies to move the country forward.
Since assuming office in November 2024, President Boko has repeatedly urged both government officials and opposition politicians to shift from describing challenges to proposing concrete remedies, stressing that leadership is measured by the ability to bridge the gap between the present reality and the desired future.