The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Thursday held its consultative meeting in the Kavango East Region in Rundu, engaging relevant stakeholders for input in its second National Strategic Plan for 2021-2025.
The meeting was officially opened by Kavango East Region Governor, Bonifasius Wakudumo who called on participants to actively engage the ACC and provide their input to be included in the strategy.
Wakudumo said the consultative meeting clearly confirms the government’s commitment to effective governance built on principles of transparency and accountability.
“Our government fully acknowledges that corruption has been recognised as one of the world biggest development challenges that continue to possess severe threats to economic progress,” he said.
The governor further said corruption is disruptive to the economy, democracy and the rule of law and as a country, Namibia has come a long way and continue to make positive strides in confronting corruption that is terminating good governance.
Acting Director-General of the ACC, Paulus Noa in his official remarks indicated that ACC’s previous strategy of 2016-2019 implemented 93 per cent of its objectives, and thus called on the stakeholders to share their contributions for the upcoming strategy.
Noa said the strategy was the country’s response in fulfilling its commitment as a signatory to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC).
The UNCAC calls for state parties to develop and implement effective, coordinated anti-corruption policies that promote the participation of society, uphold and reflect on the principle of law, proper management of public affairs, and safeguard public property through integrity, transparency and accountability.
An official from the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources who attended the meeting raised concern that Namibia has good policies in place but lacks action or implementation, while others advised ACC to thoroughly conduct public awareness on the fight against corruption “because people have different levels of understanding”.
The consultations which started in April this year are conducted in all 14 regions and are expected to end this month. So far, nine regions have been covered.
Source: Namibia Press Agency
