Nkurenkuru: The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) on Friday launched its regional engagement to promote good governance in Namibia at Nkurenkuru in the Kavango West Region. The engagement marks a significant step towards deepening citizen participation and regional inclusion in national governance and development.
According to Namibia Press Agency, Kavango West Governor Verna Sinimbo, in her welcoming remarks, expressed the importance of collaborative efforts to enhance government service delivery. She proposed six key regional priorities to be integrated into the APRM process, emphasizing the inclusion of regional realities in national reviews to ensure rural perspectives are considered. Additionally, she advocated for the establishment of regional governance dialogues, broad civic participation, and youth civic education programs to increase awareness of governance and accountability.
Sinimbo also highlighted the need for institutional capacity building support for regional and local authorities, the initiation of pilot governance innovation projects in Kavango West, and the development of digital feedback tools and enhanced regional data systems for evidence-based planning and service delivery.
APRM National Governing Council member Naita Hishoono underscored the organization's mission of promoting continental self-improvement and accountability. Hishoono stressed the importance of unity and development across Africa, noting that since its inception in 2003, the APRM has engaged 44 of Africa's 54 countries in focusing on six key governance pillars, including democratic processes, economic development, and state resilience.
For Namibia, which joined the APRM in 2017, the engagement holds particular significance. The country has completed its review report and a targeted review on youth unemployment and is now working on the national governance report. This initiative reinforces Namibia's dedication to the APRM's objectives of self-assessment, peer learning, and accountable governance, aligning with the African Union's Agenda 2063.