Swakopmund: Namibia expects to strengthen its accountability systems through the sharing of best practices among member states at the upcoming Southern African Development Community Organisation of Public Accounts Committees (SADCOPAC) conference. The conference, taking place in Swakopmund from 18 - 23 May, will provide an opportunity for Public Accounts Committees (PACs) members and secretariats to exchange experiences and adopt oversight mechanisms that have proven successful in other countries.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Member of the PAC of the National Assembly, Michael Mwashindange, during a media briefing at Swakopmund on Tuesday, said the effectiveness of PACs differs across jurisdictions, making peer learning essential to strengthening accountability systems in the region. 'What we are striving towards is really to learn best practices from one another, because the effectiveness of the public accounts committee of Namibia is not the same as that of Zimbabwe or South Africa,' he said.

Mwashindange added that the conference will provide an opportunity for committee members and secretariats to learn from one another and adopt oversight mechanisms that have proven effective in other jurisdictions. He said the ultimate goal is to ensure that public resources across the region are properly managed, safeguarded, and accounted for.

Meanwhile, Chairperson of the PAC, Hendrik Gaobaeb, noted that the programme will provide an opportunity to strengthen the capacity of PAC members and parliamentary officials in scrutinising government expenditure and reinforcing accountability and good governance across the region. About 100 delegates are expected to attend the event, with countries including South Africa, Malawi, Seychelles, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and Eswatini having already confirmed participation.

The programme will consist of two components, namely the SADCOPAC Sub-Committee Meetings on Constitutional Review and Capacity Building, as well as the Peer Review Programme and Training for newly elected PAC members and parliamentary officials. SADCOPAC was established in 2003 as an autonomous association of PACs from SADC member states, to promote good governance and accountability in the management and utilisation of public resources.

The training and peer review activities will be held under the theme 'Strengthening Oversight Capacities for Sustainable Development: Enhancing Accountability and Transparency in Public Financial Management'.