The Director General of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of Namibia, Paulus Noa assumed the chairmanship for the SADC Anti-Corruption Sub-Committee (SACC) last week during the Meeting of Heads of SADC Anti-Corruption Agencies (ACA) held in Johannesburg, South Africa.
This was revealed in a statement issued by the ACC public relations department here on Wednesday.
Noa takes over the SACC chairmanship from the Head of the South Africa Special Investigating Unit, Advocate Andy Mothibi.
The SACC meeting was aimed at strengthening the efforts to implement the SADC Strategic Anti-Corruption Action Plan (2023-2027) and also enhance coordination between the SADC Secretariat and Member States through the ACAs.
Furthermore, the meeting facilitated a discussion with the heads of ACAs to identify and prioritise key emerging corruption issues in the SADC Region for implementation within the framework of the Strategic Anti-Corruption Action Plan (2023-2027).
As the incoming SACC chairman, Noa said the operationalisation of the SACC is what all ACA heads have been waiting for since its establishment.
“I, therefore, salute the SADC Secretariat for the efforts made towards the realisation of the agreements amending the SADC Protocol on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation as well as the SADC Protocol against Corruption,” he said.
Noa said corruption in the region remains a challenge that needs to be addressed in unison as it undermines good governance and the principles of accountability and transparency.
He said the need for collaborative efforts in tackling corruption has become even more imperative now than it ever has been, mainly because of its enabling effect on a range of other crimes that exact a huge cost on countries, such as money laundering and illicit financial flows.
“The best way to win the fight against corruption is when we prevent it from occurring. It is when institutions are governed in conformity with principles of good governance. There must be transparency, accountability and honesty in the manner decisions are made and tenders are awarded,” he stated.
The SADC development agenda must in all aspects conform to the regional anti-corruption programmes so that in the end, it is effectively tackled, Noa further noted.
Source: The Namibian Press Agency
