Africa-Press – Namibia. THE success in fighting crime and corruption is not the responsibility of only one institution, but is rather a collective effort. Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila made these remarks while officiating at a conference on the National Anti-Corruption strategy and action plan 2021-2025 in Windhoek.
Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said there is a need for collective action to make Namibia a great nation that is free of corruption. Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said the strategy awaiting validation is a followup to the previous Anti-Corruption Strategy and Action Plan, which covered the period 2016-2019.
“It aims to promote systems of integrity, accountability and transparency across all spheres of society and to strengthen domestic anti-corruption systems, inclusive of legislation, policies and institutions,” she said.
She explained that good governance is integral to economic growth, poverty eradication and sustainable development. Hence, the strategy is aligned to national development plans and is a cross-cutting national strategy which directs all sectors to drive towards one common goal.
“It is critical to take note that the fight against corruption and promoting good governance is a continuing undertaking. While good achievements were realised in the implementation of the first National Anti-Corruption Strategy and Action Plan 2016-2019, there is need to increase the momentum,” she added.
Director General of the Anti-Corruption (ACC) Paulus Noa, said that deliberate actions must be taken to curb corruption, hence the national conference for deliberations and validation of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy and Action Plan 2021-2025.
Noa stated that the strategy presents a strong collaboration among stakeholders to introduce effective anti-corruption measures. He pointed out that the Anti-Corruption Strategy creates a common institutional environment conducive to curb corruption and enhance effective governance.
It also keeps officials and institutions on alert, ensuring that outdated policies, procedures, laws and regulations are time to time revised to close potential loopholes for corruption. In a unitary state, he said, it is expected that laws are largely harmonized and implemented to achieve a common goal.
“In carrying out such exercise, there is need for unwavering monitoring and evaluation process. There is nothing impossible if in a concerted spirit of nationhood we all keep hands on deck. It is in the best interest of our nation,” he said.
Noa stated that following the successful implementation of the 2016-2019 strategy and also considering the crucial role anti-corruption measures play in the implementation of national development programs, it was deemed necessary that a second National Anti-Corruption Strategy and Action Plan 2021-2025 be developed to facilitate sustained efforts for transparency and accountability in all sectoral spheres.
