Windhoek
Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila highlighted the importance of civil servants declaring their assets, saying it can help prevent abuse of power and reduce corruption in government.
She made the remarks Monday while opening the three-day National Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) being held under the theme “Building an Honest Namibia Together: People, Integrity and Action,” that got underway in Windhoek.
The prime minister’s remarks come at a time when parliament is busy with the process to implement a revised system of MPs declaration of their assets. The last time MPs declared their assets was in 2009.
“We believe that an effective declaration regime can help prevent abuse of power, reduce corruption and expand public accountability, public trust in institutions and government legitimacy,” she said.
She also said the much-awaited requirement for civil servants to declare their business interest that has already been in place for some time, has been improved after it was revised.
The former finance minister singled out effective public sector revenue and expenditure management systems and practices, including budget and taxation transparency, internal controls, financial disclosure, auditing, monitoring, and oversight as one of the pillars of an effective system of public administration system.
“Good governance also requires a public administration system that is capable of managing and stimulating development, improving economic policy formulation and managing sectoral and regional development and structural change. There cannot be good governance without a functioning system of public administration,” she said.
With several guest speakers from South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia, some of the topics that will be discussed include fighting corruption in SADC, enhancing good corporate governance in the private sector, role of the media in combating corruption, parliament and accountability and how to fight corruption at local authority level.
Outgoing United Nations Resident Coordinator, Musinga Bandora, Mines and Energy Minister, Obeth Kandjoze, Minister of Economic Planning and Director General of the National Planning Commission, Tom Alweendo were also in attendance during yesterday’s opening ceremony.