Month: September 2023

Over 100 000 orphaned and vulnerable young women from several regions in Namibia have benefited from the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Dreams project valued at N.dollars 527 million.

The just ended Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-free, Mentored and Safe (DREAMS) Programme was introduced in 2018 with a comprehensive, multi-sectoral package of core interventions aimed at reducing the rate of HIV among adolescent girls and young women in developing countries.

In an interview with Nampa recently, United States of America Embassy in Windhoek Public Affairs Officer, Tiffany Miller said since its inception in 2018, over 100 000 adolescent and young women have benefited from the Dreams programme, while 117 420 benefited from the orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) programme introduced in 2013.

She noted the regions include Khomas, Oshana, Omusati, Ohangwena, Oshikoto, Kavango East, Kavango West and Zambezi, where the programme provided a household case management system to support the enrolment of vulnerable beneficiaries.

Miller explained that through the programme, 95 per cent of OVC beneficiaries know their HIV status, 100 per cent are on antiretroviral therapy and 96 per cent have suppressed their viral load.

She noted that 3 905 (77 per cent) out of 5 041 undocumented beneficiaries have been assisted to receive their birth certificates, while 10 984 (92 per cent) out of 11 949 children who were eligible for education were enrolled in school.

She further noted that 11 817 caregivers from 675 village groups benefited to a value of N.dollars 3.6 million, while over 9 000 caregivers participated and graduated from the parenting programme.

“The children stay in the programme until they are stable or reach an age of young adult programming,” she said.

Miller noted that challenges facing the programme currently are that there is no health information system to follow up on cases over a long period of time for proper case management, which is an impediment in sustaining health outcomes.

On 17 August 2023, PEPFAR introduced a new five-year ‘Reach Namibia’ programme valued at N.dollars 840 million, which will build on the successes of Dreams, and aimed at inclusiveness of boys and young men.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

Information and Communication Technology Minister, Peya Mushelenga has said the amendments to the Communications Act of 2009 have started and that consultations and modifications have been made to the Bill.

Speaking during a Cabinet briefing here on Monday, Mushelenga noted that due to the volume of the proposed amendments, “it is suggested that the Act be repealed and replaced. The final Bill is awaited from the Ministry of Justice.”

The ministry has been reviewing the Act to address shortcomings in the legislation. The ministry had said that the review was necessary because several ICT sub-sectors have been experiencing legal hitches in enforcing and implementing some provisions of the Communication Act that was implemented in 2011.

The Act was enacted for the regulation of telecommunication services and networks, broadcasting, postal services, and the use and allocation of the radio spectrum.

Mushelenga was briefing the media on major initiatives carried out by his ministry at the inaugural Cabinet committee briefings.

He said the briefings by chairpersons of various Cabinet committees are meant to improve the dissemination of information on Government projects, programmes and activities for the benefit of all.

He said the government is committed to improving its operational efficiency and effectiveness.

“One of our immediate interventions is to change the focus and strategy of our communication by aligning this to the foundations of the country’s national development frameworks,” he said.

Ministers will be briefing the public through the media on key decisions and plans made in respect of Government projects and the implementation thereof.

In terms of legislation and policy, he said his ministry is redrafting the Cybercrime Bill as directed by the Cabinet Committee on Legislation (CCL).

“The Cybersecurity Policy and Legislative Framework have been drafted to accompany the Bill. The Bill will be subject to public consultations before its re-submission to CCL, which will then direct on the next course of action,” the minister said.

He added that the Data Protection Bill which was redrafted following regional consultations and a validation workshop, is ready for submission to CCL.

Among others, the ministry is also developing the National Digital Strategy and its Implementation Action Plan, which will guide Namibia’s digital transformation journey.

“The Cabinet decision on the 5G strategy is being implemented. This includes the establishment of the National Cyber Security Incident Response Team to serve as the focal point for cybersecurity matters,” said Mushelenga.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

Secretary to Cabinet, George Simataa on Monday called on ministries and developmental organisations to dedicate resources, for the successful establishment of a national emergency operations centre and multi-hazard early warning system.

The centre, according to Simataa, would form part of Namibia’s efforts to reduce disaster risks and impacts. Simataa made the call here at the National Awareness Workshop on Emergency Operations Centres and Onsite Operations Coordination Centre.

“This ambition requires multi-discipline synergies and collaboration. In a world facing an increasing number of natural and man-made disasters, having a well-prepared and equipped emergency response system is essential for the safety and well-being of our communities. The Emergency Operations Centre/Onsite Coordination and Operation Centre provides for consolidation of massive multi-discipline data, well-informed and rapid decision-making, multi-sectoral coordination and cooperation,” Simataa added.

He stressed that the workshop is relevant, in that authorities, emergency responders, and line ministries have come together to enhance a common understanding of emergency response protocols and procedures.

“A collaborative approach in responding to disasters ensures that everyone involved is on the same page, understands their roles and eventually guarantees effective response when a disaster strikes,” Simataa noted, adding that the workshop is timely as it comes at a time when the government is rolling out nationwide humanitarian assistance as a result of drought.

The workshop will furthermore include a scenario-based exercise that simulates real-life emergencies. Representatives from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) Regional Office in Nairobi, Kenya and the World Food Programme in Namibia were in attendance.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

The five Rottweiler dogs that viciously attacked a security guard at Oshakati on Sunday, leading to his death, were put down on Monday.

Deputy Commissioner Theophilus Kamati of the Oshana Namibian Police Force on Monday said that all the dogs were put down following the attack on 44-year-old Ruben Abraham early on Sunday morning.

Since this incident, another man was also attacked by the same dogs while coming from work, Kamati said. This victim escaped unharmed.

Abraham was attacked by the five dogs at a business area in Oshakati while he was on his way home from work. The dogs belong to a 42-year-old Chinese businesswoman.

Abraham died Sunday in the Oshakati State Hospital’s intensive care unit where he was admitted.

“All the dogs were put down today, during the morning hours,” Kamati said Monday.

He said a case of murder has been opened against the owner of the dogs, and police investigations continue.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

The Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, Albert Kawana said that his ministry is currently engaging stakeholders about the features and use of the eID and how it can benefit their respective institutions.

Kawana said late last week in Windhoek that the Bank of Namibia and other financial institutions are fully in support of the introduction of the national electronic ID cards. He said Cabinet has recently approved the introduction of eIDs.

“This will make it easier and faster for stakeholders to identify and authenticate the identities of their clients. In addition, the eID will also provide digital signatures to simplify transactions.

“This project is also aimed at meeting the requirements of the relevant part of the Electronic Transactions Act, which deals with electronic signatures,” he said amid public concerns that the government might use the IDs to spy on people.

Kawana said eID cards have already been introduced in numerous countries in America, Europe and Asia. The electronic identity document will include personal information such as medical records, a driver’s licence, a birth certificate, biometrics, and a voter card, Kawana said.

“That’s how beautiful that card will be. We need to move with the world. We are happy that the Bank of Namibia, commercial banks, and insurance companies are fully behind us. But we will continue to educate our members of the public about the importance of eIDs,” said the minister.

Meanwhile, Kawana said the home affairs ministry has made great efforts to automate all civic records.

“The main objective is to enhance the management of Namibian identity cards and provide more reliable, timely, and accurate services to the public. I am pleased to inform our nation that the ministry has made strides in its quest for efficient service delivery,” he said.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency