Anti-Corruption Commission publishes Anti-Corruption Strategy and Action Plan 2016 - 2019
The Government of the Republic of Namibia signed the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) on the 9th of December 2003 and ratified it on the 3rd of August 2004. Article 5 of the UNCAC requires State Parties to develop and implement a comprehensive National Anti-Corruption Strategy.
The said article reads as follows: “Article 5: Preventive anti-corruption policies and practices 1. Each State Party shall, in accordance with the fundamental principles of its legal system, develop and implement or maintain effective, coordinated anti-corruption policies that promote the participation of society and reflect the principles of the rule of law, proper management of public affairs and public property, integrity, transparency and accountability.”
In Namibia, this process had started as early as 1996 with the appointment of a Technical Committee on the Promotion of Ethics and Combating of Corruption by the Office of the Prime Minister, which made wide-ranging recommendations for a National Integrity Strategy for Namibia based on the inputs of many local stakeholders and international experts. These recommendations ultimately led to the enactment of the Anti-Corruption Act, 2003 (Act No. 8 of 2003) and the establishment of the Anti-Corruption Commission.
In 2013, the Anti-Corruption Commission appointed a technical working committee to oversee the development of a specific National Anti-Corruption Strategy through an extensive consultative process. Consultative public hearings to discuss issues to be included in the National Anti-Corruption Strategy were conducted throughout Namibia by the Anti-Corruption Commission and the technical working committee. Consultations also included discussions with specific stakeholders, experts and academics, an investigation into international best practices, a literature study as well as a study of all relevant national laws and international treaties and conventions signed and/or ratified by the Government of the Republic of Namibia. Personal submissions were also received. This National Anti-Corruption Strategy is the result of these extensive consultative processes and studies.