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Windhoek - Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba said his government would step up its drive to rid the country of corruption, which he said stifled economic growth.
In a speech to mark Namibia's 16th independence anniversary on Tuesday, Pohamba said his government was also moving to add momentum to the promotion of transparency, accountability and effectiveness.
"It should be clear that we will not relent in our drive to root out corruption in all sectors of Namibian society.
"We believe that corruption undermines our efforts to move our country forward on the path of prosperity, and the improvement of the standards of living of our people," Pohamba told a capacity crowd that gathered at the Windhoek Independence Stadium.
"Corruption is an enemy of the Namibian people, it is an enemy of the poor, it is an enemy of the sick, it is an enemy of the unemployed, it is an enemy of those who seek better education, above all it is a threat against our democracy, peace, security and stability," he said.
Pohamba, since taking over in 2005, has spoken out against corruption and vowed to address it "with a sledgehammer".
During his inaugural speech as president, Pohamba declared "zero tolerance for waste and corruption" and pledged that he would personally set an example in that regard.
Pohamba has said Namibia cannot allow itself to fall into the trap of other African nations where corruption has harmed national economies and robbed nations of the opportunity to benefit from their resources.
An anti-corruption commission has been established in Namibia to deal with corruption and its effects. - Mercury Foreign Service
- This article was originally published on page 6 of The Mercury on March 22, 2006
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