Day: March 28, 2024

The lack of enough equipment and lack of training among young people working for the Otjinene Youth enterprise, a close corporation run by young people in that constituency, are hindering production at that facility. The Otjinene Youth Enterprise is one of 28 rural youth enterprises that received N.dollars 250 000 in funding from the Development Bank of Namibia through the Ministry of Sports, Youth and National Service recently. In an interview with this news agency, Kapukire Upendura who spoke on behalf of the enterprise said they have been struggling with unskilled youth that are currently working at the enterprise and asked help to get them trained in leather production. 'We are a group of 10 members comprising two males and eight females. In the beginning when we started in 2019 we had equal representation, but the problem with young people is they want fast money and if they do not benefit immediately they quit, that's why many of our male counterparts decided to leave,' she alluded. 'The business is doing well, it is just that we are struggling with proper equipment. We really need equipment, we had a machine that broke and when we took it for repair it cost us a lot,' she said. The enterprise is currently producing leather shoes (veldskoen and sandals) and bridles, and repairs saddles as they currently do not have their own patterns to produce their own saddles. 'We are paying for someone to do patterns for us, because there are no other ways. Some of us just started without any training and that is a struggle on its own,' she said. Jefta Mbuende, a Senior Youth Officer from the Ministry of Sports, Youth and National Service responsible for Otjinene said they have approached local training institutions dealing with leather works to make sure these young people are trained. 'They started well and they are doing their best, only that they need the technical know-how. As the ministry we are currently talking to Gobabis COSDEC and they have given us a quote of around N.dollars 40 000 to for the 10 young people to be trained for six months,' he said. Source: The Namibia Press Agency

WINDHOEK: One of four suspects from the Monte Christo service station robbery was arrested last week Friday. The Namibian Police Force in a crime update report this week stated that the suspect, a 24-year-old male was arrested on 22 March 2024 at Omalala village. The suspect allegedly took the investigation officers to his house at Engela Lashikolongondjo village where an amount of N.dollars 58 400 was recovered from the suspect's mother. According to the update, some items purchased with the alleged stolen money were confiscated. These included 22 corrugated iron sheets, three timber planks, one zinc door, three cement bags, and one black pole. These exhibits have been booked at Ondangwa Police Station. In the police crime report of 12 March, an incident of robbery with aggravating circumstances was reported. It is alleged that three suspects entered the Monte Christo service station at Lafrenz and pointed at the cashier with firearms. They then allegedly entered the office where the manager was seated and grabbed three cash boxes which were prepared for pickup by G4S for banking. The suspects fled the scene in a blue Mazda Demio vehicle driven by a fourth suspect with a reported total amount of N.dollars 789 707. Police investigations into the matter continue. Source: The Namibia Press Agency

The Most Reverend Dr Paul Kwabena Boafo, Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church Ghana, says the Easter season is an opportunity for the renewal of people's mindsets and attitudes for change. He said it offered an opportunity for all to reflect on attitudes and activities that militated against Ghana's growth and development. 'Christ demonstrated through His resurrection that just as a seed necessarily will have to die before it germinates, so is there an opportunity for new beginnings.' 'Just as Christ rose from the dead, we too as individuals, communities, churches and indeed as a nation, Ghana, can rise above our challenges, our doubts, and our fears,' he added. The Methodist Bishop shared this in his message to Ghanaians on the occasion of the Easter commemoration. He urged the citizenry to reflect on behaviours such as bribery and corruption, monetisation of the political landscape, disrespect in society, and issues of character assassination that were divulging the country and refrain from them. Bishop Boafo said the season was also a call for peace, and urged electoral stakeholders to do all in their bid to ensure that there was peace before, during and after the 2024 elections. He urged the Electoral Commission to be fair and neutral in all the electoral processes leading to, during and importantly after the elections. He admonished political parties to be measured in their communication and engagements, embracing inclusive language, and avoiding intemperate, abusive, and offensive language in their campaigns. 'The Media, as always have a significant role to play by avoiding sensational reportage, providing, and using the various platforms to cause disaffection for character assassination, running down perceived political opponents, and all that do not inure to peace.' 'The Security personnel should be professional and impartial judges to engender trust before, during and after the elections,' he added. Bishop Boafo said elections should not become avenues for conflict and bloodshed; rather, c omportment and civility must be the guiding principles in political support and campaign. Source: Ghana News Agency