…as Haufiku question their accountability in million-dollars donation
Kaleb Nghishidivali
After the former health minister Bernhard Haufiku questioned the Ministry of Health and Social Services to show accountability in the channeling of million-dollars donated to Namibia by Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (African CDC), the ministry came to set the straight record on how the money was expended.
Haufiku was earlier quoted in local media calling for transparency and demanding the report on how the N$22million donated by Africa CDC was spent.
MHSS Executive Director Ben Nangombe said the funds were not given to the ministry but to partner organizations to implement and provide the needed support to the ministry in different aspects of saving lives and livelihoods.
“We are not aware of a figure, N$22 million referred to in the newspaper article,” said Nangombe.
ED said, the figure reflected in August 3, 2022 amounted to N$39 151 530.
Nangombe further explained that the money was allocated to organisations such as Project Hope Namibia through AMREF who got N$ 25 million, for vaccination capacity, hiring of staff and training and mobile vaccination, Red Cross Namibia with support of Red Cross Botswana who got N$ 3 million for risk communication and community engagement, World Food Program Namibia who got N$ 4 million for supply chain management, Akros who got N$ 167 thousand for Pharmacovigilance and Monitoring of Adverse Events Following Immunization, AMSP (UNICEF) allocated with N$ 1.1 million for protective personal equipment and N$ 1.6 million allocated to Africa CDC for programme management.
He mentioned that the statement made by Haufiku is unfortune that he seeks to cast aspersions and doubt in the public domain or on the integrity of the ministry. “Dr. Haufiku is suggesting thereby no-transparency and non-accountability on the part of the Ministry regarding the management of this support and other aspects,” he said.
He stated that the organisation partners have agreements in place, and there are clauses in all agreements that will allow for financial audit.
“Haufiku should feel free to seek more evidence if needed from the above local implementing partners and not to demand such information from the Ministry of Health and Social Services,” said ED.
Nangombe pointed out that implementation of activities under this support is not yet completed. Thus, no audit could have been conducted to date.
