Namibia’s Finance Ministry Refutes Media Claims on NYC Governance. The Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises (MFPE) has strongly denied recent media reports alleging interference in the decision-making process of the National Youth Council (NYC). The Ministry issued a statement on March 13, 2025, addressing claims made in The Namibian and Namibian Sun newspapers.
The reports suggested that the MFPE failed to act in matters concerning the NYC and its governance. In response, the Ministry clarified that governance of public enterprises in Namibia is regulated by the Public Enterprises Governance Act, 2015 (Act No. 1 of 2015), which defines the roles and responsibilities of ministries overseeing public entities.
According to the statement, the MFPE’s role in the NYC’s affairs was strictly advisory and in line with governance laws. The Ministry stated that:
- It provided guidance to the NYC Board and the Minister of Sport, Youth, and National Service in accordance with the Public Enterprises Governance Act. This included legal advice on leadership appointments, but it had no direct decision-making authority over the NYC.
- The Ministry did not delay or obstruct any governance decisions related to the NYC, countering media claims of interference.
- The reports failed to uphold journalistic fairness, as the Ministry was not given the opportunity to respond before publication.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability, and legal compliance in the governance of public enterprises. It encouraged the media to engage with official sources before publishing claims to ensure accuracy.