Churches join fight against corruption

PRIME Minister Nahas Angula has called on churches to join the fight against corruption, saying that the church is an important agent for promoting qualities of good governance such as transparency and accountability.

“It is evident that the rapid increase of corruption in any society is partly a manifestation that the church may also have failed its role in changing the moral values of its flock,” Angula said. Deputy Minister of Information Rafael Dinyando delivered the Prime Minister’s message at a seminar for church leaders yesterday.The seminar was organised by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to focus on the role of churches in the fight against corruption.It was attended by delegates from various church groups such as the Council of Churches in Namibia (CCN), the Association of Charismatic and Pentecostal Churches in Namibia (ACPCN) and various members of the diplomatic corps.Angula said a holistic approach was needed in fighting corruption since the victims and perpetrators of corruption were probably members of various faith-based groups.”The civil society and churches cannot be left out if we are to seriously win against corruption.Government established the ACC in an effort to enforce the law in the fight against corruption, however the commission cannot single-handedly win this fight.There is a need therefore for concerted and joint efforts in fighting it,” Angula said.Speaking on behalf of the churches, Reverend Jan Gawaseb of the ACPCN said the church as an agent of love, peace and righteousness should not allow injustice and corruption to prevail in any society.”The church has the divine responsibility to promote and instil a culture of mutual respect, honesty and tolerance,” Gawaseb said.Deputy Minister of Information Rafael Dinyando delivered the Prime Minister’s message at a seminar for church leaders yesterday.The seminar was organised by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to focus on the role of churches in the fight against corruption.It was attended by delegates from various church groups such as the Council of Churches in Namibia (CCN), the Association of Charismatic and Pentecostal Churches in Namibia (ACPCN) and various members of the diplomatic corps.Angula said a holistic approach was needed in fighting corruption since the victims and perpetrators of corruption were probably members of various faith-based groups.”The civil society and churches cannot be left out if we are to seriously win against corruption.Government established the ACC in an effort to enforce the law in the fight against corruption, however the commission cannot single-handedly win this fight.There is a need therefore for concerted and joint efforts in fighting it,” Angula said.Speaking on behalf of the churches, Reverend Jan Gawaseb of the ACPCN said the church as an agent of love, peace and righteousness should not allow injustice and corruption to prevail in any society.”The church has the divine responsibility to promote and instil a culture of mutual respect, honesty and tolerance,” Gawaseb said.