President calls for all-out war on poverty
August 17th, 2015 | by New Era
President Hage Geingob has launched the country's first-ever National Dialogue on Wealth Distribution and Poverty Eradication, with the hope of finding solutions towards improving the living standards of poor Namibians.

"I would like to state unequivocally that as President I have heard the cry of the poor. I have dedicated my Presidency to the complete eradication of poverty in this beautiful country of ours," said Geingob, who started his speech by quoting a verse from the Bible that says: 'Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor, will himself call out and not be answered.'

He said the essence of the all-out-war on poverty is that poverty eradication is only achievable if collective efforts are made by all Namibians towards that goal.

"This why on the eve of 31 July, I met leaders of the Affirmative Repositioning group. I called on them to hold hands with government in the spirit of harambee [Swahili term for pulling or working together] and be part of the war on poverty," the President said.

The dialogue is an initiative of the Ministry of Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare.

Among those who attended the launch were Vice-President Nicky Iyambo, Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, the First Lady Monica Geingos, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative, Anita Gbeho, various government ministers, diplomats and members of the private sector.

Click here for the Keynote Address delivered by the President at the Launch of the National Dialogue on Wealth Distribution and Poverty Eradication