Business confidence still dropping
Staff Reporter – The IJG Business Climate Monitor stood at 52.5 points in August, continuing the downward trend that started in July 2018.
“However, the decline of the IJG BCM slowed down to 0.7 points compared to July when it lost 1.2 points,” says the Institute of Public Policy Research (IPPR), compilers of the monitor.
The leading indicator, which predicts future trends, increased by 0.5 points to 41.2 points by the end of August.
“Although remaining under the 50 point mark and therefore still indicating an economic contraction, the slight upward trend, if continued, indicates that the economy is gaining some momentum again,” the IPPR says.
Land Conference Interview: Graham Hopwood
NBC TV News spoke to Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) Executive Director Graham Hopwood on the deliberations of the second National Land Conference.
Swapo MPs mum during question time
Only one Swapo MP asked questions last year during National Assembly question-and-answer sessions (Q&As).
An overview, which forms of a study by the Institute of Public Policy Research (IPPR), authored by Max Weylandt and Ndeapo Wolf, showed that out of 159 parliamentary questions, only eight (around 5%) were asked by Swapo, and all by one MP, Veikko Nekundi.
Parliamentary Questions in Namibia
Question time in Parliament: who asks, who answers, and what does it all mean?
IPPR stands by its Afrobarometer survey on government’s slow pace to address poverty
The Institute of Public Policy Research (IPPR) says the outcome of the Afrobarometer survey is reliable and not misleading.
IPPR was reacting to comments made by the Minister of Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare, Zephania Kameeta and Deputy Minister of Urban and Rural Development Derek Klazen that the survey was aimed at tarnishing the government’s image.
Afrobarometer Survey Reflects What Ordinary Namibians Think About – IPPR
The local partner of the Afrobarometer survey, the IPPR, notes with concern some of the comments made by Minister of Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare Rev. Zephania Kameeta and Deputy Minister of Urban and Rural Development Derek Klazen regarding the Afrobarometer survey in Namibia.
The Namibia Press Agency (Nampa) reported that Minister Kameeta suggested, “it is clear that [Afrobarometer research] has an agenda to turn the people of this country against the government, and for the citizens not to work with the government in place.”
Minister Klazen was quoted as saying: “Who sent them, and where are they coming from? They just want to pump lies into the people of this country, and discourage the good work the government is doing.”
IPPR hits back
The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), as the local partner of the Afrobarometer survey, has expressed concern over comments made by some government officials who have suggested the survey has an agenda to turn Namibians against the government.
Namibians own 396 000 firearms
Namibia has 396 000 privately owned guns in circulation, which, when compared to its small population, far outweighs per capita firearm possession in other African countries.
At 15.4 guns per 100 people, Namibia has the second highest per capita civil possession of firearms in Africa.
Weapons watchdog the Small Arms Survey has released its latest report on gun ownership around the world, which indicates that of the close to 400 000 guns owned by civilians in Namibia, 195 990 are illegal and 200 010 are legal firearms.
Geingob’s approval rating soars
While a majority of Namibians gave the government bad grades for its handling of issues such as job creation and the economy, President Hage Geingob scored high in terms of public approval and trust, according to the latest round of the Afrobarometer that gauges public opinion on governance, democracy and related matters.
IPPR corruption report not factual – ICT Minister
Government is unhappy over what it calls a misleading statement made by the Institute for Public Policy and Research (IPPR).
The IPPR reported that politicians and public office bearers tolerate bribes due to a culture of ingrained corruption, a sense of entitlement, political connections, and low wages.
