Category: Key Issues

The Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises has announced changes to the Pay – As – You – Earn ( PAYE ) deductions to address overpayments made by employees . These adjustments are in response to the new statutory tax rates introduced under the Income Tax Act of 1981 , which will take effect on 01 March 2024 . Employers are required to update PAYE deductions accordingly and reimburse employees once the new tax rates are officially published . Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises , Iipumbi Shiimi , in a notice issued on Saturday stated that these changes are made under the provisions of Schedule 2 and Schedule 4 of the Income Tax Act . He said that employers are responsible for ensuring the total amount of employee tax deductions for the 2024 / 25 financial year matches the updated tax rates outlined in the legislation . He clarified that if over – deductions occur due to the revised statutory tax rates , employers are required to refund these amounts promptly . ‘ The employer must deduct the reimbur
sed PAYE amount from future monthly employee tax payments , which are to be paid to the Namibia Revenue Agency ( NamRA ),’ he said . For employees earning N . dollars 100 000 or less annually , employers may not have enough tax payable to process the refund . In such cases , the employee will be required to claim the refund when submitting their 2025 income tax return by June 30 , 2025 . Shiimi also stated that provisions had been made for employees who changed positions throughout the tax year . He stated that those personnel must seek reimbursements from their previous employers while filing their 2025 tax return on or before 30 June 2025 . He also stated that the adjustments are intended to prevent anomalies in tax payments and guarantee that employees are taxed in accordance with the revised rates for the 2024 / 25 tax year . Employers must follow the instructions outlined in the notice to ensure compliance with the Income Tax Act , he stated . Further details and updates on these tax modifications would
be supplied after the new statutory tax rates are officially legislated , he stated .

Source: The Namibia News Agency

WINDHOEK: Political parties ‘ manifestos have lost value and often do little to reflect the party ‘ s political ideology . More often , such manifestos merely spell out a plan of action for deliverables on vital services such as health care , housing , education and employment amongst others . This is the collective view of panellists during a discussion titled ‘ What Namibia ‘ s 2024 elections means for jobs and big investment ‘ on Friday . The discussion had a sub – theme – ‘ Economic shifts and social equity ‘, which focused on the importance of political manifestos , amongst others . The panel discussion , which was hosted by the ministry of Information and Communication Technology , was streamed live . The discussion came at the tail end of a week – long workshop for community journalists on election reporting , which covered topics such as fact checking , right of reply , ethical reporting and effective coverage tools . Panellists include sociologist Dr Basilus Kasera , Researcher Martha Nangolo , human
rights activists Linda Baumann and media lecturer Dr Phillip Santos . Dr Kasera noted that political manifestos , which are supposed to inform a prospective voter on the ideology of the party concerned , have merely become an endless list of promises . Such promises revolve around naming service delivery targets and do little to address in detail how such targets could be attained . ‘ When we hear these promises , one wonders if they are truly achievable . If someone says he will do this and that , but does not explain in detail how that will be achieved – it may raise doubts into the mind of the voter ,’ he said . He added that most manifestos have no concrete timelines , do not speak directly to the electorate and appear frivolous in their promises to the electorate . ‘ Some manifestos are more like when a boy proposes love to a girl – all promises with no real real purpose . This should not be the case ,’ he noted . Baumann said there appears to be a general lack of respect for the electorate by political
parties in the timing of when to release their manifestos , as such are often released late and too close to the election . This makes it difficult for anyone – including journalists – to effectively critique or break down the document for the voters ‘ benefit . ‘ Journalists and voters both need to hold politicians accountable by questioning their plans and effectively reporting on them , but it does not help when such plans are presented late . Dr Santos urged journalists to avoid being mere amplifiers of what political parties state in their manifestos , but apply a critical approach to their reporting for the benefit of the electorate . Namibians will go to the polls on 27 November for the country ‘ s Presidential and National Assembly elections . Some political parties , such as Swapo , Independent Patriots for Change ( IPC ), Popular Democratic Movement ( PDM ) are amongst parties that have already launched their manifestos .

Source: The Namibia News Agency

WINDHOEK: Senior long – serving Swapo cabinet members will not serve for the next five years as they have failed to secure votes at the party ‘ s electoral college election , also known as ‘ The Pot ‘, held over the weekend . The ruling party concluded its electoral college in Windhoek on Monday , where 96 members were elected to represent Swapo in the National Assembly for the next five years depending on the number of seats the party wins in the national elections slated for 27 November 2024 . Amongst the members chucked out of cabinet are Minister of Labour , Industrial Relations and Employment Creation , Utoni Nujoma ; Minister of Education , Arts and Culture , Anna Nghipondoka ; Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works and Transport , John Mutorwa ; Minister of Urban and Rural Development , Erastus Uutoni ; Minister of Justice , Yvonne Dausab ; and Deputy Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs , Hilma Nicanor . Election congress presiding officer , Fillemon Wise Immanuel , announced that 86 nominees
were elected by 245 delegates , with the male list topped by Deputy Minister of Information and Communication Technology , Modestus Amutse ; followed by Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises , Iipumbu Shiimi , with Member of Parliament and Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Economics and Public Administration , Natangwe Ithete , coming third . Topping the female list is Member of Parliament , Hilaria Mukapuli , followed by Minister of Industrialisation and Trade , Lucia Iipumbu , with Member of Parliament , Fenny Nanyeni taking the third position . Meanwhile , Swapo Party Vice President , Netumbo Nandi – Ndaitwah in the power vested in her as the party ‘ s most senior official , appointed 10 nominees to the electoral college , which include five women and five men . Nandi – Ndaitwah ‘ s nominees included on the female list are Prime Minister , Saara Kuugongelwa – Amadhila ; Indileni Daniel ; Ruth Masake ; mayor of Ruacana in the Kunene Region , Linda Mbwale and Fenny Kutjavi . The mal
e nominees include Swapo Party Youth League leader , Ephraim Nekongo ; former Minister of Transport , Alpheus ! Naruseb ; Deputy Executive Director in the Ministry of Agriculture , Water and Forestry , Elijah Ngurare ; Dino Ballotti and Erastus Haitengela

Source: The Namibia News Agency

WINDHOEK: A four – day extensive training workshop on election reporting for journalists in Namibia is underway at the Namibia Press Agency ( Nampa ) headquarters in Windhoek . The Deputy Minister of Information and Communication Technology , Modestus Amutse officially opened the workshop on Tuesday . Amutse urged the journalists to participate fully , take the training seriously , and practice the skills and knowledge from the training to impact and accurately inform the voters so they can make the correct decisions to vote rightly . ” This is crucial training because once you as journalists are well trained , you will also prepare the voters to vote correctly as they are reliably , ethically , and truthfully informed ,” he said . Nearly 50 journalists from different media houses including Nampa , the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation ( NBC ), Caprivi Vision , The Namibian Newspaper , Ohangwena Community Radio , University of Namibia Radio , // Kharas Radio , Shipi FM , and Omaheke Community Radio amongst ot
hers are in attendance . Veteran journalists like Gwen Lister , Zoe Titus , Naita Hishoono , Frederico Links , Peter Deselaers and Jata Kazondu are facilitating the training . It ends on Friday .

Source: The Namibia News Agency

Addis Ababa: Ethiopian Food and Drug Authority called experts and other stakeholders to contribute their fair share in the national endeavors of strengthening, integrating traditional medicines into conventional systems.

A panel discussion on ways of enhancing and integrating traditional medicines into the conventional national health system was held among stakeholders in Addis Ababa today.

Speaking at the occasion, Ethiopian Food and Drug Authority Director General Heran Gerba stated that the authority has been giving due emphasis on supporting and enhancing practitioners of traditional medicine in the country through various supportive packages.

80 percent of the population of Ethiopia relies on traditional medicines for their basic health needs, she pointed out.

In this respect, the Director General stressed the need for working hard to strengthen and integrate traditional medicines into the conventional health system is crucial in improving the health of the society at large.

She further pointed out
that the authority is working in collaboration with stakeholders on efforts of bolstering the capacity of traditional medicine practitioners and integrating them into the conventional health system.

For her, this endeavor requires a strict control of quality, safety and efficacy of the traditional medicines in Ethiopia.

The director-general further urged practitioners to register their traditional medicines for authorization and good quality assurance process and standardization of traditional medicines products, stressing that it is mandatory unless they are exposed to various forms of abuse and adulteration.

On his part Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Lead Executive Officer at the Ministry of Health, Regassa Bayisa said that the ministry has been supporting and strengthening practitioners of traditional medicines to be integrated into the national health system.

The activities have been carried out to anticipate practitioners to be integrated through policy development, capacity building activities a
nd countering false advocacy of unauthorized traditional medicines, the officer elaborated.

The ministry has also been engaged in retaining knowledge and planting seedlings of medicinal values during the green legacy initiative campaigns, he added.

Moreover, the Ministry of Health in consultation with pertinent stakeholders, has been preparing a three national strategic plan that focuses on enhancing research, innovation and integration of traditional medicines into conventional health systems.

Bejoy P. Nambiar, from the WHO Country Office for Ethiopia, reiterated commitment to support the efforts in integrating the knowledge and practices of traditional medicines with science to provide high quality medicine services to the community.

Hence, strengthening practitioners of traditional medicines with engaging them to actively participate in the process of policy development on issues on enhancing and integrating traditional medicines with science and the national health system is crucial, he noted,

Nambia
r further reaffirmed his organization’s commitment to support efforts of institutionalizing Ethiopian Traditional medicines.

Ethiopia is said to be the home of some 6,000 to 7000 flora species and 10 percent of which have medicinal value, it was indicated.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Addis Ababa: The success of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is a vivid manifestation of transition from poverty to prosperity, Minister of Water and Energy Habtamu Itefa said.

This year’s Pagumen 1 (September 6, 2024) is being marked as ‘Transition Day’.

GERD, agriculture, tourism and manufacturing industries have been taken as basis of the country’s growth by the reformist government.

Minister of Water and Energy Habtamu Itefa told ENA that the construction of GERD marks the dreams of Ethiopians who have pursued to fulfill for a long time.

Citing difficulties faced in the project management during the construction of the dam, he said that it was possible to overcome the challenges due to the reforms implemented by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

As the dam reaches almost its completion stage, he said, adding it has great economic, social, diplomatic and political benefits.

Hence, he affirmed that the dam is a mega project that transforms Ethiopians from poverty to prosperity and from darkness to
light.

Beyond its energy development, GERD has ushered in numerous successes and opportunities, by creating a favorable environment for tourism investment, he further pointed out.

Finally, the minister praised Ethiopians living at home and abroad for their unwavering support for the success of GERD.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Addis Ababa: State Minister of Foreign Affairs Mesganu Arga had a meeting with Special Envoy of UN Secretary General for the Horn of Africa Hanna Tetteh.

The two sides discussed on issues of mutual interest in the Horn of Africa, according to Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Addis Ababa: Ethiopian Airlines informed its valued customers that it has suspended flights to/from Asmara effective September 3, 2024.

Ethiopian has suspended the flights due to very difficult operating conditions it has encountered in Eritrea that are beyond its control, according to Ethiopian Airlines.

‘Ethiopian regrets to inform its valued customers travelling to/from Asmara that it has suspended its flights to Asmara effective September 3, 2024, due to very difficult operating conditions it has encountered in Eritrea that are beyond its control,’ it posted on its social media.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Addis Ababa: Ethiopia’s delegation led by Minister of Foreign Affairs Taye Aske Silassie, is participating in the 9th Ministerial Conference of Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing, China.

A three-day Forum is anticipated to be kicked off tomorrow in Beijing and it has become at a critical juncture, it was indicated.

Speaking at Ministerial Conference, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi He said China is desirous a consolidated partnership with Africa as the future requires working together.

The Foreign Minister also reaffirmed China’s commitment to strengthen South-South cooperation and move towards common development and prosperity.

Yi further stressed the need for cementing cooperation to bring about a bright future and write a new history together.

Ethiopia is also expected to conducted bilateral and multilateral talks on the sidelines of forum in order to promote its economic and diplomatic interests.

Since its inception in 2000, FOCAC has provided a platform for cross-continental so
lidarity and economic cooperation, solidifying the bonds between China and African nations, it was dictated.

The 9th Ministerial Conference of Forum on China-Africa Cooperation would be of paramount importance to shape the China-Africa partnership.

Building on past initiatives, the conference will continue to prioritize the expansion of trade and industrialization, it was learned.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Addis Ababa: Mayor Adanech Abiebie of Addis Ababa highlighted the First African Cities Sustainability Forum’s importance as a platform for African leaders to discuss strategies for modernizing cities and transforming them into thriving centers of progress and prosperity.

The highly anticipated First African Cities Sustainability Forum, a continental gathering focused on sustainable urbanization, will officially kick off tomorrow at the historic Adwa Victory Memorial Museum in Addis Ababa.

The Mayor emphasized the needc for collaboration among African nations to achieve these goals

In a social media post.

She highlighted the forum’s significance as a platform for African leaders to collaborate on shared challenges and opportunities, assuring the public that extensive preparations had been made to ensure its success.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency