WELCOMING REMARKS BY ADV. O.M. IMALWA, PROSECUTOR-GENERAL OF NAMIBIA AT THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF THE NATIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE FORUM OF NAMIBIA
HELD ON THE 5TH OF AUGUST 2010 AT SAFARI HOTEL AND CONFERENCE CENTRE
OMATAKO ROOM 1
The Honourable Minister of Justice, Mrs. Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana, MP, Ladies and Gentlemen, I am particularly honored and humbled, to welcome you all to this august gathering. Indeed a prestigious occasion, I would say, a dream has become reality.
Honourable Minister, Ladies and Gentlemen, you are aware how currently the Criminal Justice System is operating. A system in which institutions operate in isolation from one another.
Ladies and Gentlemen, all protocol observed. Today we are noticing another milestone reached in the history of the people of Namibia. I am excited, because now we can show our country that it is worthwhile to have faith in us, the custodians of law and order, the protectors and comforters of the victims of crime, the enforcers of the Rule of Law and the nurturers of Human Rights.
The idea of initiating a Criminal Justice Forum comes a long way. All the stake holders in the criminal justice system have at one point or the other realized that we are operating in isolation. Soon we have discovered that we are not operating to achieve maximum expected results and that our services to the people of this country, are not optimum, we joined forces together and I am proud to say that this idea was immediately embraced by all stake holders. I must further emphasize that already at the first meeting, notable results were recorded and significant changes were brought forth.
The launching of the National Criminal Justice Forum is the sealing of this vision of cooperation, assistance, and the joint effort of enhancing and promoting the administration of justice in Namibia. A shared vision comes alive today, by all stake holders in the Criminal Justice System, to capacitate and motivate our respective teams to fulfil and realise the ideal of justice for all.
The National Criminal Justice Forum, from its inception, has one vision and that is to make a difference in the current criminal justice system. The commitment and dedication of its members are noteworthy and above all, an open channel of communication and assistance was established.
The above only realized because of individuals who unselfishly made this forum a priority in their day to day operations and I make use of this opportunity to acknowledge their efforts and contributions.
Ladies and Gentlemen, all protocol observed. As in any organization or platform where change is envisaged, there are always challenges. These challenges include lack of resources, financial and human, red tape in decision making and implementation of plans and processes. We are alive to these challenges and are working closely to overcome them. We however need the cooperation of not only the stakeholders involved in the criminal justice system, but also the input and assistance of the society. If the society do not underscore our efforts, then all will be fruitless and in vain. I thus, make use of this opportunity to invite the public to come with contributions as to how we can work together to evolve and better our services to the people of this country.
Honourable Minister of Justice, I once again welcome you to this occasion and convey to you the forum’s commitment to the task bestowed upon us. Further, Honourable Minister, May I request our government, through you, to assist us in order to achieve our objectives. All stake holders and representatives from all offices, ministries and agencies present, you are welcome and your presence is a sign of your unwavering dedication and commitment. Be assured that your presence here today, is highly acknowledge and appreciated.
I now have the pleasure, of inviting the Honourable Minister of Justice, Mrs. Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana, to the podium for her keynote address and the official launch of the National Criminal Justice Forum of Namibia.
Honourable Minister, I am most obliged to welcome you to the podium.
I thank you.
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ADV. O.M. IMALWA
PROSECUTOR-GENERAL, NAMIBIA
