The Ohangwena Regional Council has demonstrated improvement in financial management and accountability.

The council has also launched its five-year strategic plan and established a regional investment committee to promote investment in agriculture, manufacturing and healthcare, amongst others, its annual report to parliament shows.

National Council MP Matheus Nanghama said agriculture remains a major economic pillar of the region, with just over three thousand 600 hectares ploughed in the said financial year, benefiting about one thousand 800 farmers.

“Six thousand 541 farmers received improved seeds and fertilisers. The livestock auction generated more than N$5.7 billion for farmers. The brownfield green scheme also made progress in crop production, infrastructure, and employment creation.”

According to the report, despite progress in some areas, the region continues to face some challenges.

These include high unemployment among youth, water security, gender-based violence and a shortage of health infrastructure.

“The report recommends accelerating the investment in water and the roads, strengthening agriculture and agro-processing, expanding youth financing, improving health infrastructures, intensifying the fight against gender-based violence, addressing the illegal fencing, improving disability in fresh infrastructures, strengthening the local authorities, attracting investment, and improving data management and monitoring and evaluation.”

The region has, however, made meaningful progress in governance, agriculture, water supply, education, health care and youth empowerment.