The Minister of Urban and Rural Development, James Sankwasa, has called for cooperation from stakeholders to decentralise their functions and services.

In his speech delivered at the celebration of the African Day of Decentralisation in Gobabis, Sankwasa made reference to government agencies, which he said have an obligation to bring services closer to the grassroots.

Sankwasa said that although the government has made strides in many areas, there is a need to level the playing field in promoting inclusivity, equitable development, intergovernmental collaboration and leveraging technology and innovation.

The minister's speech was delivered by his deputy, Evelyne Nawases-Taeyele.

"We need to identify and fully address the challenges that have hindered the optimisation of the benefits of decentralisation. In this regard, the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development reaffirms its commitment to working closely with all stakeholders, be they government, civil society, academia, or the private sector, to ensure that decentralisation becomes not just a policy goal but a lived reality."

Omaheke Governor Pijoo Nganate explained that decentralisation is not about shifting powers only.

"It is about empowering local authorities to be agents of historical equity by driving development and building lasting resilience against challenges like malnutrition, poverty, climate change, youth unemployment and digital inequality."

Gobabis Mayor Melba Tjozongoro said the day should be used to reflect and underscore the need to address historical discrepancies in public service, infrastructure development and governance structures.

"The theme further reflects the African Union's 2025 focus of Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations through deliberation, and it highlights the transformative roles of local governance in advancing social inclusion, community empowerment and equitable resource distribution."