Namibia’s new President Hifikepunye Pohamba has definitely embarked on his own way of tackling government issues as he revealed during the first Cabinet session under his leadership on Thursday. The fight against corruption, strong emphasis on rural development and instructions already given to Prime Minister Nahas Angula to supervise all ministries’ actions to cut down on wastage, duplication and overlaps, the call on government officials to "reduce drastically" their international travels and reduce their delegations for such visits.

Instead, Namibian diplomats posted abroad should represent our country at such meetings, President Pohamba said. The ruling under former President Nujoma, that permission for such travels had to be granted from State House, remains in place.

Pohamba announced the establishment of the proposed Anti-Corruption Commission very soon. "The govern-ment is fully committed in addressing corruption with a sledge hammer", Pohamba said at the opening of the Cabinet meeting. He was inaugurated as new head of state only ten days before.

He further announced that the new Prime Minister has already been instructed to "put in place imme-diately" new legislation for the proper and efficient management of all parastatals. Their board members and executives of parastatals should be technically versed and professional and mangers should have relevant academic qualifications to warrant their posts, according to the new president.

Pohamba furthers asked that the 2004 SWAPO party elections manifesto be distributed to all government offices as this document was the foundation for governance until 2009.