NAMIBIA RESEARCH CONCLUSION The Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare is the most open public institution, closely followed by the Ministry of Youth, National Service, Sport, and Culture and the National Planning Commission. The National Housing Enterprise (NHE) and National Council rank the lowest, with the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Forestry ranking only marginally better. The NHE also ranked the lowest in last year’s research. Important to note however, is that in 2013 their website was under construction during the time of review. This year, they received an average score for their website, but again scored lowest on the request for information. The National Council and NHE rank the same, but the award will go to the NHE, because the National Council’s Public Liaison Officer did respond to our request for information. Some notable incidents: The Ministry of Health and Social Service’s Public Relations Officer referred our researcher to the Senior Health Programme Officer, who directed her to send a formal request to the Permanent Secretary from her academic institution. We did not pursue the issue further, as we were assessing the ability of a member of the public to access information – not an organisation. The Roads Construction Company’s Corporate Communications Officer responded that the questions were more suited for the Roads Authority, also reviewed in 2013, stating that “they are responsible for designing the country’s road network and its development thereof. RCC, we are just a contractor.” However, they are, in accordance with the information available on their website, a State-owned enterprise. In 2013, the National Planning Commission (NPC) and Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry (MAWF) scored second and third place as Most Open Public Institutions, but their score was much lower this year, which could be attributed to a change in staff. At the time of the research, the NPC had no Public Relations Officer (PRO), as they did in 2013, and we were referred to the Director of Administration. At the MAWF, there is currently only a Public Relations Assistant. THE MOST SECRETIVE PUBLIC INSTITUTION IN NAMIBIA The most secretive public institution was found to be the National Housing Enterprise. THE MOST OPEN PUBLIC INSTITUTION IN NAMIBIA The most open public institution was found to be the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare. RECOMMENDATIONS Government needs to employ skilled, competent information officers. At a MISA Namibia facilitated one-day workshop for government Information and Communication Officers on how to constructively engage with the media last year, only one out of nine participants had training as a PRO. Another concern was that a number of the participants needed to be convinced that they are spokespeople for the Government of the Republic of Namibia, and not the ruling party, SWAPO. Recommendations made by participants included: s &OR A #OMMUNICATION 0OLICY TO BE DEVELOPED BY THE -INISTRY of Information and Communications Technology, which would provide guidelines to government communicators on how to conduct external communication, in particular with the general public. s &OR A CONSULTATION MEETING TO BE HELD BETWEEN THE MEDIA and government communicators, in order for both parties to discuss challenges in communication and provide solutions. s &OR GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATORS TO FORM PART OF THEIR ministries’ management committees. It was highlighted that very few of them are updated on developments within their ministries and are only informed about something when the media calls them for further information, or to get a quote. MISA Namibia remains committed to ensuring that Namibians’ right to access to information is realised through strenthening the ability of public instiutons and the media to provide up to date and relevant information to the public, as well as the promotion greater transparency and accountability within government. MISA Namibia also strives to promote multiple channels of communication to faciliate easier access to public information. 69