Shifeta maintains humans and wildlife can co-exist 

Environment, forestry and tourism minister Pohamba Shifeta has inaugurated a new board for the Game Products Trust Fund.

The fund is designed to harmonise the coexistence of humans and wildlife by utilising revenue from wildlife sales for conservation and rural development initiatives, he says.

“The fund ensures that revenue from wildlife sales is channeled towards wildlife conservation, communal conservation and rural development programmes,” Shifeta says.

“This secures a future for wildlife, both within and outside of protected areas in Namibia.”

Shifeta says the fund generates revenue from various sources, including trophy hunting concessions, the removal of problem animals, and levies on live animal exports.

The newly appointed board, chaired by Colgar Sikopo, the deputy executive director of the Department of Natural Resources Management, will serve a three-year term.

Other board members include Mclesia Mbaisa, Doreen Saisai, Thomas Muronga and Kandiwapa Amwele.

Shifeta has emphasised the importance of financial accountability. “I will no longer tolerate any qualified audit opinion, especially now that the fund is growing.”