By Joe-Chintha Garises
KEETMANSHOOP, July 31 — The //Kharas region has been selected to host the upcoming African Union Commission celebrations under the department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security.
The celebration will be held on the Africa Day of Decentralization, Local Governance and Local Development which will be celebrated on 10 August 2022 in Keetmanshoop.
The theme of the celebrations will be ‘Making food security a key priority for territorial development and cooperation.
For the past two years, the celebrations have been virtual celebrations due to COVID-19 restrictions. The commemoration of the day was instituted by heads of state at the 2014 summit in Malabo.
The theme is an inspiration from the 2063 AU Agenda and heads of state decided to declare 2022 the year of ‘Building resilience in nutrition on the African continent, accelerate the human capital, social and economic development.
The focus of the day is to strengthen the fight against malnutrition.
Malnutrition is not only a lack of food, but also a combination of other causes that lead to malnutrition in children including a poor diet at home, illnesses such as malaria and water-borne diseases, limited access to clean water and sanitation infrastructure, lack of knowledge about safe hygiene practices, lack of access to health services, and inadequate child feeding practices.
Governments have a crucial role in fighting malnutrition in Africa. Children, pregnant and breastfeeding women and elders must be protected and given nutritious food as they are the most vulnerable groups.
The theme of the year is a great opportunity for continued advocacy to ensure gains made over the years in eliminating malnutrition and that all its form is not reversed.
In efforts to highlight the significance of this day, it is expected of all participants including the business communities within the //Kharas region to help create awareness on this national platform by exhibiting in stalls at the Westdene Stadium.
