The Minister in the Presidency, Christine ||Hoëbes has called upon residents of the Omaheke Region to utilise the just launched Innovation Kitchen at Gobabis optimally to promote their products and services.

The Innovation Kitchen will also enable entrepreneurs to get training and funding.

||Hoëbes says the Innovation Kitchen should be a stepping stone towards ensuring that locals are well equipped to excel.

"As much as there is a risk at the inception of any initiative, there are also great opportunities. We should be reminded that the challenges of poverty, unemployment, and inequality will only be effectively addressed through higher levels of inclusive economic growth, and this is why the Innovation Kitchen is of paramount importance."

The National Commission on Research, Science, and Technology as well as the Omaheke Governor emphasised the importance of partnerships in promoting youth empowerment through initiatives like the Innovation Kitchen project.

"The establishment of the Innovation Kitchen is in line with the NCRST mandate and vision 2030 as it will promote a food secure nation with a resource-based industrial sector and commercial agriculture-based commercial agriculture, placing great emphasis on skill development," said Professor Anicia Peters.

Governor Pijoo Nganate added that "Innovation should start in our minds and attitudes. That's where we should start. There must be reasons why you're doing something; if you don't have a reason, don't do it, professor. That's why you keep coming back and still find us running—because we had a purpose. We have reasons, not for luxury. We said, let's create employment for our young people. Let's create a business."

The Chairperson of the Omaheke Regional Council, Ignatius Kariseb, says innovative ideas are good for employment creation and regional development.

"Let us use this opportunity to join hands to bridge and channel our collective energy towards a shared vision of a region where the dignity of work is not a luxury but a right for all to enjoy together. Let us usher in the era of regional employment creation that celebrates the unique strength and aspirations of our beloved Omaheke."