Malawi gov’t to rebuke non-performing ministries –Chief Secretary
Chief Secretary to Government, Hawa Ndilowe has said her office will not hesitate to scold any ministry or parastatal organization performing poorly to ensure the country’s citizenry receive quality public service.
Ndilowe said this Sunday at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe during Africa Public Service Day commemoration under the theme: ‘Enhancing an ethical and productive public service.’
“We will rebuke poor performance to ensure improvement. As public servants, we have a noble duty to perform and deliver the best services to people of Malawi. Rise up to duty to develop our country-Malawi,” she advised public servants.
The Chief Secretary however, commended public servants who work hard despite some challenges they encounter like financial and material resource limitations.
“I thank public servants who do good work even in difficult conditions. We as public servants should make a difference to this country,” she challenged the gathering who witnessed the launch of Africa Public service celebrations week.
Five ministries or departments were awarded certificates and trophies for their best performance. On the first position was The Law commission, seconded by Ministry of Finance and on third position was National Local Government, followed by Anti-Corruption Bureau and on fifth position was Ministry of Health.
The awarded ministries according to Ndilowe were recognized because they articulated clearly to the public what they have delivered towards improving the quality of lives in the country.
She said the celebration under the chairmanship of Samuel Madula was organized to bring awareness to the citizens on the public service and reflect on what needs to be done to improve productivity and launch Malawi public service charter and code of ethics documents.
Earlier, UN Representative Ms. Mia Seppo thanked Malawi Government for publicly celebrating the day since it was declared by African Union (AU) in 1994.
Seppo challenged the public sector, as a key partner to UN, to account for the resources and report results for development projects implemented in all sectors of health, education, environment and climate change among others.
She applauded Malawi for “increasing women in leadership positions from 18 percent in 2009 to 26 in 2013.” However, keep girls in school to become senior government servants like chief secretary (Hawa Ndilowe).”
She said he was impressed with the displays and car floats made by various ministries and parastatal organisations like Law Commission, Agriculture, Health, Defense, Police, Gender, Tourism among others.
The day also saw the launch of the Malawi public service charter and recognition and awarding of certificates to top five government ministries and departments that have performed well. The top five that were awarded are The Malawi Law commission, Ministry of Finance, National Local Government Finance Committee, The Anti-Corruption Bureau and Ministry of Health respectively.
The public service charter was adopted in 2001 in Namibia with the aim of setting standards that would restore prestige and dignity to the public service and raise performance levels and competence in governments.
Malawi Vice President Khumbo Kachali further said time is ripe for the country to have its public charter and the Malawi ethics and code of conduct that will be used by the public service which will help set standards of services that the public service needs to take as well as have a social impact between public service and the general public.
He thanked Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security for being ready to launch Malawi Public service charter in their ministry.
The Vice President however challenged all other Departments and the public service just like agriculture to prepare for the launch of the charter within the next 12 months.
Kachali thanked all public servants for the good work they are doing despite facing many challenges.
“Let me thank all public servants for the good work they are doing to their nation, Government is aware of the challenges that the public service is facing like inadequate working materials and lack good accommodation which is mainly faced by teachers working in rural areas,” said Kachali.
Kachali also thanked the Canadian and Irish governments for introducing individual performance management system and develop as well as helping in introducing the service charter system respectively.
The African Public Service Day was declared by the AU in 1994 and is commemorated on June 23 each year.
The theme for this year’s day is, ”enhancing an ethical and productive public service.”
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