Gambia’s Secretary General and Head of the Civil Service, Mr Habib Drammeh engaged Permanent Secretaries on management systems and procedures in the civil service at the State House, this morning.
Leading the discussions, Mr Drammeh highlighted various management tools and instruments to instill professionalism, work ethics and efficient service delivery. He also emphasised the importance of communication and monitoring mechanisms within the government system.
The meeting stated various instruments such as the Government Order (GO) and Code of Conduct as examples of documents to guide civil servants, yet many are not familiar with them. These instruments are meant to instill professionalism and for civil servants to devoid politics in their service delivery.
The interaction was to re-build confidence of the senior officials in taking up their responsibilities. They were urged to be accountable for their institutions and strengthen the relationship between the Office of the Secretary General and the Ministries. The aim is to ensure networking and teamwork towards the effectively implementation of the National Development Plan 2018-2021.
The Officials recommended amongst other issues to sensitise their teams on the National Development Plan, strengthen partnership, collaboration and encourage effective communication in their bid to provide services to Gambians. It was also noted that the monitoring mechanism could be strengthened to evaluate the processes and procedures in service delivery.
“The interaction was to re-build confidence of the senior officials in taking up their responsibilities. They were urged to be accountable for their institutions and strengthen the relationship between the Office of the Secretary General and the Ministries. The aim is to ensure networking and teamwork towards the effectively implementation of the National Development Plan 2018-2021”.
How many times do resources and energies have to expended in rebuilding the confidence of senior civil servants and re-motivating them?
The threat of sacking alone can be a motivator. All senior civil servants must take it upon themselves, as a matter of priority, to obtain and study a copy of the National Development Plan 2018-2021 for the object of getting the key aspects etched in their heads.
The question that comes to mind is why this administration wouldn’t dedicate funds to a comprehensive staff audit and vetting of senior public servants by a competent and non-partisan external auditing firm devoid of political influences? The savings along the way alone will more than pay for the initial expense.
Oh no. Who knows whose uncle, aunt, niece, nephew or buddy will be impacted in this land of brotherliness, Insah Allah, Insah Allah! After all, there’s enough goodies to go round in the land of No Problem. I don’t want to drop dead on account of MORIYAA. Marsha Allah, Marsha Allah, the MD of GPA drives an SUV that straight out of Rodeo Drive in Hollywood. The Gambia is back!! Let’s pull ourselves out of that mindset folks.
If only SG Drammeh will start with laying off all retired gray heads milking the system on contractual employment, The Gambia will be well on it’s way to bold moves at creating a lean and efficient civil/public service that will be followed by comprehensive and sustainable hiring and retention practices that fit Masaneh, Khadjatou and Hammay.