Staff Writer
PRIME Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila has urged the public sector to align and coordinate efforts at all levels, as well as to foster a spirit of collaboration with other stakeholders beyond the public sector, in order to maximise economic growth and development by using the resources and capabilities of all Namibians.
The Prime Minister said it is critical for the country to be able to compete effectively with others in an integrated African economy and thus benefit from this integration.
“Failure to prepare for the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) might have a detrimental impact on the economy, including a failure to industrialiae, a threat to emerging local sectors, job losses, and lower government revenue,” she warned.
Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said public service a vital component in the achievement of AfCFTA.
She said the AfCFTA’s implementation is dependent on the competence and abilities of public workers in AfCFTA member countries.
“As public servants, we are expected to have the necessary capacities and skills to operate public institutions and systems, as well as to enable the public service to respond to changing dynamics and withstand external shocks,” she said.
AfCFTA enhances member states’ access to markets on the continent, creating prospects for increased trade and economic growth.
The AfCFTA is one of the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want programs, which represents the transformation of Africa into a global powerhouse capable of delivering inclusive and sustainable development.
Kuugongelwa-Amadhila urged the public sector to rededicate and commit to the country’s Public Service Charter, emphasising the critical roles that public administration will play in achieving AfCFTA success.
She stated that in order to live up to the Charter pledges, public institutions have implemented changes targeted at enhancing public service delivery promises.
The Prime Minister emphasised the need of continuing to monitor adherence to the Public Service Charter, rather than their mere existence, as a means of improving public services.
She promoted feedback mechanisms in various government Offices, Ministries, and Agencies (OMAs), as well as constant involvement with the public and the provision of reactions and remedies when services are deemed to be inadequate.
According to Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, publishing yearly reports for OMAs is a way to enhance accountability, information sharing, and building performance management systems.
She urged all public servants to continue to uphold the noble duty of serving the people and to drive the change that they all want to see in public service delivery, while also cultivating a culture of innovation in the public sector and nurturing the innovations that will lead to improvements in public service delivery.
“You should also use the digital era to improve public administration and public services, as well as to make public services more accessible to the public,” she added.
Despite the obstacles posed by the economic crisis, the Prime Minister stated that government has continued to prioritise employee well-being.
As a result, government has created structural reforms to allow each OMA to have institutions dedicated to creating and implementing worker health and wellness.
This involves early intervention to treat mental health difficulties.
