areas of governance in Africa that need improvement
26 February 2007
Today at Emperor's Palace Ministers of Public Service from across the
African continent are meeting to take forward the eight thematic areas that
were adopted in the Addis Ababa Declaration in December 2005.
These areas are:
a) capacity building strategy
b) African Public Sector Innovation Awards
c) public sector anti-corruption
d) post-conflict reconstruction and development
e) Africa Public Service Day
f) regional economic communities
g) Africa Public Service Charter
h) public sector effectiveness.
Minister Geraldine Fraser�Moleketi, in the chairperson's report noted that
the slow pace of implementation of decisions remains a challenge but despite
the challenges the work of the public service reform agenda is critical and
must proceed. Mrs Fraser-Moleketi emphasised that therefore mobilisation
remains key to successful implementation and that technical parties have
indicated readiness to collaborate on a range of initiatives.
It is however critical to show quick and meaningful results as a way of
thanking all those involved in supporting such programmes and to ensure ongoing
commitment.
In her keynote address opening the conference Minister Fraser-Moleketi
said:
"We know that being African extends beyond any tribal history and locational
constraints but rather hinges on a new kind of patriotism, not only for our
respective African countries but rather the continent as a whole and our rich
heritage."
It is this ideal of a new kind of patriotism that calls upon all Africans to
stand together to build an African powerhouse across all divides. An Africa
that once again will take her place as the centre of civilisation and
development in the global set up. But, Africa is at a crucial turning point.
One which gives hope and meaning to millions of people but which also shines as
a glaring reminder of Africa's poverty ridden and conflict scorched
landscape.
Quoting the former Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), Mr Kofi
Annan, Mrs Fraser-Moleketi highlighted the progress in Africa in recent years.
Compared to a decade ago the number of violent conflicts has dropped
dramatically. Africans are increasingly taking ownership of the peace and
security agenda. Today the majority of African States, more than ever before,
have democratically elected governments. By 2002, sub-Saharan Africa had a
higher percentage of countries with democratically elected governments than the
average for other developing regions in the world. The share of women in single
or lower houses of parliament is higher than that in developing countries of
southern or western Asia and throughout the continent voter turnout continues
to rise.
"Poverty and marginalisation of Africa however, continue to stand in stark
contrast to the prosperity of the developed world; we are noting growing gaps
between rich and poor, a trend often hidden by the aggregate economic growth
statistics we tend to use."
"Unless we work out how to replicate our successes very fast or new and
vigorous approaches are adopted, we will simply not make it."
Speaking of Africa's development agenda, the Minister referred to the
critical need to ensure that sound labour market reform, skills upliftment,
increased intra regional trade and improved standards of social management take
place. She emphasised the need to ensure:
* accountability to and partnership with the communities and people who rely
so heavily on the work we do
* creation and adoption of programmes that create sustainable, positive
change
* eradication of corruption which robs our countries and people from resources
that should have been used for broad based development
* creation of effective development and learning initiatives for our public
service colleagues
* removal of the structural impediments such as unfavourable terms of trade in
certain countries and regions
* forging of strong public private partnerships (PPPs) to drive increased
investment, support and partnership.
The Minister postulated that the challenges across the continent are similar
to those experienced at country levels which include issues of co-operation and
co-ordination between individuals and organisations, a tendency of
administrations to see political heads as obstacles of little value best
disregarded by professional functionaries, too little capacity and competence.
The Minister spoke of the decisions that are made at the macro level but are
not taken forward with commitment at the lower level and result in incomplete
projects. She also spoke passionately about the shortage of visionary
leadership across all institutions and at all levels, while we do not deal
adequately around non-performance. "We skirt around (non-performance), create
new structures or bend every principle in the book of good organisational
design to work around problems."
In conclusion Ms Fraser-Moleketi said, "We need to dispassionately look in
this meeting at areas that need improvement."
"We carry the responsibility collectively for public administration and the
status of it on the continent. We are a key resource to be tapped and who can
validly give advice as far as it pertains to the administration of the Africa
institutions our leaders have put in place on this continent in order to
realise our dream of an African Renaissance.
"In concluding this initial opening statement, I want to turn to the anthem
of the African Union (AU) as was written by the Ethiopian poet laureate,
Tsegaye Gabre-Medhin. The anthem urges us to unite to give the best we have to
Africa and encourages us to make Africa the tree of life. We should make this
recommitment today as our colleagues in Mozambique are battling natural
disaster. They are a symbol of how better administrative machineries are
capable of dealing with such disasters more effectively."
For more details contact:
Lewis Rabkin
Cell: 082 497 3220
Issued by: Ministry for Public Service and Administration
26 February 2007
