The National Record Services management, in collaboration with the Personnel Management Office, on 19 August commenced a one-month in-service training for records personnel from various institutions in the country.
The training, held at St. John School for the Deaf in Kanifing, is part of overall efforts at improving records management practices within the civil service.
The 16th of its kind, the training is aimed at enhancing the participants’ skills in records management techniques and procedures.
In her welcome remarks, Elizabeth Bahoum, director of National Records Service (NRS), said the training, which forms part of the government civil services development programme, is meant to enhance the capacity of records personnel for efficiency in service delivery.
She reminded participants about the importance attached to reliable and accurate record while urging them to ensure good quality service delivery.
She reminded participants of the significant role of records personnel in managing record life cycles to ensure the right record is made available to the right person at the right time and at the least possible task.
In her official opening statement on behalf of the permanent secretary at the PMO, deputy permanent secretary Saffie Lowe Ceesay said the Public Services Act1996 mandated the Personnel Management Office to work with all line managers to ensure adequate capacity is given to workers for qualitative services.
This is a very critical area in service delivery, he said, adding that the importance of records personnel in keeping records, which is in line with good governance, is key.
It is essential to expose the participants to various topics that will help them in discharging effective service delivery, she said. She also noted strongly the importance of confidentiality in managing government records entrusted to records personnel.
“The importance of this training cannot be over-emphasized as it will help record personnel to generate new ideas that will help them to keep their record effectively,” she said.