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Service Commission leads public employees to embrace attitudinal change

Nov 11, 2014, 9:42 AM | Article By: Njie Baldeh

Gambia’s Public Service Commission (PSC) has continued to focus on getting public employees to embrace attitudinal change and adopt more modern, flexible, innovative and performance-oriented management practices as part of the public sector review.

This statement was made yesterday at the joint session of the Public Accounts Committee and Public Enterprises Committee (PAC/PEC) of the National Assembly, where the PSC 2013 report was presented and adopted.

In presenting the annual report, G.O. Bright, chairman of the Commission, said pro-active visionary leadership was being applied by the commission in setting transparent standards and practices which have reflected fair, just and competitive practices in the management of the commission’s resources.

“This is with a view to improving the quality of the recruits into the public service, enhancing the capability of staff and adopting change management strategies, which would strengthen performance and focus on results,” he said.

On behalf of the PSC, Chairman Bright expressed appreciation and gratitude to the Secretary General and Head of the Civil Service Office of the President, the permanent secretary and staff of the Personnel Management Office, and all permanent secretaries and heads of departments for their “support and cooperation”.

The Commission’s responsibility to oversee the civil service is being enhanced by the Commission’s constant effort at promoting a more effective public service delivery by helping to provide the required human resource in the most effective manner, the PSC chairman said.

He added that they would continue to maintain their core value of meritocracy, integrity, confidentiality, fairness, transparency, accountability, and equity.

The adopted report, which covers the activities of the Commission from January 2013 to December 2013, provided among others the mission and vision of the commission, an insight into the operations and activities and the legislative mandate of the commission.

“The vision of the Commission is to meet the national development goals by making optimal use of the diversity of competencies, skills and qualifications that are available in the country in general and the civil service in particular,” Chairman Bright said.

He added that the commission accordingly scrutinises and evaluates a range of educational qualifications and professional experience before filling the many vacant positions that exist in the civil service.