AAPSCOMS Fosters Closer Collaboration among African Public Service Commissions

By Anthony Mwangi

Public service institutions are facing unprecedented demand for more innovative solutions to support citizen needs, particularly those that are most vulnerable, to achieve better outcomes and lead fulfilling lives in the context of dwindling resources.

Within this brief background, Chairpersons and representatives of African Public Service Commissions wrapped up the 6th Elective General Assembly and Conference of the Association of African Public Service Commissions (AAPSCOMS) with a call to foster closer collaboration and strengthen African Public Service Commissions to ensure effective and efficient service delivery to citizens.

Themed, Driving Public Service Delivery Transformation through Innovation and Technology, the conference was inspired by the role played by AAPSCOMS over the years to improve and support service delivery in the various public services in Africa.

The conference, held from 6 to 8 November 2024, at Safari Park Hotel, was organised by a Steering Committee comprising several government institutions, including SRC, that collaborated with Zambia, through the Public Service Commission (PSC) of Kenya. Zambia held the presidency of AAPSCOMS until the conference in Kenya.

The conference was held amidst an ever-changing workplace environment, complex and evolving challenges facing the African public services, further calling for adaptation to address new trends that include the use of ICT for enhanced service delivery.

Present at the continental conference included the chief guest, Hon. Justin B.N. Muturi, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Public Service and Human Capital Development.

Others were, the Civil Service Commission of Zambia, Nigeria, The Gambia, and the Kingdom of Eswatini; the PSC of South Africa, Tanzania, Kingdom of Lesotho, Namibia, Ghana and Zimbabwe; the Local Government Service Commission of the Kingdom of Lesotho; the Teaching Service Commission of the Kingdom of Lesotho; and the Federal Civil Service of Nigeria.

Delegates were also drawn from several Constitutional Commissions and Independent Offices from Kenya. SRC was represented by Anthony Mwangi, Samwel Makori and Judith Tsuma.

Three technical papers were unpacked by a panel of experts. On the sub-theme on leveraging ICT for efficient and effective service delivery, the participants emphasised that manual systems should be avoided to pave way for ICT.

They also highlighted the need to use ICT to realise e-governments, collaborate with various stakeholders to develop a robust ICT infrastructure, and undertake capacity building of officers.

On the sub-theme on building a citizen-centric public service, the delegates agreed to the importance of recruiting the right skills set, and adopting ‘cyber-gogy’ as opposed to pedagogy to enable the incorporation of ICT infrastructure.

Delegates also stressed the critical need for training of public servants, inculcation of ethical values, ensuring effective leadership, bridging gaps between systems, policies and citizens, pursuing impact of programmes, and the optimisation of technology.

On the sub-theme on strengthening research through evidence-based policy and decision-making, the conference emphasised that policy planning should be fact-based, policies should address challenges, and research should build and strengthen the knowledge capital.

Further, they reiterated the importance of investing on own research and analytics to inform policy, the use of data, strengthening of research collaboration among institutions, establishing robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks, and that research should speak to the needs of citizens.

The elections of the General Assembly witnessed Amb. Anthony Muchiri, Chairperson of PSC, elected as President of AAPSCOMS.

Other delegates elected into various offices of the Executive Committee included: Prof. Tunji Olaopa, Vice President, AAPSCOMS, West Africa Region; Lady Justice (Rtd) Hamisa Kalombola, Vice President, AAPSCOMS, East Africa Region; and Prof. Somadoda Fikeni, Vice President, AAPSCOMS, Southern African Region.

The conference adopted the 7th Elective General Assembly and Conference of AAPSCOMS to be held in Nigeria in the West Africa Region.

The delegates suggested the need to lobby other African countries to expand AAPSCOMS membership, which had dwindled over the years. The lobby effort would include the simplification and translation of the constitution of AAPSCOMS into various African languages for ease of communication.

AAPSCOMS was formed to collaborate, network, share experiences, knowledge and good practices among African Public Services Commissions to promote good governance and improve service delivery in the public services of Africa.

The conference was initially expected to take place in the year 2020 in Kenya. However, it was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The conference marked AAPSCOMS’ 16th anniversary since its establishment in the year 2008.