Africa-Press – Gambia. The Ministry of Public Service and its stakeholders, on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, gathered in Kololi to validate the National Performance Policy document.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Minister of Public Service, Hon. Baboucarr Bouy said the presence of the participants at the validation workshop reflected their collective commitment to strengthening the foundation of their civil service and advancing governance reforms for sustainable national development.
Since independence in 1965, Minister Bouy added, successive governments have introduced several public service reform initiatives to strengthen institutional capacity, improve productivity, and drive socio-economic growth.
He catalogued the objective of the validation workshop as follows: to provide constructive feedback to strengthen clarity and usability of the draft policy, identify gaps and strategic improvement opportunities, build consensus and ownership among stakeholders, and ensure alignment with national development priorities.
“Your insights and contributions will shape not only the final Performance Management Policy Document, but the future of public service delivery in The Gambia,” Minister Bouy reminded participants.
He extended his profound gratitude to the staff of his Ministry, Office of the Secretary to Cabinet and Head of the Civil Service, Public Service Commission (PSC), and his Ministry’s development partners for their support in making the reform a reality.
The Permanent Secretary, Personnel Management Office (PMO), Lamin F. Jawara, informed that as part of the Civil Service Reform Program (2018-2027), his office has been working on reintroducing a robust Performance Management System (PMS) that will enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the Civil Service.
According to PS Jawara, a sound Performance Management System will ensure that public servants are held accountable for what they are assigned to do, stressing that the discipline and performance of public servants will improve the overall performance of the government, with its attendance and economic growth.
For any Performance Management System to be effectively implemented, PS Jawara continued, certain prerequisites need to be addressed, which he mentioned: updated sectoral strategic plans, scheme of service, job description, a performance contracting scheme, among others.
He explained that Heads of Departments will be responsible for administering the new Performance Management System with the facilitation of the Personnel Management Office (PMO).
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Service, Pateh Jah, chaired the ceremony, and in attendance were the Secretary to Cabinet and Head of the Civil Service, Mr. Alieu Njie,
Chairman of the Public Service Commission, Baboucarr Suwareh, and Permanent Secretary, Reform, Sheriff Jallow, and senior government officials.
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