President Peter Mutharika says Malawi’s new set of public sector reforms should deliver better services to citizens with the workers exhibiting professionalism, responsiveness, unity, openness and accountability.
Speaking yesterday during the launch of the Public Service Reforms Programme in Lilongwe, Mutharika said the old ways of working in a lethargic manner in the civil and public services are now gone because members of the public want major improvements immediately.
Said Mutharika: “The public service is the centre of government operations and plays a key role in the socio-economic well-being of this country. We must, therefore, have a civil service that is professional, efficient, and effective and ready to meet current and future challenges of this country.”
The President commended the Public Service Reform Commission, which was chaired by Vice-President Saulos Chilima, for having done a good job in revamping the public service and giving it a new direction in propelling effective national development.
Noting that there had been 79 attempts by previous administrations to achieve desired reform results in the past, Mutharika expressed hope that the new attempt will deliver.
“This time around, reforming the public service is not a matter of multiple choice. It will be done and it must be done. And it must be done now,” declared the President, drawing a round of applause.
Earlier, Chilima saluted Mutharika for inspiring and guiding his committee of reform commissioners throughout its assignment over the past few months. He stressed that he and his team achieved much because they utilised Mutharika’s passion and demonstration of ‘servant leadership’ that embraces the wishes and hopes of ordinary people into national programmes.
