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African Union Celebrates The 8th Edition of Africa Public Service Day (APSD)

African Union Celebrates The 8th Edition of Africa Public Service Day (APSD)

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June 21, 2021

The commemoration of the 8th Continental Africa Public Service Day (APSD) opened today in Victoria Falls, Republic of Zimbabwe. Organized by the African Union Commission- Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security- in collaboration with the Government of Zimbabwe, under the theme “Building the Africa We Want through embracing an ethical culture that underpins purpose driven leadership in the Context of a Crisis”. The commemoration is being held from 21-23 June 2021 at both national and continental levels. 

The rationale behind this theme is premised on AU's aspirations as stipulated in Agenda 2063 whereby Africans desire to build a continent that puts its citizens at the center of all programs and projects. Two of the seven pillars of Africa Agenda 2063 envisions an Africa with a strong cultural identity, common heritage, shared values and ethics, an Africa whose development is people-driven, relying on the potential of African people, especially its women and youth, and caring for children. It is clear these lofty aspirations are underpinned by the African cultural mores that value hard work, strong ethical leadership and one that accrues inclusivity.

Held in hybrid format, in person and virtually, due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the continental commemoration was attended by ministers and head of delegations from APSD champions among AU Member States, African Union Commission, academia and media, among others.

The Vice President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and Minister of Health and Child Care, H.E (Ret) General. Dr. Constantino Guveya Dominic Nyikadzino Chiwenga, in his key note address, stated that the 8th Africa Public Service Day commemoration fulfills the visionary aspirations demonstrated by the African Ministers of Public Service and Administration at the Pan African Conference of Public Service Ministers held in Tangier, Morocco in 1994. “In line with the objectives of this day, we congregate here once again to celebrate the contribution of the public service in spearheading national and continental development, in line with the aspiration of our forefathers and fulfilment of vision 2063” he said.

“It is unfortunate that this event comes at a critical time characterized by an environment which has been enveloped by the COVID19 pandemic that continues to threaten mankind. More than 3 million lives have been lost globally, in a devastating trail which adversely impacted on livelihoods and of course service delivery in the public service”, the Vice President said. While noting some positive stories of the recovery rates outside hotspot areas, he underscored that the outbreak of the Covid19 pandemic has greatly transformed the way of doing business in both the private and public spheres. This has clearly redefined the African Public Service, which has over the past thirty years, been a subject for reform. 

The Vice President also underscored the need to build forward better from COVID

19 pandemic by noting that “Our convergence here, allows us to chart our own destiny, as it affords us another opportunity to reflect about the Public Service of yester year and its new tentacles being redefined by technology and even more recently the COVID-19 pandemic. The outbreak of the pandemic has presented us with an opportunity to embrace and adopt Information Communication Technology in conducting business within the Public Service”

H.E. Amb. Bankole Adeoye, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security of the African Union Commission, in his statement delivered by Amb. Osman Keh Kamara, advisor to the Commissioner, said that the efforts channeled at the national and continental level towards mitigating the effects of the pandemic has affected the most development activities over the world. “However, I am pleased that even with the challenges experienced for the better part of this year, we are commemorating this important event of APSD”, he said.

He further stated that the pandemic harms all sectors in Africa, notably public service and administration, local governance, urban development and the decentralization process, before acknowledging the Commission’s commitment for organizing the

Extraordinary Bureau meeting of the STC 8 on the response to COVID19 in June 2020. 

“We all know that the onset of COVID-19 has brought to the fore systematic weakness in the quality of service delivery, including water sanitation, housing, healthcare and infrastructure in previously undeserved communities across Africa”, Commissioner highlighted. 

In his remarks, Hon. Prof Paul Mavima, Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare acknowledged the AU effort for adopting the use of ICTs under the theme “Deploying technology to sustain and enhance service delivery in the face of this challenging Covid-19 pandemic climate”. 

“The Africa Public Service Day we are commemorating today is anchored within the African Union Agenda 2063 which is the continent’s master plan of transforming Africa into a global power house. The goal is to attain an inclusive and sustainable society which is a manifestation of the African drive for unity. We can only achieve Agenda 2063 to the extent that we sustain an effective, efficient, democratic and ethical Public Service,” he underscored. 

In his opening remarks, delivered by Ms. Ellen Mahudu, Hon. Deogratius John

Ndejembi, Deputy Minister of State, Public Service Management and Good Governance of the United Republic of Tanzania stressed on the significance of the 8th edition of Africa Public Service Day celebration as it creates a platform to exchange and share experiences through showcasing innovative approaches to service delivery under the theme “Building the Africa we want through embracing an ethical culture that underpins purpose driven leadership in the context of a crisis.

A special Ministerial Session for African Ministers responsible for Labour, Public and

Civil Services is scheduled to take place on 23rd June 2021 to deliberate on country’s perspective on Service Delivery, Continuity and Recovery during and post Covid Pandemic Dispensation. 

The 8th APSD is also marked by social events and exhibition of showcase by Member States on different areas of service delivery. 

For additional information on the Africa Public Service Day:

Mr. Issaka Garba Abdou, Senior Policy Officer for Public Service and Anti- corruption/Coordinator of the STC8 Secretariat, E-mail: GarbaAdoui@africa-union.org, Tel: +251936543849

Media enquiries:

Mr. Molalet Tsedeke| Directorate of Information and Communication| African Union Commission | WhatsApp+251 (0) 911630631| E-mail: Molalett@africa-union.org|

For further information:

Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@africanunion.org I Website: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

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