The Guinean government has initiated a new era of governance by results in its public administration. On October 28, the Ministry of Modernization of Administration and Public Service introduced modern tools to streamline the state's apparatus. These reforms are part of the implementation of the Simandou 2040 program. The new tools include organic texts and frameworks, as well as a new Reference Framework for Jobs and Competencies (RMC). These were presented at a workshop attended by government members, departmental secretaries-general, union representatives, and technical partners.
The era of opacity in public administration is over, with the government now having a grasp on the number of state agents. Previously, there were tens of thousands of fictitious matricules, salaries paid in cash, and ghost agents abroad. However, with the interconnection of facial biometrics and identification data, the state only pays identified agents. This clean-up policy has led to 643 billion francs guinéens in savings between 2024 and 2026, reducing the number of public servants to 128,000 agents. This progress paves the way for a more efficient administration.
Despite this clean-up, a crucial question remained unanswered for citizens visiting public services: "Who does what in this office?" To address this challenge, the National Directorate of Modernization and the General Directorate of Public Service conducted a massive overhaul. The new reference framework consists of 11 unique frameworks, 985 statutory jobs, and 108 typical jobs, linking each state agent to a precise and digitalized post on the FUGAS platform. So far, 646 structures have validated their organic texts and frameworks out of 905 structures recorded at the central level.
The Minister of Modernization of Administration, Faya François Bourouno, emphasized the need to refound the administration to become a catalyst for the Simandou 2040 strategic vision. He stressed that the capital human is Guinea's first wealth and that a well-organized administration is crucial for talent to thrive. The minister called for a shift from an administration of means to one of results, with the evaluation of individual performance set to begin in January 2027.
The new approach will be based on performance contracts and clearly established job descriptions. Each agent, from technicians to senior officials, will be evaluated. The minister highlighted that a career is not just a succession of dates and grades but a journey. He emphasized that recognizing merit is essential for retaining the best cadres and encouraging young people to serve the state.
The workshop concluded with the official handover of job descriptions and reference frameworks to departmental secretaries-general. They will now transmit these tools to each agent in their respective departments, marking the beginning of a more effective and accountable Guinean administration. This move is expected to enhance the performance of public servants and improve the overall delivery of public services.
The introduction of these new tools and frameworks marks a significant milestone in Guinea's efforts to modernize its public administration. With a focus on results and accountability, the government aims to create a more efficient and effective public service. The success of this initiative will depend on its implementation and the commitment of all stakeholders involved.
Key points
- The Guinean government has introduced new tools to rationalize its state apparatus, including a new Reference Framework for Jobs and Competencies.
- The administration has made significant progress in cleaning up its workforce, reducing the number of public servants and saving 643 billion francs guinéens.
- The government aims to shift from an administration of means to one of results, with the evaluation of individual performance set to begin in January 2027.
