The Government of Malawi has introduced a new approach to implement Public Sector Reforms through the Government Empowerment Network (GEN). Launched by Chief Secretary to the Government, Justin Saidi, GEN aims to turbocharge the implementation of reforms that have been ongoing for over 10 years. The reforms aim to build a modern, professional, efficient, and effective public service that facilitates economic transformation and development.
The new approach involves a change in strategy, where reforms are now being developed by government ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) themselves, rather than being imposed from the top level. This, according to Saidi, will ensure a sense of ownership among the implementing agencies. The GEN programme has brought together 30 principal secretaries and senior government officials who will champion the cause in their institutions.
The GEN programme is being facilitated by Instiglio, a firm that has established similar interventions in several countries in Africa and beyond. According to Instiglio Chief Executive Officer Avnish Gungadurdoss, Malawi already has an existing public sector reform framework that just needs to be pushed into effectiveness. The programme will initially focus on six ministries, including Finance, Education, Local Government, Health, and Agriculture.
To monitor progress, a Public Sector Reform portal has been unveiled, which is an online dashboard that displays progress being made by each participating MDA. The portal will enable the government to track the implementation of reforms and identify areas that need improvement. The GEN programme aims to break down problems into technical and political root causes and develop responses to government-selected reforms.
The programme involves teams of around six champions who will test whether the political backing and capabilities to deliver reforms are in place. The champions will work in teams to develop solutions to specific problems and implement them. The government has expressed optimism that this new approach will yield better results compared to previous efforts.
Initially, three local councils, including Salima, Lilongwe City, and Lilongwe Rural, and the National Local Government Finance Committee will play a key role in the GEN programme. The programme aims to ensure that reforms are implemented in a way that is sustainable and effective. The government has urged all stakeholders to support the implementation of the reforms.
The launch of GEN has been welcomed by stakeholders, who believe that it will help to accelerate the implementation of public sector reforms in Malawi. The programme is expected to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the public service, which is critical for economic transformation and development.
Key points
- The Government Empowerment Network aims to turbocharge the implementation of Public Sector Reforms in Malawi.
- The new approach involves a change in strategy, where reforms are now being developed by government ministries, departments, and agencies themselves.
- The programme will initially focus on six ministries, including Finance, Education, Local Government, Health, and Agriculture.
