Transforming the public service
─ govt hosts Human Resources practitioners conference
DPI, Guyana, Wednesday, October 9, 2019
Under the theme “Innovation & Best Practices in Public Service Governance”, the Ministry of the Presidency’s Department of Public Service launched its Personnel (Human Resources) Practitioners Conference.
One of the emphases of the conference was to note the public sector’s transformation from Personnel Management to Human Resource Management (HRM). According to Minister of Public Service, Hon. Tabitha Sarabo-Halley, HRM embodies the human capabilities that are necessary for an enhanced public service.
“In other words, this conference should be on how are we going to get, train, deploy, retain and reinvent the human capabilities that we need for the economic transformation of this dear land of ours in 30 years, and beyond,” Minister Sarabo-Halley stated.
However, the minister assured the participants that the adoption of HRM does not diminish those that work within personnel management.
“I do [value you], but I am disappointed when our people in management systems take 3 months or more to pay a new entrant to the public service. I get despondent when letters come on my desk saying that persons have not been paid for 7 or 8months but are going to work religiously. I am sure we can, and must do better,” the minister continued.
In this regard, Minister Sarabo-Halley said the rules within the public service should be to the benefit of all parties involved.
“A satisfied worker is a productive worker. I would like the rules and procedures that empower public officers to use their creative talents to deliver public services to citizens at the right time, in the right form and in the right place.”
Participants of the conference also heard from the Director-General within the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon, who highlighted the government’s continuous efforts in the transition to a modernised public service.
DG Harmon noted, “for this to be achieved, there must be two approaches. On the one hand, the use of new technologies as outlined will be employed. On the other hand, there has to be a concerted effort to enhance the management capacity, administrative efficiency and skills level of all public servant from the lowest to the highest tier of the public sector workforce.”
The Bertram Collins College of Public Service that was formed under the Coalition Government has produced over 120 graduates. Creating a professional and dynamic public service is one of the pillars of the Government of Guyana.
Permanent Secretary of the Department of Public Service, Karen Vansluytman-Corbin, along with other officials, was also present at the conference and spoke with the participants.