Collaboration between central and local governments examined at forum

A strong and mutually supportive political and administrative relationship is important for the effective management of local councils as the synergy promotes efficiency and productivity, said a senior Commonwealth Secretariat official.

Max Everest-Phillips, Director of the Governance and Institutional Development Division of the Secretariat, stated that national goals can be more easily achieved through a stronger interface between politicians and bureaucrats, and between central and local governments.

He pointed out that this collaboration is particularly important to consolidate the on-going efforts to decentralise and devolve functions to local institutions.

Mr Everest-Phillips said these issues will be examined at a forum for elected politicians and chief administrators in Sierra Leone on the management of local councils.

The workshop, to be held in Bo from 28 to 30 March, will bring together 70 officials from across the country, including local ministers, provincial secretaries, town council mayors, chairmen of district councils and chief administrators.

The workshop will facilitate discussions on the issues that impact on officials performing their duties that contribute to the sustainable development of Sierra Leone.

The participants will be encouraged to formulate effective strategies for social transformation through socio-economic and political priorities.

“The forum will look at challenges and opportunities, as well as commitment and political will in leading policy implementation through strategic programmes and projects. The focus will be on desired outcomes that are in line with national objectives; the critical factors of accountability and transparency; and the influence which bears upon the success of these targets through the effective interface between the political and technical leadership. There is also a need to develop a mindset that sees efficiency and productivity as key operational factors in public service delivery,” said Mr Everest-Phillips.

“Performance management is one of the areas that impact on quality public services. As such, we will be looking at ways to gauge effective performance of duties and accomplishment of tasks that contribute towards achieving national targets – this is where monitoring and evaluation is essential and teamwork is key to success.”

This forum builds on a similar workshop for ministers and permanent secretaries, which took place in the capital, Freetown, in September 2010, and a one-day workshop in January this year for new ministers and deputy ministers following a cabinet reshuffle.