The Head of Government yesterday opened the 7th forum for Commonwealth Heads of African Public Service that began in Yaounde.

Prime Minister, Head of Government, Philemon Yang has urged Heads of Public Services in 16 Commonwealth African countries present in Yaounde to propose innovative ways in mitigating the impact of financial pressure and chart strategies in managing, integrating and consolidating public sector reforms in an era of global economic crisis. He was speaking yesterday at the Yaounde Hilton while opening the 7th Forum of Commonwealth Heads of African Public Services under the theme “Managing and integrating public sector reforms in an era of global economic crisis”. Noting that the theme of the forum is very appropriate for African countries, in general and for Cameroon, in particular, Prime Minister, Philemon Yang said it is indicative of the convergence of views between Cameroon and other Commonwealth African countries which need to sustain on-going reforms, in order to enhance the recent economic progress noted in Africa. Philemon Yang used the opportunity to highlight some of the reforms made in the country at all levels to enhance the efficiency of the administration, to improve output and to ensure that users are satisfied with service delivery. The Prime Minister underlined reforms being made in the area of governance, with the creation of a National Governance Programme and the intensification of the fight against corruption, through the creation of a National Anti-Corruption Commission (CONAC), which he said, are indications that the government of Cameroon is resolved in making the administration more effective to facilitate economic development.

Although Cameroon and other African counties are recording positive results through reforms implemented in the public service, enormous challenges are still being faced in management and implementation of public service reforms. The current Commonwealth Forum is therefore providing an opportunity for Heads of African Public service to share experiences on challenges that the global financial recession poses to African economies as well as the Public Service’s continued ability to foster socio-economic development to facilitate achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and other national priorities.

Participants at the forum are also exploring various innovative approaches being pursued within and outside the Commonwealth to address the crisis such as the issue of how public sector reforms ought to be effectively managed, integrated and aligned. Some of the issues discussed yesterday at the forum focused on “Africa’s capacity to cope with the global economic crisis and what does the future portend for the continent”. Today, participants amongst other issues will examine ways to integrate and re-align public sector reforms to respond to current and future economic crisis. The forum ends tomorrow.