Efforts to strengthen integrity and good governance across the Commonwealth’s African member countries have gained fresh momentum following the successful conclusion of two Commonwealth-led events in Seychelles and Ghana.
From 24 to 28 August, Seychelles hosted a workshop for 120 heads of the country’s public service, while Ghana hosted a Senior Executive Leadership and Management Programme in Accra from 7 to 11 September for 30 heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies from Commonwealth African countries.
Together, the events brought senior officials, policymakers, practitioners and partners together for peer learning and practical collaboration. Both training sessions were led by the Commonwealth Secretariat's Head of Public Sector Governance, Dr Roger Koranteng, and created space for participants to exchange country-led solutions to build stronger, more transparent and accountable public institutions.
Fortifying public service leadership in Seychelles
The Seychelles public service leadership and governance programme is part of the Commonwealth Secretariat’s wider work on public sector reform. Organised in partnership with the Government of Seychelles, it supported senior officials in strengthening the leadership, governance and management skills needed to improve how public institutions are led and managed.
In his opening address, the President of the Republic of Seychelles, His Excellency Dr. Mathew Herminie thanked the Commonwealth Secretariat for its continued investment in the leadership and institutional capacity of the country's public service.
Addressing the senior public service officers at the opening, the President said:
“This is a valuable opportunity for Seychelles and it comes at a meaningful moment. This year, we mark 50 years of Seychelles independence. As we honour the 50 years behind us, we must also prepare to rise to the 50 years ahead. That preparation begins in this room, with the people responsible for carrying our institutions forward.
“The demands placed on governments and public institutions are changing rapidly. Citizens expect public services that are efficient, responsive, transparent and increasingly digital. Our institutions must be able to respond to changing circumstances, manage limited resources effectively, work across institutional boundaries and, above all, maintain the confidence and trust of the people we serve.”
Equipping anti-corruption leadership across Africa
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In Ghana, the Commonwealth Secretariat delivered a Senior Executive Leadership and Management Programme for the Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies from 21 Commonwealth African countries. Organised in collaboration with the Chandler Foundation, the programme focused on strengthening the leadership and management skills of senior executives responsible for leading and reforming anti-corruption institutions in their countries. Participants also examined the distinct anti-corruption challenges facing African countries and were given the opportunity for peer-to-peer learning and practical skills development.
Leslie Tsai, Director, Integrity Programmes, Chandler Foundation, said:
"The Chandler Foundation was honoured to partner with the Commonwealth Secretariat to bring a training for leaders of anti-corruption institutions across Africa. We commend the Commonwealth Secretariat for building such a trust-filled community of leaders who were willing to engage in candid conversation about the challenges and opportunities to building cultures of integrity in Africa."
Emphasising the importance of capacity building for the African countries, Dr Roger Koranteng, Head of Public Sector Governance at the Commonwealth Secretariat, said:
“At the Commonwealth Secretariat, we firmly believe that capacity development is one of the most important investments governments can make in strengthening public institutions and improving service delivery. The training delivered in Seychelles and Ghana demonstrates our commitment to supporting public officials with the knowledge and skills they need to build agile, resilient and high-performing public services.”
These two initiatives are part of the Secretariat’s broader work on strengthening public sector governance. These priorities also support the wider agenda for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda this November, where leaders will focus on accelerating resilience, partnerships and investment for a more prosperous Commonwealth.
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