President Hakainde Hichilema has reiterated the government’s resolve to continue improving the performance of public service workers across the country.
And President Hichilema says the country has recorded progress in addressing historical inequalities that affect service delivery in the civil service.
The Head of State notes that to this effect, the government has put in place stringent measures aimed at addressing the challenges in order to promote inclusive service delivery that does not discriminate.
ZANIS reports that President Hichilema said this in a speech read for him by Minister of Information and Media Cornelius Mweetwa during the 2025 Africa Public Service Day commemoration in Lusaka.
He said the government considers the public service as key towards helping in enhancing service delivery, while supporting efficiency which in turn responds to the needs of the members of the community.
“Government will ensure that the civil service is equipped with the capacity to adapt to challenges and we will also ensure that we support it so that it can be effective in offering equitable governance and service delivery,” he added.
He explained that to ensure equitable governance, the government has also managed to decentralise 30 of its services to the local authority for easy access by members of the public.
He further cited the provision of free education, increased Constituency Development Fund allocation and recruitment of teachers and health care personnel especially in rural areas as some of the commitments that the government has continued to deliver effective services to the communities.
The President added that the government is improving access to justice by decentralising the Attorney General’s chambers to all districts and also promoting a culture of zero tolerance to corruption at all levels and in aspects of the civil service.
He further stated that the government considers the Africa Public Service Day as an important event as it provides a platform to review the performance of the public sector services and strengthen its service delivery systems.
“As a government we need the civil service, in order to help us achieve sustainable development for the people, this is why Africa Public Service Day is a very important calendar event for us because without you, we cannot achieve social economic transformation in the country,” he pointed out.
The Head of State has since promised that the government is committed to enhance agility in the public service and encourage workers to be effective while addressing the historical gaps.
And Secretary to Cabinet Patrick Kangwa, said the government is committed to ensuring that public service workers are inspired and supported, to remain effective and respond positively to the needs of the public.
Mr. Kangwa noted that the government considers the APSD commemoration as a tool for aspiring public workers to enhance their service delivery to the public.
He added that the government will also continue to promote a culture of continuous improvement in the public service.
Meanwhile, Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) President Blake Mulala, said the public service is an engine that drives government policies in all sectors.
Mr. Mulala said this is why there is a need for the government to ensure that it continues to improve the condition and services for the public sector by investing in infrastructure, human capital, good working environment and digital tools.
He commended the government for deferring the constitutional amendment Bill for further consultation, saying the development will go a long way in delivering a constitution that is inclusive and has divergent views.
He also thanked the government for the public service reforms that have been opened, expressing optimism that the discussions will address issues surrounding pension reforms.
This year’s Africa Public Service Day was commemorated under the theme “Enhancing the agility and resilience of public service institutions to achieve equitable governance and rapidly address historical service gaps”
