The 3rd Africa Public Sector Conference and Awards (APSCA 2022) hosted various public institutions and heads of government agencies in Accra for a dialogue in finding measures to revive their economies  from the effects of COVID-19 and ongoing external factors.

The theme for the conference “Repositioning Africa’s Public Sector for Sustainable Development” focused on the various transformations through innovation and strategic policies by the various public sectors across Africa.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Instinct Wave, Akin Naphtal, in his welcome address, stated that the public sector plays a very significant role in modern economies, as innovation plays a key role in transformation.

He added that the ability of the public sector to innovate is seen as a critical element of economy-wide innovation performance.

“To help government in the pursuit of enabling more innovative practices for effective delivery of services, it is important to bring together stakeholders to brainstorm, share ideas and use experiences to provide a life changing narrative for a better Africa”, he espoused.

Opening the Conference, the Head from the Office of the Head of Civil Service (OHCS), Nana Kwasi Agyekum Dwamena, stated that the office, as a public sector institution repositioned itself through technological advancement and the digitalisation agenda by the government, to reform into a fast working public sector.

He further explained that the civil service has made a lot of inroads in the area of digitisation aimed at improving quality, transparency and accountability in the delivery of public service, adding that milestones in the digitisation space has facilitated the implementation of the flexible working hours in the Civil Service, to ensure effective adherence to the Covid-19 instituted by the government.

The Head of Local Government Service (LGS), Dr Nana Ato Arthur, in a panel session stated that the service has transitioned its operations into a digitalised system.

Dr Ato Arthur revealed that the digital system of operation for the service has become a challenge for some staff members.

He added that the manual process has become part of some staff members, making it difficult for them to learn from the new system.

The Head of the Service stated that training on the new digital systems is ongoing to reposition the institution in the digital World.

Dr Ato Arthur explained that the recruitment process at the Service has been digitalised to reduce complex bureaucratic processes and human interferences.

During the awards night which climaxed the event, deserving institutions were honoured for their contribution to the various economies of Africa.

Some of the award categories and winners include Government Service Support Provider of the year which went to Margins Group.

Driving Efficiency through Technology Adoption went to The Kenya Power and Lighting Company PLC

Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) took the Excellence in Trading Standards.

Excellence in Transforming Public Assets went to the VRA Property Holding Company Africa Energy.