Public servant needs to be recognised

Motivation theories teach us that it is important to motivate employees if an organization wishes to succeed. Motivation is cardinal in improving employees’ performance. Motivating employees can lead to increased productivity and allow an organization to achieve higher levels of output.

 This is why as  Zambian Society for Public Administration we were excited to host the Public Service Excellence Awards on Friday,21 Novemebr,2014.  Below is the speech I read at the award presentation dinner.

Ladies and Gentlemen. First and Foremost I would like to say our condolences to the former first lady and the first family on the demise of the Late President Michael Chilufya Sata. May his soul rest in peace.

As an organization we are delighted to host you here. We are so excited that you accepted our invitation to the ZSPA 2014 Public Service Excellence Award.

We would like also on behalf of the Zambian people to welcome our colleagues from the USA.

Over the years we have seen massive support from   Zambians and colleagues from behold Zambian boarders. The organization has been accepted by many persons and organization. We have been recognized by the other international organizations.

I personally I am chairing a committee on Membership under ASPA International Chapter.  Next year in 2015 will host the CIMPAD International Conference in Livingstone. We have also indicated our interest to the conveners of international conference on Public Administration our intention to host the annual conference in 2016.

 As a way to combine the synergies with other international organization we have signed a MoU with Institute of Public Administration of Canada.

Ladies and Gentlemen. What are we doing here?

We are proud to say that we are here to promote Public Service Excellence among the public Servant, Public Institution and Public Sector in general. We are excited that we are here to inspire service excellence among the Public Servants.

We would like to appeal to the general public that the promotion of Public Service Excellence in the public sector is the responsibility for every Zambian. It is a responsibility that should be embraced by all Zambians. Corporate entities should now institutionalize the efforts aimed at promoting service. This can be done by making these efforts as part of the key performance indicators all employees of a public institution.

Promotion of Public Service Excellence should also be translated into the fight against corruption, cadrelizim, poor work culture and any other related vices. We should also translate our zeal to promote service excellence in motivating Zambians to work for public Institutions.

As Zambians we should endeavor to ensure that people are anxious and always looking forward to be public Servant because it is good and not because there is a job security.

People boast about products from China, South Africa, USA, UK other Countries because these Countries have developed Quality Management Systems that have inspired service excellence.

As Zambians we should develop systems that would inspire service excellence. For instance by ensuring that our management processes are Quality management systems and these should be certified.

There is also need for corporate entities in Zambia to develop strategic think thanks that would be always thinking ahead “the corporate dreamers or tacticians” and link them to government strategic thinkers.

Ladies and Gentlemen.  It is important to recognize the achievements of the Public Servants in Zambia. Therefore, the people we are awarding today are men and women of excellence. These people have dedicated themselves to ensuring that they inspire service excellence in public service.

The awards have been developed to recognize individuals and organizations that have demonstrated outstanding leadership by taking bold steps to improve Zambia, through advancements in public policy and management. The overall purpose of the ZSPA - Public Service Awards is to recognize institutional and individual contribution made by public servants and society at large to enhance the role, professionalism, image and visibility of the public service.

Ladies and Gentlemen. For us in ZSPA we shall remain focus in ensuring that public service excellence becomes a responsibility of every Zambian.

 Therefore, I wish congratulate the winners and urge them to continue working hard. Below is the list of winners.

Ladies and Gentlemen. May God Bless Zambia.