On Thursday and Friday, May 16th and 17th, the Department of Public Administration (Public Admin) conducted two half-day orientation sessions for 35 public servants, now engaged as freshmen employees of the Government of Anguilla.
The Induction Ceremony is a regular annual event which caters particularly for the empowerment of persons who had gained employment with the Government over the past year, or persons who might have been recently been transferred from one department to another within the public sector. The theme for this year’s ceremony was “Empowerment Through Knowledge”.
Head of Public Admin, Mrs. Charmaine Rogers, commented briefly on the purpose and importance of the Induction. “The idea behind the Induction is that once officers obtain a knowledge of what the principles and protocols of employment in the public service are, then they are able to make better, well-informed decisions as it relates to their duties, as well as their professional and ethical responsibilities in the Anguilla Public Service.”
“Additionally,” she said, “knowledge can be, in most cases, a key driver for change both professionally and personally. Besides, the Induction seeks to enable officers to achieve an understanding of the organization and operations of the Public Service. It also fosters a supportive learning environment by impacting attitudes and consequently inspiring officers to pursue excellence in their performance in the Service.”
A key feature of the Induction is an address by the Deputy Governor. The Deputy Governor, Mr. Perrin Bradley, pointed out the three branches of Government – the Executive, the Legislative and the Judicial. He explained the separate functions of each branch and how they relate with each other so that the wheels of Government can efficiently and effectively run without complications or public havoc.
He explained to the officers that the doctrine of Government emphasizes the separation of powers. And he explained to them that their jobs are critical, for they are members of the Public Service who carry out the day to day functions of Government. He advised them that they are thus responsible for the execution and maintenance of Government’s policies.
Mr. Bradley stressed the importance of public servants maintaining an a-political approach in their dealings as servants of the public trust. “As a public servant you are not to promote your own political persuasion on matters during the execution of your service,” he said. “Your job is to support the elected government of the day. If you have a concern about any government policy, you are to speak to your line manager about that concern, but in no way shape or form should you attempt to frustrate the work that Government is carrying out by trying to impose your political views,” he cautioned.
“In my career,” he said, “I have seen some of this happening over the years, and it is not a healthy thing. You do not [want] to be known as a ‘political puppet’ who openly criticizes the working of your government. As a public servant, you would not want to be branded as such.”
He told the officers that the people of Anguilla need to have faith in whomever they elected to office, and that faith should not be frustrated by them and their political ideals.
“So I am appealing to all of you,” Mr. Bradley admonished: “If there is anything you take away from this session today, remember that you are to do your jobs in a politically neutral manner when you are exercising your duties.” “Yes, you will be free to support the party of your choice. You will be able to freely exercise your vote during elections, but as it concerns the execution of your duties, you are required to be non-political,” he reiterated.
Other topics of interest discussed during the two half-day sessions included “Recruitment and Mobility in the Public Service”, facilitated by Maria Hughes of Public Admin; “Compensation and Benefits”, lectured by Charmaine Rogers of Public Admin; “Social Security and You” by Social Security’s PRO, Rosanna Brown; “Expectations of the Public Servant”, a presentation by Charmaine Rogers; “You and Your Finances”, facilitated by Ornette Edwards-Gumbs of Public Admin; “Health and Medical Coverage”, presented by Emma Heredia-Ross of Nagico; “Cherishing Your Golden Years”, by Monifa Brooks-Gumbs of the Pensions Department; and “Professionalism in the Workplace”, by Public Admin’s Ornette Edwards-Gumbs.
The various Public Service Departments from which the officers came included the Ministry of Finance, the Customs Department, the Immigration Department, His Majesty’s Prison, the Department of Physical Planning, the Internal Audit Department, the Passport Unit, the Department of Education, the Inland Revenue Department and the Anguilla Fire and Rescue Services.
At the end of the induction ceremony, all participants were presented with certificates.
