The first pan-African virtual training workshop for women early in their government careers. The training session was free to any woman in any of the fifty-four countries in Africa, and was convened by Africa.com and Coca-Cola Africa as part of the Women Heads of State Initiative.
Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said “Training young women in government across Africa is so important because they need to continuously increase their knowledge and skills in order to ensure an effective and more responsive public service”.
According to the Mo Ibrahim Foundation’s Report on Public Service in Africa, the average age of a public servant is around 41 years of age, with about 15 years of service in the same agency. The report noted that opportunities for mobility in public service are limited.
Africa.com CEO Teresa Clarke said, “Africa.com is motivated to use the media platform we have built over the last twelve years as a force for good. The last two years have taught us all about the power of distance learning, and we are excited to be partnered with Coca-Cola Africa to bring free, world class professional development to every African woman early in her public service career.”
Free for any woman in Africa, working in public service:
1. Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila’s opening remarks offered advice for civil servants.
2. A panel moderated by Oxford Professor Christopher Stone on Advancing a Culture of Integrity, featured Ms Tejumola Abisoye, Ms Abena Annobea Asare, Ms Amani Rabei, and Ms Rose Wachuka.
3. Followed by Patricia Obozuwa, Coca-Cola Vice President for Public Affairs, Communications & Sustainability in Africa, on How to Kick Start Your Career in Public Service.
4. The final session with Gorick Ng, Career Counselor at Harvard University, was an interactive session on How to Stand Out as a Public Servant and featured Ms Elizabeth Obeng-Yeboah, Dr Yakama Manty Jones, Ms Nomtandazo Thandi Moyo, Ms Gloria Zayzay Dole, and Ms Christine Tenneh Dono.