International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume VI, Issue VI, June 2022 | ISSN 2454–6186

New Gambian Public Service and Human Capital Formation

Ayo Adesopo, Ph.D¹, Banna Sawaneh, Ph.D², and David Olubunmi Apeloko, Ph.D^3
1Department of Public Administration, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
²Department of Management Sciences, School of Business and Public Administration, University of The Gambia, The Gambia
³Department of Public Administration, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Abstract: The paper emphasized the importance of human capital and its formation to the new Gambian public service institutions. It specifically looked at the salient features of the Gambian public service pre-Barrow regime, and followed by the initial interventionist steps towards a new public service that would be efficient and responsive to the citizenry in terms of service delivery; and the critical position being occupied by human capital in driving the reforms of the public service institutions. It also researched into the efforts made towards capacity development to address capacity/skill gaps and the place of the tertiary and higher education systems in this respect. After highlighting the limitations of the key higher educational institutions, categorical imperatives were made towards enhancing the capacity building efforts of the public service institutions. These include the need to give the conduct of comprehensive capacity needs assessment (CNA) in public institutions the seriousness it requires; support the efforts with adequate budgetary allocation; adequately fund the training and educational institution and processes; establish institutional relationship between the capacity building institutions and the agency responsible for the implementation of public service reform programmes; and develop a national training framework that will ensure a more systematic and sustainable approach that allows some peculiar departments to develop their own capacity and manage this basic framework.

Key Words: New Public Service; Human Capital; Capacity Building

I.INTRODUCTION

Since service is generally an activity that government undertakes to meet societal needs, management and conduct of public affairs have become a big and complex enterprise as citizens are more aware of their rights and in effect leading to increased demands for high quality services. What this implies is that competent public service is required to be able to meet the expectations of the citizens. It is in response to this that the public service has been considered as the very hub of development having emerged, over time as a potent instrument for implementing and actualizing government programs and policies and accelerating change and development and improving quality of life. This poses a serious challenge to the public service and it is in recognition of this unique role that public service is coming under public scrutiny in most African countries. In relative terms, many public services have well trained and experienced technocrats and bureaucrats but unfortunately they have a poor record of

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