MEFMI Hosts Workshop for Heads of Human Resource Function in Central Banks & Ministries of Finance

The importance of human resource management in any organisation cannot be overemphasised. Amongst others, it helps to bridge the gap between employees’ performance and the organisation’s strategic objectives. Efficient human resource management entails a strategic approach to the employment, development and wellbeing of the people working in an organisation.

As part of efforts to promote peer learning, MEFMI conducted a workshop for Heads of the Human Resource function in Central Banks and Ministries of Finance of its member countries during the period 27 to 29 October 2021. The workshop aimed to discuss strategies for ensuring that MEFMI’s capacity building programmes respond to the needs of client institutions and to share experiences on the remote work arrangements for employees in client organisations amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

A total of 21 officials drawn from central banks and ministries of finance and economic planning of seven (7) MEFMI member countries namely, Angola, Botswana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Rwanda and Zambia participated in the training. Of the total participants, 16 were female and five (5) were male. The workshop was facilitated by two (2) resource persons, Dr. Andrew Jemedze, Managing Consultant for Headhunters, a Human Resources Consulting firm in Zimbabwe and Mr. Deon De Swardt, Managing Partner at People Africa, a Human Resources Consulting firm based in South Africa.

Participants shared experiences with peers on managing employee matters to ensure there is productivity in organisations amid the COVID-19 pandemic and other work-related challenges.  The workshop also provided an opportunity for MEFMI to identify critical capacity gaps that will inform design of its future capacity building interventions. It is envisaged that the knowledge gained from this workshop will help the participants to properly handle employee welfare.

Prepared by Gertrude Silishebo Mungolo