Burkina Faso Moves to Reform Civil Service, Addressing Inefficiency and Corruption

Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso – In a significant move to reform the civil service, Burkina Faso’s President Captain Ibrahim Traoré has announced a series of measures targeting what he describes as ‘lazy’ civil servants. These measures are part of a broader initiative to improve efficiency and combat corruption within the public sector.

According to Burkina Information Agency, President Traoré addressed the staff of the presidency of Faso on January 8, outlining his commitment to overhaul the civil service. He criticized certain civil servants for treating their roles as ‘life insurance’ and neglecting their duties.

Traoré specifically warned human resources directors against laxity in their roles. He emphasized the need for them to identify cases of chronic absenteeism and ensure recruitment is strictly based on the actual needs of the service. The President also took issue with the practice of outsourcing work to external firms for tasks that should be handled by ministry staff, pointing out the inefficiency and additional costs involved.

In addition to these structural changes, the President urged public officials to demonstrate courtesy and respect towards service users. He stressed the importance of integrity and accountability in their work, warning that any failure to adhere to these standards would result in sanctions, including potential dismissal.

A significant element of Traoré’s reform strategy involves tackling corruption. He condemned the practice of some officers who misuse their authority for personal gain, such as securing private contracts and embezzling funds. To counter this, the President announced a draft decree aimed at incentivizing citizens to report corruption within public administrations. Under this decree, individuals providing evidence of corruption would be rewarded, thereby encouraging public participation in governance and transparency.

This series of reforms marks a decisive step in President Traoré’s efforts to revitalize the civil service in Burkina Faso, aiming to create a more efficient, transparent, and accountable public sector.