Burkina: Other laws in sight to strengthen meritocracy in the administration (minister)

The Minister in charge of Labour, Bassolma Bazié, announced on Tuesday that after the law on political neutrality, other laws will be adopted to strengthen meritocracy in the administration.

On March 16, 2023, the Transitional Legislative Assembly (ALT) adopted the law on political neutrality and meritocracy in Burkina Faso.

The Ministry in charge of the Public Service was this Tuesday in Ouagadougou in front of the press to explain the merits of the law.

According to the permanent secretary for the modernization of the administration and good governance, Etienne Kaboré, the law on political neutrality and meritocracy was adopted to deal with the phenomenon of the politicization of public administration.

For him, the State undertook in 2015, a study on the question in order to identify the impact of politicization in public services.

“The study covered all the thirteen regions of Burkina Faso and all the socio-professional strata of the country”, he indicated.

Etienne Kaboré explained that the conclusions of the study that was carried out revealed that it is necessary to consider a law on the depoliticization of public administration.

The Minister in charge of the Public Service, Bassolma Bazié for his part argued that the government does not intend to limit itself to this law.

According to Mr. Bazié, other laws will be taken to strengthen recruitment by skill, especially in state companies.

The first official of the department in charge of the Civil Service indicated that the law on the labor code will also be reviewed by the government.

The permanent secretary for the modernization of the administration and good governance, Etienne Kaboré stressed that the law does not exclude politicians from occupying technical positions provided that they meet the criteria set.

He continued that appointments and other promotions must now take into account the skills of officers.

“The adoption of the law and its implementation reflect the government’s desire to strengthen good governance in Burkina Faso,” he noted.

Source: Burkina Information Agency